Frabato the Magician

by Franz Bardon

What would you do if you knew your destiny? Franz Bardon knew. A highly-evolved spirit, Bardon willingly incarnated on earth in order to provide spiritual guidance to mankind, while having to overcome many obstacles. The main thrust of our story begins in Germany in the 1930s, as Bardon's spiritual abilities threaten the existence of a powerful black lodge. After an attempt on his life, Bardon narrowly escapes. Destiny takes Bardon into the lap of another lodge member, Adolph Hitler. Desperate to win the war, Hitler's efforts to entice Bardon, an immortal spirit, into the Third Reich broadcasts the vast differences between darkness and light. Bardon's refusal leads to the ultimate a concentration camp. Frabato the Magician is the true story of Franz Bardon, adept, teacher, healer, and author of The Holy Mysteries. A story of evil vs. good, Frabato the Magician gives testimony that the love of one can alter the lives of many, and challenges the existence of our own spirituality and mortality. New as of September 2013: The Publishers are working with producers in Los Angeles about making a movie based on this book, the life of Franz Bardon. Will keep Amazon customers informed!

Genres: Occult, Biography, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Magic, Magick

174 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Franz Bardon (1909–1958) was a Czech stage magician and teacher of Hermetics. He is best known for his three volumes on Hermetic magic: Initiation Into Hermetics, The Practice of Magical Evocation, and The Key to the True Quabbalah.

An additional fourth work attributed to him by the title of Frabato the Magician, supposed by many of his students to be a disguised autobiography. Though the book lists its author as Bardon, it was actually written by his secretary, Otti Votavova. While some elements of the story are based on Bardon's real life experience, most of the book was written as an occult novel with much embellishment on the part of Votavova.

Bardon's works are most notable for their simplicity, their relatively small theoretical sections, and heavy emphasis on practice with many exercises. Students of his, such as William Mistele and Rawn Clark consider him to have written the best training programs of any magician of the 20th century. They were written with the intention of allowing students who wished to practice magic the means to do so if they could not study under a teacher.

Reviews

[Fabian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This odd little experiment does absolutely nothing to elevate interest in the occult. Well, I'm sure for SOME people it do, but...

Anyway, the writing is pretty bland, and the spectacles of devils commingling with mortals are given in journalistic detail. It's bizarre that the bad guy dies halfway, and nothing comes later but validation and becoming bathed in a glorious light. Bah-lah--maybe like Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy," Bardon has everything to say about the evil forces that move the world, and very little imagination with which to decorate the heavens--these are painted in Italian frescoes the world over, anyway.

Skip!

[K.J. Charles]

Occult novel, supposedly a novelisation of the author's life (in which he is an exceedingly powerful initiate who battles demon-run lodges etc) during the Weimar Republic and WW2. Less interesting than that makes it sound, and comprehensively unsuccessful as a novel. Whether there is a deeper meaning imperceptible to the uninitiated, I couldn't say.

[Noel Barcelona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it seems to be an "impossible" book, Frabato the Magician, indeed is an excellent piece of an occult literature. Known to be a powerful magician and healer, Franz Bardon is considered as one of the most important occultists who lived in the 20th century.

The book has started on chronicling the public life of Bardon, then delves on the deeper meaning of his magical work, and that is, to be able to have a complete and total communion with the Divine.

The usual war between good and evil has been told, and as of the moment, one with the open eyes and ears would say that the war isn't over; that it has only started.

[Gwyndyllyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the life of Franz Bardon...this is an interesting piece of occult fiction. Clearly there is a lot of real occult knowledge behind the story, although I suspect it is sensationalized, apparently by Bardon's secretary. However, like Dion Fortune's fiction, there is a lot of depth in this book.

[Sophía · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quasi-fictional exposition of the life of a magical adept. This book was clearly written by someone with a lot of magical knowledge, and despite it's fictional nature, a lot of knowledge can still be gleaned.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

În supraaglomerata sală de lectură a clubului era o agitaţie cumplită. Tensiunea primei părţi a programului generase violente controverse în rândul auditoriului. „Cine este acest Frabato?”. „Faptele sunt evidente!”. Totul este trucaj şi înşelătorie!”. „Poate cineva să se bazeze pe propriile percepţii?” Pe toţi îi stăpânea confuzia, încântarea şi incertitudinea. Gongul a sunat sfârşitul pauzei. Rândurile s-au completat din nou repede, tumultul s-a stins şi cortina s-a ridicat atât de încet, pe cât lumina din sală s-a pierdut în întuneric. Un candelabru mare de cristal ilumina scena. În mijloc o masă rotundă acoperită cu un brocart albastru închis. În partea dreaptă a mesei era un scaun, iar în spatele ei, plasate în semicerc, alte zece. Decorul scenei nu dădea de înţeles că un magician ar fi fost gata să-şi înceapă reprezentaţia. Nu era în preajmă niciunul din obiectele care îi ajută de obicei pe aşa-zişii magicieni. Intrând pe scenă într-un fascicul de lumină, Frabato a salutat publicul cu o uşoară reverenţă. Deşi fracul îi dădea o notă de certă seriozitate, zâmbetul lui familiar i-a eliberat pe toţi de fiorul puternic care-i stăpâneşte de obicei pe cei care asistă la experimente magice. Când aplauzele s-au potolit, Frabato s-a adresat publicului: „Doamnelor şi domnilor, explicându-vă principiile sugestiei şi autosugestiei în prima parte a programului demonstrându-vă acestea prin experimente, putem trece acum să abordăm altă temă. Magnetismul animal are o covârşitoare importanţă pentru viaţa fiinţelor umane şi, de aceea, n-aş vrea să pierd ocazia să vă vorbesc despre aceasta. Totul în lume este controlat de forţele electrice şi magnetice. Totuşi, capacitatea substanţelor materiale de a acumula şi conduce forţele electrice şi magnetice variază foarte mult. Acest fapt este important în a face magie.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Cineva trebuie să meargă destul de departe pe calea spirituală și să atingă o anumită maturitate înainte să devină stăpân asupra propriei sorți; în plus, trebuie să poată susține acea maturitate în toate circumstanțele posibile. Pe scurt, un om trebuie să atingă echilibrul spiritual, astral și fizic dacă dorește să-și ia frâiele destinului în propriile mâini."

"Nu este necesar ca un adevărat magician să facă spectacol folosindu-și cunoașterea și abilitățile. El se poate adapta neobservat la orice circumstanțe și astfel să rămână nedetectat de către omul obișnuit. Această adaptabilitate este un aspect al tăcerii și, din punct de vedere hermetic, este una din caracteristicile de bază ale puterii divine. Tăcerea, în sens magic, nu înseamnă a nu vorbi; mai degrabă, a-și ascunde propriile abilități spirituale față de public. Numai când acest lucru este respectat, Divinitatea îi va încredința unei ființe umane mature cea mai înaltă putere."

O carte care are menirea de a stimula sufletele să practice magia hermetică cu perseverență, reziliență și multă răbdare, până la atingerea maturității spirituale complete și uniune permanentă cu Divinitatea.
Recomand cu multă căldură!

[Frank Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

A very interesting little book. Supposedly the autobiography of Hermetic Mystic Franz Bardon but leaves the question of fact or fiction to the reader. It does include a considerable amount of basic knowledge of Hermetic practices wrapped within the story and in this manner reminds me vaguely of Crowley’s Moonchild.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its an interesting read for bardonists––– However, take it with a tablespoon of salt and use your highest level of discernment when reading.

[Babaji Maha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although quite dry, the narrative is exciting and exhilirating. For the students of the occult and mysticism, Franz Bardon's Frabato the Magician is a must read.

[Stephen Wantland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having some knowledge of esoteric history I found this to be a fun read.

[Ubiratan Coutinho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro fantástico que nos descortina a verdade dos fatos desde as sociedades secretas seculares que se mostram como filantrópicas aos magos negros que estão em toda parte, mas a Luz sempre vencerá!

[Emil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story that I have wished will never end. Although written as a novel, the author explains that it is based on entirely accurate events and I can definitely see that and relate. I have dedicated my life to pursuing the highest initiations into Magick and enlightenment and do not wish to stop until I hit the end result of this journey of self-realization. With this book, it stands as a reminder to act in a noble, pure-hearted, loving, compassionate manner as Franz Bardon demonstrated and to be cautious and on my guard as I progress on my spiritual journey to not fall prey to Black Magicians.

I have found many similarities between Franz Bardon and Samael Aun Weor as they speak about similar concepts yet both present individual differences that make each of them unique. I recommend this book to any Bardonist, Hermeticist, Magician, Gnostic, and anyone who is interested in a good story.

Truly great story.

[Jake Rueth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know.... this was mildly entertaining but it certainly did not read like Franz Bardon’s other works. It is a quick read and I’m happy to have read it but it doesn’t really contain anything practical or useful. It was a nice diversion.

***Edit/Update***
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve read the book and while I originally rated this book fairly low, I’ve recently come across some information confirming the stories in this book. Franz Bardon’s son has shared stories of his father which validates that some of these dramatizations were actually very true. The more I dig the more impressed I am with Franz Bardon’s life and teachings.

Does it make the whole book true? I really don’t know, but my opinion has changed greatly.

[Joanne Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

And oh my word what a book! Frabato The Magician is a novel that I'd never even heard of until it was recommended to me last week, and after reading the opening section in the book preview, I downloaded it immediately, and from there it went on to consume me all weekend. It's been a long time since a book got me like that! I've been happily enjoying Elizabeth Gilbert's 'City of Girls' during the last few weeks, reading a chapter here and there, and then I picked up Frabato and I didn't want to put it down. It's only a short novel with about 150 pages in total, and the pace is fast and adventurous—I could have gone on reading more and more about the protagonist's life... I didn't really want it to end. An occult novel like I've never read before. If you're interested in Spirituality and the metaphysical realms, then I'd say this is a book you’ll be intrigued to discover. It's said to be a novel based upon the author Franz Bardon's life - interestingly although Bardon is listed as the author, it was actually his secretary, Otti Votavova, who penned the book. Apparently Bardon used the stage name Frabato when he performed Spiritual Magic spectacles in Europe in the early 1930s—and if the real life shows were anything like that described in the novel, then I really wish I could have gone to one of his performances! The novel takes the reader through Frabato's spiritual journey, and describes his magical battles with members of a powerful and dangerous Black Lodge, his escape from Germany and how his spiritual missions were delivered to him, which result in him writing a series of books on Hermetic magic... and finding himself imprisoned by the Nazis in a concentration camp...

It's a shame that paperback copies cost a small fortune, it could do with being re-released I think! However the ebook is readily available online... So if you're into other-worldly adventure stories, I'd definitely recommend checking it out. It's a 5 star read from me

[Kimberly Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book Sets the foundation why the book was written and it’s objective. I recommend that this book be read to understand why the author wrote the book and what you will be trained to apply in his future books

[John Gdamn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and fast read. Character build-up and other descriptive texts are left to a minimum, but from what I understand this book was not finished by Franz Bardon himself but by his secretary post-humously. It is said to be a true story describing incidents that happened while Bardon still worked as a stage magician. It gives some insight into life behind the scenes of high level occultists and what sinister powers an pacts that might exist in their communion. Recommended to people that either are in brotherhoods or make research about them.

[09gova · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Sara Tomè · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carino, nulla di speciale ma può farti aprire un altra prospettiva del mondo, per chi ci crede, può essere uno spunto

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling must read for anyone studying Bardon's work.