workers. What could have been makes for intriguing speculation.”
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Category 22: Toward the Unknown Region
In die Richtung der unbekannten Region
as of February 26, 2003
“Darest thou now, O soul,
Walk out with me toward the unknown region,
Where neither ground is for the feet nor any path to follow?”
- Walt Whitman
“Where no terrestrial dreams had trod
My vision entered undismayed,
And Life her hidden realms displayed
To me as to a curious god ...”
- Clark Ashton Smith
“Let’s go!”
- Paul Kantner, Captain, Jefferson Starship
“It was very expensive to make the first Star Trek motion picture, roughly $44 million. That’s equal to
the cost of sending two Apollo space missions to the Moon.”
- Patrick Stewart, Captain, Starship Enterprise
22A. The Cosmic Connection by Carl Sagan. NY: Dell Publishing Company #3301, 1973. [Deutschland: WU:
25/8786] (TOS-3) MA: “Dr. Sagan was Professor of Astronomy & Space Studies and Director of the Laboratory for
Planetary Studies at Cornell University. In this collection of essays he examines mankind’s prospects for a space-
oriented culture, touching upon everything from intelligent dolphins to scenarios for communication with extra-
terrestrials. While adhering to high standards of scientific precision, the book is as conversational as the writings of
Asimov. Hence it is a pleasant introduction to ‘space-consciousness’. Also highly recommended is Sagan’s Cosmos
(NY: Random House, 1980), the book version of the PBS television series Cosmos. And catch that series if you can.
Sagan’s a little rough on Pythagoras, who he feels gave science a bum steer in the direction of intuition & mysticism
instead of Aristotelian ‘scientific method’. Shows what old turtle-neck knows about Pythagoras - and Aristotle! But
I’ll forgive him this lapse, because the other episodes of the series - and his genuine love for space/ecology - are so
admirable.”
22B. Impossible Possibilities by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier. NY: Stein & Day, 1971. (TOS-3) MA:
“Again, from that dynamic duo who brought you #4B and #17B, a collection of data concerning non-Earthbound
phenomena of a similar non-nature. Chapters on astronomical techniques, Soviet space research, extra-terrestrial
intelligence, electronic brains, matter/ antimatter, genetic research & engineering, quasars, ‘black holes’, and the
artificial creation of life.”
22C. Worlds-Antiworlds: Antimatter in Cosmology by Hannes Alfven. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman & Co.,
1966. [Deutschland: Kosmologie u. Antimaterie, Umschau-Verlag, Frankfurt, 1967 (WU: 17/6645)] (TOS-4)
(SHU-3) MA: “Alfven is a Nobel Prize recipient; member of the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm; and
Professor of Physics at the University of California, San Diego. In this 100-page book he explains the origin of the
Universe through the fission of plasma into primal matter and antimatter. Chapters deal with the actual
construction of galaxies & star systems, the errors in the ‘steady-state’ and ‘Big Bang’ theories, the physics of matter/
antimatter and plasma particles, the development of the metagalaxy, and the effects of relativity. In short: How the
Universe really works. [See also my review of #22C, ‘Genesis II’ in the Cloven Hoof, reprinted as Appendix 57 in
#6N.]”
22D. Supernature by Lyall Watson. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1978. [Deutschland: Geheimes Wissen: das
Natürliche, das Übernatürliche, S. Fischer-Verlag, Frankfurt, 1977 (WU: 28/5127)] (TOS-3) (SHU-3) MA: “If magic
involves the use of principles for which there are not yet scientific laws, then this book [by the author of #17C] is a
account for everything in a wide variety of fields; hence it should not shy away from unorthodox theories and
hypotheses. Specific chapters cover cosmic laws & their impact upon Earthly organisms, life fields, brain-wave
research, biophysics, PK, ESP, witchcraft, time measurement, and precognition. An extensive and sophisticated
bibliography is appended for those interested in detailed investigations into specific areas. See also #22Q, Watson’s
equally-brilliant update to #22D.”
22E. The Key to the Universe by Nigel Calder. NY: Penguin Books #005065.5, 1977. [Deutschland: Schlüssel
zum Universum: d. Weltbild d. modernen Physik, Verlag Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1981 (WU: 31/6780)]
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(TOS-3) MA: “This is the book-version of the BBC television documentary of the same name. Chapters 1-4 explore
recent breakthroughs in particle physics (quarks, neutrinos, muons, etc.), and chapters 5-6 analyze and speculate
upon the impact of these discoveries on our scientific understanding of cosmic forces. Calder and his sources are
essentially committed to Einsteinian partial relativity and the ‘Big Bang’ theory of Universal creation, so you may
find it helpful to assess the implications of chapters 1-4 in light of #22C.”
22F. Intelligent Life in the Universe by Carl Sagan and I.S. Shklovskii. San Francisco: Holden Day, Inc., 1966.
(TOS-4) MA: “Long before Sagan (#22A) was invited to assemble the Cosmos documentary series, he was intrigued
by the subject of this book. This is a collaboration between him and one of the most eminent astronomers of the
Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Soviet Academy of Sciences, Moscow. The presentation is a synthesis of physics,
biology, chemistry, and cosmology, and the abundance of technical data may be confusing to the layman. For the
serious investigator, however, the same feature is a welcome change from the unsupported speculations of many
pseudoscientific works on the same subject.”
22G. Worlds Beyond: A Report on the Search for Life in Space by Ian Ridpath. NY: Harper & Row #TD251,
1967. (TOS-3) MA: “Still the most comprehensive summary of scientific endeavors in this field. Well-written and
lavishly illustrated with photos and diagrams. Considerable detail concerning projects such as Ozma, SETI/CETI,
Blue Book, Orion, and Cyclops. The tone of the book is conservative. There is no irresponsible speculation, and the
data can be relied upon.”
22H. Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence: The First Encounter by James L. Christian (Ed.). Buffalo: Prometheus
Books, 1976. (TOS-3) MA: “A social science counterpart to #22F, this book consists of a series of speculative essays
by distinguished science-fiction writers, scientists, philosophers, and [of course!] Mr. Spock. A pleasant,
provocative, and informative anthology on the subject.”
22I. Space Shuttle by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Washington, D.C.: NASA, 1976. (TOS-3) MA:
“Much has been written about the space shuttle program. This is NASA’s official booklet on the subject and is a
clean, clear, uncluttered presentation for the reader seeking the basic facts.”
22J. Enterprise by Jerry Grey. NY: William Morrow, 1979. (TOS-3) MA: “This is an excellent summary of the
space shuttle program and its implications for research, colonization, etc. by the U.S. Vice-President of the
International Astronautical Federation & Administrator of Public Policy for the American Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics. Comments Isaac Asimov: ‘This book is the story of the real beginning of the space age, how it
came about, and what it will
lead to. It is the story of real people who made dreams come true and are utterly
revolutionizing space flight - and humanity - in doing so. And it is told by someone who has lived the story.’”
22K. Space Settlements: A Design Study by Richard D. Johnson and Charles Holbrow (Eds.). Washington,
D.C.: NASA, 1977. (TOS-3) MA: “Popular books such as Gerard O’Neill’s The High Frontier have made space
colonization a fad and the victim of a good deal of emotional journalism. This NASA study - a companion volume to
#22I - is a refreshingly practical analysis. Appropriate technical data are included.”
22L. The Cycles of Heaven: Cosmic Forces and What They are Doing to You by Guy L. Playfair and Scott Hill.
NY: St. Martin’s Press, 1978. (TOS-3) MA: “If #22D sparks your curiosity, this is a good follow-up book on the
general subject of force-field influences upon the human body and consciousness: radiation, sound & light waves,
gravitational fields, etc. Compare #22L’s discussion of the human ‘energy body’ with the theories set forth in #19I/
J.”
22M. Moon Madness by E.L. Abel. Greenwich, Conn.: Fawcett Publications #0-449-13697-3, 1976. (TOS-3)
MA: “This is one of the more comprehensive of a number of ‘lightweight, semi-scientific’ books discussing the
Moon’s various influences - from mythological to physiological - on the human organism. Included are chapters/
sections on time, blood, sex, women, maternity, plants, diseases, mental illness (including lycanthropy), suicide,
lunambulism, electricity, and magnetism.”
22N. FireForce by Michael A. Aquino. San Francisco: Barony of Rachane, 2016. (TOS-3) MA: “FireForce is a
parody of Star Wars - but a very different sort of parody. Far from ridiculing or lampooning the original, it seriously
investigates and extrapolates personalities, concepts, and situations for the purpose of understanding their innate
and ultimate significance: to the genius of George Lucas’ original vision, to the sensibilities of the reader, and to the
many emotional, social, and political issues and principles involved. The result is an extended narrative which, while
respecting the creative integrity of Lucas’ original 1977 Star Wars movie & novel, departs from it in every detail:
character names, scenes, relationships, and dialogue: an interpretation which is “the same but different”. Appended
is a similar parody treatment of Indiana Jones, with an entirely different ‘twist’ to the technique. You are about to
take a very big step into a very different universe ...”
http://www.amazon.com/Michael-A.-Aquino/e/B01GEWRIMU
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22O. Pioneering the Space Frontier by the National Commission on Space. NY: Bantam Books
#0-553-34314-9, 1986. (TOS-3) MA: “In format this is a companion volume to #22I & #22K, but in content it is an
assessment of the U.S. space program at present and an argument for its expansion into a trans-orbital and
planetary emphasis. NASA’s reliance upon the space shuttle, coupled with increasing military interest in and
possible influence over the shuttle program as a component of SDI research has put more distant space-exploration
efforts at a serious disadvantage: exploration of the Moon, the planets, interplanetary probes, etc. The National
Commission on Space is a blue-ribbon panel of 15 space-exploration enthusiasts. This book is a good ‘state-of-the-
art’ assessment which tells the reader what is and would be possible if the U.S. and other nations would resolve to
move space-exploration forward. Whether the present fixation on Earth-orbital programs will yield to this more
ambitious prospectus is unclear at this time.”
22P. Faster Than Light: Superluminal Loopholes in Physics by Nick Herbert. NY: New American Library,
1988 (ISBN: 0-453-00604-3) (TOS-4) (SHU-3) Robert Menschel IV°: “A very readable survey of current scientific
studies and explorations into the speed of light and faster-than-light travel and/or communication. Fairly simple
discussions of theories concerning the speed of light and areas in which this limit may be bypassed.”
22Q. Beyond Supernature: A New Natural History of the Supernatural by Lyall Watson. NY: Bantam (ISBN
0-553-34456-0), 1988. (TOS-3) MA: “This book reflects Watson’s continuing efforts as a biologist to refine the
propositions he introduced in #22D fifteen years previously. It was the purpose of #22D, he remarks, ‘to create a
sort of demilitarized zone into which both scientists and enthusiasts could go without abandoning either their sense
of proportion or their sense of wonder’. #22Q is divided into three general sections: Life, Mind, and Planet. The first
deals with such topics as coincidence, order, imagination, organisms, identity, & natural selection. The second
addresses bioelectricity, mind fields, biofeedback, social communications & phenomena, & extra-bodily phenomena.
The third investigates poltergeists, PK/ESP, paranthropology, Psi, paraphysics, pararchæology, and Earth-as-Gaia
(Earthmind). ‘What we need,’ he concludes, ‘is a slightly broader definition of reality: one which includes the
possibility of certain things happening when humans are involved. A definition that is not so exclusive; one less
inclined to dismiss certain things as impossible, and better able to deal with what actually happens in terms of
probability rather than outright and unreasonable denial.’”
22R. Hamlet’s Mill by Giorgia de Santillana & Bertha von Dechend. Boston: Godine. (TOS-3) DW: “A little
easier to find than #22B. A good study of the effect of the idea of the cosmos on mankind’s development and
meaning-making activities.”
22S. The Millennial Project: Colonizing the Galaxy in 8 Easy Steps by Marshall Savage. NY: Little Brown &
Co., 1994. (TOS-2) Alex Burns II°: “Savage’s vision is expansive to say the least, echoing Seldon’s Foundation plan
in its detail and length. All the usual stuff is here: Dyson shells, interstellar travel, terraforming the Moon & Mars,
asteroid mining, etc. It is the extreme optimism of the ‘Age of Aquarius’ tempered with pragmatism. The technical
knowledge is massive: a dozen engineering disciplines, a wide-ranging analysis of scientific & technical literature.
385 pages text, 30 pages appendices, 707 footnotes, 16 pages color plates, 22 pages bibliography. Savage’s Web site:
http://www.millenial.org”
* * *
F22A. Cosmos. 1980. 14 episodes in the set. Hosted by Carl Sagan. MA: “See #22A above.”
F22B. Star Wars. 1977. MA: “This film is less important for its setting than for its significance as a study of
magic, metaphysics, and morality [see #22N]. But it also broke new ground in another way, in that it portrayed a
space-travel culture as casual as today’s automobile-travel one. Space, suggests the movie, is as natural an
environment for humans to frolic around in as Earth. Obviously this is not quite the case, but the film nonetheless
triggered an entire decade of ‘popular space consciousness’ in which ordinary people, not just ultra-select NASA
astronauts, visualized themselves as explorers of this medium.”
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Category 23: Lesser Black Magic
Niedrigere Schwarze Magie
as of February 26, 2003
MA: There are Lesser Black Magical principles to be found throughout this reading list, to be sure,
but there are also works which focus primarily or principally on the concept or technique itself. LBM is
defined and discussed in “Black Magic” in the Crystal Tablet of Set, and generally embraces what
ordinary human minds conceive as “magic”. Hence this category begins with four books on stage-magic,
which will (a) enable the Setian to satisfy those who ask to “see some magic”, and (b) offer the Setian
excellent training in the basic techniques of attention control and behavior & attitude manipulation so
crucial to more serious applications of LBM. Following the stage-magic works are books dealing with
the social environment so conducive to LBM operations. Setians are advised to pursue active operations
of LBM only after they have schooled themselves in the relevant ethical fields as treated in category 16.
* * *
DW: LBM shouldn’t be used as the first resort in any situation, when reason and courtesy can be
used instead. The Black Magician, a one-eyed man in the kingdom of the blind, must likewise learn not
to become a Cyclops. However the ability to amaze and delight your friends is a primary art of the
magician.
23A. The Great Book of Magic by Wendy Rydell with George Gilbert. NY: Harry N. Abrams, 1976.
[Deutschland: Das grosse Buch der magischen Kunst, Lichtenberg Verlag, München, 1978 (WU: 28a/3505)]
(TOS-2) MA: “There are a great many stage-magical manuals on the market, but I have recommended this one
because it fills a great many requirements: It is a large, well-printed, clearly illustrated, quality paperback. It is
reasonably priced ($10). It contains instructions for over 150 very effective tricks and an excellent introduction (the
first half of the book) dealing with the history and major personalities of stage-magic, with major sections on the
Black Arts [with rare photos of the Church of Satan’s Central & Lilith Grottos in 1972].”
23B. Thirteen Steps to Mentalism by Corinda. NY: Louis Tannen, 1967. (TOS-3) MA: “This and #23C are the
recognized classic texts in the stage-magic art of mentalism. It is one of the more difficult fields to master, but it is
also one of the most impressive - even frightening - to use in a non-entertainment setting. The same principles used
for these mentalism tricks can be adapted to a great many LBM situations. Both this and #23C are usually stock
items in stage-magic shops. Despite this, it is surprising how few people read the books, hence know their secrets.”