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Write it for students, ask questions at the end of the chapter set up tests and exclude these perverted things. Don't have any pictures. Write on the good not the evil. It is as if I wrote a history of America and it was based on sexuality some things may be true but EXCLUDE them!!! There are also some strange pictures
There are some refrences of Satanism that should not be mentioned in this book of magic. Satanism was portrayed sexually.
A terrible book, poorly written and his book is full of scorn not touching home base with magic but sex and perverted immoralities. I give this book a F. It was to short to explain from Zoraster to Satanism and Wicca today. Subjects of magic were hardly dicussed. An abomination to magic!!! Two thumbs down!!!
This text presents the main undercurrent of occult magic (or "magick" as distinct from stage magic or illusions) as it developed in Western Civilization up to the modern era. Cavendish defines magic as "an attempt to exert power through actions which are believed to have a direct and automatic influence on man, nature and the divine". Its appeal is the promise of "power and success unattainable by ordinary means." He points out that "it is impossible to isolate the history of magic completely from the history of religion or science." Although each is distinct in theory ("the religious impulse is to worship, the scientific to explain, the magical to dominate and command"), in real life "attitudes are not kept in separate compartments and the distinctions are frequently blurred". One earlier, seminal work that seems to share this understanding is included in Cavendish's bibliography: the 8-vol. work entitled "A History of Magic and Experimental Science" (1923 - 58) by Lynn Thorndike. The complete title of this work is "A History of Magic and Experimental Science and their Relation to Christian Thought During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era." Christianity is the background religion that Thorndike relates to magic and science. This set is ..... and lengthy, but valuable. Cavendish's "A History of Magic" is also valuable, especially since it condenses a lot of information into less than 200 pages and provides information on the major influences of modern magic. For what it's worth, it was used by illusionist and critic of the paranormal James Randi in preparing his "An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural" (See the semi-short bibliography at the back of Randi's book.). If you can find a copy of "A History of Magic", it makes an excellent companion to Cavendish's other book "The Black Arts" which has become a classic introduction to occultism and magick. It is recommended for it's comprehensive and accurate presentation by a wide variety of sources (Christian, Occultist, and Skeptic).
Other books edited by Cavendish that are worth checking out include the multi-volume reference work "Man, Myth and Magic" and the one volume "Encyclopedia of the Unexplained". Cavendish is not a practitioner of the occult but an historian who seems to take an agnostic stance regarding his subject matter.
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As a secular person, Cavendish understood that the power of ritual was in its ability to focus attention and energy through the use of symbolic representations, and not in any alleged supernatural powers (e.g. actual demons, gods, devils, etc.).
This understanding is critical to Satanists and others seeking to use "low magic" (personal rituals) or "high magic" (public acts designed to create or direct opnions, attitudes, etc.). The ability to control others through the use of symbols (be they flags, images, words, religious icons, or other objects) is a source of great power to the Satanist who understands the proper use and application of symbolic acts.
Religion is nothing but lies and hypocrisy, claims Cavendish. Unlike Wiccans and other neo-pagans who make sanctimonius claims on par with Christians and Muslims concerning their supposed "goodness", a "black magicican" is honest enough to admit to himself (or herself in the case of a Witch) that the purposes of magic are to enhence one's own wealth, popwer, sex life, etc., and to bring about the destruction of opponents, and those who would deny the needs & desires of a Satanist.
This is an "unspiritual" book, free of the hypocritical nonsense and pious idiocy that fills most "witchcraft" books. Recommended as a companion to "The Satanic Bible" and other works by Anton S. LaVey.
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Anyway, a fascinating study. My main initial complaint with it was that it entirely neglects Eastern cultures. Well, duh, the subtitle is "in Western Religion, Magic, and Folk Belief". (Cut me some slack: on my copy, "The Powers Of Evil" is in bold red letters and the sub-title doesn't appear except on the title page.)
Once I straightened out my own misunderstanding, I enjoyed the book thoroughly, particularly at first. Toward the end I started to feel as though the scholar had specific biases that were coming out. For example, Cavendish seems to find the idea of latent psychic abilities in man a more plausible explanation for certain phenomena than the presence of spirits (poltergeist phenomena, for example).
There was also a fair amount of outright contempt for Aleister Crowley, who probably deserves it for all I know, but which seemed out of place in a scholarly work. There were other passages which seemed to express contempt for Satanists that while often contextually understandable still seemed out of place. (I don't need any help to feel contempt for wrongdoers or megalomaniacs.) And I find that I have come away with a somewhat muddled view of Satanism though that must at least be attributed in part to the muddled views of many Satanists.
The ending seemed to flounder a bit, but that's really okay, since the book isn't necessarily trying to make some larger point that can be neatly wrapped up and driven home by a closing chapter. Ideas of evil are not at all a uniform package and I would've been suspicious of any over-arching conclusions made.
Overal, I found the work very interesting; not as dry as it could have been, and very thought-provoking.
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Cavendish has collected a marvelous number of stories and unexplained incidences that have continued to haunt our rational existence. Accompanied with vivid pictures and organized by continent and country, 'The World Of Ghosts and the Supernatural' is both a lovely and occassionally frightening read.
However, sometimes the lack of elaboration on some of the subject matter left me a little unsatiated. Cavendish, whilst stopping his book from being as thick as a phone book, and perhaps containing too much useless, boring information, has only allowed 2 pages per subject. This, along with the large pictures and subtitles, make the book a little sparse on detailed information.
So, while it is fascinating to read, it is really more of an introduction into these perplexing world mysteries, then an extensive voice on the subjects therein.