The Ritual Magic Workbook: A Practical Course of Self-Initiation

The author writes clearly, and with earned authority on the subject. However, I would recommend it only for someone who has a very clear understanding of what it means to walk this particular path - a great deal of time, energy, commitment, and a love of a LOT of pedantic details. As it turns out, this was not for me. I have my gifts, but in a flighty, disorganized, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-intuition sort of way. I could not operate in such a structured manner. For a novice with a highly organized mind that seeks the mysteries, I think this might be a very good fit.

I found this book very, very useful and very down to earth, so will reccommend it to anyone who is interested in magic: you will get inspired by the author's style and her dry sense of humour and you will want to challenge yourself : that is if you are really intersted and this isnt just a temporary blip!Dolores gives the basics and gets the reader to think carefully before he launches himself into persuing any ambitions and any dreams, but the way she weaves her way through the hard work and the committment is what really got to me, and i personally started thinking of making my first robe and i can tell you now that sawing is certainly one of my fortes! However, the fruit of the effort and the hard work is really making feel that persistance and hard graft is all part and parcel of training as a magician. I am very glad that i discovered this book, and i am sure that many people will agree with me, whether now or in the future, it doesnt really matter.

This is a great book for the solo practitioner or for a coven leader. Lots of ideas from which to work

Arrived in good condition. I refer to this book quite often.

B+

Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki's "Ritual Magic Workbook" is a must have for beginners and experts alike. Dolores is the Director of Studies of a modern day Mystery School teaching the wisdom of the Western Mysteries. Her rich practical knowledge and insight are made available here for the student who for whatever reason chooses not to undertake the formal tuition of a Mystery School. The beginner can expect to be taken through an in-depth one year curriculum consisting of personal spiritual development and invaluable insight into the construction of a personal temple. The creation of a magical temple is invaluable to the work of a ceremonial magician. In such a temple, the aspirant may expect to be challenged to grow and stimulated to unfold the magical and spiritual potential that lies within. Dolores also points out that one day this temple will no longer be necessary for it will have become "the Temple not made by hands" the total internalization of the physical temple into the subtle bodies of the intiate. The expert may expect further insights from a recognized authority in the esoteric community. One of the many innovations offered by the author is the use of the "Temple Floor Cloth" for those practioners unable to set aside a room for a Temple. The "Temple Floor Cloth" can be set down for the ritual and taken up so that the room can be returned to more mundane use. The author gives practical advice on creative visualization and means of raising power from the Qabalistic tradition to the tradition of the Craft. How to behave in temple and what initiation truly means are fully explained. Readers may work as solo practioners or follow her suggested guidelines towards forming a ritual group that may one day work as a Lodge of the Mysteries. A rich course of study is presented along with a suggested reading list for future study. Rituals to consecrate and seal the Temple on the various subtle levels are given as well as how to align your Temple to three traditions of your personal choice. Seasonal rituals take the practioner through the magical year and much variety is given so that the practioner can experience the various paths of the egyptian, the greek, the craft etc. How to make and use talismans is clearly explained. If you only read one book on the occult and the Western Mysteries, read this book. It will ground you in the all important foundations that will allow you to practice safely and effectively. Expect to be changed for the better!

This is indeed an excellent _workbook_, but to get the full value you do need to not only do the work but read all of the books required for each chapter. And therein lies a challenge because nearly half of them are out of print. Information given in the required books is _not_ repeated in the workbook so if you do not have the listed texts you are going to barely skim the surface of her lessons. The book requires around 68 other books to be read and studied to get the full value of the course. That said and full warning of it now given, it is an excellent introduction to Ritual Magic. Two of the required books are out in revised editions with new titles; Alan Richardson's Mystical Kabllah is to be found in his Magical Gateways and J. H. Brennan's Experimental Magic is now Magick for Beginners. Be prepared to haunt used book sources and do a lot of serious study and practice. You get out of this what you put into it.

I have the original version of the book printed in 1986, so I'm not sure if the newer version is exactly the same or not. However, what I want to say is, if you have the book and some aspects of it don't connect with you, or you can't think how to implement all of the suggestions in the book, don't despair. Keep the book and every so often, when drawn to do so, dip back into it and see which sections attract you. Ritual magic is not something that is easy to understand and in my personal experience, timing is everything. As I say, I bought the book in the 1980s and it is only now, 22 years later that I can say that I am beginning to understand the importance of the information in the book.A valuable reference tool for anyone interested in ritual magic.Written by a true master.

Some good information but a bit dry IMO. Donated it within a week

As a follower of Dolores, I bought this to work in harmony with her teachings and my chosen path of light, which as always is expertly delivered with great wisdom and insight from a true servant of the light.

I Love it

Good read