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Secrets of Western Sex Magic: A Practical Handbook for Men and Women (Llewellyn's Tantra & Sexual Arts Series)

Secrets of Western Sex Magic: A Practical Handbook for Men and Women (Llewellyn's Tantra & Sexual Arts Series)

List Price: $17.95
Your Price: $12.21
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Most comprehensive and practical treatise on the subject
Review: An undogmatic and highly practical DIY book, easy to understand language without being superficial. It is probably the most all-encompassing study on practical Western sex magic, lacking the patriarchal sexual bias so common with earlier works. No holds barred: whether you're gay or heterosexual or prefer an autoerotic approach, you'll find everything you need to know here. Excellent!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: German Occult Sex Magic
Review: First off, nowhere does it state that this book is about the Tantra. This book is German Occult Sex Magic at its finest and most practical. It is about magic, about using your sexual energy, releasing it, and bringing about changes.
I grew up reading the likes of Cavendish, Waite, and others, and, personally, I like this book. It's breathing exercises are fantastic, it's sigil magic is great. It's inspiring and never sets on my bookshelf for very long.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: Frater U.:D.: has provided a practical guide to sex magick, one that's been long overdue in occult literature. A brief overview is given of the history of Tantra and the `Inner Alchemy' of Taoism in comparison to western sex magick, dispelling common worries and fears regarding this much misunderstood branch of the western magickal tradition. He comments on the tendency of certain types of authors to `try to tackle a subject about which they know little only because it sells well', while noting that others often tend to exhibit `a vein of arrogance which looks down on the readers and believes that they are not yet "mature" enough for "real" knowledge'. I fully share his opinion that `secrecy has its place during learning and practicing, but not among authors who claim a desire to convey knowledge out of an inner commitment' (pg xi). Fortunately, this excellent text avoids these pitfalls.

Finally, a book on sex magick clearly written for both men and women, removing the patriarchal bias common to most texts of this genre. 'Secrets of Western Sex Magic' is aimed at consensual adults of any sexual preference or orientation, be they gay, straight, or bisexual. Even going so far as to state that `there is no such thing as total heterosexuality, as there is no such thing as total homosexuality' (pg 162); while in principle I agree, I am certain this will be a point of contention amongst many readers. He suggests that the practitioner aim for the more balanced androgyne, as he says: `Without making needless distinctions, traditional attachments and moral codes are set aside in favor of `Do what thou Wilt'. For the sex mystic, sexuality is a holy expression of one's highest destiny anyway' (pg xii).

Frater U.: D.: does an excellent job laying the ground work and getting, or informing the magician the `right' state or frame of mind, noting that `...it is not necessary to become a perfected, fear-free being to practice sex magic. It is only necessary to face up one's own fears and inhibitions with brutal frankness. If magic shall actually lead to freedom, than it must be transpersonal freedom, optimum in breadth of choice, and not some predefined norm which once more degrades humanity and wants to impose some new straightjacket' (pg 16).

U.: D.: refers to western magick as `applied mythology', referencing many ideas found within chaos magick, noting that `it does not matter which of the models you choose so long as it convinces <I>you personally</I>.' Recommending that one should `become familiar with as many models as possible, because each system has its limits and flexibility is needed for magic' (pg 83), instead taking magickal theories and ideas as `mythical truths' rather than restrictive objective absolutes. Though he cautions that one `should not overdo the individuality of our own correspondences. It is useful to follow traditional correspondences for metals, numbers, colors, gems an deities because they have a certain consistency.' While commenting on the power of `traditional' symbols, because `to use them is to tune into the traditional `current' of these magical symbols, making it easier to work with other magicians from a common basis' (pg 80).

Briefly, he discusses various OTO factions and the higher grades involving sex magick, and how they've chosen to represent them. While also combining numerous practical techniques, beginning with the more basic meditative and silencing of the mind, some pranayama, sigil magick, invocation as well as some physical discipline, and even a few aphrodisiac recipes are given - all without dumbing it down, while still remaining `down to Earth'.

As little background as possible is given when it would sidetrack from the original topic at hand, and in place he instead provides relevant and specific references for further information; which, while being both concise and useful, can also be a little frustrating at times. Then again there is only so much space one can dedicate, and as much as it does cover there is no substitute for experience, as he notes `in many respects it had to remain incomplete. It is my opinion that <I>material</I>, fleshy experience should always be preferred to purely mystical speculations. Only when this has been mastered will sex mysticism make any sense, and only then can the symbols become alive and images turn into reality' (pg 217).

Above all this book is practical, easy to read, astonishingly direct and honest in its approach and language, not to mention beautifully illustrated. Techniques and variances are explained in detail and are well-written. It's a shame more of his works have not been translated into English, especially those referenced throughout the book, numerous articles, essays, etc., which are, as far as I know, only available in German. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: Frater U.:D.: has provided a practical guide to sex magick, one that's been long overdue in occult literature. A brief overview is given of the history of Tantra and the 'Inner Alchemy' of Taoism in comparison to western sex magick, dispelling common worries and fears regarding this much misunderstood branch of the western magickal tradition. He comments on the tendency of certain types of authors to 'try to tackle a subject about which they know little only because it sells well', while noting that others often tend to exhibit 'a vein of arrogance which looks down on the readers and believes that they are not yet "mature" enough for "real" knowledge'. I fully share his opinion that 'secrecy has its place during learning and practicing, but not among authors who claim a desire to convey knowledge out of an inner commitment' (pg xi). Fortunately, this excellent text avoids these pitfalls.

Finally, a book on sex magick clearly written for both men and women, removing the patriarchal bias common to most texts of this genre. 'Secrets of Western Sex Magic' is aimed at consensual adults of any sexual preference or orientation, be they gay, straight, or bisexual. Even going so far as to state that 'there is no such thing as total heterosexuality, as there is no such thing as total homosexuality' (pg 162); while in principle I agree, I am certain this will be a point of contention amongst many readers. He suggests that the practitioner aim for the more balanced androgyne, as he says: 'Without making needless distinctions, traditional attachments and moral codes are set aside in favor of 'Do what thou Wilt'. For the sex mystic, sexuality is a holy expression of one's highest destiny anyway' (pg xii).

Frater U.: D.: does an excellent job laying the ground work and getting, or informing the magician the 'right' state or frame of mind, noting that '...it is not necessary to become a perfected, fear-free being to practice sex magic. It is only necessary to face up one's own fears and inhibitions with brutal frankness. If magic shall actually lead to freedom, than it must be transpersonal freedom, optimum in breadth of choice, and not some predefined norm which once more degrades humanity and wants to impose some new straightjacket' (pg 16).

U.: D.: refers to western magick as 'applied mythology', referencing many ideas found within chaos magick, noting that 'it does not matter which of the models you choose so long as it convinces you personally.' Recommending that one should 'become familiar with as many models as possible, because each system has its limits and flexibility is needed for magic' (pg 83), instead taking magickal theories and ideas as 'mythical truths' rather than restrictive objective absolutes. Though he cautions that one 'should not overdo the individuality of our own correspondences. It is useful to follow traditional correspondences for metals, numbers, colors, gems an deities because they have a certain consistency.' While commenting on the power of 'traditional' symbols, because 'to use them is to tune into the traditional 'current' of these magical symbols, making it easier to work with other magicians from a common basis' (pg 80).

Briefly, he discusses various OTO factions and the higher grades involving sex magick, and how they've chosen to represent them. While also combining numerous practical techniques, beginning with the more basic meditative and silencing of the mind, some pranayama, sigil magick, invocation as well as some physical discipline, and even a few aphrodisiac recipes are given - all without dumbing it down, while still remaining 'down to Earth'.

As little background as possible is given when it would sidetrack from the original topic at hand, and in place he instead provides relevant and specific references for further information; which, while being both concise and useful, can also be a little frustrating at times. Then again there is only so much space one can dedicate, and as much as it does cover there is no substitute for experience, as he notes 'in many respects it had to remain incomplete. It is my opinion that material, fleshy experience should always be preferred to purely mystical speculations. Only when this has been mastered will sex mysticism make any sense, and only then can the symbols become alive and images turn into reality' (pg 217).

Above all this book is practical, easy to read, astonishingly direct and honest in its approach and language, not to mention beautifully illustrated. Techniques and variances are explained in detail and are well-written. It's a shame more of his works have not been translated into English, especially those referenced throughout the book, numerous articles, essays, etc., which are, as far as I know, only available in German. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty straight forward
Review: I bought this since practical sigil magic was hard to find.

It has the extra specifics & extracurricular activities tied to german sex magic in kind of a handy guide.

I've used the techniques to gain results in doing magic and improving my life.

To those who see it as vile or "black, etc etc"....no duh. This ain't for you. This is not even for people interested in tantra. Sure, it glosses over the tantra subject, but tantra is only a means to an end here. Were here to do MAGIC. Look at your life and see just what kind of MAGIC you've created. Tough to accept, I know.

Anyways, it's a 4 star read since it worked for me. But most of the book's subject matter is extracurricular to the basic sex magic techniques available in practical sigil magic(or on the internet). I just wanted something in my possession.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty straight forward
Review: I bought this since practical sigil magic was hard to find.

It has the extra specifics & extracurricular activities tied to german sex magic in kind of a handy guide.

I've used the techniques to gain results in doing magic and improving my life.

To those who see it as vile or "black, etc etc"....no duh. This ain't for you. This is not even for people interested in tantra. Sure, it glosses over the tantra subject, but tantra is only a means to an end here. Were here to do MAGIC. Look at your life and see just what kind of MAGIC you've created. Tough to accept, I know.

Anyways, it's a 4 star read since it worked for me. But most of the book's subject matter is extracurricular to the basic sex magic techniques available in practical sigil magic(or on the internet). I just wanted something in my possession.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: CROWLEY'S SPOOGE???
Review: This is a book of Black Magic. Do not be seduced into this type of foolishness. Find the true Tantrism.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not a practical guide
Review: While being easy to read, this book is not exactly the "practical guide" that some may be looking for. This book is more about history and stories than "how to". The actual writing, leaves a bit to be desired as well. For anyone looking for a book oriented more toward Tantra, I would recommend "Tantra: The art of concious loving".


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