Eliphas Levi, born as Alphonse Louis Constant, was a renowned French occultist and writer who played a significant role in the development of occult mysticism during the 19th century. Levi's work focused on the integration of magic, mythology, and religious symbolism to create a comprehensive understanding of occultism. **Levi's main idea** was centered around the concept of the Great Work, a spiritual transformation that aimed to unite the divine and human realms. This transformation involved the cultivation of inner knowledge and the exploration of the hidden aspects of the human psyche. Levi believed that this process could be achieved through the study and practice of various occult disciplines, including astrology, tarot, and ceremonial magic. One of Levi's key contributions to occult mysticism was his interpretation and popularization of the Tarot.
One of Levi's key contributions to occult mysticism was his interpretation and popularization of the Tarot. He saw the 22 major arcana cards as symbolic representations of different spiritual and psychological states, and he believed that they could be used as a tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Furthermore, Levi emphasized the importance of symbolism in occultism.
Garlic and the Witch : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Oh. My. Cuteness! Garlic and the Witch is maybe the most adorable graphic novel I’ve ever read! Can I please crochet these little vegetable people? The story itself is a gentle adventure, perfect for sensitive readers who don’t want anything too scary.
AUTHOR: Bree Paulsen
ILLUSTRATOR: Bree Paulsen
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Quill Tree Books
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2022
PAGES: 160
GENRE: graphic novel, supernatural, adventure
SETTING: a witch’s home in a forest
GIVE IT TO: ES
AWARDS AND KUDOS
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY OF GARLIC AND THE WITCH
Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.
Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.
But Garlic is experiencing another change too—finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn’t so sure that she’s ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary…and what if she doesn’t want to be human after all?
THE SHORT VERSION
Absolutely adorable! Perfect for elementary.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT GARLIC AND THE WITCH
The little vegetable people are so cute that I want to crochet them! I don’t really have that kind of crocheting skill, so maybe Kohl’s Cares will pick up this book for their plushies.
This book is great for Halloween at the elementary level. It’s got an adventure, but it’s not scary. Garlic gets lost in a dark forest, but it isn’t long before she is found again. There are no scary creatures or yellow watching eyes in the forest; it’s just a lot of dark green trees. I recommend Garlic and the Witch for sensitive readers who want an adventure or a Halloween book, but one that isn’t too scary.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I really don’t have any major “didn’t likes” for this one. I will say that for me, the adventure is super-tame, but for a sensitive young reader, the thrill level is perfect. I would have no problem handing this to a second grader in the library.
I’d love to see more books like this from Bree Paulsen. Maybe the other vegetables can get their own story? Or we can learn the stories of Witch Agnes or the Count?
DIVERSITY
Witch Agnes is white with brown hair.
The Count is light green with dark hair and red eyes.
Garlic and the other vegetables are, well, vegetables until the very end, when Garlic and Carrot become human. At that point, Garlic is white with light yellow braids, and Carrot has orange skin with with orange-brown dredlocks.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
So cute! Lots of greens, oranges, and browns. Perfect for fall or Halloween.
THEMES
- vegetables, personification, witches, vampires, growing up, friendship, courage
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
- Would adults like this book? I think many adults will appreciate the adorable illustrations, but this is definitely an elementary book.
- Would I buy this for my high school library? NO – it’s way too young
- Would I buy this for my middle school library? YES – It’s a super-cute clean read, and I think some 6th graders will love it.
- Would I buy this for my elementary school library? YES – no reservations for elementary
MATURE CONTENT
- Language: none
- Sexuality: none
- Violence: none
- Drugs/Alcohol: none
- Other: There is one witch and one vampire character. Both are friendly and helpful.
MORE BOOKS LIKE GARLIC AND THE WITCH
MORE ELEMENTARY GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEWS
- Squish by Jennifer Holm
- Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
- Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
That pattern was established in the Garlick case, the first of several involving witches that Winthrop, Jr. would oversee over the next decade.
He viewed symbols as powerful tools for communication with the spiritual realm and as a means of accessing hidden knowledge. Levi drew on various religious and mythological traditions to develop a system of occult symbolism that could be applied across different occult disciplines. Levi's ideas and writings greatly influenced future occultists, including prominent figures such as Helena Blavatsky, Aleister Crowley, and Carl Jung. His work laid the foundation for the modern understanding of occult mysticism and its integration with psychology and spirituality. In conclusion, **Eliphas Levi's main contribution was his exploration of the Great Work and the integration of symbolism in occult mysticism**. His emphasis on the Tarot and the power of symbols has had a lasting impact on the development of occult traditions and continues to be influential in contemporary spiritual and esoteric practices..
Reviews for "Eliphas Levi and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: A Symbiotic Relationship"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Occult mysticism eliphas levi". The book was filled with pseudo-intellectual nonsense and had no substantial content. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own knowledge rather than actually providing any valuable information. The writing style was convoluted and difficult to follow, making it a chore to get through. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine knowledge on occult mysticism.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Occult mysticism eliphas levi", but it fell short of my expectations. The author seemed to rely heavily on obscure references and nonsensical rambling, without providing any clear explanations or practical applications. The book lacked structure and coherence, making it difficult for me to grasp the concepts being discussed. I was left feeling frustrated and unfulfilled after reading it. While there were a few interesting ideas scattered throughout, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of substance in the book.
3. Sarah - 1 star - "Occult mysticism eliphas levi" was a complete waste of my time and money. The author's writing style was flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to understand the points they were trying to convey. The book lacked focus and direction, jumping from one topic to another without providing any depth or coherence. It seemed more like a collection of disjointed thoughts rather than a comprehensive exploration of occult mysticism. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an informative and well-structured read on the subject.