Product Description

For the first time, this is a genuine manual of the dreaded "left-hand path." Braving the new "Witchcraft Panic" that has swept the world, S Jason Black and Christopher S Hyatt have written a book that places the Western magical tradition - and the Western psyche - in perspective. Sweeping aside both the historical fabrications of "neo-paganism" and the rampant mental illness of the religious right, Black and Hyatt explore history, psychology and anthropology to reveal the true "secret doctrine" of Western culture. This work confronts the reader with his own fears and inhibitions - and carries him beyond. Comprehensively illustrated, this volume contains a detailed history of European "Black Magic" and includes new editions of 17th and 18th century Grimoires with detailed instructions for their use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #469483 in Books
• Published on: 1993-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Excellent and entertaining introduction to demonic evocation
Fans of Dr. Hyatt's work will know what to expect from this entertaining and informative book - trenchant writing; a new way of looking at familiar material, making it fresh, accessible and interesting; a take-no-prisoners attitude towards convention and authority; and a series of easy-to-follow instructions. Given the subject matter, this is entirely appropriate. The message of the book is avowedly anti-Christian, at least in its more fundamentalist aspect. Like Anton LaVey, the authors see the demonic as a force of energy, imagination and positive change, a challenge to the stultifying restrictions of the status quo. Hyatt also makes these points vigorously in some of his other works, and there are his (by now familiar) warnings/promises that the reader of a conventional disposition may find this material challenging or disturbing. This is an excellent teaser that encourages us to read on, anticipating the excitement of the 'shocking' material to follow.

Hyatt and Black cover the esoteric practice of raising demons and making pacts with them in exchange for knowledge, material gain or revenge. There are many personal anecdotes, some of which make unnerving reading. The message is clear - that this form of sorcery is highly valid and that it works, maybe more effectively than standard magical techniques. For the purpose of this book, we are encouraged to adopt the belief that the spirits exist independently of us, and can be called to manifest themselves if the right attitude of mind is adopted, and if the procedure is followed correctly.

'Pacts with the Devil' includes substantial excerpts from medieval grimoires, detailing the necessary practices, which comprises about half the length of the book. This source material is available elsewhere, but it is conveniently made available here for reference, experimentation and practice. This book is in many ways a companion to 'Urban Voodoo' and Dr. Hyatt's work on sex magic, Tantra, Enochiana and the Goetia, all highly recommended. The authors speak from personal experience about their researches and the results. They are not afraid to practice what they preach, and this makes a refreshing change from many books on magic, which simply provide a turgid and unoriginal synthesis of existing material, with no impression that the writer has ever tried any magical work whatsoever.

Countless books on magic dissuade the reader from consorting with demons, with the usual caveats about things getting out of hand, evil returning thrice-fold, karma, potential madness and other yawn-inducing clichés. Hyatt and Black have no such reservations. There is undoubtedly a frisson in dealing with the darker side and a buzz in seeing entities appear in the Triangle. Demonic evocation, which involves manifesting demons to visible appearance (as opposed to invocation, wherein the spirit or god-force is invited to enter the body, effectively possessing it, a la being mounted by the Loa in Voodoo) is their subject matter. This necessitates the baroque and dramatic accoutrements of magic circles, altars, sigils of protection, and the Triangle of Art in which to bind the manifested entity. Ritual here becomes performance art or psychodrama, and the physical, mental and emotional excitement is all part of generating the energy required for successful evocation.

Is this stuff dangerous? Do the gods and spirits exist independently and can they be called, bound and negotiated with? Or, as in current theory, are they simply archetypes of the subconscious mind? The authors take the view that they have an independent existence and can indeed be bargained with. These entities of course have a mischievous if not a dangerous aspect. If you are intent on exploring this school of magic seriously, protection is a good idea - banishings, magical tools, and a risk management plan in case the whole thing goes wrong. Crowley's evocation of Choronzon in the Algerian desert provides a cautionary tale. These spirits, by their nature are capricious and unpredictable, and delight in preying on the unwary dilettante.

The book includes some so-so illustrations of various demons and hellish personages by Mr. Black, which makes them look like jaded seventies rock stars. In summary an entertaining read and a good introduction - highly recommended. If you intend to get into this form of magic, it would be advisable to read around the subject and work out exactly what you want the evoked entity to do for you, and what you are prepared to offer in exchange.