Black Magic

by Michael A. Aquino

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction

315 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Gebo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly helpful for anyone trying to figure out Aquino. It covers roughly 60% the same material as MindStar, but it's a much easier read.

[Matt Larkin]

Idk if this is possible to "review." The Temple of Set (the thinking mans Satanism) is a church created by an ex-military intelligence colonel after he had a falling out with the church of Satan's founder Anton Lavey. This serves as a sort of explanation on the system of thinking and ideas that are at the root at the Temple of Set. He does so relatively entertainingly, citing everyone from Plato to Marx with mixed results. He takes a scientific approach to discussions of theology and psychology but then will dictate things about magic in vague and nebulous terms. I've always thought that after reading The Satanic Bible, Satanism was just "Edgy Libertarianism." In that same vein, it feels like Setianism is just "Edgy Jung." Well written and interesting though.

[Jcsiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a good introduction to his philosophy without trying to force the previous aspects of Lavey satanism. It covers the main aspects of lesser, medium and great black magic, good explanations about subjective and objective universes, ethics, aeons, and an excellent list of recommended books.

[Shaun Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquino writes a competent and clear view of LHP systems of magic. He explores the religious and philosophical evolution of our culture and how magic can be used to being our subjective reality into the objective world. I would provide five stars for this book except that it is incomplete and clearly wanting for the rest of this Tablet of Set (compiling chapters 1-6 alone without any appendix). Throughout this book are footnotes and references to content that exists in other editions of this book. Regardless of this missing material, Aquino shows more respect to the neophyte's capacities here than many similar texts I have read.