Magical Knowledge Book II - The Initiate Paperback – Import, January 1, 2011

The book moves solidly, and the author is clearly experienced. Their works delve into portions of the field that few write about and even fewer publish. Their proof is in the pudding with this particular work. Great for beginners and those wishing to advance at a moderate pace. Lots of really wonderful insight into things I wish I had known when I started out.

Very good book

Great book which will not impress those who think magic is all Key of Solomon and a literal adherence to a mythic Golden Dawn tradition that never was. McCarthy's book is at the bleeding edge of magic in a way that terrifies the snot out of those who look to some grade pooh-bah to confer some title on them before they do a battery of rituals that they don't understand.There is nothing light or fluffy about the techniques here, but anyone who is serious about magic in any tradition needs to read and understand them. I say serious about magic because people often think they are and have no idea what it is like to actually live a system.This sort of approach is mostly inner work, which makes it more useful to those who cannot get into a group or do not want to deal with the glass egos, which swell in the presence of the lightest of magic.When you read this, and other books in this series, you can't help feel that the majority of modern magicians are just waiting their time and would be better off reading Harry Potter novels. The very people who talk the loudest about magic are clearly not doing it.These books forced me to change some notions I had about my own (Golden Dawn) tradition and start looking at it with new eyes. That is not to say I agree with those who think it is all dead. It just needs the sort of work that McCathy shows in this book. McCarthy is blunt, funny and above all real.You are reading a book from someone who does not muck about and gets to the source of things. As a result she has earned a place as a highly respected magician who has therefore annoyed some of the more pretentious in the esoteric community. It seems that the best in this game are usually going to hack people off.Nick Farrell Author of King over the Water and Making Talismans

I've been reading books on magick for nearly 50 years now. There are only a handful of writers that I enjoy, or trust, or would go back to. Josephine McCarthy is one of them. Her books are original, and don't go anywhere near the old, dead, Golden Dawn stuff. She has the ability to create within me, as I read, what I can only call the "bloody hell!" moments, when my jaw drops slightly as I realise I'm learning something new, and quite wonderful. There are only three other writers around now who can do that to me.I've never met her, am not part of her group, don't belong to any of her forums, but I have enormous admiration for what she writes. So to the reviewer calling him or herself Mettawave I would only say: "You don't know what you're talking about sonny. As a magician, she is out of your league."

(...) At this point many magicians give up their magical career. Because after all it has failed to provide the sense of meaning, fulfillment and inner direction they had hoped for. Or they read this book. (...) This book is not about acquiring basic magical skills, experience and practice. This book assumes you have done all your homework already. Homework during elementary, grammar school and college that is. It basically is that black car waiting in front of the gate of your university, engine humming, when you come out, final degree in your hand. It is what you have waited for all these years. And what rarely happens in real life. Well, consider yourself lucky - this time it does. It's right in front of you - 336 pages humming just like that engine, cover open, waiting for you to jump in. But boy, you better know how to ride it! (...)For the full review continue to read here: [...]

Once again McCarthy tosses aside all the pageantry that seems to abound modern magic: no body glitter or wands made of fibre glass here.following the first fantastic book McCarthy continues to offer insight, exercises and knowledge in working both visual and ritual magic and bringing them together. This book allows you to flow with power naturally and helps you in maintaining your own path in magic.I cannot think of any other writer who speaks to me the way McCarthy does, with candour, humour and wisdom (along with self-deprecation) her work is truly inspiring: exciting, stimulating and remarkable. Now I have spilled adjectives everywhere before I drown in them I will pause for thought.I cannot recommend these books enough they remind me why I tried my first ritual and vision quest, here the magician is reminded through all our work we are servants.

If you thought  Magical Knowledge Book I Foundations/ The Lone Practitioner  was a treasure chest that would keep you busy for a lifetime, well... here's another one. Joking apart, once again Ms.McCarthy shares an enormous quantity of knowledge in a really down to earth way, answering many of the questions the first volume and its practice will cause to arise.The author knows her stuff, no doubt about it, and apart from redefining (or--better--defining) once and for all what visionary magic and its purpose are, she guides the serious practitioner along a real, practical life changing path with confidence and clarity. This is a series of books that can alter and revolutionize even the most skilled and experienced magician's approach to the art.

I have read many books on magic but the Magical Knowledge books are the first that really appealed to me in a much deeper way because they show you a different and refreshing side on how magic can be used & worked with. Very important for me - it was inspiring to actually start doing something (for a greater good) & also made me research history, cultures etc. Magic became more 'personal' to me, not sure how to describe it better..an interesting & life-changing read from an authoress that writes in a down-to-earth & really funny way.

Well written as you would expect :) Excellent book for students on the Quareia path.

excellent, thoughtful, and packed with wisdom!

This book is a compendium written by an obviously advanced Occultist who is interested in many things. Here you will find information which is hard to find in other books.The author discusses Sleepers in the land, Astral Parasites, Exorcism, Working with Ancestors, Notes on workings with Signs, Seals and Sigils, notes upon Angelic work etc. Packed full of interesting and unusual information you will not find in a bulk standard book and for this reason is highly recommended. Its written in a generalist way so its not a book tied into one tradition maybe other than the western mystery tradition plus other things of interest.Whilst the book is written in a friendly style, I found the odd use of expletives here and there in the book rather brought the whole tone of the book down - perhaps this authors writes like she speaks (some authors tend to) but it does help in the book in that the high philosophy being discussed doesn't come across too snooty. But for this reason - it lost a star !The author has obviously been involved in many occult groups and has witnessed some of the fall outs which do occur and hence it contains good information for those getting into things for the first time and old hands which have new things to learn.Very interesting read, recommended and would like to see more from this author.

Do not look to far into words, it can be dangerous if your interest study the words of biblical scripture its every enlightening and good for the soul.Do not look to far into words, it can be dangerous if your interest study the words of biblical scripture its every enlightening and good for the soul. This book is not from the bible dont read books like this its real go and study the bible quick before its too late