Advanced Magick for Beginners

In my extensive reading and research into all matters arcane, I am always delighted when I come across a book that manages to brilliantly balance simplicity and depth. Advanced Magick for Beginners by Alan Chapman, published in 2008 by Aeon Books, is one such book. Following along in the Chaos Magic current ("post-modern magic," as the author refers to it), Chapman strips away all of the cultural and personal pretenses placed upon magic, and pares down to the bare bones of the underlying theories of magic.The author describes his approach to magic as an art, a science, and a culture of experiencing truth. As an art, a magical act is an experience that we ascribe meaning to. As a science, a magical act is a technique which we refine through an experimental practice and observation of results. As a culture, a magical act is a means of working with a cultural framework, a set of ethics both personal and cultural, to achieve results which are relevant to the life and world in which the mage lives.That is it, as far as Chapman believes the complexity of magic should be taken. The techniques he outlines are more guidelines than anything else. They are a methodology of how to approach magic. This is no book that will tell you what to say or do; Rather, this book will help the reader discover for him or herself the style of magic that flows best with his or her own personality. The author cares not which gods you work with, worship, or pray to (if any at all), nor does the author care which tradition, style, or culture you borrow your elements from (or whether you have invented them all on your own). Rather, the author cares that the reader develops an understanding of magic which will be able to answer the questions of why things work.As such, there is no art, no poetry, no romantic language. Chapman only cares that you get the theory, and that you decorate it as you see fit. The book's starkness is both a blessing and a curse on this book. While maintaining its no-nonsense tone throughout the read, it could feel a bit dry at times. Thankfully, the author does have a sharp sense of humor, which he does pepper up the book with. The material is so dense with information, though, that some of the more complex ideas the author tries to express require a more straightforward approach.This book is not so much a curriculum for learning the magical arts, as it is a catalyst to get the reader thinking on deeper levels about his or her magic. Chapman places a strong emphasis on technique. In many of his chapters, he has laid out spreadsheets in which he examines the core aspects of a magical working, and cross-references many different approaches to magic against those core elements. Thus, he distills the steps of all magic down to 5 simple steps: deciding what you want to occur, making sure it is possible for the outcome to occur, choosing an experience and equating that experience to the desired outcome, and finally performing or engaging in the experience. Last, the mage observes his or her results, and modifies methods as needed. It is against these five steps that he examines sigil magic, sympathetic magic and magical links, nonsensical styles of magic, as well as magic involved with working with Gods, entities, or created servitors.The author likewise explores facets of magical culture, such as the usage of magical names and mottoes and aeonics, with the same forthright manner. He addresses the need for a mage to choose, or not choose, a magical name, and the potential importance of doing so. He insists that the name does not need to be serious, nor does one need to be serious all the time to practice magic. Through his approaches to magical culture, he develops methods that are self-sufficient, self-driven, and ultimately, the most satisfying to the self.What appealed to me most is that this book helps those who seek to know the magical arts to get to the heart of how and why they work. Chapman's work transcends cultural, stylistic, and traditional boundaries in an intelligent way that can help the dedicated mage intelligently develop a system of magic that is unique to the one using it. As I hold true that every mage must find his or her own path, I find that this book can offer some good information about the terrain.

There is something in this gem for complete beginners and adepts alike. To those comments that say this is all theory, you are completely incorrect or you plain just did not read the book. This book is chock full of exercises to apply it's principles at the end of most of it's chapters. 34 exercises in the book to be exact. Alan Chapman defines magick as: The Art, Science, and Culture of experiencing Truth. Magick is art because the techniques used are arbitrary and aesthetically defined. Magick is science because it uses a methodology that gains results. Magick is culture because you work with the world not in isolation from it. In his fourth chapter he formulates a process that is essentially akin to the scientific method but for occultist, I like to call it the "Magickal Method of Inquiry". The steps to the process are as follows:1. Decide what is to occur.2. Ensure the occurrence has the means of manifestation.3. Choose an experience (ritual experience).4. Decide the "Ritual Experience" means the same as the intended occurrence.5. Undergo Ritual Experience.6. Results.It's from this form of operation that he bases his whole approach to magickal practice, as described in the book that is. Now when it comes to "ritual experience" it does not mean anything in particular (the term ritual experience is the term I coined to make things a bit clear but even now I have the need to clarify what that means, ugh...); it doesn't imply anything elaborate as some of you are thinking. Ritual Experience can mean anything from a simple gesture to a full blown ceremony with all the trappings. What he explains the would-be magickian to do is to form the "experience" according to their aesthetic inclinations.Anything more I tell you will feel as though I am giving too much information, which I feel I have done already. But for those curious all I say is buy the book, you will not be disappointed.

I had fun trying the things in the book it’s a good place to start for a beginner

Cons: It's a bit expensive considering that it's less than 200 pages and has wide margins. I was able to finish the entire book during one evening, which is a bit disappointing given the praise I've heard from many people. The author seems to provide just an outline of his ideas in many places, rather than giving them the explication they could probably use.Pros: Chapman's perspective on magick is understandable and un-esoteric, which is a welcome change from a lot of other occult writers. Primarily, I saw this book as a counterpoint to Chaos magick. Where Chaos magick writers often lapse into vagueness discussing "gnosis" and "charging," Chapman focuses on a single concrete idea (magick as experienced truth rather than causal manipulation) and then expands on how that idea underpins multiple rituals. I found that approach much clearer and more applicable than the usual Crowleyan idea of magick as "causing change to occur in conformity with will," because it sidesteps entirely the question of how/why we should believe anything a magus does actually could *cause* change to occur.In short: Chapman offers an acausal, synchronistic grid through which to see magickal work. The book at times glosses over some ideas where I wish it took more time to explain, but overall is a fresh and sensible perspective.

If you get only one book about magicka it should be this one.

No matter what level of experience an individual may have with magick this book gets to the point. If you are new to magick and need a more structured approach it might be a little more work than buying a a step by step guide to hold your hand. But if you are creative and ready to practice magick on your own terms than buy this. I am a Brujo in the Afro Caribbean tradition and a curandero. This book is applicable to any other magickal tradition you belong to.

As a beginner, I was hoping for more than 100's of exercises with sparse explanation and context. Chapman's somewhat flippant-bordering-on-arrogant volume skips over many important details (such as how to construct a sigil - a topic others have devoted whole chapters or books to). It discusses the world of magick in terms that assume the reader - a beginner according to the title - is already well-versed.If you're not a beginner it may be a great book. I bought it assuming from the title I was the target audience. Clearly I was wrong.

When I spotted this book, I thaught WOW! this is what I've been looking for.Upon reading "about the author" very brief to say the least. I found the style quite flippant,and rather patronising & the exerises slightly ridiculous. Not enough about protection (especially when encouraged to "get possesed!"). The author mentions "The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram", but no mention of how to perform it!The authors advice on how to get rid of "unwanted" entities is to "just imagine them dissapearing". Ok if your are an adept, but I would suggest a tad tricky if you are a beginner, like myself.The author then goes on to explain "Sigil Magick", and explains how the subject is approached, but does not tell the reader how to actually construct a Sigil. I had to "google" the method, and subsequently purchase a book on the subject.The authors method of getting unwanted people out of your life is priceless, "just blow up a balloon draw a face on it, imagine the person you wish to get rid of, then burst the balloon- hey presto" WHAT!!!This was my first book on "magick" ( the reason for the K at the end is to separate the "art" from that of the stage magician-introduced I beleive by Mr Crowley).So, in summary, VERY dissapointing, not much meat and in my humble opinion there are far better publications available (for example Scott Cunninghams "Earth, Air, Fire & water), which actually tells one how to construct your own spells, in detail but that is not the book I am reveiwing.Two stars for effort, perhaps but I venture the balloon is well and truly burst...

Enjoyed this book. Good for beginners and advanced alike. Written with humour which I like.

Alan Chapman is a very smart man and has distilled centuries of magic into a few pages. However, he does it so well that I think he is probably right.

A good solid 'how it works' book. But if you're looking for a 'spell book' then the kid's section is over there 👉If you have half a brain you can use this book to underpin whichever system you like. Create something new!