<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A True Master
Review: Author Charles Kipp has earned the title of Master for this truly magnificent book. With a mix of western culture, astrology, science and magick, you get an eye opening experience of pure ecstasy. This certainly is not a step by step how-to, new age astrology guide. This is a complete book of revelations in the field of astrology that practitioners of the science itself need to experience. Leave behind all you thought you knew. Open the first page and read the introduction by Robert Anton Wilson. Then read the first page from Charles Kipp. You won't be able to put down this book once you start. Master in his own right, Robert Anton Wilson introduces the book with his own personal experience while studying Crowley. You can see how Wilson has remained objective and open minded in his 28 years of reading and researching a man who, to this day, remains an enigmatic icon. His respect for Crowley shows clearly through the lines as he tries to explain not only who Crowley was, but why he lived his life the way he did. Although no one will ever know for sure Crowley's mindset, Wilson gives an award winning performance in presenting a fresh, very believable point of view. Following this marvelous introduction isn't easy, but Charles Kipp is equal to the task as he takes you on an enlightened journey through astrology in a way you have never traveled before. Using Aleister Crowley as a test subject for his topic is, in a word, brilliant! Kipp calls on 30 years experience as student, practitioner and teacher of astrology to delve deeply into Crowley's life through his own writings. Intertwining them with Astrology not only makes for easy comprehension but sheer enjoyment! Never before has such an in-depth book been written to keep the reader aware of each step; it's like taking several courses simultaneously. Kipp expands your horizons with the experience and proves that he really is the new master on the block!
Rating:
Summary: HYPNOTIC
Review: For one who was reared on a steady diet of propaganda which taught that astrology was well-represented by the colorful charts, graphs, and horoscopes on the newsstand rags at the local grocery store, I had my biases. A certain cynicism usually kicked in and got in the way of my even picking up a book with the word "Astrology" in its title. Silly Me. Something profound drew me to this book and I have been thankful ever since. This highly impressive work is a benchmark for what makes for truly great reading, in my opinion. A nice coalescence between hard core science and then fanciful, poetic musings. To remain so open-minded while maintaining a well-grounded basis really gives Mr. Kipp an edge on others who have attempted similarly lofty tasks. Kipp elegantly pulls together a symphony of ideas. Tying together such disparate topics as mysticism, astrology, psychoanalysis, history, and science - no simple task - is performed by Mr. Kipp with unique scholarship, and impeccable flair. The rascal Aleister Crowley is rendered very human and great sympathy is aroused by Kipp's amusing characterization of Crowley's strange and at times brutal upbringing. We are compelled to understand the psychology and mythology inherent in Crowley's (and our own) universe. Ultimately, we are brought full circle to a deep insight of the theoretical perspectives - including both critical and expansive views - necessary to establish a sense of "wholeness." This reader was left amazed at the beauty of the language and the harmonious interplay of really cool, strange subjects. My amazement at the fact that someone could come up with the idea for this book was superseded by the fact that the idea was so powerfully executed. Bring us another one, Master Kipp.
<< 1 >>
| 
