Dion Fortune's Book of the Dead

by Dion Fortune

This handbook helps the living assist the dying at the time of death. It teaches that the living must, first and foremost, understand the process that the soul goes through before they can help the spirit in its transition. Dion Fortune's Book of the Dead is a clear, concise, illuminating guide that explains the stages in the natural process of dying that each and every soul passes through from this world to the next. Fortune shows how traditional customs connected with the passing of a soul have their roots in psychic fact. For example, we place candles and fresh flowers in the death chamber as soon as the soul has departed because they provide sufficient etheric emanations to meet the needs of the "etheric double," assisting in the soul's disentanglement from the physical. Without the flowers and candles, the etheric body will draw its vitality from any available source, including grievers. Loved ones in particular are susceptible to depletion and can be drained dry in their ignorance. The living, Fortune writes, have two tasks to "We must see to it that dust returns as swiftly and harmoniously as possible, giving rise to none of the happenings which may be termed the pathologies of death," and "we ought to follow up the departing soul with the right kind of telepathic communication until it is safely established on the Other Side."

Genres: Spirituality, Occult, Nonfiction, Magic

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Violet Mary Firth Evans (better known as Dion Fortune), was a British occultist and author. Her pseudonym was inspired by her family motto "Deo, non fortuna" (Latin for "by God, not fate").

From 1919 she began writing a number of novels and short stories that explored various aspects of magic and mysticism, including The Demon Lover, The Winged Bull, The Goat-Foot God, and The Secrets of Dr. Taverner. This latter is a collection of short stories based on her experiences with Theodore Moriarty. Two of her novels, The Sea Priestess and Moon Magic, became influential within the religion of Wicca, especially upon Doreen Valiente.

Of her non-fiction works on magical subjects, the best remembered of her books are; The Cosmic Doctrine, meant to be a summation of her basic teachings on mysticism; The Mystical Qabalah, an introduction to Hermetic Qabalah; and Psychic Self Defence, a manual on how to protect oneself from psychic attacks. Though some of her writings may seem dated to contemporary readers, they have the virtue of lucidity and avoid the deliberate obscurity that characterised many of her forerunners and contemporaries.

Reviews

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really enjoyed this title. It was written in the 1930’s so some of the ideas are a bit outdated, but most is still helpful if people are crossing over and want help thinking about what might occur according to the spiritualists of that time. A lot of it still rings true. Easy and provocative read.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased and read this book as someone close to me died recently. This was very helpful to understand their soul journey and how my prayers would help them and me during this mournful time. I am now more cognizant of the importance of truly acknowledging the passing of loved ones and the necessity of prayers.

[E. Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, very helpful book about the path of the soul following death, and related topics. Written more as a practical manual than as a philosophical treatise, this book is meaningful for people who are dealing with the emotions and reality of losing friends and loved ones.

[MoJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone with a healthy interest in life beyond the veil, for reasons of spiritual growth or preparation, this short and simple book, written by one of the most respected authoraties in her field, is definitive.

[Logan Albright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dion Fortune is a wonderful occultist, but this book is brief, shallow, and platitudinous. It lacks any real insight, doesn't cite any sources, and reads more like a Christian devotional than a serious esoteric work. Disappointing.

[KathyC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book on death and dying by a famous esotericist of the last century. It looks like its purpose was to make people aware of the process of death, so they could help and not hinder their loved ones passing over, as there’s a whole journey still to go after a person draws their last breath. I think this book, even as slightly outdated as it is, would be of great comfort and value for people facing that. You could sort of say it’s a primer on dying protocol for the living, which is nothing but good. Some people have shockingly poor manners toward their dying loved ones.

Someone I was very close to was dying of cancer, and I was with her the last two weeks. Her husband was in denial and wanted her to live, no matter what. She was exhausted and ready to move on, but it was difficult because of his attitude and fears. When we stood by her bed and the hospice nurse said she’d drawn her last breath, her husband jumped on the bed over the top of her, saying, “No, no, you can’t go. Come back.” Bad psychic manners. If you read this book, you’ll see how very unhelpful this was for her.

I found it to mesh pretty well with what I’ve experienced and been taught in my own studies. There were a few things that come from her path at that time as a Christian mystic that were different from my own, but they were fairly easy to universalize. She gave a ritual for people whose loved ones died a sudden death from violence that involved Catholic symbolism, but I would find it easy to use different terminology, as someone not on a religious path.

I found it to be full of simple, wise, knowledgeable information about the death process.