The Vampire, His Kith and Kin. Montague Summers (1880-1948) was suposedly a member of the Roman Catholic clergy, although it is unknown exactly where and when he was ordained. There is a 30 year gap in his biography during which it is speculated he dabbled in the dark arts. Summers wrote numerous serious books about the witch hunts, vampires, werewolves, and other occult subjects. He advocated the death penalty for witches! In this work Summers discusses the vampire phenomena from a relentless Catholic perspective. This book has all of the apparatus to qualify as an academic study, including footnotes, extensive quotations in the original languages, and references to rare source documents.

The Book of Werewolves. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was a parson in the Church of England, an archaeologist, historian and a prolific author. He is probably best known for writing the hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers'. This book is also one of the most cited references about werewolves. The Book of the Were-Wolf takes a rationalistic approach to the subject. Not a novel, a serious work on this subject. Hidden laws of lycanthropy, signs to watch for, cannibalism and much more...

The Book of Lies (full title: Which is also Falsely Called BREAKS. The Wanderings or Falsifications of the One Thought of Frater Perdurabo, which Thought is itself Untrue. Liber CCCXXXIII [Book 333] ) was written by Aleister Crowley and first published in 1913. Crowley describes it: "This book deals with many matters on all planes of the very highest importance. It is an official publication for Babes of the Abyss, but is recommended even to beginners as highly suggestive." The book consists of 93 "chapters," each consisting of one page of text of various kinds, including poems, rituals, and obscure allusions and cryptograms. The subject of each chapter is generally determined by its number and its corresponding Qabalistic meaning. About 1921, Crowley added a short commentary to each chapter, assisting the reader in the Qabalistic interpretation.

The Book of the Law is the central sacred text of Thelema, written (or received) by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in the year 1904. It contains three chapters, each of which was written down in one hour, beginning at noon, on April 8, April 9, and April 10. [1] Crowley claims that the author was an entity named Aiwass, whom he later referred to as his personal Holy Guardian Angel (or "Secret Self"). Crowley described the encounter in detail in The Equinox of the Gods, (This book is also available to you in the Dark Secrets Library) saying that as he sat at his desk in Cairo, the voice of Aiwass came from over his left shoulder in the furthest corner of the room. This voice is described as passionate and hurried, and was "of deep timbre, musical and expressive, its tones solemn, voluptuous, tender, fierce or aught else as suited the moods of the message. Not bass—perhaps a rich tenor or baritone. Further, the voice was devoid of "native or foreign accent," perhaps meaning that it was similar to his own (as in British). Crowley also got a "strong impression" of the speaker's general appearance. Aiwass had a body composed of "fine matter," which had a gauze-like transparency. Further, he "seemed to be a tall, dark man in his thirties, well-knit, active and strong, with the face of a savage king, and eyes veiled lest their gaze should destroy what they saw. The dress was not Arab; it suggested Assyria or Persia, but very vaguely."

The Heptameron. Pietro d'Abano also known as Petrus De Apono or Aponensis (ca. 1250[1][2] - ca. 1316) was an Italian philosopher, astrologer and professor of medicine in Padua. He carried his enquiries so far into the occult sciences of abstruse and hidden nature, that, after having given most ample proofs, by his writings concerning physiognomy, geomancy, and chiromancy, he moved on to the study of philosophy, physics, and astrology; which studies proved so advantageous to him, that, not to speak of the two first, which introduced him to all the popes of his time, and acquired him a reputation among learned men. He was eventually accused of heresy and atheism, and came before the Inquisition. He died in prison before the end of his trial. He was found guilty, however, and his body was ordered to be exhumed and burned; but a friend had secretly removed it, and the Inquisition had therefore to content itself with the public proclamation of its sentence and the burning of Abano in effigy.
 

On Geomancy. The short treatise entitled, "On Geomancy" is part of the larger Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy attributed to the 16th century mage and astrologer Cornelius Agrippa. Despite the controversy over the other sections of the Fourth Book, the treatise on geomancy does appear to have been authored by Agrippa. It is one of the key traditional sources for astrological geomancy and well worth intensive study by any student of the mantic arts.

Arbatel of Magic. Arbatel de magia veterum (English: Arbatel of the magic of the ancients) is a treatise on ceremonial magic written in Latin, first published in 1575 in Basel, Switzerland. The author is unknown, but textual evidence suggests that the author was Italian. The brief introduction outlines a scheme of seven chapters, of which only the first, called the Isogogue, seems to be present, at least as described in the introduction: "The first is called Isagoge, or, A Book of the Institutions of Magick: or which in forty and nine Aphorisms comprehendeth, the most general Precepts of the whole Art." However, though there are no later samples of the six remaining chapters labelled as such, the promised content of all of them is at least addressed in the "forty and nine Aphorisms" actually at hand. It is possible that the claim of six additional chapters is some manner of game or thematic strategy on the part of the author.The present text of the Isogogue or Arbatel de magia veterum is arranged in seven sections ("septenaries"), each one further divided into a numbered sequence of aphorisms. Beginning with the third septenary, the work includes a discussion of the so-called "Olympian spirits".

Astrological Geomancy. It was explained as divination (in the same sentence with pyromancy and hydromancy) in the best-selling Travels of Sir John Mandeville , as "geomantie that superstitious arte" in a book of alchemy (1477), and defined in Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's Philosophy of Natural Magic: Complete Work on Natural Magic, White & Black Magic (1569, ISBN 1-56459-160-3) as a form of divination. Gerard was born in Cremona. Dissatisfied with the meager philosophies of his Italian teachers, Gherardo followed his true passions and went to Toledo. There he learned Arabic, initially so that he could read Ptolemy's Almagest, which retained its traditional high reputation among scholars, even though no Latin translation existed. Although we do not have detailed information of the date when Gerard went to Castile, it was no later than 1144. Toledo, which had been a provincial capital in the Caliphate of Cordoba and remained a seat of learning, was safely available to a Catholic like Gerard, since it had been conquered from the Moors by Alfonso VI of Castile.

The Chaldean Oracles of Zoroaster. The origins of the texts are unknown and mysterious. Some have claimed that the Chaldean Oracles, in the form in which they survive, were attributed to Julian the Theurgist, son of Julian the Chaldean, who served in the Roman army during Marcus Aurelius' campaign against the Quadi. Julian claimed to have saved the Roman camp from a severe drought by causing a rainstorm. At least 4 other religious groups also claimed credit for this rainstorm. The circumstances surrounding the writing of the Oracles are mysterious, the most likely explanation being that Julian uttered them after inducing a sort of trance akin to that of the archaic oracles of Greece. The oracles are mainly a product of Hellenistic syncretism as practiced in the cultural melting-pot that was Alexandria, and were credited with embodying many of the principal features of a "Chaldean philosophy". They were held in the greatest esteem throughout Late Antiquity, and by the later followers of Neo-platonism. The doctrines contained therein have been attributed by some to Zoroaster.

Egyptian Myth & Egyptian Christianity. Samuel Sharpe. With Their Influence on the Opinions of Modern Christendom. "When Christians shall at length acknowledge that many of those doctrines, which together now make up orthodoxy, or the religion of the majority, as distinguished from the simple religion which Jesus taught and practised; when they shall acknowledge that many of them are so many sad and lamentable errors; then, and not till then, will they seek to know their origin, and enquire from which of the several branches of Paganism they sprung. They will then see that most of the so-called Christian doctrines, that have no place in the New Testament, reached Europe from Egypt, through Alexandria." Contents: Religion of Upper Egypt; Religion of Lower Egypt; Religion Under the Persian Conquerors; Religion Under the Ptolemies; Religion Under the Romans; Christianity Under the Roman Emperors; Christianity Under the Byzantine Emperors.
 

Egyptian Magic. A E Wallis Budge. A STUDY of the remains of the native religious literature of ancient Egypt which have come down to us has revealed the fact that the belief in magic, that is to say, in the power of magical names, and spells, and enchantments, and formulæ, and pictures, and figures, and amulets, and in the performance of ceremonies accompanied by the utterance of words of power, to produce supernatural results, formed a large and important part of the Egyptian religion. And it is certain that, notwithstanding the continuous progress which the Egyptians made in civilization, and the high intellectual development to which they eventually attained, this belief influenced their minds and, from the earliest to the latest period of their history, shaped their views concerning things temporal as well as spiritual in a manner which, at this stage in the history of the world, is very difficult to understand. The scrupulous care with which they performed their innumerable religious ceremonies, and carried out the rules which they had formulated concerning the worship of the divine Power or powers, and their devotion to religious magic, gained for them among the nations with whom they came in contact the reputation of being at once the most religious and the most superstitious of men. (Excellent for those interested in Egyptian magic and symbols.

The Papyrus Ani - The Book of the Dead is the common name for ancient Egyptian funerary texts known as The Book of Coming [or Going] Forth By Day. The name "Book of the Dead" was the invention of the German Egyptologist Karl Richard Lepsius, who published a selection of the texts in 1842. The Book of the Dead was used by the ancient Egyptians as a set of instructions for the afterlife. Not all the spells were used for every burial, but a selection depending on wealth and status. Some spells were gifts to the gods, while others were used so the person could walk, a spell for not dying again in the afterlife, and even a spell 'For preventing a man from going upside down and from eating feces.'2The Book of the Dead for Scribe Ani, the Papyrus of Ani, was originally 78 ft (28 m), and was separated into thirty seven sheets at appropriate chapter and topical divisions.

The Equinox of the Gods - One of Crowley's most rare and sought-after works. The Equinox of the Gods presents an amazing description of the circumstances leading up to Crowley's transcription of The Book of the Law. Includes extensive biographical data, highly personal diary extracts, ritual workings and several illustrations. Also includes the full text of The Book of the Law plus a facsimile of Crowley's original handwritten manuscript. This is a beautifully produced and completely new, corrected edition of this long out-of-print masterpiece. Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), also known as The Great Beast and the Wickedest Man in the World, was one of the most profound students of Magick, Qabalah and yoga psychology. His vast influence reaches through all modern occultism.  In reconciling occultism to physical science, mathematics and philosophy, Crowley achieved a lasting synthesis that remains unsurpassed for depth of insight and comprehensiveness.

Eight Lectures on Yoga - Aleister Crowley was among the first Europeans to study, practice and teach Yoga. These lectures set forth some of Crowley's conclusions after a lifelong philosophical investigation. The first series of lectures is entitled 'Yoga for Yahoos.' The elements of Yoga are introduced, examined and demystified with a view to extracting the practical essence of Yoga doctrine. Yoga is also correlated with astrology and the Qabalah. The second series is entitled 'Yoga for Yellowbellies.' Here Crowley weaves Yoga into a conceptual framework the encompasses Western philosophy, magick and mathematical physics. All of these lectures are approached with humor, wit and a minimum of jargon.

The Tao Te King. This text was in need of a translation by someone involved in magick, and Crowley was the man to do it. Whether one wants to admit it or not, this is not just a spiritual text, but also a magickal one. Therefore, the best translation of such a text would involve what some might call magick. For anyone interested in Taoism, and interested in magick, this is the book. Even if you are not interested in magick, this still should be the choice translation. Many people do not understand what magick truly is. Any act is a magickal act. Everything we do is magick, and if you understand this, then realization would occcur, the realization that life is magick, and the Tao Te Ching is a book of life.

Magick in Theory & Practice. Crowley's knowledge of magic was unparalleled for his time and remains rarely challenged. This book was written earlier in his life, before years of drug-abuse and syphilis had a chance to ravage his obviously powerful mind. Though the discussion, as it were, ranges from typical magical ritual to the dark "drug-and-sex" magic he's famous for, this wide variety of explanation, theoretical musing and practical advice cannot be matched. That being said, it needs to be approached with a strong will. Crowley's path is tempting, especially for people who are interested in magic for its more Faustian aspects. People who want wealth, fame, sex and power will see the perfect opportunity in this book.   (This book is a must read for any serious practitioner of magick!!!).,

Liber 777 Vel Prolegoma Symbolica Ad Systemam Sceptico-Mysticae Viae Explicande, Fundamentum Hieroglyphicum Sanctissimorum Scientiae Summae. 777 is one of the forefront books of the Qabalah in the western esoteric tradition. Liber 777 is designated a "Class B" document by Crowley. The title refers to a lightning flash descending down the diagrammatic worlds looking like three "7"s. It consists of roughly 191 columns, with each row corresponding to a specific Sephirah or path on the Tree of Life for a total of 35 rows and is used for a quick reference for corresponding mnemonics and factors of religion for use magical art (for instance, an evocation of Venus would have one looking across that column for the colour corresponding to Venus that will be the colour of his or her robe,and then Venusian incense, etc.)(If you need to understand the corresponding elements used in ritual magick, this is the guide book to use. Colours, gems, incence, dates, Gods, times and much, much more).

The Book of Shadows. Gerald Gardner. A large collection of actual Witchraft rituals and ceremonies from the Gardnerian branch of witchcraft. These are actual rites recorded by the practitioners as they were performed. Important reading for those interested in pagan arts. How to cast spells, how to draw circles, how to draw down the Goddess. Methods of tool making and consecration, plus many more useful items.

Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie - volumes 1 & 2. Eliphas Levi. Lévi was the son of a shoemaker in Paris; he attended a seminary and began to study to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood. However, while at the seminary he fell in love, and left without being ordained. He wrote a number of minor religious works: Des Moeurs et des Doctrines du Rationalisme en France ("Of the Moral Customs and Doctrines of Rationalism in France", 1839) was a tract within the cultural stream of the Counter-Enlightenment. La Mère de Dieu ("The Mother of God", 1844) followed and, after leaving the seminary, two radical tracts, L'Evangile du Peuple ("The Gospel of the People," 1840), and Le Testament de la Liberté ("The Testament of Liberty"), published in the year of revolutions, 1848, led to two brief prison sentences. Lévi's version of magic became a great success, especially after his death. That Spiritualism was popular on both sides of the Atlantic from the 1850s contributed to his success. His magical teachings were free from obvious fanaticisms, even if they remained rather murky; he had nothing to sell, and did not pretend to be the inititate of some ancient or fictitious secret society. He incorporated the Tarot cards into his magical system, and as a result the Tarot has been an important part of the paraphernalia of Western magicians. He had a deep impact on the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later Aleister Crowley, and it was largely through this impact that Lévi is remembered as one of the key founders of the twentieth century revival of magic.

Aleister Crowley claimed to be the reincarnation of Eliphas Lévi, offering as evidence the fact that he was born shortly after Lévi died. However, Crowley's birthdate, October 12, 1875, is just slightly less than six months after Levi's death, and Crowley was not a premature birth, meaning that the infant Crowley had already been gestating for four months when Levi died. (Levi - another of my favourite mystical authors - a giant in the field of magick!)

The Rosicrucian Manifestos & The Chymical Wedding - According to a lesser-known legend of the 18th century Rosicrucian group called the Golden and Rosy Cross, the Rosicrucian Order was created in the year 46 when an Alexandrian Gnostic sage named Ormus and his six followers were converted by one of Jesus' disciples, Mark. From this conversion, Rosicrucianism was supposedly born, fusing early Christianity with Egyptian mysteries. What was known in the early 17th century as the "Fraternity of the Rose Cross" — approximately a century prior to Adam Weishaupt's Enlightenment secret society, the Illuminati — seems to scholars that have been a number of isolated individuals who held certain views in common, which apparently was their only bond of union. These views were regarding hermetic knowledge, related to the higher nature of man, and also with common philosophical concepts of the foundation of a more perfected human society. There is no trace of a formal brotherhood or secret society which held meetings, or had officers or leaders and for this reason it has been deduced that the writers who posed as Rosicrucians were moral and religious reformers, and utilized the techniques of chemistry (alchemy), and the sciences generally, as media through which to publicize their opinions and beliefs. Their writings included a hint of mysticism or occultism, promoting inquiry and suggesting hidden meanings discernible or discoverable only by "Adepts."

The publications of Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis Confessio Fraternitatis (1615), and Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz caused immense excitement throughout Europe. These works declared the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were preparing to transform the arts, sciences, religion, political, and intellectual landscape of Europe while wars of politics and religion ravaged the continent.

A Collection of Magical Texts - by Reginald Scot was published at approximately the same time that John Dee was conducting his Mystical experiments. Scot's purpose was to counter the witch hunting craze of the Inquisition by ridiculing the texts and their implications. He also took the opportunity to attack the Catholic Church in general for superstitious practices. In his lists of magical texts (chap. 31 and chap. 42) he mentions Ars Paulina, Ars Almadel, Ars Notoria, Honorius, Sepher Raziel, and others. Scot also reprints J. Wier's (aka Wierus) Pseudomonarchia daemonum (1563), which corresponds closely to Lemegeton Book 1.

The Stone of the Philosophers. (Not the Harry Potter Book!!) Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot (August 1, 1555–1597) was a convicted criminal and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations. Besides the professed ability to summon spirits or angels on a crystal ball, which John Dee so valued, Kelley also claimed to possess the secret of transmuting base metals into gold. Legends began to surround Kelley shortly after his death. His flamboyant biography, and his relative notoriety among English-speaking historians (chiefly because of his association with Dee) may have made him the source for the folklorical image of the alchemist-charlatan. By 1590, Kelley was living an opulent life. He received several estates and large sums of money from Rožmberk. He convinced many influential people that he was able to produce gold. Rudolf made Kelley a "Baron of the Kingdom," but eventually he tired of waiting for results. Rudolf had Kelley arrested in May of 1591 and imprisoned in the Křivoklát Castle (Purglitz in German) outside Prague. Rudolf apparently never doubted Kelley's ability to produce gold on a large scale, and hoped that imprisonment would induce him to cooperate. Rudolf may also have feared that Kelley would return to England. Around 1594, Kelley agreed to cooperate and produce gold; he was released and restored to his former status. Again he failed to produce, and was again imprisoned, this time in Hněvín Castle in Most. Kelley died in 1597 at the age of forty-two. A tradition has him dying while trying to escape: the story goes that he used an insufficiently long rope to lower himself from a tower, fell and broke his leg, and died from his injuries.

Liber Lunae - The long-awaited first English translation from ancient Hebrew of the rare and complete 1701 Amsterdam edition, of this famous magical text. According to Hebrew legend, the Sepher Rezial was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden, by the hand of God. The myth suggests that this diverse compendium of ancient Hebrew lore was the first book ever written. Includes an explanatory text on the holy names of God, the divisions of Heaven and Hell, and the names and hierarchy of the angels and spirits. This book is one of the most important practical Qabalah source-works and, just as importantly, has been translated by a practicing Qabalist. The very fact that this work, controversial in even the most mystical and secretive of Jewish Kabbalah circles for maybe 1000 years has finally appeared in English, is an astounding event in itself and should certainly to be explored.