Transcendental Magic, also known as The Doctrine and Ritual of Transcendental Magic, is a book written by Eliphas Levi, a pseudonym for the French occultist Alphonse Louis Constant. Published in 1855, it is considered one of the most influential works on occultism and ceremonial magic. Levi's Transcendental Magic presents a comprehensive study of magic, covering various aspects such as divination, astrology, alchemy, and the summoning of spirits. The book is divided into two sections: Theory and Practice. In the Theory section, Levi delves into the philosophical and metaphysical foundations of magic. He explores the concept of the Astral Light, which he describes as a universal cosmic fluid permeating all things and serving as a medium for the transmission of magical influences.
Born Alphonse Louis Constant in 1810, this French occultist originally planned for a career in the Catholic Church. Constant was educated at Saint Sulpice's seminary, and planned to become a priest. Yet just before he was to receive his ordination at age 26, Constant renounced his ecclesiastical goals and returned to civilian life.
Constant dedicated much of his early life to promoting the ideals of a utopian socialist society that worked for the economic improvement of all people. This work explores the magician s foundations for his spiritual beliefs, as well as his idea that an elite class of priests would be necessary to lead the people into both social and magical order.
He explores the concept of the Astral Light, which he describes as a universal cosmic fluid permeating all things and serving as a medium for the transmission of magical influences. Levi also discusses the correspondences between the physical and spiritual realms, as well as the symbolism and significance of various magical symbols and rituals. The Practice section of Transcendental Magic provides practical instructions for conducting magical rituals.
Transcendental Magic - by Eliphas Levi
Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual by Éliphas Lévi explores magic, the "esoteric science," and its place between science and religion.
Book Synopsis
Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual by Éliphas Lévi explores magic, the "esoteric science," and its place between science and religion.
Born Alphonse Louis Constant in 1810, this French occultist originally planned for a career in the Catholic Church. Constant was educated at Saint Sulpice's seminary, and planned to become a priest. Yet just before he was to receive his ordination at age 26, Constant renounced his ecclesiastical goals and returned to civilian life.
The following years tested Constant's conscience and resilience. He was disowned by his family, and worked as a tutor to earn an income. Without the structure from the seminary, he found himself adrift.
Constant dedicated much of his early life to promoting the ideals of a utopian socialist society that worked for the economic improvement of all people. He shared these ideas in an early work called The Bible of Liberty. Within an hour of its release, the copies were seized by French authorities, and Constant spent the next six months in prison.
After a failed marriage and the death of his young daughter, Constant discovered the world of the occult and mysticism. He became a ceremonial magician, and developed a social circle of many of the occultists and Kabbalists of the time. Writing on the subject under the Hebrew name Éliphas Lévi, he began to share his ideas on magic with the public in the 1850s.
Lévi's first published book on ritual magic is the two-part work, Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrines and Rituals. The two parts were first published as single work with a thorough biographical introduction in 1958.
This work explores the magician's foundations for his spiritual beliefs, as well as his idea that an elite class of priests would be necessary to lead the people into both social and magical order. He writes, "Occult philosophy seems to have been the nurse and godmother of all intellectual forces, the key of all divine obscurities, and the absolute mistress of society, in those ages when it was exclusively reserved for the education of priests and of kings. Magic is the traditional science of the secrets of Nature which comes to us from the Magi."
Part One, The Doctrine of Transcendental Magic, was first published in 1854. This work establishes the concepts behind symbols like the tetragram and pentagram, the significance of Hebrew letters and numbers, and the relationship between science, occultism, and formal religion. Lévi was the first to document the meaning of the points of the pentagram. He stated that a pentagram with only one point up and two down is a symbol of the Savior, and a pentagram with two points up and one down is a "symbol of evil and attracts sinister forces."
Part Two, The Rituals of Transcendental Magic, was published in 1856. It discusses the actual materials, processes, and settings for conducting ritual magic. The practitioner must purify himself through a temperate diet, regular sleep, and thorough attention to cleaning and hygiene. A complete description of tools like a magical lamp, rod, sword, and dagger follows, leaving the magician well equipped to perform ceremonies and rituals. Lévi also added the Tarot to the tools of the magician, which was a new development in the occultism of the time.
Although Lévi didn't enjoy much notoriety during his life, his works eventually became highly influential among other occultists, and he is now considered one of the fathers of modern mysticism. Famous occultist Aleister Crowley even claimed to be Lévi himself in one of his past lives. Additionally, Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith created the Waite-Smith deck based on Éliphas Lévi's writings, which is the basis for most modern Tarot decks.
Although L vi didn't enjoy much notoriety during his life, his works eventually became highly influential among other occultists, and he is now considered one of the fathers of modern mysticism. Famous occultist Aleister Crowley even claimed to be L vi himself in one of his past lives. Additionally, Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith created the Waite-Smith deck based on liphas L vi's writings, which is the basis for most modern Tarot decks.
Levi explains the preparation of magical instruments, the creation and consecration of talismans, and the proper use of ceremonial magic tools. He describes various rituals for divination, evocation, and invocation, guiding the reader through the process of contacting and working with spiritual entities. Throughout the book, Levi emphasizes the importance of morality and self-discipline in the practice of magic. He promotes the idea of using magic for personal and spiritual growth rather than for selfish or harmful purposes. Levi believed that true magic is a spiritual discipline and a means of connecting with higher realms of existence. Transcendental Magic has had a profound influence on the development of occultism, with many subsequent authors, such as Aleister Crowley and Arthur Edward Waite, building upon Levi's ideas and teachings. The book's combination of esoteric theory and practical instruction has made it a valuable resource for aspiring magicians and occultists for over a century and continues to be studied and revered in occult circles..
Reviews for "Exploring the Magical Universe in Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Works"
1. John Doe - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Transcendental Magic" by Eliphas Levi. I found the writing convoluted and difficult to follow, making it hard to grasp the author's ideas. The book seemed to lack a clear structure and organization, jumping from one topic to another without much coherence. Additionally, the author's fixation on esoteric symbolism made it feel more like a collection of random musings rather than a comprehensive guide to magic. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a practical and accessible introduction to transcendental magic.
2. Sarah Smith - 2 stars - "Transcendental Magic" by Eliphas Levi was not what I expected it to be. The author seemed more interested in showcasing his knowledge and understanding of occult symbols and references rather than providing practical advice or insights. I found the language to be overly flowery and verbose, making it hard to maintain my interest. While there were certainly some interesting concepts discussed throughout the book, they were overshadowed by the author's excessive use of obscure terminology and complex metaphors. If you're looking for a straightforward and practical guide to magic, I would advise looking elsewhere.
3. Robert Johnson - 1 star - Reading "Transcendental Magic" by Eliphas Levi was a frustrating experience. The author's writing style was overly dense and pretentious, making it difficult to connect with the material. It felt as if Levi was purposely trying to create an aura of mysticism and exclusivity instead of providing valuable information to the reader. The book lacked clear explanations and practical applications, leaving me confused and unfulfilled. I had hoped to gain a deeper understanding of magic, but all I got was a convoluted mess. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a straightforward and accessible introduction to transcendental magic.