Book Four

Rating:
Summary: Poorly arranged
Review: A classic on Magical Implements. This book was supposed to be a simple treatise on Magic, but ended up being not about Magic at all (other then the implements). It also describes the basics of how to start the disciplines of Yoga and the results of actually doing it which requires strong will-power. I encourage you to buy this book and start Asana; now, this will be difficult to stick to; but, every bit of pain will be repaid with Bliss in attainment of Dhyana and this will be so much greater than anything experienced in your life! And there's still Samadhi! which is far better than that.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Magickal Instruction: Yoga / Witchcraft style
Review: Do yourself a favor and read-up on Yoga, Witchcraft, and Occultism...then, read this book of Excellent Magickal Instruction. I understood it because I have been delving into Hinduism and I have studied Paganism/Witchcraft. Crowley writes, as usual, for the Experienced, not the Beginner.

This is a small book, yet it has more information than most thick tomes of "occult" knowledge. There is nothing "fluffy" about "Book 4." Crowley supplies us with a concise record of the Basics of Magick, without embellishing or beating around the bush....of course, this is *his* version of Magickal Practice--with a strong resemblance to Witchcraft--yet, this work is not representative of Witchcraft, itself.

For the serious student, this work is very informative--combining Yoga Techniques with other Magickal Practices.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Magickal Instruction: Yoga / Witchcraft style
Review: Do yourself a favor and read-up on Yoga, Witchcraft, and Occultism...then, read this book of Excellent Magickal Instruction. I understood it because I have been delving into Hinduism and I have studied Paganism/Witchcraft. Crowley writes, as usual, for the Experienced, not the Beginner.

This is a small book, yet it has more information than most thick tomes of "occult" knowledge. There is nothing "fluffy" about "Book 4." Crowley supplies us with a concise record of the Basics of Magick, without embellishing or beating around the bush....of course, this is *his* version of Magickal Practice--with a strong resemblance to Witchcraft--yet, this work is not representative of Witchcraft, itself.

For the serious student, this work is very informative--combining Yoga Techniques with other Magickal Practices.

Rating:
Summary: Preface to Magick
Review: In the beginning of the remarkable book, Crowley (or Frater Perdurabo/Soror Vikram-- if you prefer) lays out his thesis. Most great religious figures have one thing in common-- they start as nobody, then go away somewhere and come back somebody. Four could be seen as a kind of preface to that process.

Much of seems remarkably direct and helpful and recasts many basic religious tenets as more concrete steps to enlightenment. On the other hand, much of it is quite beyond me. In the interlude about religious meanings in nursery rhymes, for example, I know that am lacking in understanding about what he was trying to say. Additionally, the discussions of ritual items seem less useful without a greater understanding of the Law of Thelema (which I don't have).

Hard to critique. Worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Humorous
Review: Included in this book are the tools of all godly magick according to Aleister Crowley with detailed descriptions of each, as well as yoga in practice. What I really found amusing were Crowley's renditions of old childhood nursery ryhmes. They featured a supposed occult connection in the poems- funny stuff. A recommended addition to Thelemites' collections.

Rating:
Summary: A good depiction
Review: This book is divided into two parts. The first is a practical instruction on the principles of mysticism and yoga, and the second serves as an encyclopedoia of the implements used in the practice of magick. Together with part 3, entitled "Magick in Theory and Practice" (which is sold seperately), Book 4 makes for a detailed description of the principles of the occult system.

The only major fault of this book is some of the information on yoga. It would be wise for those who practice Crowley's suggestions to cease immediately. It's not that the information is wrong (it is, in fact, correct), but one should keep in mind the level of medical knowledge current at the time of the writing--why do you suppose ceasing the asana is so painful? It's a wonder Crowley didn't paralyze himself. I practiced Crowley's suggestions on yoga until I was warned against it by my Order superior. That said, the descriptions of what the stages actually do are illuminating. I would recommend practicing the God asana, if you were to follow out the regimen laid out in the book, but certainly not for 16 hours!

Part 2 details the implements used in occult practice, in light of their historical, metaphysical, and psychological import. There is also a glossary which includes definitions (or references) of words not explained in the previous text--something very unusual for Crowley!

Readers are warned that there are pitfalls in this book. Also, it is always wise to remember to not take everything Crowley said particularly seriously--the depiction of his "floating in a golden light" as he meditates is one such example.

All in all, this is a good place to start your learning about magick. I would recommend it to new students.

Rating:
Summary: Book 4 is number 1
Review: This is another one of those books that the aspiring Magickal worker should read early on. The main point of this book is to ready the Magician's body, mind and spirit. Worth every penny!