Occultists have a habit of embellishing stories. Thoth-Hermes, the patron god of magic, is also the patron of words, stories, lies and thieves. One of the qualities of Odysseus, who was closely linked to Hermes, was his diplomacy, his ability to tell stories and to lie through his teeth. I have done one list that was mostly about what Golden Dawn people tend to say and mean. Those not in groups used it as an excuse to bash those that were… so here is a list of things solo magicians say alongside what they mean. I don’t need to belong to a group to teach me magic: I can’t find a group that would let me join. Even AMORC would not let

The Power of Asteria: Applied Astrology for Magic is a much-needed book for practical magicians. I am cheating with this review as I helped edit the book, but my reason for doing so is that this book is important.  While astrology and magic went together for centuries, modern magic’s relationship with astrology has been problematic and poorly defined. A magician who is lucky to have a teacher or training might be told that they must work on a waning moon for banishing, or a waxing for something they might want to gain something. If they are very lucky they might be told to do a ritual during one of the planetary days or hours.  However, the actual astrological information has been

Storm Constantine a sci-fi writer who was a huge influence on my writing has died, she was 64. Her death is a shock to me as I had no idea she was sick and spoke to her on Facebook a few weeks ago about my book Helios Unbound which she edited and published through her own company, Immanion Press. Constantine was a huge influence on her fans particularly for her Wraeththu series and there has been an outpouring of grief from them, but while I did read her stuff, that was not Storm’s influence over me. I met Storm while trying to find a home for my book Gathering the Magic which was not getting any interest from the main publishers. It was

Acquisitio is generally a good geomantic figure to get, unless you want to get rid of something from your life. Elemental structure: Fire is Declining; Air is awakening; Water is Declining; Earth is Awakening Astrological Jupiter in Aries Good and Bad: Good for medicine, beginning a journey, purchasing livestock, creating discord and imprisonment. Not suitable for marriage, partnerships, or the foundation of a meaningful friendship or alliance as one individual usually tries to overpower the other. It can be good though if someone is trying to obtain a relationship  It was good for Curses, black magic, crimes of violence, overcoming depression or a lack of motivation, finishing projects, protection from abuse and during travel. He can break up couples and set friends and

Over recent months I have been doing a lot of oracle work using geomancy, and one of the central problems has been asking the right question. Most of what I am saying will apply to geomancy, but it does apply to divination by Tarot and other methods. Before going to war with the Persians, Croesus turned to the Delphic oracle and asked if he should attack the Persians. The oracles answered that if Croesus attacked the Persians, he would destroy a great empire (ἢν στρατεύηται ἐπὶ Πέρσας, μεγάλην ἀρχὴν μιν καταλύσειν). He attacked and lost his great empire. While seen as a cautionary tale about trusting oracles, Croesus made two mistakes he asked the wrong question and asked in such a