The New Encyclopedia of the Occult

Rating:
Summary: Five Stars and Two Thumbs Up!
Review: I'll join my fellow reviewers and say this book is excellent! It has the right philosophical standards every encyclopedia should have: Neutrality and a very slight skeptical nodd at the more controversial subjects (like the life of LaVey, things like womenbreast-divination and the more racistical occult philosopies). Unlike most other occult refference books it has a very wide time range, covering topics dating from the ancient past to postmodern suburbian Americanism. I won't bother to highlight interesting topics for they are too great in number but I can say that I like the special attention for geomancy (because you have to admit, this subject was getting a little bit dusty). I know Greer is an expert on geomancy, I think that's the reason. This is one of those rare encyclopedias that you will read in bed before going to sleep.

Rating:
Summary: all in one place
Review: If you have even a borderline interest in the mystic and the occult, and have been struggling with terms like Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Tree of Life, Merkabah.. not being able to figure out what they were about, and more importantly, what was their connection and inner logic? Well, this book will explain and organize it for you in the first reading (i had a number of AHAAAA! moments during the first read), and then it will be a permanent reference source. Real nice book to own.

Rating:
Summary: Ex tenebris lux
Review: Once again John has written a very resourceful book that is sure to solve those late night ponderings in search of the obscure. See you in lodge Frater!

Rating:
Summary: Ex tenebris lux
Review: Once again John has written a very resourceful book that is sure to solve those late night ponderings in search of the obscure. See you in lodge Frater!

Rating:
Summary: The best of the best - most thorough and accurate
Review: One of the most extensive publications on the occult, "The New Encyclopedia of the Occult" does an excellent job of explaining various words, philosophies, historical events, individuals, and practices of the occult traditions without pushing a personal agenda. This is what a reference work should be - a neutral exposition of the facts. Everything imaginable is covered in this exhaustive tome. For most entries there is also at least one reference at the end to point the reader to additional material on that entry. To give you an idea of the breadth of the information, some of the areas covered include magic, alchemy, astrology, tarot cards, palmistry, geomancy, the Golden Dawn, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and religions like Wicca, Thelema, Thosophy, and paganism. "The New Enclyclopedia of the Occult" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in a scholarly reference work on the occult.

Rating:
Summary: The best of the best - most thorough and accurate
Review: One of the most extensive publications on the occult, "The New Encyclopedia of the Occult" does an excellent job of explaining various words, philosophies, historical events, individuals, and practices of the occult traditions without pushing a personal agenda. This is what a reference work should be - a neutral exposition of the facts. Everything imaginable is covered in this exhaustive tome. For most entries there is also at least one reference at the end to point the reader to additional material on that entry. To give you an idea of the breadth of the information, some of the areas covered include magic, alchemy, astrology, tarot cards, palmistry, geomancy, the Golden Dawn, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and religions like Wicca, Thelema, Thosophy, and paganism. "The New Enclyclopedia of the Occult" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in a scholarly reference work on the occult.

Rating:
Summary: THE FINEST WORK OF ITS KIND EVER WRITTEN!
Review: The New Encyclopedia of the Occult by John Michael Greer is a monumental achievement in modern occult literature. It is a thorough, respectful, sane, well-researched and unsuperstitious reference work -- the finest of its kind ever written. I give it my highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: An Occult Book Worth Having
Review: This is a huge undertaking and a very intense collection of Occult information placed into a very usable reference book. Mr. Greer has outdone himself here with a very timely and informative work on the subject of the Occult.

This encyclopedia covers most of the major topics on the occult, from organizations to practices to tools and so much more. The information is derived from classic works and material of well respected past practitioners. There are no biographies of current living practitioners, which adds to the strength of the collection in my opinion.

This book contains some better known material from a variety of sources that are carefully noted in the very large and well documented bibliography. There is also some very obscure material and some 'gee, I didn't know that' material included here which makes this book worth reading from cover to cover.

And to his credit the introduction asks if anyone finds fault with the material he has researched in this volume, to please let him know what and why. A very noble and practical move on his part, as there is always Occult material that will be debated and argued.

The book contains some small black and white illustrations for some of the material presented and the contents are listed alphabetically. However, the book lacks an index for reference, leaving you to hunt through the listings to see if the material you are looking for is there. However, this is not a bad thing, as there is a lot of material that reaches out to be read and sparks interest.

Mr. Greer will quote directly from the source material, but also explains well some of the more obscure references and provides pronunciations and translations when needed. His style is light considering the heavy topic he covers and is a pleasure to read. No boring or dull textbook material here.

This is a valuable resource for having all the information collected in one place; it can augment any library and be approached by anyone who may have an interest in the Occult as well as those who are well versed in the material. boudica

Rating:
Summary: An Occult Book Worth Having
Review: This is a huge undertaking and a very intense collection of Occult information placed into a very usable reference book.  Mr. Greer has outdone himself here with a very timely and informative work on the subject of the Occult.
This encyclopedia covers most of the major topics on the occult, from organizations to practices to tools and so much more.  The information is derived from classic works and material of well respected past practitioners.  There are no biographies of current living practitioners, which adds to the strength of the collection in my opinion.
This book contains some better known material from a variety of sources that are carefully noted in the very large and well documented bibliography.  There is also some very obscure material and some 'gee, I didn't know that' material included here which makes this book worth reading from cover to cover. 
And to his credit the introduction asks if anyone finds fault with the material he has researched in this volume, to please let him know what and why.  A very noble and practical move on his part, as there is always Occult material that will be debated and argued.
The book contains some small black and white illustrations for some of the material presented and the contents are listed alphabetically.  However, the book lacks an index for reference, leaving you to hunt through the listings to see if the material you are looking for is there.  However, this is not a bad thing, as there is a lot of material that reaches out to be read and sparks interest. 
Mr. Greer will quote directly from the source material, but also explains well some of the more obscure references and provides pronunciations and translations when needed.  His style is light considering the heavy topic he covers and is a pleasure to read.  No boring or dull textbook material here.
This is a valuable resource for having all the information collected in one place; it can augment any library and be approached by anyone who may have an interest in the Occult as well as those who are well versed in the material.

Rating:
Summary: An Occult Book Worth Having
Review: This is a huge undertaking and a very intense collection of Occult information placed into a very usable reference book.  Mr. Greer has outdone himself here with a very timely and informative work on the subject of the Occult.
This encyclopedia covers most of the major topics on the occult, from organizations to practices to tools and so much more.  The information is derived from classic works and material of well respected past practitioners.  There are no biographies of current living practitioners, which adds to the strength of the collection in my opinion.
This book contains some better known material from a variety of sources that are carefully noted in the very large and well documented bibliography.  There is also some very obscure material and some 'gee, I didn't know that' material included here which makes this book worth reading from cover to cover. 
And to his credit the introduction asks if anyone finds fault with the material he has researched in this volume, to please let him know what and why.  A very noble and practical move on his part, as there is always Occult material that will be debated and argued.
The book contains some small black and white illustrations for some of the material presented and the contents are listed alphabetically.  However, the book lacks an index for reference, leaving you to hunt through the listings to see if the material you are looking for is there.  However, this is not a bad thing, as there is a lot of material that reaches out to be read and sparks interest. 
Mr. Greer will quote directly from the source material, but also explains well some of the more obscure references and provides pronunciations and translations when needed.  His style is light considering the heavy topic he covers and is a pleasure to read.  No boring or dull textbook material here.
This is a valuable resource for having all the information collected in one place; it can augment any library and be approached by anyone who may have an interest in the Occult as well as those who are well versed in the material.