Reviews

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Ceremonial Magick: A Comprehensive Guide to the Western Mystery Tradition by Dennis William Hauck, Lon Milo DuQuette, Marcus Katz, John Michael Greer, Sam Webster, David Shoemaker, Sandra Tabatha Cicero, David Allen Hulse, Randall Lee Bowyer, Aaron Leitch, Brandy Williams, David Rankine, Anita Kraft, Stephen Skinner, Chic Cicero

booksheenanigans's review

3.0

It was an okay read and the information provided didn't stand out too much for me but then again I'm not a novice or beginner so this would be better for them. Otherwise I enjoyed the fact that many "experts" contributed to the novel by going in-depth with the magick origins and practice. I must say it was informative and detailed, and because of that, I would definitely recommend this read for those who what to get a sense of where the practice originated from and to get a better understanding of of magick.

clarissimo's review against another edition

informative

4.5

warwriter's review against another edition

3.0

Couldn't even get past the first chapter. I'm sure it's helpful to some, but this was too heavy for me to read for pleasure. Will probably go back to it when I don't have the TBR pile up to the ceiling.

warwriter1939's review against another edition

3.0

Couldn't even get past the first chapter. I'm sure it's helpful to some, but this was too heavy for me to read for pleasure. Will probably go back to it when I don't have the TBR pile up to the ceiling.

rihoward's review against another edition

4.0

4.3 stars

I wish that this book was an actual master class in a university setting because there is A LOT of information here from authors that seem to have a plethora of knowledge to pull from. I was in awe of the amount of information in this book. I loved all the history that was included in this book and how each of these experts gave an analysis of the various texts terms associated with magic. It was very well done.

Again, I seriously wished that there was a class that I could take or someplace that I could meet these individuals in person and just pick their brains. Anything metaphysical always intrigues me because there is something fascinating in the unknown. Even with evidence and, sometimes lack of evidence, that it makes it intriguing of the "how" and "why" something is. There is power in discovering the things that are tangible and the things that cannot be explained. I think that if I was around these amazing experts that I might just become even more of a believer than I already am.

nrhayes16's review

informative inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

5.0

bloodravenlib's review against another edition

2.0

Very quick impressions: It comes across mainly as a pretty dry textbook, heavy on history and theory and light (if at all) on the practical. The advanced people probably know the content, and it may be better for beginners to take notes of sources the book mentions and look for those instead.

(Link to my full review on my blog: https://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2020/02/booknote-llewellyns-complete-book-of.html)

booksheenanigans's review against another edition

3.0

It was an okay read and the information provided didn't stand out too much for me but then again I'm not a novice or beginner so this would be better for them. Otherwise I enjoyed the fact that many "experts" contributed to the novel by going in-depth with the magick origins and practice. I must say it was informative and detailed, and because of that, I would definitely recommend this read for those who what to get a sense of where the practice originated from and to get a better understanding of of magick.

warwriter's review

3.0

Couldn't even get past the first chapter. I'm sure it's helpful to some, but this was too heavy for me to read for pleasure. Will probably go back to it when I don't have the TBR pile up to the ceiling.

lolanae's review

4.0

This is a interesting reference source. I love that there are different authors on the separate topics. Each topic is explained in detail with footnotes and charts. There are sections in each part that highlight the key figures or situations needed to explain the topic at hand. I love that this book tracks back through the history of magic. It explains the origins, and how it was, and still is, tied into daily life. This covers a wide range of topics. I would be curious to see the rest when it comes out, especially the art work that was not in the arc.

(This arc was requested on Netgalley in return for an honest review.)