This highly regarded text is a cornerstone among ceremonial magicians and occultists worldwide. The Sword & the Serpent expounds upon the principles of ceremonial magic and its relationship to the teachings of Qabalah. In this one volume, the second volume of The Magical Philosophy series, are brought together Books III and IV of the original edition. Book III presents the external Qabalistic universe, and Book IV the internal Qabalistic universe; together, the twofold universe-that which surrounds us, and the universe of the psyche within.
It is the ultimate integration of the outer world and inner world that is the Great Work and purpose of High Magic. The essential structures of outer and inner worlds are here conceived of in parallel terms, seen through one common comprehensive framework, and their integration is thus revealed as comprehensible and progressive gnosis. For the magician, this is the key to learning to use the psyche, or inner world, to control and direct the forces of the outer worlds of being. Thus, and only thus, do we fulfill our destiny and become the masters of our fate.
"Those of us who read a great many books on magic know how rare it is to find reason and spiritual insight working together. Clear thinkers tend to be materialists, and ardent believers muddle-headed, because it is difficult to quantify the transcendent. Yet it is precisely this analysis of wordless insight that is necessary in practical magic-to make the ethereal concrete on at least some level so that it can be manipulated. In The Sword & the Serpent is laid forth a complete structure of Qabalistic magic, and more importantly, a lucid exposition of the rationale of that framework. Its utility will only be fully appreciated by working occultists, who will cherish it as a constant reference. It is that rarest of gems, a genuine textbook of the magical art."
-Donald Tyson, author of The Power of the Word and Necronomicon
In my book, Modern Magick, I gave a brief introduction to one of the most important people in the history of magick, Dr. John Dee (1527–1608 or 1609). More than a magician, Dee was also one of the most interesting and fascinating figures of the Elizabethan Age. When he died, his home in Mortlake (a district of London on the southern bank of the... read this article
