than #10G, seeking to illustrate Yeats’ personal approach to a magical philosophy rather than his dealings with the
G.'.D.'. organization.”
10I. Egyptian Magic by Florence Farr. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: The Aquarian Press, 1982.
(TOS-4) MA: “The actress Florence Farr was one of the more famous initiates of the G.'.D.'. and was a particularly
close friend of Yeats and G.B. Shaw. This little paperback is a very readable summary of the Egyptian magical
tradition - as abbreviated as may be expected in 85 pages - but is nonetheless notable for its section on gnostic
Christian philosophy as developed in post-dynastic Egypt. Herein may be found the G.'.D.'. roots of the ‘Æonic’
system into which Aleister Crowley would propose the Æon of Horus.” DW: “This book is interesting as a historical
trifle, but if you really want to know what’s going on, look for The Books of Jey and the Untitled Text in the Bruce
Codex by C. Schmidt (Ed.) & V. MacDemot (Trans.) (Leiden: Brill, 1978).”
10J. The Golden Dawn: Twilight of the Magicians by R.A. Gilbert. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: The
Aquarian Press, 1983. [Deutschland: WU: 37/13-352] (TOS-3) MA: “This little paperback might best be described as
a ‘ Reader’s Digest condensed-book version’ of #10A/C/F/G with some ritual samples from #10B tossed in as
appendices. If you want a quick and unconfusing look at the Golden Dawn, this is as good a cook’s-tour as any.”
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Category 11: John Dee and the Enochian System
John Dee und das Enochische System
as of February 26, 2003
MA: John Dee was court magician, astrologer, mathematician, and occasional spy for Queen
Elizabeth I. At that time sorcerers were still subject to being burned at the stake for “dealings with the
Devil”; hence Dee was quite careful to lace his magical writings with pro-Christian preambles. He was
also a cipher expert, keeping many of his personal records in various forms of cryptical shorthand. In
1584 he wrote into his diaries a series of nineteen magical incantations, since known as the Angelical or
Enochian Keys. These Keys were regarded as being of high potency for ritual operations by the Golden
Dawn, the A.'.A.'., and the Church of Satan. In the Book of Coming Forth by Night they are revealed as a
corruption or approximation of the Word of Set (contained in “The Book of Coming Forth by Night:
Analysis & Commentary” in the Ruby Tablet of Set).
* * *
DW: “John Dee is a much used and abused source for most English-language ceremonial magic.
What the modern occultnik misses is that the outer workings of a Magus like Dee are the merest
frosting on the cake. His work with Mercator, the British navy, the LBM used on Queen Elizabeth I, the
collecting of books: These things gave him power. Serious magicians should seek to live world-changing
lives of mundane excellence if they hope to make Dee’s system speak to them. I speculate that Dee’s
Word was Regi (Latin: “I will reign.”).”
11A. John Dee by Richard Deacon. London: Frederick Muller Ltd, 1967. (TOS-3) MA: “While other
biographical studies of Dee have been written, none compares with this one for insight, clarity, and readability. An
excellent introductory work. The author is particularly sensitive to Dee’s linguistic skills and contributes many
helpful research recommendations of his own.”
11B. John Dee: The World of an Elizabethan Magus by Peter J. French. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd,
1972. [Deutschland: WU: 23/5646] (TOS-4) MA: “To date this remains the most sophisticated study of Dee and his
philosophy, with detailed chapters on magic, science, religion, Hermetics, applied science, literature, and
antiquarianism. An exhaustive bibliography is appended. This book is not recommended for those not already
familiar with the basic facts concerning Dee, and a grounding in Classical philosophy and metaphysics wouldn’t hurt
either.”
11C. John Dee by Charlotte Fell Smith. London: Constable & Company Ltd, 1909. (TOS-3) MA: “This book is
lighter on the philosophy and heavier on the biography than either #11A or #11B. Hence its greatest value is as a
in classifying the various Dee-works which the researcher might encounter.”
11D. The Vision and The Voice by Aleister Crowley. Dallas: Sangreal Foundation, 1972. [Deutschland: Die
Vision und die Stimme, Verlag Sigrid Kersken-Canbaz, Berlin, 1982] (TOS-4) (LVT-4) MA: “This book contains the
record of Crowley’s experiences with the thirty Æthyrs of the XIX Enochian Key. The visions are considered by
many to be Crowley’s most beautiful magical record. This material is also included in both #9G and #9H, but this
small edition has the advantage of detailed footnotes by Crowley, together with helpful annotations by F.I.
Regardie.” J. Lewis VI°: “Students of Dee and the Enochian system are treated to a new universe in the record of
DCLXVI’s series of Workings with the Æthyrs. The Order of Leviathan affiliate may decide to enter the Æthyrs
personally. The 19th Key is the operative one and while the old Keys can still be used, the Order of Leviathan
recommends the Parts of the Word of Set over the older C/S and pre-existing versions.” DW: “Pay particular
attention to the Tenth Æthyr, where Set is described by a RHP brain.”
11E. John Dee’s Actions With Spirits by Meric. Casaubon. London: Askin Publishers, 1974 (originally
published 1659). (TOS-4) MA: “A large, beautifully bound photofacsimile edition of Casaubon’s transcript of the Dee
diaries containing the original Keys. While not a completely accurate copy of the original diary material, this volume
was far more authoritative than the corruptions progressively introduced by the Golden Dawn, A.'.A.'., and Church
of Satan. This edition originally sold for $100-$150, as did a similar, leatherbound edition which followed a year or
so later. Unless you are a book collector per se, #11H is a more useful acquisition. Introduction to #11E by Stephen
Skinner. [Note: The Casaubon Keys are reproduced in Scroll of Set #I-11.]”
11F. The Complete Enochian Dictionary by Donald C. Laycock. London: Askin Publishers, 1978. (TOS-4) MA:
“In addition to containing a comprehensive English-Enochian and Enochian-English dictionary, this volume
includes a scholarly history and analysis of Dee’s Enochian system and Laycock’s edited version of the Keys from
Dee’s original manuscript. Comparison of Laycock’s version with the Temple of Set’s microfilm copies of the original
Dee diaries, however, reveals that Laycock arbitrarily subdivided parts of the Enochian text and added English-
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based punctuation. [Setian Gregory Anderson notes the existence of an Enochian dictionary entitled
GMICALZOMA! by Leo Vincy, available through some British outlets. ‘Leo Vincey’ - a hero in Haggard’s She novels -
was a pseudonym occasionally employed by Aleister Crowley, who included some Enochian-jargon incantations in
an edition of The Gœtia.] Until the appearance of #11H, the only verbatim printed copy of the original Dee Keys
available to Setians was/is in ‘ The Book of Coming Forth by Night: Analysis & Commentary’ with the Word of Set
translation.”
11G. John Dee on Astronomy by Wayne Shumaker (Ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press, 1978.
(TOS-4) MA: “This book is the ‘missing link’ between the m
etaphysics of Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle and Dee’s
otherwise-seemingly fantastic magical Workings. It is also the key to Dee’s enigmatic ‘hieroglyphic monad’. You will
need to have a basic grounding in higher mathematics, astronomy, and geometry before this book will reveal its
essence to you, however. Shumacher is a Professor of English at the University of California and is also author of
#3J.”
11H. The Enochian Evocation of Dr. John Dee by Geoffrey James (Ed./Trans.). Gillette, NJ: Heptangle Books,
1984. (TOS-4) MA: “At long last - The original Dee diary Keys assembled with a large selection of Dee’s related
spells, all carefully footnoted and annotated to the original Sloane, Cotton, Bodeleian, Ashmolean, etc. documents.
James is familiar with and critiques as appropriate the various approaches in such works as #11B/D/F. Since this is
a book consisting solely of annotated magical text, it will not be readily intelligible to readers who have not obtained
a biographical and exoteric understanding of Dee through other sources. A top-quality clothbound volume, well
worth the $40 pricetag for serious students of Dee.”
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Category 12: The Pythagoreans
Die Pythagoräer
as of February 26, 2003
Pythagoras, famed as the first Greek philosopher, was one of the only foreigners to be initiated
into one or more Egyptian priesthoods prior to the final decadence and destruction of Egypt. Hence it is
through the Pythagoreans and their students that many of the most sublime mathemagical principles
have been passed down to us. Pythagoras was the first to use the pentagram as the symbol of his
initiatory order, and death was the penalty for revealing its secret ( phi). [See also “The Sphinx and the
Chimæra” (Appendix #1 of this The Temple of Set).]
12A. The Ancient Mysteries of Delphi: Pythagoras by Edouard Schuré. Blauvelt, NY: Rudolf Steiner, 1971.
(TOS-2) MA: “This small paperback contains a concise history of Pythagoras and his Academy at Crotona. A touch
imaginative, as per Steiner publications in general, but on the whole a pleasant introduction to the subject.”
12B. Pythagoras: His Life and Teachings by Thomas Stanley. Los Angeles: Philosophical Research Society,
1970. (TOS-3) MA: “I can forgive Manley P. Hall & Co. a lot as long as they reprint treasures like this: a handsomely-
bound facsimile reproduction of the Ninth Section of the 1687 edition of Stanley’s History of Philosophy. It contains
an extensive account of Pythagoras and his doctrines, carefully footnoted to the original Classical sources. Almost
any other account of Pythagoras that you come across will have been derived, in whole or part, from this book. The
typeface and language are ‘very 17th-century’, so be prepared for ye eyestrayne. Some extracts will be found in ‘The
Sphinx and the Chimæra’ in the Ruby Tablet.”
12C. The Collected Dialogues of Plato by Plato (Ed. Edith Hamilton & Huntington Cairns). Princeton:
Princeton University Press, 1961. [Deutschland: Platon-Die Hauptwerke, Alfred Kröner Verlag, Stuttgart, 1973]
(TOS-4) (LVT-4) MA: “It may sound inadequate to say ‘go read Plato’ - sort of like saying ‘go read the encyclopædia’!
The fact remains that this closet student of Pythagoras [cf. Alban Winspear, The Genesis of Plato’s Thought, NY:
S.A. Russell, 1940] incorporated a wealth of Pythagorean philosophy into his Dialogues and letters. This volume
remains the standard academic translation. And, since it contains all of Plato’s works [in fine print, on microthin
paper], cross-referencing - indispensable where Plato is concerned! - is possible.” R. Winkhart IV°: “Beinhaltet als
Alternativtitel: Protagoras, Gorgias, Menon, Phaidon, Das Gastmal, Phaidros, Der Staat, Theaitet, Der Staatsmann,
Timaios, Kritias, und Die Gesetze.” J. Lewis VI°: “Descending into the waters of Plato is to enter a world where all
things are subject to question and resolution through dialogue. Few if any of Plato’s adversaries could outdo his
finely-tuned mind. Plato is hardly the author to pick for a little light reading, but neither should an understanding of
his works be considered an impossibility.”
12D. The Divine Proportion: A Study in Mathematical Beauty by H.E. Huntley. NY: Dover Publications
#0-486-22254-3, 1970. (TOS-4) (TRP-1) MA: “If you enjoyed J. Bronowski’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ episode on
Pythagoras in the Ascent of Man series/book, you’ll like this little book - since it was one of J.B.’s primary sources.
The text alternates between aesthetics and mathematics, with some rather hefty formulae included. Supplementary
chapters touch upon the Fibonacci Numbers, Pascal’s triangle, and other ‘golden ratios’ of science and nature.”
12E. The Secrets of Ancient Geometry by Tons Brunes. Copenhagen, Denmark: “The Ancient
Geometry” (Nygaardsvej 41, Copenhagen 0), 1968 [two-volume set]. [Deutschland: WU: 24a/73] (TOS-4) (TRP-4)
MA: “The word for this work is ‘staggering’. 583 pages long, about $50. Extensive chapters on the mathematics and
architecture of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and their offshoots. A wealth of precision diagrams and formulæ.”
12F. The Theoretic Arithmetic of the Pythagoreans by Thomas Taylor. NY: Samuel Weiser, 1972 [originally
published 1816]. (TOS-4) (TRP-4) MA: “In the author’s words [from the 1816 title page]: ‘The substance of all that
has been written on this subject by Theo of Smyrna, Nichomachus, Iamblichus, and Boetius; together with some
remarkable particulars respecting perfect, amicable, and other numbers, and a development of their mystical and
theological arithmetic.’ A technical text by a distinguished scholar. Compare with #2N and #12E.”
12G. Pythagoras: A Life by Peter Gorman. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1979. [Deutschland: WU:
29/21-076] (TOS-3) MA: “Quite simply - and in 216 pages - the most well-written, carefully researched, and
objective biography of Pythagoras to date. Also included are chapters on philosophers contemporary with
Pythagoras, as well as on certain key aspects of his philosophy.”
12H. The Geometry of Art and Life by Matila Ghyka. NY: Dover Publications, 1977. (TOS-3) Patty Hardy IV°:
“This covers some of the same territory as #12D, but devotes more space to the aesthetics of harmonic and
geometric principles as they are found in living systems and in art. There is some interesting basic material covered
[such as a discussion of why fivefold symmetry cannot be found in inorganic systems]. Chapters are included on
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the mathematics of phi and the Golden Section, the transmission of geometrical symbols and plans from
Pythagorean times through the masonic guilds of the Middle Ages, the Greek and Gothic canons of proportion, and
harmonic analysis of biological and architectural forms.”
12I. The Enneads by Plotinus (Stephen MacKenna, Trans.). London: Penguin, 1991. (TOS-4). DW: “Plotinus,
an ethnic Egyptian living in Rome, produced one of the clearest and most powerful pieces of Egyptian/Pythagorean
thinking to be injected into European thought.”
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Category 13: Sex in Religion and Magic
as of February 26, 2003
MA: Sex and magic have never been very far apart. This is both because sorcerers and sorceresses
tend to be rather sensual individuals, and because the sexual drives (as distinct from sex per se) can be
used for purposes of ritual magic. Historically Black Magical societies have been accused of being
obsessed with sex; a Black Magician might well retort that his/hers is the rational & mature approach,
and that the critic is suffering from a bad case of Judaic/Christian repressed/sex neurosis/hysteria. A
problem with “sex-magic” has been that many practitioners, in an effort to over-compensate for the
aforementioned neurosis, have plunged into sex in the most animalistic way possible - as an indulgence
for its own sake. This, for example, was the presumption of the Church of Satan. Aleister Crowley,
however, employed his “sex-magical” practices as a means to attain an ecstatic state of being
appropriate to an ulterior, conceptualized goal - a fact almost totally lost on his latter-day disciples, who
more often than not either ignore the sexual component in his Workings or become obsessed with it.
The Temple of Set proposes an integral, non-compulsive, comfortable, and relaxed interrelationship
between sex, aesthetics, and love - the neglect of any one of which will inhibit the efficacy of whatever
magical Working is involved.
* * *
DW: The only commandment here is to know yourself. Whether you choose to overcome
boundaries or practice what you know; whether you choose a lot, a little, or none; your practice of safe,
sane, consensual, adult sexuality must be absolutely and ultimately your own. Let your sense of beauty,
which is to say Ma’at, be your guide.
13A. Eros and Evil by R.E.L. Masters. NY: Julian Press, 1962 [later paperback edition published]. (TOS-3)
MA: “The definitive reference work on the subject. Basically oriented towards a classical Christian concept of
Dæmonology, but encyclopædic in its coverage nevertheless.”
13B. The Sacred Fire by B.Z. Goldberg. NY: University Books, 1958. (TOS-3) MA: “A history of sex in religion,
valuable primarily as an in-depth supplement to #13A - the main differences being that Goldberg seems a little less
obsessed with the subject, and that there is an interesting section dealing with the concept of revolt (sexual and
otherwise) against repressive religious environments.”
13C. Sexuality, Magic, and Perversion by Francis King. Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1971. (TOS-3)
MA: “You have to hand it to King for picking a catchy title! Yet this is a rather thorough survey of the influence of sex