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BOOK REVIEW - Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday...

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Mike...
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:21 am
Guest
Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment by Tony Mierzwicki ©
2006 ISBN: 978-1-905713037 258 pages Paperback $21.99 (U.S.)

Are you as frustrated as I am by all the “101” books available in the
magickal field? Do you want something with a bit more meat to it?
Well, this book is a good place to start. True, it contains a great
deal of “101” material, but it includes translations of the original
sources, not just the tabulated results (although they are provided as
well).

Assumptions ARE made about the level of commitment on the part of the
magickian, as well as about the degree of comfort and expertise
brought to the study of the material.

For those out there who are more interested in reading about rituals
than actually doing them (you know who you are), this book will be
interesting. For those already familiar with Classical Greek
writings, it may be redundant. For those interested in working with
pre-Medieval magickal systems, it is invaluable.

The first 82 pages provide a fairly comprehensive background on the
deities and sources of the information, as well as explaining some
individual modifications made by the author. None of these
modifications, by the way, are at all radical, and all are explained
clearly

Each of the planetary rites consists of invocations, including the use
of “words of power”, none of which would be particularly useful
without the inclusion of Appendix 2: Pronunciation, which helps the
would-be Graeco-Egyptian magickian make sure that they are calling the
appropriate entity.

Many modern day magicians might be uncomfortable working without the
perceived protection of a magick circle. However, since the
magickians of the period lasting through the first five centuries of
the Common Era did not use a circle, it would seem that the best way
to duplicate their experience would be to duplicate their methods to
the best of our ability.

Granted that the author allows his personal perceptions and biases to
affect the invocations he uses (modifying the originals in order to
achieve specific results), he is honest enough to explain what he has
done, and more importantly – why he has done so.

Although I am not a Ceremonialist, by any stretch of the imagination,
I found it easy to understand Mr. Mierzwicki’s directions. I must
admit that I found a few areas where he and I disagree in regards to
the myths and their interpretations, and a few other items, but I kind
of expected that going in. I knew that my background in Graeco-
Egyptian culture was weak, and so I was willing to accept the fact
that I would find things to challenge my perceptions.

Although I am not sure how valuable this book will be for my own
personal development, I am able to see its overall value and
usefulness. If “high” magick is your forte, this book definitely
belongs in your library. It is not intended to be a “quick fix”, as
the rituals need time to work on many levels and cannot be rushed, but
working within this system will definitely yield benefits.
 
Mike...
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:15 am
Guest
When I posted my review, I forgot to include the publisher's name.
Here is that data.

Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment by Tony Mierzwicki ©
2006 Megalithica Books ISBN: 978-1-905713037 258 pages
Paperback $21.99 (U.S.)
 
ren...
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:15 pm
Guest
On Oct 24, 2:15 am, Mike <gleason.m... at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:
Quote:
When I posted my review, I forgot to include the publisher's name.
Here is that data.

Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment  by  Tony Mierzwicki ©
2006  Megalithica Books  ISBN:  978-1-905713037      258 pages
Paperback       $21.99 (U.S.)

Thanks Mike. I don't read all the books you review but I do appreciate
the summaries.
 
Evergreen...
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:13 pm
Guest
On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.mike at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:

Quote:
Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment by Tony Mierzwicki
=A9 2006 ISBN: 978-1-905713037 258 pages Paperback $21.99
(U.S.)

Are you as frustrated as I am by all the =93101=94 books
available in the magickal field? Do you want something with a
bit more meat to it? Well, this book is a good place to start.
True, it contains a great deal of =93101=94 material, but it
includes translations of the original sources, not just the
tabulated results (although they are provided as well).

Assumptions ARE made about the level of commitment on the part
of the magickian, as well as about the degree of comfort and
expertise brought to the study of the material.

For those out there who are more interested in reading about
rituals than actually doing them (you know who you are), this
book will be interesting. For those already familiar with
Classical Greek writings, it may be redundant. For those
interested in working with pre-Medieval magickal systems, it is
invaluable.

The first 82 pages provide a fairly comprehensive background
on the deities and sources of the information, as well as
explaining some individual modifications made by the author.
None of these modifications, by the way, are at all radical,
and all are explained clearly

Each of the planetary rites consists of invocations, including
the use of =93words of power=94, none of which would be
particularly useful without the inclusion of Appendix 2:
Pronunciation, which helps the would-be Graeco-Egyptian
magickian make sure that they are calling the appropriate
entity.

Many modern day magicians might be uncomfortable working
without the perceived protection of a magick circle. However,
since the magickians of the period lasting through the first
five centuries of the Common Era did not use a circle, it would
seem that the best way to duplicate their experience would be
to duplicate their methods to the best of our ability.

Granted that the author allows his personal perceptions and
biases to affect the invocations he uses (modifying the
originals in order to achieve specific results), he is honest
enough to explain what he has done, and more importantly =96
why he has done so.

Although I am not a Ceremonialist, by any stretch of the
imagination, I found it easy to understand Mr. Mierzwicki=92s
directions. I must admit that I found a few areas where he and
I disagree in regards to the myths and their interpretations,
and a few other items, but I kind of expected that going in. I
knew that my background in Graeco- Egyptian culture was weak,
and so I was willing to accept the fact that I would find
things to challenge my perceptions.

Although I am not sure how valuable this book will be for my
own personal development, I am able to see its overall value
and usefulness. If =93high=94 magick is your forte, this book
definitely belongs in your library. It is not intended to be
a =93quick fix=94, as the rituals need time to work on many
levels and cannot be rushed, but working within this system
will definitely yield benefits.

<yawn> More of the same tiresome, elitist, psuedo-esoteric
drivel: It's old and mysterious so it must be about real magick.

The fact is that there isn't anyone involved with this book,
including any readers, that can demonstrate any magickal skills
at all.

What you will get if you study this book is more material to
play the role with.

Which is all that can be said for every book that's supposedly
about magick that Mike has reviewed.

At least he's consistent.

But to be fair, he doesn't have much to work with. All the
supposed material on magick he has access to comes from
scholars, not magicians.


Sid

--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
 
Mike...
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:39 am
Guest
On Oct 26, 6:13 pm, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:
Quote:
On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.m... at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:





Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment by Tony Mierzwicki
=A9 2006 ISBN: 978-1-905713037 258 pages Paperback $21.99
(U.S.)

Are you as frustrated as I am by all the =93101=94 books
available in the magickal field? Do you want something with a
bit more meat to it? Well, this book is a good place to start.
True, it contains a great deal of =93101=94 material, but it
includes translations of the original sources, not just the
tabulated results (although they are provided as well).

Assumptions ARE made about the level of commitment on the part
of the magickian, as well as about the degree of comfort and
expertise brought to the study of the material.

For those out there who are more interested in reading about
rituals than actually doing them (you know who you are), this
book will be interesting. For those already familiar with
Classical Greek writings, it may be redundant. For those
interested in working with pre-Medieval magickal systems, it is
invaluable.

The first 82 pages provide a fairly comprehensive background
on the deities and sources of the information, as well as
explaining some individual modifications made by the author.
None of these modifications, by the way, are at all radical,
and all are explained clearly

Each of the planetary rites consists of invocations, including
the use of =93words of power=94, none of which would be
particularly useful without the inclusion of Appendix 2:
Pronunciation, which helps the would-be Graeco-Egyptian
magickian make sure that they are calling the appropriate
entity.

Many modern day magicians might be uncomfortable working
without the perceived protection of a magick circle. However,
since the magickians of the period lasting through the first
five centuries of the Common Era did not use a circle, it would
seem that the best way to duplicate their experience would be
to duplicate their methods to the best of our ability.

Granted that the author allows his personal perceptions and
biases to affect the invocations he uses (modifying the
originals in order to achieve specific results), he is honest
enough to explain what he has done, and more importantly =96
why he has done so.

Although I am not a Ceremonialist, by any stretch of the
imagination, I found it easy to understand Mr. Mierzwicki=92s
directions. I must admit that I found a few areas where he and
I disagree in regards to the myths and their interpretations,
and a few other items, but I kind of expected that going in. I
knew that my background in Graeco- Egyptian culture was weak,
and so I was willing to accept the fact that I would find
things to challenge my perceptions.

Although I am not sure how valuable this book will be for my
own personal development, I am able to see its overall value
and usefulness. If =93high=94 magick is your forte, this book
definitely belongs in your library. It is not intended to be
a =93quick fix=94, as the rituals need time to work on many
levels and cannot be rushed, but working within this system
will definitely yield benefits.

yawn> More of the same tiresome, elitist, psuedo-esoteric
drivel: It's old and mysterious so it must be about real magick.

The fact is that there isn't anyone involved with this book,
including any readers, that can demonstrate any magickal skills
at all.

What you will get if you study this book is more material to
play the role with.

Which is all that can be said for every book that's supposedly
about magick that Mike has reviewed.

At least he's consistent.

But to be fair, he doesn't have much to work with. All the
supposed material on magick he has access to comes from
scholars, not magicians.

Sid

--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magicianhttp://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444  (at) gmail (dot) com- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You know Sid, you consistently take exception to the books I review.
I therefore have a very simple request: Please give me some
recommendations of books you feel would be helpful for mnagickal
practitoners. I am always open to ideas and thoughts beyond what I
normally encounter. And I really want to be halpful to the
community. So how about you help me help the community? You can
contact me through email, or on the newsgroups, whichever you prefer.

I'll be waiting for your suggestions.

Mike
 
Evergreen...
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:29 pm
Guest
On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.mike at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:
Quote:
On Oct 26, 6:13=A0pm, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:
On alt.religion.wicca, Mike <gleason.m... at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:





Graeco-Egyptian Magick: Everyday Empowerment by Tony Mierzwicki
=3DA9 2006 ISBN: 978-1-905713037 258 pages Paperback $21.99
(U.S.)

Are you as frustrated as I am by all the =3D93101=3D94 books
available in the magickal field? Do you want something with a
bit more meat to it? Well, this book is a good place to start.
True, it contains a great deal of =3D93101=3D94 material, but it
includes translations of the original sources, not just the
tabulated results (although they are provided as well).

Assumptions ARE made about the level of commitment on the part
of the magickian, as well as about the degree of comfort and
expertise brought to the study of the material.

For those out there who are more interested in reading about
rituals than actually doing them (you know who you are), this
book will be interesting. For those already familiar with
Classical Greek writings, it may be redundant. For those
interested in working with pre-Medieval magickal systems, it is
invaluable.

The first 82 pages provide a fairly comprehensive background
on the deities and sources of the information, as well as
explaining some individual modifications made by the author.
None of these modifications, by the way, are at all radical,
and all are explained clearly

Each of the planetary rites consists of invocations, including
the use of =3D93words of power=3D94, none of which would be
particularly useful without the inclusion of Appendix 2:
Pronunciation, which helps the would-be Graeco-Egyptian
magickian make sure that they are calling the appropriate
entity.

Many modern day magicians might be uncomfortable working
without the perceived protection of a magick circle. However,
since the magickians of the period lasting through the first
five centuries of the Common Era did not use a circle, it would
seem that the best way to duplicate their experience would be
to duplicate their methods to the best of our ability.

Granted that the author allows his personal perceptions and
biases to affect the invocations he uses (modifying the
originals in order to achieve specific results), he is honest
enough to explain what he has done, and more importantly =3D96
why he has done so.

Although I am not a Ceremonialist, by any stretch of the
imagination, I found it easy to understand Mr. Mierzwicki=3D92s
directions. I must admit that I found a few areas where he and
I disagree in regards to the myths and their interpretations,
and a few other items, but I kind of expected that going in. I
knew that my background in Graeco- Egyptian culture was weak,
and so I was willing to accept the fact that I would find
things to challenge my perceptions.

Although I am not sure how valuable this book will be for my
own personal development, I am able to see its overall value
and usefulness. If =3D93high=3D94 magick is your forte, this book
definitely belongs in your library. It is not intended to be
a =3D93quick fix=3D94, as the rituals need time to work on many
levels and cannot be rushed, but working within this system
will definitely yield benefits.

yawn> More of the same tiresome, elitist, psuedo-esoteric
drivel: It's old and mysterious so it must be about real magick.

The fact is that there isn't anyone involved with this book,
including any readers, that can demonstrate any magickal skills
at all.

What you will get if you study this book is more material to
play the role with.

Which is all that can be said for every book that's supposedly
about magick that Mike has reviewed.

At least he's consistent.

But to be fair, he doesn't have much to work with. All the
supposed material on magick he has access to comes from
scholars, not magicians.

Sid

--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magicianhttp://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 =A0(at) gmail (dot) com- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

You know Sid, you consistently take exception to the books I review.
I therefore have a very simple request: Please give me some
recommendations of books you feel would be helpful for mnagickal
practitoners. I am always open to ideas and thoughts beyond what I
normally encounter. And I really want to be halpful to the
community. So how about you help me help the community? You can
contact me through email, or on the newsgroups, whichever you prefer.

I'll be waiting for your suggestions.

Mike

What I know about magick is in the articles linked in my sig.
These ideas are found, buried in garbage, in most of the world's
credible metaphysical/spiritual/esoteric writings.

For example: In the Crown of Jewels Sutra in the Mahayana Texts
of the Pali Canon, the Buddha says that we create our own reality
with out thoughts.

Jesus says, many times and in many ways, that we simply have
to knock, and the door will be opened -- that a person who
believes/has faith can ask a mountain to stand aside and it will.

The shaman Don Juan, in Tales of Power, says that the world is
so-and-so because tell ourselves it is so-and-so and makes it
clear that our beliefs form reality.

The Seth Material says the same thing.

And so on.

Beliefs are spells.

None of these passages include rituals of any kind.


Sid

--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
 
ren...
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:36 am
Guest
Quote:
On Oct 26, 6:13=AdAm, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:

Jesus says, many times and in many ways, that we simply have
to knock, and the door will be opened -- that a person who
believes/has faith can ask a mountain to stand aside and it will.

How do you know he said that?
 
aine...
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:08 am
Guest
On Oct 28, 6:36 am, ren <ren1... at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:
Quote:
On Oct 26, 6:13=AdAm, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:
Jesus says, many times and in many ways, that we simply have
to knock, and the door will be opened -- that a person who
believes/has faith can ask a mountain to stand aside and it will.

How do you know he said that?

Actually Jesus said: "the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around
you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I
am there, lift a stone... and you will find me." However that is in
the lost Gospel of Jesus that was found. "I once was lost but now I'm
found"..All the other Gospels are 3rd party and we all know how the
truth comes out when people repeat stories.

On another note.. OT.. Seen the new "Twilight" Halloween candy? DO NOT
make the same mistake I did and buy only one box with Edward and one
with Bella and give to your 2 daughters. It's a series and who knew?
Sweet tarts.. some shimmer like Edward..Bite Me! Now I have to go back
and get more boxes with the right pictures on them.
 
ren...
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:11 pm
Guest
On Oct 29, 6:08 am, aine <aine_nicne... at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:
On another note.. OT.. Seen the new "Twilight" Halloween candy? DO NOT
make the same mistake I did and buy only one box with Edward and one
with Bella and give to your 2 daughters. It's a series and who knew?
Sweet tarts.. some shimmer like Edward..Bite Me! Now I have to go back
and get more boxes with the right pictures on them.

Twilight candy -- oh my.
 
ren...
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:12 pm
Guest
On Oct 29, 8:35 am, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:

Quote:
Actually, Jesus said a _lot_ more than that.

Prove that Jesus said anything. Prove that Jesus existed.
 
Evergreen...
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:35 pm
Guest
On alt.religion.wicca, aine <aine_nicneven at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:
Quote:
On Oct 28, 6:36=A0am, ren <ren1... at (no spam) hotmail.com> wrote:
On Oct 26, 6:13=3DAdAm, Evergreen <sidneyla... at (no spam) nospam.invalid> wrote:
Jesus says, many times and in many ways, that we simply have
to knock, and the door will be opened -- that a person who
believes/has faith can ask a mountain to stand aside and it will.

How do you know he said that?

I am not arguing with a pathological liar. It is pointless.

Go play your juvenile head games with juvenile heads.

Quote:

Actually Jesus said: "the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around
you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I
am there, lift a stone... and you will find me." However that is in
the lost Gospel of Jesus that was found. "I once was lost but now I'm
found"..All the other Gospels are 3rd party and we all know how the
truth comes out when people repeat stories.

Actually, Jesus said a _lot_ more than that.

And the entire Wiccan 'religion' is based upon even more dubious
sources than the Bible.


Sid

--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com
 
Damaeus...
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:20 am
Guest
Reading from news:alt.religion.wicca,
aine <aine_nicneven at (no spam) hotmail.com> posted the following message
on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:08:42 -0700 (PDT):

Quote:
Actually Jesus said: "the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around
you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I
am there, lift a stone... and you will find me."

That's quite true. More and more, I hear voices in everything I do. The
sound of running water, the sound of setting dishes down, the sound of
frying food, the sound of clothes sloshing in the washing machine, and
yes, the sound of wood splitting, and the sound of lifting a stone.

Damaeus
 
ren...
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:17 am
Guest
Quote:
That's quite true.  More and more, I hear voices in everything I do.  The
sound of running water, the sound of setting dishes down, the sound of
frying food, the sound of clothes sloshing in the washing machine, and
yes, the sound of wood splitting, and the sound of lifting a stone.

Damaeus

We're all sure of that, Damaeus.

Now why don't you go sodomize Jesus' bottom out of here. Or
Evergreen's.

Evergreen is your own personal Jesus. The one you can count on.
 
 
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