Circles of Power: An Introduction to Hermetic Magic: Third Edition

Though this is subtitled "An Introduction to Hermetic Magic," I, even as a person who already had extensive knowledge of and some experience in this field, found useful information and fresh insights. Part 1, "Principles of Ritual Magic," is a well-written, concise yet meaty primer on ritual magic specifically in the Golden Dawn tradition. Though most of this section covers ground that was already familiar to me, it helped me to reexamine and put into clearer perspective my attraction to ceremonial magic in general and the Golden Dawn in particular.Part II, "Practice of Ritual Magic," is a treasure-trove of deep insights and crucial, practical information. In particular, I recommend closely reading Chapter Seven, "Foundations of Ritual: The Middle Pillar Exercises," which gave me a more comprehensive understanding of what has been an important practice for me for the past seven years or so, as well as Chapter Eleven, "Applications of Ritual: Evocation." Chapter Eleven is the most succinct, practical, and fair-minded treatment of its subject I've ever read. Though it strengthened my own conclusion that I would best avoid evocation in terms of my own path, this chapter should prove a valuable guide for Golden Dawn magicians who feel called to this practice.In Chapter Fourteen, "The Formula of the Equinox," Greer gives intriguing food for thought in highlighting such things as Masonic degree rituals and Thelemic initiations as fruitful bases for adaption to solitary spiritual and magical development. With this book, Greer places himself squarely in the same league of such excellent Golden Dawn authors as Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero and Peregrin Wildoak. (Readers would do to compare Greer's analysis of the Rose Cross ritual in Circles of Power to Wildoak's discussion of the same ritual in his book By Names and Images.)On a minor point, I was a little bothered by Greer's discussion of some magicians' "Jesus allergy" -- specifically, by his being overly apologetic for anything Christian-oriented in the Golden Dawn system. However, I realize that Greer is coming at this subject from a Pagan perspective, and that Christian esotericists like me are not the target audience of this book. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly recommend Circles of Power as essential reading for everyone who is interested in the Golden Dawn tradition.

Been buried in this since I started. A clear, concise introduction.

Covers the biggest parts of magick in a clear way but not a way that insults the readers intelligence like most cook book like material in this vein.

I like this book. But having read israel regardie and Henry aggripa and aleister crowley,it does not have any suppresses. But in saying that, the spell working and rituals are just great. Good book over all.

I have only finished the first theoretical chapters so this is just my initial experience so far. I think these early theory chapters could be rewritten to be clearer. Perhaps the problem for me is the way it's expressed rather than the concepts themselves or that there is alot to get through in short space. I've found it necessary to reread these early sections multiple times and have been exasperated at times. I'm glad I persisted because the info is valuable. I do think he writes well in other areas (and I have one of his other books and have not had issues with that one). I look forward to reading onwards and am thankful for the valuable knowledge he gives. Btw the book is printed on good thick paper and for the quality of info and number of pages is great value.