The Occult Book Review

                                         “One mind there is, but under it two principles contend.”                               Philip K. Dick Tractates Cryptica Scriptura     The process of deciding what constitutes Christian doctrine and what are the remnants of previous traditions was summed up well by Elaine Pagels when she writes in Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas, “ What survived as orthodox Christianity did so by suppressing and forcibly eliminating a lot of other material .” This can often be revelatory for those who believe that Christianity today exists in the same form as in its first centuries.   This position is also expounded upon by Earl Doherty in his book The Jesus Puzzle and in...

Reading Spirits from the Edge of the World by J. Van. Ysslestyne is an eye-opening anthropological revealing of authentic shamanism. Unlike many examinations from western writers, this book is mostly compiled by the Ulchi people themselves. As one of the few remaining cultures with living links back to their ancient lineages we should listen carefully to what they have to tell us. Their animism (Itself a western term) is primal, of course, but also holistic and connective in a way we often overlook. Indeed, sometimes we are under pressure to label or not label, categorise and separate, define and ritualise, all of which, while well meaning, only result in order, dogma and an unnatural barrier to what 'shamanism' really is. Shamanism in the Ulchi context, and for those of us in the west to a more crude degree, is an overview and umbrella term for what might be a multitude of paths, methods of contact and connection to what I call the 'whatever '. The arch...

In the almost 120 years since Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published, the notion of gothic immortality has both fascinated and terrified us in equal measure. However, that dark romanticism has lent itself to many different genres since then and vampires have appeared in such unusual locations as the American Civil War with Seth Grahame Smith’s Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, as predators from outer space in Colin Wilson’s The Space Vampires, and as world conquerors and civilization builders in Brian Stableford’s The Empire of Fear. Some other vampire novels that immediately come to mind include Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin, They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon; I am Legend by Richard Mathisen (Not strictly vampires!) and Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite. However, there have also been many vampire novels, including recent releases, which have not received the attention they deserved a...

In The Sacred History author Jonathan Black (AKA Mark Booth) sets out the case for idealism over materialism. Following on from his previous book The Secret History of the World the author this time uses an approach to mysticism that is possibly easier for the layperson to understand. The reason for this is the focus upon myth and the explanation of various religious and spiritual traditions and texts as opposed to the possibly more studious scope of his previous work. When we look back upon the history of sacred writings and wisdom supposedly gained through higher states of consciousness we must place a huge amount of faith in the notion of intuition and the idea that there is a common path applicable to us all. Idealism, as Black sees it, is the belief that thought came before matter and all of existence is somehow the expression of this original mind. In the book we are taken on a journey that begins with our earliest intimations of this higher aspect through creation myths ...

On the surface, Nina Allan’s novel is about alternate realities and the quest to overcome individual and collective perceptions. The story concerns various characters connected through generations and imaginings. Some of the characters believe they have corresponding siblings on the periphery of their own worlds. The arc of the novel concerns itself with the attempts of these people and their society to make sense of strange signals and communications said to come from the stars or, possibly, other dimensions. This novel unfurls slowly. The connections touch and drift, almost like a maze-like puzzle running through the story of each character. You wonder at the sub-text of each incident, trying to remember if a reflection or clue has already been glimpsed in a previous chapter. Not that the novel is elusive, rather, the rewards are greater if you stay alert to the connections and what lies behind the words and events. This novel is all about language and how it creates v...

Review: Leopard Warrior: A Journey into the African Teachings of Ancestry, Instinct, and Dreams by John Lockley. Published by Sounds True. John Lockley’s Leopard Warrior: A Journey into the African Teachings of Ancestry, Instinct, and Dreams is a book which seems both timely and timeless in equal measure. Today, a person from a non-indigenous tribe speaking for those who have a direct blood relationship to a cultural and spiritual tradition is often looked upon with suspicion, if not openly challenged. Importantly, the author is sensitive to his role as being one of the first white sangoma priests and acknowledges that there is a heightened awareness around the topic of potential appropriation without due training. The early chapters in this work detail Lockley’s experiences growing up in South Africa at the end of apartheid and his confusion as he is drawn to his sangoma calling.  And yet despite being a white man in South Africa at this volatile time, it...

Barbara Tedlock’s The Woman in the Shaman’s Body is a seminal study of ancient shamanism encompassing both academic and deeply personal knowledge. Illuminating the history and treatment of indigenous women shaman and also offering advice and socio-political context, Tedlock’s book is an essential and timely perspective. Purchase Here:  https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Shamans-Body-Reclaiming-Feminine/dp/0553379712 Video Review.

Trying to navigate both the intricacies and pitfalls of Gnostic history is no small task. In the past year alone even more new texts have been both discovered and released, resulting in various interpretations of their context and ultimate meaning. In his book, The Secret History of the Gnostics, Andrew Phillip Smith gives the reader a broad and thorough overview of Gnostic history. Smith reveals little known facts as well as explaining the main beliefs and practices of various Gnostic ideologies. Interspersed with dry wit and bringing us up to date with analysis of contemporary Gnostic books, films and themes, this is the perfect introduction to Gnosticism as well as being a valuable addition for the knowledgeable reader. Video Review: Amazon Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Secret-History-Gnostics-Scriptures-Traditions/dp/1780288212   

One of the most affecting aspects of this book is Keel's pessimism throughout. This is a man who has witnessed  far too many strange occurrences to be entirely comfortable even trying to explain possibility, never mind offer any ultimate answer. Keel's conception of a super-spectrum is certainly intriguing and was a relatively new and unique view at the time. At least as far as English publications were concerned. Today, we have translation of anthropological texts by such writers as Ernesto De Martino and we can see that these explanations and experiences were always part of folkloric and mythological traditions. The absence of an index is unfortunate but as the book is quite a slim volume this does not present too many difficulties which can not be overcome with note-taking.   Enjoy the review... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-mDU3_Y02s