DNF I'm not sure what I thought this book would be about but I did find it extremely hard to follow. My curiosity was piqued by the Sandman series and when I learned that Aleister Crowley had actually lived and was not a character.

This book is more of a manual . It is written specifically to keep the practitioner on the right path. The author says to practice magic all you really need is a will set in stone. The language is clear and concise with the teachings broken down for anyone to succeed in their desire to learn and practice magic.

I freely admit my understanding of Thelema as a philosophy and spiritual path are limited, as is my overall knowledge of Aleister Crowley. After reading Marco Visconti's book, however, I don't feel as though either has increased all that much.

While Visconti seems to know his subjects rather well, his explanations of Thelema are rudimentary and lack true depth in what is an otherwise complex area of study. I've read other Thelema and magick-based books, some of which are reviewed here and accessible via the archives, and Visconti covers nothing that isn't already available in other books and with more clarity. Also, it's difficult to take an author who claims to have years of experience and accumulated knowledge seriously when they quote Wikipedia as their primary research source. Sorry, but Wikipedia doesn't even pass muster in the most basic of English composition courses. Either provide actual scholarly works or resources that are considered "sacred" to your particular philosophy/spiritual path as a backup or don't include the information at all.

Perhaps the only true reason to read this book is for the list of other books and websites on the subjects of Thelema and Crowley included at the back. However, even these can be found with a quick Google search so...yeah....

The Aleister Crowley Manuel by Marco Visconti is an interesting read.

Its obvious from the outset of the book that the author knows his stuff and is a no nonsense talking guy. The book is well written and has great diagrams to guide you through your practices. The book breaks down the heavy reading of Crowley and makes it more accessible for modern times.

Thanks to Netgalley and Watkins Publishing for the ARC. This review is my own opinion.

I have always been interested in learning more on the subject but always felt as if I did not know where to start. THIS is a great start, if I do say so myself. It is quite educational. Obviously as I am just starting I do not know how accurate the information is so I can't be relied on telling y'all whether that part is good or not. If you are like me and interested, definitely check this book out.

When The Aleister Crowley Manual: Thelemic Magick for Modern Times by Marco Visconti popped up as a potential book to review, I was intrigued and a bit weary. There is no denying Crowley's contributions to witchcraft and modern magic, but his works are dense, riddled with racism, misogyny, and anti-semitism, and based upon inaccurate histories and science. These problems obviously gave me pause before I ultimately decided to pick this book up, knowing that it would be beneficial to those interested in high, ceremonial magic, or just better understanding the why behind many of our modern rituals, correspondences, and occult ideology.

Before I begin my review, it should be noted that Visconti assumes the reader is somewhat familiar with Crowley's texts and philosophies, whether you have read his works directly or that of others summarizing or building upon Crowley's ideas. I have to admit, my knowledge is limited, as high ceremonial magic is of no interest to me, but I know enough to understand the basic premises of the rituals and ideas outlined in this book. If you are unfamiliar with Crowley, I suggest reading a summary of his philosophy, not necessarily any of his works, prior to beginning this book, just so you have some background knowledge upon which to build.

The Aleister Crowley Manual: Thelemic Magick for Modern Times by Marco Visconti is a practical working guide to Thelemic magick*. Each chapter is meant to take a full month to work through completion, with the reader practicing and engaging in the rituals and text. The book begins by building the foundation of high magic, which consists of breathwork, understanding the elements, and being present. Next, is the superstructure, which consists of learning mantras, pentagram and middle pillar rituals, and accessing the astral plane. Finally, the book ends with the pinnacle where the reader dives into the complete pentagram practice and begins hexagon work. If you are like me, and not interested in practicing Thelemic magick, the pinnacle chapter will be lost on you as well as much of the superstructure chapters. However, the foundation chapters as well as bits of the superstructure chapters are crucial and explain modern occult practices every witch engages in at some point. In order to fully understand why we do what we do, you must understand the history behind the actions.

From here Visconti reminds the reader that Crowley did culturally appropriate, and imperialism and colonialism drove much of what Crowley did, including stealing and misrepresenting Egyptian mythology and deities. Despite this, Crowley's ideas have taken on a life of their own, becoming distinct from the cultures he stole from and creating new egregores. Visconti continues on to make an insightful argument about language in regard to our understanding of the unknown, saying "Our language- indeed, our consciousness, which employs language- is a form of disease because consciousness reflects reality to us and distorts the image." Here Visconti is arguing that sometimes we fail to see, understand, or engage in what we do not know because we do not have the words to describe what we are witnessing. This phenomenon has actually been documented multiple times, specifically with our perception of color. For example, the Himba people of Nambia have multiple words for the color green, but no word for blue. When asked to find the color blue among swatches of green, they struggle, whereas those with a word for the color blue do not. The point is, that there is likely so much more out there, magically and maybe even scientifically, that we do not or cannot see because we lack the words to describe it. This is something to keep in mind whenever you are working magic and fail to fully comprehend the magnitude of what you have done. Whether or not deities, spirits, and other supernatural forces exist is irrelevant if what we are doing works.

Once we get into the actual meat of the book, Visconti begins breaking down and summarizing Crowley's work, creating a rather comprehensive introductory guide to the basic principles and practices. He includes ritual steps with pictures, historical background, and even examples of what it will look like in your own practice. It's clear Visconti knows what he is talking about and has not only done his research but lived it as well. Again, this book is dense and will require you to read, reread, then read again before you understand what is being discussed. And even then, you will not fully comprehend what is being said until you actually practice and engage in the magic yourself. Visconti, like myself, advocates for practicing over just reading about magic. Those are two separate hobbies, just like reading and buying books are two separate hobbies. Haha! You cannot cut corners and become an expert overnight. Thelemic magick, or any practice for that matter, takes constant work and engagement in order to fully reap the benefits.

The book ends with giving the readers suggestions on how to continue their journey, from finding a community (or not!) to reading through all of Crowley's work, as well as the works of other Thelemites. Visconti encourages us to move beyond Crowley's work in order to find our own Will, something I agree with full-heartedly. I think many of us get so caught up with following the "greats" that we forget that magic is just as unique and individual as we are. To truly experience magic the way it is meant to be intended, we much forge our own path.

Overall, I did not feel this book was for me, but I know it will be beneficial to many a witch out there, even if you aren't interested in Thelema. There is a good bit of jumping around, and I didn't feel the book flowed well within each chapter. Sometimes it felt jumbled and confusing, and part of this is because that is the nature of Thelemic magic. It's coded, cryptic, and downright pretentious at times, making it difficult to understand for the sake of being difficult! However, I still see the value in understanding Thelemic magic as it's our history and the foundation upon which other occult practices, including Wicca, were built. The Aleister Crowley Manual: Thelemic Magick for Modern Times by Marco Visconti is set to release on February 14, 2023. You can order a copy wherever books are sold.

The Aleister Crowley Manual is a valuable work book style learning tool for the modern occult student. Focused on more on the internal work and dedication of magic than the well known outer trappings this manual allows for the novice to work at their pace and for the adept to deepen their existing practice. This writing is great for those wanting to learn to apply the knowledge in their personal practice rather than the reader seeking purely academic knowledge on the topic.

A fantastic introduction to the rituals of Thelema for a novice and intermediate audience. Not too bogged down in the pageantry of Occultism, this book rather takes a fresh approach — one more concerned with the practicalities of practicing and living with magic than robes and dark candles.

Wow.. This felt more like an experience than a book. With all things magick becoming 'trendy' there has been an abudance of false information spread on youtube/tiktok/instagram. With so much misinformation all around, this was a breathe of fresh air. This took my prior knowledge of Thelema to a whole new level. Everything is explained clearly while still allowing the reader to have their own experience. This isn't just a manual to know more about a topic. This will give you the chance to grow within the topic and truly embrace the magick.

"Do what though wilt shall be the whole of the law"

Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Watkins Publishing for an advance copy of this book on understanding the world of magick and the potential it opens in all of us.

Learning a new way of looking at the world can be lonely, confusing, exasperating, unsettling, and dangerous. Especially dangerous. Not just in threats to both body and soul which can leave scars that might not heal, and a soul that could be compromised, but also to the mind, causing a loss of confidence in one's self. In magick, confidence is very important, for one has to be sure of purpose and of goals. And that lack of confidence might leech into the person's life, inhibiting growth and making the learning of new things, a frightening unpleasant experience. Marco Visconti has seen this happen, and has written a manual for people wanting to start and know more about magick, Thelema and esoteric knowledge, but didn't know where to start or found other works daunting. The Aleister Crowley Manual: Thelemic Magick for Modern Times is a guide, a learning workbook to start a person off on a new old way of looking at the world, a way that could change lives, all clearly written and very well thought out.

The book came together during the Pandemic when Visconti began to offer classes when so many were trapped inside, with thoughts about how the ways they had grown up with had failed, or were lacking something. Using Zoom Visconti held weekly discussions on Aleister Crowley, Thelema, magick and more, which gave him the ability to see what was easy to comprehend, what was difficult, and also what could be done in small spaces, as so many were trapped inside, not only with their own thoughts, but with roommates or parents, who might find certain rituals disturbing. The book begins with an introduction to Crowley, Thelema, ideas and what rituals can do and what the dangers could be. Visconti explains the ideas of breathing, how to do so, visualization and meditation and how to set images and sigils for ritual work. There are sections on further rituals, and a collection of readings for advanced learning.

Visconti is a very good teacher and has created a manual, more a workbook, heavy accent on the work, which is both a good introduction, and a very helpful tool. The fact that Visconti was teaching over Zoom gave Visconti an opportunity to get a good feel for what he was teaching and sharing, which leads to a smoothness in the writing. For a small book this is really filled with a lot of information, and is laid out quite well. Visconti is also concerned with the well being of readers, always discussing safety and protecting one's self no matter how insignificant things might be. This is a book not only for beginner but for people of all levels of experience as lots of ideas and information can be gleaned from the book.

Recommended for those with an interest in Crowley, Thelema, magick and more. Also for fans of podcasts such as Last Podcast on the Left, who discuss magick, Crowley and other things covered in this book. Also for role players to get an idea of rituals, and cosplay enthusiasts to add a bit of reality to their costumes. A very interesting, useful book, with lots of information.

Yes you will learn Magic by reading this and doing the work. I was looking for a book on Thelema that will take me from knowing nothing to actually deciding if I wanted to pursue it. I found the book!! Marco has written a huge addition to practical Thelema. It starts like a course does. With week one and so on. It builds on each lesson and gives examples. It is excellent and truthful. If you are interesting in finding out what A Crowley was all about and want to learn the magic he brought forth I can think of no better book than this. Excellent is its scope and honesty.

"Overthinking is the death of Magick" - this quote on page 60 is what I have needed to read/hear for a very long time and it set the tone for a book that will be something I work through again and again.

This subject is complex, ancient and the study and mastering of it is worthwhile and can change everything about you as a person.
This is not something you can just pick up, read and then live, it's time being given to learning and this book sets everything out in a way that is both easy to follow but also leaving the reader in no doubt that this requires dedication and practice.

I have had teachers in the past, I have a couple of books I go to for reference and I have witnessed the ceremonial aspects of Thelema in person so I have an understanding of what it entails, however the reference tables, the illustrations and diagrams are extremely useful to me, so for a complete beginner they are vital.

Like I said, this is a workbook, something you work through at the suggested pace, for me I will master the basics before moving on to anything else. It's NOT a quick read, it's not a simple introduction to Magick, it's also not loaded down with information and details, those are for you to go out and study for yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers Watkins Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book, I look forward to working with it for a long time.