The Magic of Pathworking is a very detailed source for those interested in expanding their meditation "world" or repertoire.

When I saw this book, I was initially super excited to get started on this. I have been involved in multiple guided meditations that have helped me expand my own personal journey. So this book really spoke to my inner nearly-forgotten self of when I first started meditating.

The problem was, and I find this often when starting more spiritual books, I have to be in the right space for it. Well, it took me a while. And, this book is structured so that you partake in these guided meditations over a longer period of time. Except for me, it was a fairly long period.

I am relatively new at the aspect of pathworkings but found the idea quite intriguing. The author sets up multiple journeys and separates them into distinct areas for the reader. There are preambles that explain the day's "journey" and then follows that with an explanation and discussion. Elemental and astrological explanations are typically discussed as well as themes and different religious aspects of the "journey" may be attributed to.

I will say I had a very visceral reaction to the mediations and I will keep my own experiences to myself but I will say that if this is something you would like to explore, it is an excellent resource.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

The Magic of Pathworking is an excellent resource for magicians and withes alike. Focusing on deep meditation work and good record keeping the book guides its reader through what in other paths may be called a shadow work journey.

This book is incredibly dense with information while remaining approachable to the average reader . I will definitely be buying a copy for my own shelf and recommending it in my coven.

I have to admit that I had no idea what I was getting into when I requested this title. I had no idea what pathworking even was, but it sounded interesting and I love learning new things. This book is very dense and at times was hard to get through and I needed to take breaks from it. Overall, I enjoyed it and probably will read again or at least read portions of it again.

This book is packed with a lot of information. It will be more useful as a reference guide rather than a straight read through. If you’re interested in path working you will want to add this book to ur shelves.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I saw that this title was available for review, I admit to being rather excited. Pathworkings are my favorite tools of use for teaching, reflection and personal growth. I’ve written them, participated in and learned from the best of the best about the potency and power of their work at all levels of being. So, add to this already impassioned perspective and author’s work background and training is derived from some of the best esotericists, magicians and teachers of Hermetic knowledge and you have all of the ingredients for a book not only of substance, but of tried and true approach. The Magic of Pathworking: A Meditation Guide for Your Inner Vision by Simon Court did not disappoint!

The Magic of Pathworking: A Meditation Guide for Your Inner Vision is thoughtfully divided into two (2) parts and each of the Pathworkings contained therein are separated out as “Paths” vs. chapters. The conclusion of the title includes three (3) appendices that give additional insight into Relaxation, Breathing and Seed Thought Meditations (App A), A Note on the Structure of the Paths of the New Moon (App B) and a listing of Magical and Training Organizations (App C). I like this ending point, whether intentional or not, that I feel gives acknowledgment to the core nature of pathworkings which is that the work is ongoing and when you think you have all the information needed, there is always more within that path’s journey.

The Introduction provides very thorough and comprehensive instructions regarding gaining the most from this exploration. Discussion of the origins and difference between Pathworkings and “Fantasy Journeys” and the structure behind workings of this type set the tone for what can be expected and what is required to successfully engage in the work of personal spiritual development. Additionally, we are reminded that the use of pathworkings in this way is not limited to any specific spiritual practice/religion and can be employed effectively because of the core nature of its intention which is directly on the individual. Traditional myths and symbology from a multi-cultural perspective are used throughout and woven into the experiences.

As would be expected a journal/diary is encouraged as well as methodically working though the book as each pathworking and section builds upon the other, albeit at times in a transparent way.

… Having created the groundwork and location for inner work, you are then presented with the main work in Part Two, which is a set of thirteen workings. These further establish the locations, geography and relationships for the inner landscape within which all work is performed….

Part One: Introductory Path-The Garden highlights those paths of the alchemical elements of Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit. Each pathworking throughout the book is organized with Preliminary intentions and information, The Working and conclusory Discussion of the components of the path and why certain images and symbols were used.

Part Two of The Magic of Pathworking is divided into four (4) inner realms of exploration: Journeys to the Realms Within, Journeys to the Realms Between, Interlude: Realms Unknown and Journeys to the Realms Beyond. The symbology and underpinnings used are drawn from the hermetic disciplines of the Qabalah and Astrology. The paths of each of the segments of realms move through the influences held on your existence and life, into the psyche and broader issues of connection, and finally moving beyond the identification of self and into the Collective Unconscious. Journeys to the Realms Within and its four (4) pathworkings, guides the reader through the steps of setting an anchor point for the pathworkings to come and those that have prepared the seeker in Part One.

…. “The Dark Wood” in which you will find your special place within the landscape of the paths.

“The Crystal Cave”, a place where you may see shadows of things that have been or things yet to come.

“Town and Tower”, where mind, thought and philosophy present their wares.

“The Sacred Grove”, a natural meeting point with nature and the powers behind nature….

Each of the subsequent “Journeys” takes the reader deeper into the highly nuanced parts of our being that we may shy away from or simply not know how to effectively communicate with. Our consciousness and psyche are ripe with symbology as means of dialogue. Pathworkinsg allow for the opening of those passages using precisely and carefully constructed keys cloaked in the very language of symbols. And, in keeping with the methodical approach of the previous journeys, those that comprise Part Two, bring us to a resounding conclusion of possibilities and the stimulating question of “what more?”

There is so much more I could write about each of the paths, but the beauty lay in the experience and formulation of your unique and individual interpretation of that experience. So no more spoilers. Simply the suggestion to give it a try.

Would I Recommend:

If you follow the trail and carefully and thoughtfully spend time in the flow of the paths, having arrived at the final journeys, you will without question be changed. The impressive Bibliography supports the vast resources and coalescence of many well-established studies and organizations, giving credibility and confidence in opening to this tool of self-growth.

The Magic of Pathworking: A Meditation Guide for Your Inner Vision by Simon Court is definitely a recommended addition to the shelves of anyone seeking greater knowledge of themselves. It is not for the faint of heart as pathworkings, just by virtue of their intention, will stir up and reveal aspects of yourself that you may be disconcerted by. This also means that there is a definite commitment that you are making to change when you step onto any of these “paths”. But, anything of value requires tie and effort and if you are seeking to reach int the depths of who you are in all of your parts of being, The Magic of Pathworking: A Meditation Guide for Your Inner Vision is a valuable guidebook. Really looking forward to its publication!



Footnotes:

Back Cover
p. 15
p. 16

Reviewed by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.Org
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2020/10/09/book-review-the-magic-of-pathworking-by-simon-court/

This is a very great book if you are looking to truly dive into pathworking. This is not a book to read and set aside, it is one that you should open time and time again to work with.

Thorough and easy to read guide to pathworking. Some of the information is a little dense, but I appreciate the background and symbology behinds the various medications offered. I'm still working out the way that works best for me (i.e., recording myself reading, memorizing "guideposts," etc), but the suggestions for various ways to incorporate the practice is helpful. It's very clear that the author is presenting this information from a specific esoteric background, which may be offputting to those wanting something more generic. Overall, a very worthwhile addition to my library.

I found this book a bit tough to get through. While I found some pieces very interesting and other insightful, I had to take frequent breaks to wrap my head around much of what was said.

I think at some point in the future I will try to pick it up once more and see if more things click.

All in all a good book.

The Magic of Pathworking A Meditation Guide for Your Inner Vision by Simon Court
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Genre: Nonfiction (Adult) | Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: October 8, 2020

The Magic of Pathworking by Simon Court is a resource for learning more about pathworking. The author describes pathworking as a "fantasy journey" or "a journey in the imagination" that "lead you to an inner place where you can unlock experience related to yourself".

The book is broken into 2 parts. Part one introduces pathworking based on the five elements. Part two include 13 workings based on lunar and astrological themes.

I found this book very interesting, as pathworking was not something I had heard of before. I do this is a good reference tool for someone wanting to learn more about pathworking and is not something that should be just read and put onto a shelf and forgotten about.

I'm so grateful to Simon Court, Llewellyn Publications, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

A nice introduction to the subject. Very well-written. I hadn't studied this before so I have no idea if its accurate or not.

I have to say that the introduction sounded rather pretentious, although I can see why someone writing on this subject would want to show their credentials. Pathworking is basically a visualised journey for exploring inner consciousness, something I've experienced in groups before.

Usually pathworkings are verbally narrated. The author suggests recording them to play back, leaving gaps where you might want to follow some instructions. I wondered, while reading this, if recorded guided pathworkings would work well.

One thing that stood out in the early part of the books was Court's explanation of where the term 'pathworking' comes from, the paths of the Sephiroh. I had never read that elsewhere, but it makes a kind of sense. The pathworkings I've encountered have mostly been written without that association.

He also gives some very plausible explanations for specific types of pathworkings, and provides examples dealing with the five elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Astrological connections also feature. I have to admit that these seemed overly structured to me and a lot of the author's own magical system is imposed on the imagery. The one real niggle was the artificial hierarchy put onto the elemental realms, something I haven't come across since Dora Van Gelder's book, first published in 1977.

It's a potentially useful book, but I felt it imposed too much of the author's personal belief system and practices onto an activity where it isn't necessary.

There is some useful work that can be done through the pathfinding activities in this book. I would consider using something similar in my yoga classes but they would need to be greatly adapted to serve my purposes.

Interesting book based on using the elements for meditation. I'm sure some people will find it helpful, I didn't quite get it.

This book is a complete course that will give you inspiration, experience, and a profound view of life. It begins with establishing a base from which to work, The elements are first explored. In a gentle way each is looked at and its meanings and uses are experienced.The pathworkings can be read and notes taken and then reviewed from memory . Or they can be recorded. Mr Court obviously has a legitimate magical training under his belt. Having been involved with pathworking in the past what I really liked about these are the underlying symbols and layers of teaching each has,After pathworking through the Garden I moved the Paths Within and The paths between. This book is truly remarkable and I am involved in working through it one path at a time. It is very positive and I feel its essence is profound. If you are looking for a modern yet ancient way to understand this world and its layers you cant do better than beginning this journey.

If one wants to learn more about pathworking, I found this book pretty neat with lots of information and such.

Sorry for possible English mistakes. If you love works of writers such as Dion Fortune, Gareth Knight, Dolores. A. Nowicki and sim...you will probably love this book which follows closely this particular defintion of magic: "Magick is the art of causing changes in consciousness in conformity with the Will" - Dion Fortune. And that you will get from this text and system in this book is based on one famous system of magic which you may (or not) recognize when you read. And although these pathworkings are very easy to do still one needs to be sincere in his/hers approach. To do this magic it is no more problem, anyone can do it but can you handle it, can you accept the challenge and those "changes in consciousness"? It's up to you. Thanks.