Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book- mostly the artwork. I am not usually one to focus on the pictures in a literary work, but it was honestly what got me through this.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully well-researched and compiled book of art that shows how different cultures imagine and perceive themselves in the hierarchy of the divine.

The book is laid out in a well-organized way, moving from the vast (The Cosmos) to the universal (Higher Beings) to the specific (Practitioners). While the book uses artwork from artists ranging from prominent to obscure, modern to medieval, the message is clear: whatever it is that intrigues and fascinates us most about the subject is what transcends it most of all.

It was a interesting book that was full of beautiful pictures. I recommend it for art lovers and people Interested in the occult

A very interesting and informative book that acts as an introduction into mysticism and the occult, and is filled with fascinating, beautiful artworks. A number of aspects of occultism are covered- kabbalah, the zodiac, sacred geometry, and much more- and the information is engaging, never dry and boring. A lovely book!

#TheArtoftheOccult #NetGalley

Those who know me, will not be surprised that I was intrigued by this book. Not only do I have a fondness for a good Coffee Table Book and for art, I have a major love for anything occult. Give me everything about the alchemists, show me artistic interpretations of the elements, I want to see all of it. Thankfully S. Elizabeth was happy to do so. Thanks to White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of magic, mysticism and the mysterious, so I have always been looking for books about all three. As a kid I did so by reading fairytales and folklore, avidly climbing trees and looking for fairy circles in the forest. As I got older I began digging in a different way. Sure, the Harry Potter books helped keep the flame alive, but I was quickly using the ideas from those books to look beyond. I was fascinated to find that basilisks had been around for ages and that some of the most renowned scientists and philosophers had also been alchemists. Nicholas Flamel who? For me, visual representations of the occult have always had a lot of power and visualization is a big part of most modern-day magical practices. S. Elizabeth states in the Introduction that 'Art-making, then, is magic-making' and once you've read The Art of the Occult you couldn't agree more.

The word to describe The Art of the Occult is lavish. It is a beautiful book, filled with stunning images and objects spanning centuries. S. Elizabeth curates an excellent collection under the headings of thematic chapters, focusing on 'The Cosmos', 'Practitioners' and everything in between. Each chapter is introduced by S. Elizabeth in clear and knowledgeable writing. This way, once you're looking at the images, you have a background knowledge to them and are able to appreciate them more. Many of the older artists will be familiar to most readers, but S. Elizabeth also includes many contemporary artists that were new to me. It was a joy to discover their work and I often found myself pondering over a painting, looking at the details and imagining the person who made it. I spent some glorious evenings this way and will definitely revisit The Art of the Occult in the future.

As mentioned above, S. Elizabeth wrote an introduction for each chapter. Initially I found myself first looking at the images and then reading it, but quickly I began really reading and considering the introductions. They are very well written and show a lot of knowledge. They truly enhanced the experience of viewing the art, so definitely don't skip them, even you find yourself hungry to see the art. The Art of the Occult is not a reference work or a glossary. It is a collection that is meant to inspire interest. The art works collected are exemplars of their topic, showing the wide range of art that has been inspired by the occult. If anything, S. Elizabeth's book will inspire a desire to dig deeper yourself, find works that speak to your own interests or ideas of the occult. The Art of the Occult is a great book to read, but also a great book to occasionally peak at to re-view a certain picture or re-read a sentence. I'm definitely on the lookout for a physical copy to display with pride.

The Art of the Occult does exactly what it says it will do. S. Elizabeth guides the reader through various themes and time periods with ease, informing and entertaining along the way. I would recommend this to any lover of art or the Occult.

An interesting read for sure, and not something I would've normally read. I enjoyed looking through all the mysterious artworks, and reading about the history of an obscure subject.

An interesting look at mystical, spiritual and magical art through the ages, with blurbs about various topics and the artists themselves. It was a pretty short book, and I would've liked more.

Well, this has been an interesting journey!

I approached this book with curiosity, not knowing exactly what I would find inside. This is a collection of art work full on occult or inspired by different facets of the occult world and thought. This is by no means a dictionary or a glossary but a curation of visual art pieces who represent various aspects of the occult thought, from ancient pages to contemporary paintings.

It's a great gift for people interested in this subject, it's a great conversation and research starter. I particularly liked the last artwork chosen, such a perfect mix of modern life and ancient traditions we bring into our every day life in different degrees. Just what this book seems to convey.

If you're someone who is even slightly interested in the interconnection of artistic and magical practices, this is an incredible book for you. The information is nuanced but approachable for anyone. the art depicted inside ranges from more well-known artists to some that I'd never encountered before. I think the discussions about different areas of the occult that tie to artistic movements are fascinating and well researched. This is a super interesting and inspiring book that I'll be referencing for my own work in the future!

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘The Art of the Occult: A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic’ by S. Elizabeth in exchange for an honest review. I have since ordered its hardback edition.

I felt that S. Elizabeth brought together a very exciting collection. It is a lavish book containing reproductions of artworks representing a variety of esoteric and occult subjects.

Accompanying the art S. Elizabeth has written an informative Introduction and twelve thematic chapters grouped under three categories: The Cosmos, Higher Beings, and Practitioners.

I was impressed with the range of artists included. I was already familiar with many of these including classic artists such as Goya and Dürer, the Pre-Raphaelites, modern abstract artists such as Mondrian and Kandinsky, and many Surrealists. However, quite a few of the more recent artists were unknown to me and I found their work inspiring.

It’s a book that is likely to appeal to art lovers as well as those interested in the occult. S. Elizabeth also includes suggestions for further reading, an index and of course picture credits.

Overall, a cornucopia of occult images and ideas. It’s a book that I am delighted to add to my library.