Rating: 
Summary: The best book on Occultism
Review: I just purchase Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosphy and I must say so far it has been one of, if not the best, book I've read on occultism, magic, or western occulticism/religion/metaphysics. Here are a few of the things that really impressed me:
For starters, Agrippa seems very modern in that, whether he was aware of it or not, he brings up two points that I've only heard from more contemporary occultists. First, much of his book, to me, seems to tie in with Joseph Cambell's The Power of Myth(which discusses world myths and comparative religion). Agrippa, often when discussing a single concept, simultaneously pulls from hebrew and the Qabalah, christianity and the Bible, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology, and Greek philosophers such as Plato and Pythagoras. It seems that in his mind, all these beliefs and philosophies hold truths in them and he takes them all into consideration, like a scientist would take in all the facts he recieves from the natural world. I'm certain that if Agrippa was fimilair with far east philosophy, such as Taoism and the concept of Yin and Yang, he would have incorporated that too, since it easily ties into a lot of the concepts he already elobarates on through the ideas of multiple religious and spiritual schools of thought. And secondly, the idea that what a magician is really doing is using words, symbols, etc. to focus and strengthen the mind and will, and that it is really the human mind and will that creates all the magic, is also suggested by Agrippa. I've read this theory from Aliester Crowley and another modern occultist (Brennan, I think). Agrippa states that words, numbers, and symbols have power because of the way they interact with our souls and that it is our souls that are actually effecting the world, not the words, symbols, etc. themselves. Further more, while the book has no apparent actual magic rituals, spells, etc., it provides the philosophy and concept behind the magic, which I feel is ultimatly more important. The book is thoroughly annotated, to the point were the footnotes are often longer than the chapters, so that everything is understandable to a modern reader, and provides a great springboard for further and more indepth study into all of Agrippa's sources and influences, and into some of the most important spiritual and philosophical writings in western history. And, just to make me love it more, Agrippa is probably the first occult writer who doesn't write with that annoying pompous, or arrogant attitude, nor talks down or oversimplifies things as if he thinks his readers are to stupid to understand. So many occult writers come off this way, either oversimplifying or overdoing it to the point of sounding arogant or full of themselves. Agrippa talks like an educated scientist, talking to someone of equal intellegence on a subject that is serious, but accessable to all. in his words, occultism and magic don't seem to be some mysterious, shadowy, and dark subject, but rather a divine science and wisdom that can and should be used to elevate all mankind.
So far I've been extremely inspired, pleased, and excited with this book. I strongly suggest this book to anyone and everyone interested in not only occultism, but also religion, spirituality, metaphysics, and even history.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Historical Folklore
Review: I studied this book years ago. I found it useless. Interesting, yes, but of no practical use. Basically, its a catalogue of ancient, mideveal, and renaisance (current at the time of writing) superstitions. While this could be a workable symbol system, it is tedious for that purpose and an overcomplication of what should be simple and fluid. It is, however, of a certain historical interest.
Rating:
Summary: More than worth the price...
Review: I'm normally very skeptical about anything produced by Llewellyn, but not only is this an honest reproduction of Agrippa's brilliant works (I've seen the first English translation for myself--1560, I think), but Donald Tyson's scholarship is almost comparable to Agrippa's own. The notes are extensive & do a marvelous job of fleshing out the myriad brief & passing references in the text. Quotes from Agrippa's most likely sources provide timely insights into his own mind, and Tyson in addition offers a notes on sources foreign to or later than Agrippa for comparative study. Tyson's editing does not disturb the text at all, but rather makes it that much more clear. His diagrams & seals are well produced, & his corrections (which include skilled reanalysis of the Hebrew) & major additions are saved for the back of each chapter and of the whole volume. These appendices, and the bibliographical notes as well, are intelligent, clearheaded & very useful. Agrippa's genius is well known, but Tyson's fine scholarship for this volume deserves acknowledgment as well. I recommend this book especially strongly to serious students of magic who are tired of the flood of New Age-y magical manuals & gothic garbage tossed out like so much glitter by these shallow modern writers who use "magic" as a substitute for intelligence, or as a solution to their ego problems.
Rating:
Summary: The real thing.
Review: No serous student of true Magic should be without this book. You might think that it is not practical unlike "modern" books. But this is the real thing. TBOC is right up there with Franz Bardon's trilogy on Hermetics. You must have it and STUDY it; don't just read it or put it on the shelf to look impressive. The wisdom of the ancients is in here! Agrippa and the other classical Magi had what the New Age faddists don't even know about.
Rating: 
Summary: The "Real Thing" alright!
Review: Sure! The same tripe that has suckered people in for ages - its all here! Every convoluted, disjointed, baseless notion and occult "fact" you could hope for. One wonders why the enthusiasts who gravitate toward this stuff never wake up. Where are the RESULTS? Have you won the lottery lately? Any gods materialize to provide you with a cure for cancer? How about being able to walk through walls or fly? Can you do either one of those yet? Nope? I thought not! But keep purchasing this type of material! Keep wasting your life practicing it! Keep rationalizing the lack of success or results! Keep on! What else have you got to do?
Rating:
Summary: outdated. not for current use.
Review: The three books of occult philosophy is a book of it's time. it has many obvious falsities in it's magical thinking, the most obvious being the belief in spontaneous generation of life - flies from rotting meat, ect. As a historical reference, it is great, but as an actual aide to ritual, it contains a bevy of outdated and assumed data.
Rating:
Summary: Occult Philosophy
Review: This book is a must for all the students of the magical arts. It is the Plato and Aristotle of magic. I highly recommend this book! Without it, it would be like not studying the great masters that came before us. We must look back to the great works of magic, of ancient antiquity, to understand the way the masters of the magical arts made their way to power and succeeded. This book is a magical treasure!
Rating:
Summary: A true must have
Review: This book is filled with enrichment of the occult. However, please be reminded that this is a huge book and will take sometime to read it all. Its a true treasure to keep.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Source Book for the Scholar of Magic & Neo-Platonism
Review: This huge tome, written in the 16th century by Henry Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, is a gathering together of ideas from a myriad of scholarly sources describing the role of magic in the Universe. Largely drawn from Greek, Roman and Bibilical sources, the philosophy -- later recanted by Agrippa when in danger of falling into accustaion of heresy from the still influential Catholic Church -- is the cornerstone of Western Magic. Indeed, it was very influential with such 19th century occultists as Francis Barrett (The Magus), Lord Bulwer-Lytton, the Goldern Dawn and OTO.Each book describes a facet of occult philosophy in a differnt focus. Book I describes the occultism of the physical world and relies much on neo-platonic thought. Book II deals with the Cellestial world, with a heavy focus on astrology. Book III deals with the world of the divine with a heavy Judeo-Christian philosophy. While many of the ideas put forth appear rediculous today, relying on the validity of heresay evidence and the reknown of the sources he uses, it is interesting to see how, despite the knowledge of empiricism at that time, the word of the Church and Greco-Roman Philospohers are accepted with little question to validity. Much of this massive book, minute in detail with the space given to the editor's footnotes often exceeding that of the chapters of the original text itself, will prove tedious and silly. And yet, one can find gems of wisdom as well as an understanding of the progression of scholarly thought in the West at that period. A tue occultist will delight in the detailed description of the correspondences and the orginal thought behind why one thing such as Mars, is associated with another such as the color red. But while today we may see this all as mere symbolism, back then they really believed there was a true physical or spiritual link between such objects. One of the benefits of this version of the Occult Philosphy is the bibliographical dictionary at the end of the book, compiling short sketches of most of the famous and obscure philosophers, historians and other writers whose works Agrippa cites in his text.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Source Book for the Scholar of Magic & Neo-Platonism
Review: This huge tome, written in the 16th century by Henry Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, is a gathering together of ideas from a myriad of scholarly sources describing the role of magic in the Universe. Largely drawn from Greek, Roman and Bibilical sources, the philosophy -- later recanted by Agrippa when in danger of falling into accustaion of heresy from the still influential Catholic Church -- is the cornerstone of Western Magic. Indeed, it was very influential with such 19th century occultists as Francis Barrett (The Magus), Lord Bulwer-Lytton, the Goldern Dawn and OTO. Each book describes a facet of occult philosophy in a differnt focus. Book I describes the occultism of the physical world and relies much on neo-platonic thought. Book II deals with the Cellestial world, with a heavy focus on astrology. Book III deals with the world of the divine with a heavy Judeo-Christian philosophy. While many of the ideas put forth appear rediculous today, relying on the validity of heresay evidence and the reknown of the sources he uses, it is interesting to see how, despite the knowledge of empiricism at that time, the word of the Church and Greco-Roman Philospohers are accepted with little question to validity. Much of this massive book, minute in detail with the space given to the editor's footnotes often exceeding that of the chapters of the original text itself, will prove tedious and silly. And yet, one can find gems of wisdom as well as an understanding of the progression of scholarly thought in the West at that period. A tue occultist will delight in the detailed description of the correspondences and the orginal thought behind why one thing such as Mars, is associated with another such as the color red. But while today we may see this all as mere symbolism, back then they really believed there was a true physical or spiritual link between such objects. One of the benefits of this version of the Occult Philosphy is the bibliographical dictionary at the end of the book, compiling short sketches of most of the famous and obscure philosophers, historians and other writers whose works Agrippa cites in his text.
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