Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #518978 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 124 pages

Synopsis
The essential part of manifesting magical acts is communicating conscious intentions to the subconscious mind. The most effective way to do this is via symbols, specifically, sigils. This book offers the reader a grounding in magical basics, including preparation, design and performance.

Customer Reviews

Good Information, Belief clouds it though
I have practiced sigil magic before reading this book and found it to be quite effective and useful. i found this book to be quite informative about the techniques of sigil magic. i got the impression, however, that its all pretty much been lifted straight out of other books, and would probably have been better going straight to the source.

One of the main reasons for feeling this way is the authors belief system. he is strongly of the opinion that his belief system is right, and everyone else needs to come round to his thinking or be wrong - or even prevent sigil magic from working. i have to say that, if you read this book, dont take everything he says at face value - in my experience, what you believe should not adversely affect how this sigil magic works. Also, be aware that the authors belief system is not the be all and end all (much though it appears he believes it to be so).

A good synthesis, a hands-on manual of sorcery
Casting sigils is a highly effective form of sorcery. It does not require an in-depth knowledge of magical techniques or years of tedious training under some self-appointed adept who may simply be after your money, your body, or both. Cooper provides a sound overview of the process. As in his other books (especially Basic Magick which covers many of the ideas presented here), he cuts through the cant, rhetoric and old-fashioned moral baggage associated with magical practice. He offers practical information on communicating with the subconscious mind and the collective unconscious via symbols and imagery - the key to success in magic. He shows us how to use sigils to influence the subconscious, bypassing the often contradictory and usually self-sabotaging internal dialogue of the conscious mind. The book draws very heavily on Chaos mages such as Peter J Carroll and Phil Hine. The section on colour magic, for example, seems to be lifted from Carroll's excellent and innovative Liber Kaos. Carroll excels at exciting you about the possibilities of magic, Hine is superb on process and detail. Read both, if you can. Cooper's style is refreshing, very direct and no-nonsense in the manner of a 'just add water' recipe book. Some may think he strips magic(k) of its mystery, romance and grandeur, and you should look elsewhere if you are seeking enlightenment, union with the Divine, or fancy a chat with your Holy Guardian Angel. However, if like most of us, you simply want to create and fire a number of sigils to help you manifest your desires (sex, wealth, material things), BASIC SIGIL MAGIC provides the information you need. It is generally felt that the best introduction to sigilisation is by German magician Frater U.D., unfortunately now out of print. However, Cooper's short, easy-to-follow book provides a striking alternative and a superbly entertaining read.

an OK book but there are better
I happily agree with virtually everything in the other review. Peter J. Carroll and Phil Hine are very good, though with sigils you'll do well to also read Austin Osman Spare (the modern creater/discoverer of sigils).

However, I'm afraid I can't really recommend this particular book by Philip Cooper. It's a slice (crib?) out of his book "Basic Magic", covering all the same territory (so if you want to save money, buy that one, though that one ain't so very handy).

As an introduction, this book's OK but personally I couldnt' recommend it. Instead, go straight to Carroll or Hine, and if you're keen take in Spare and Crowley (of course).