What do you think?
Rate this book
Psychic Self-Defense; A Study in Occult Pathology and Criminality, by Dion Fortune.
After finding herself the subject of a powerful psychic attack, Dion Fortune wrote this detailed instruction manual for safeguarding yourself against paranormal malevolence. Fortune explores the elusive psychic element in mental illness and, more importantly, details the methods, motives, and physical aspects of psychic attack, and how to overcome this energy. The revised edition of this New Age classic includes an index and an additional explanatory note for contemporary readers. Index.
209 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1930
317 people are currently reading
2694 people want to read
About the author
Dion Fortune
146 books477 followersViolet 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 28, 2011
It was OK, but I didn't like it. Not much of self-defense, more of advice to get help of initiate in occult, and you never know if it will create much more potent troubles for you in this life and those that will follow - this is impression I got from this book. And becoming an initiate in the wrong place is even worse.
Incredibly boring, rather collection of occult horror stories, that has nothing to do with helping reader with psychic SELF-defense.
For whatever is there for self-defense, go to Ch. 18, Methods of Defense, Part II and those that follow. You can find there differential diagnostics (still, not much to do for not initiated), and offered methods: replacing negative suggestions by positive, calling for protection of the Divine, creating protecting circle, pentagram for non-human entities, cord cutting for undesirable astral connection, un-imagining the thought forms. For refusing domination, visualizing barrier and self-detachment, for attempt of hypnotism - break the eye contact, for psychic vampires, keep hands and feet in certain position while sitting with equal, with no alternatives for other situations in real life. Ah, and having reliable trusted servant to carry out your bed chamber night pot certainly helps. Not to me.
If she was a powerful occultist, she certainly didn't intent to share, saying this repeatedly in her book. And it is strictly Christianity based, for those who are not there is no alternative.
I find Robert Bruce's book The Practical Psychic Self Defense Handbook: A Survival Guide much more helpful for the common mortals, impoverished and belonging to the other school of thought.
Incredibly boring, rather collection of occult horror stories, that has nothing to do with helping reader with psychic SELF-defense.
For whatever is there for self-defense, go to Ch. 18, Methods of Defense, Part II and those that follow. You can find there differential diagnostics (still, not much to do for not initiated), and offered methods: replacing negative suggestions by positive, calling for protection of the Divine, creating protecting circle, pentagram for non-human entities, cord cutting for undesirable astral connection, un-imagining the thought forms. For refusing domination, visualizing barrier and self-detachment, for attempt of hypnotism - break the eye contact, for psychic vampires, keep hands and feet in certain position while sitting with equal, with no alternatives for other situations in real life. Ah, and having reliable trusted servant to carry out your bed chamber night pot certainly helps. Not to me.
If she was a powerful occultist, she certainly didn't intent to share, saying this repeatedly in her book. And it is strictly Christianity based, for those who are not there is no alternative.
I find Robert Bruce's book The Practical Psychic Self Defense Handbook: A Survival Guide much more helpful for the common mortals, impoverished and belonging to the other school of thought.
Read
November 26, 2020I mean, you want to read a book by a committed inter-war occultist or you don't. That said, this is written with great verve and a lot of extremely funny lines (whether some of them are meant to be funny is another matter), and is a great deal more readable and less self important than most of everything by her peers. Absolutely rammed with British imperialism and choking internalised misogyny, though, so proceed with caution.
December 22, 2010
This started out as a slow read. I wondered if it would hold my interest long enough for me to finish. My patience was indeed rewarded as Dion shared her phychic experiences as they relate to attack. They are akin to what some call 'spiritual warfare' and should not be solely relegated to the 'occult' realm but necessary for all religions, religious leaders and even laymen. Much about this book piqued my interest and entices me to learn more as she skims the surface of spiritual connections and how they are formed, dreams, astral projections, and protection our auras.
It does make me curious though, her conclusion that children, Celts, and coloured races are more sensitive to phychic forces than whites and others. She also gives rise to what I've already suspected, the rituals of the church can be construed as 'ceremonial magic' and she makes claim that many of the religious leaders who lead these ceremonies, know not of their origin or the forces they invoke. It was refreshing to learn that most phychic attacks are not deliberte in nature.
It was also satisfying to learn the symptoms of phychic attacks, the names, and how to diagnose them. Her stories of personal experience are interesting but had me panting and eager for her final four chapters on actual self-defense which were not disappointing but valuable and practical for the someone newly aware of phychic forces.
It does make me curious though, her conclusion that children, Celts, and coloured races are more sensitive to phychic forces than whites and others. She also gives rise to what I've already suspected, the rituals of the church can be construed as 'ceremonial magic' and she makes claim that many of the religious leaders who lead these ceremonies, know not of their origin or the forces they invoke. It was refreshing to learn that most phychic attacks are not deliberte in nature.
It was also satisfying to learn the symptoms of phychic attacks, the names, and how to diagnose them. Her stories of personal experience are interesting but had me panting and eager for her final four chapters on actual self-defense which were not disappointing but valuable and practical for the someone newly aware of phychic forces.
September 9, 2007
This book is worth reading - not necessarily to learn psychic self-defense, but rather to read of Dion Fortune's strange anecdotes from the world of esoteric Christian occultism including "psychic battles" and other goings-ons during the 1920s/30s.
March 1, 2017
A classic of occult literature but very dated. With a strong bias towards christianity and the feminine. It is of course a product of its time and displays the racial and homophobic prejudices of that era.
December 6, 2012
This book was part of my research for The Infernal Detective, and it was a fascinating look at magickal and psychological thought in the early twentieth century. Psychic Self-Defense is frequently cited as a "must read" for magickal practitioners. But even if you're not a practitioner, it's a fun read.
Thought forms, black lodges, hauntings, attachment, psychic attack and defense (with the focus on defense)... It's all there. And though the cover touts it as an instruction manual, it's written more as a series of case studies and stories from the author's life as an occultist.
This book is now thoroughly dog-eared, and I keep it within easy reach as I'm writing. In short, I loved it.
Thought forms, black lodges, hauntings, attachment, psychic attack and defense (with the focus on defense)... It's all there. And though the cover touts it as an instruction manual, it's written more as a series of case studies and stories from the author's life as an occultist.
This book is now thoroughly dog-eared, and I keep it within easy reach as I'm writing. In short, I loved it.
December 26, 2017
There is some good information here, but it is only to be found by plowing through a lot of less uselful material. I would have given the book a bit more credit were it not for the author's assertion in various places that the records of the Inquisition were a credible resource for any intellectual venture other than understanding just how depraved those in power can be when they are allowed to go unchecked. In her own words:
'I may be charged with having revived the superstitions of the Middle Ages. To this charge I must plead guilty.'
Indeed.
'I may be charged with having revived the superstitions of the Middle Ages. To this charge I must plead guilty.'
Indeed.
May 28, 2013
This is a very good insight into occultism during the author's time. A bit of a heavier read (maybe that's just me since my mother language isn't English) but very interesting nonetheless.
There are many case studies that explain the different situations, towards the end there is information on defense as well (pointing this out for anyone expecting this to be a *how to defend myself* manual only).
There are many case studies that explain the different situations, towards the end there is information on defense as well (pointing this out for anyone expecting this to be a *how to defend myself* manual only).
November 8, 2013
Interesting when she spoke abstractly, but her personal examples grew ever more outlandish and implausible. Having read many occult works, this didn't align with the theories found in any of them. I believe her sincere, but either delusional or an addict of some sort.
May 29, 2013
Dion Fortune has described how to defend yourself against psychic attack and has also described other interesting situations that she found herself in that is not of the norm. She describes how she created a werewolf when she was angry and how she found her mentor sleeping at the foot of her bed when he was ill in the next room. He had come out of his body to be near a friend. To defend yourself against a psychic attack, you must never feel fear. This is not very helpful to someone like me who has Bipolar Disorder and is taking three different anti-anxiety medicines. But it is an interesting read and another reference book I use in my Beneath the Surface saga.
April 7, 2016
Fascinating book, but not as practical as I would like.
April 5, 2015
Not a lot of actual self-defense in this, but a fairly thorough collection of psychic experiences and info.
December 6, 2017
Besides the Victorian prudery and martyr-like right hand pathism, this book has some really smart observations about defending oneself against manipulative people.
February 28, 2018
I read the book because, I was attacked by a person involved in the LHP(Astral Vampire), draining me of my energy. She is a little outdated, as this was the last person to document something of this magnitude. As I was drained for my energy, I documented what happened, and in return, I turned my documented information into a novel called DARK HUMAN. We are in the process with submitting at this time. Any question on Astral Vampire's, you can find us on the social media, through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
April 2, 2017
Hard to categorize in my current shelving scheme, but Dion Fortune was definitely a psychologist. I believe her aims in writing this book were dual-she wanted to warn the neophytes, but she also wanted to give a wake up call to unscrupulous lodges of magicians. I appreciated her stories that were candid about her own missteps, although the anecdotes are tiresome to a reader who wants a how-to manual. This is not a manual in the technical sense, except to advise those who feel like they have been oppressed by someone else's mental projection to sever contact immediately and find a private space to pay attention to their health. Most of the aid seems to come from third parties, wiser folks you call in to help. Yet she cautions about seeking aid, she gives means for discernment as to identifying a psychic attack or diagnosing a fit of nerves or some physical ailment descending. So a thorough housekeeping is advised, both of one's circumstances (leave) and one's person (eat small meals, regularly exercise, keep clean inside and out, and take up some cheerful pastime to avoid the obsessive nature of psychic interference.) Once the mundane has been seen to, there are instructions for protective circles, prayers and self sealing interspersed in the anecdotes. Many of her prayers sound like BCP, which does offer an exorcism rite, if memory serves. She recommends a clear yes for any decision regarding psychic associations, and knowledge of how to undo any magical working before that working is undertaken. Religious observences should be maintained, if customary.
Obviously she's trying to hit multiple audiences. The most clandestine are lodges which prey on lonely women and exploit their unconscious sexual vulnerability, their emotional vulnerability, usually for monetary or sexual exploitation. She is anti-drug and notes they are sometimes used to blur the will of the acolytes, or simply trafficked in for profit. Alcohol doesn't escape from her cautions either. Young men might be as susceptible as lone women. Criminal elements might be enticed by promises of power, either as individuals who seek dominance over others, or as social structures that promote bullying, extortion, blackmail and exploitation. Clearly Fortune was cautioning her associates that their baser activities had not gone unnoticed.
A further note about this book-it is clearly a product of it's times, racial theories abound, it is biased in terms of religious practices, and parts of it ooze homophobia, and some sexism is quite clearly stated. Reading afield informed me that Fortune was sent to an agrarian school for troubled girls, where she rose to the level of instructor. It's clear that she dealt with the prevailing psychological school that distained lesbians and nonconforming women. I think she was probably the latter and was deeply disturbed by the former, and says that she has no sympathy for the crushes of some of her fellow travellers in occult circles. Apparently hers was an era in which Britain was having a purge of genderbenders and gays, and she found certain employment in this area. She is quite sensitive to the the use of occult circles as a means for power for unmarried women, and also that they were preyed upon by the unethical circles. Some of my interest in reading Fortue seems to be the direct connection to later novelists, like Lackey and MZB.
Obviously she's trying to hit multiple audiences. The most clandestine are lodges which prey on lonely women and exploit their unconscious sexual vulnerability, their emotional vulnerability, usually for monetary or sexual exploitation. She is anti-drug and notes they are sometimes used to blur the will of the acolytes, or simply trafficked in for profit. Alcohol doesn't escape from her cautions either. Young men might be as susceptible as lone women. Criminal elements might be enticed by promises of power, either as individuals who seek dominance over others, or as social structures that promote bullying, extortion, blackmail and exploitation. Clearly Fortune was cautioning her associates that their baser activities had not gone unnoticed.
A further note about this book-it is clearly a product of it's times, racial theories abound, it is biased in terms of religious practices, and parts of it ooze homophobia, and some sexism is quite clearly stated. Reading afield informed me that Fortune was sent to an agrarian school for troubled girls, where she rose to the level of instructor. It's clear that she dealt with the prevailing psychological school that distained lesbians and nonconforming women. I think she was probably the latter and was deeply disturbed by the former, and says that she has no sympathy for the crushes of some of her fellow travellers in occult circles. Apparently hers was an era in which Britain was having a purge of genderbenders and gays, and she found certain employment in this area. She is quite sensitive to the the use of occult circles as a means for power for unmarried women, and also that they were preyed upon by the unethical circles. Some of my interest in reading Fortue seems to be the direct connection to later novelists, like Lackey and MZB.
July 17, 2024
Largely useless brabbling written by a superstitious, witch-hating witch. A product of its patriarchal, misogynist, Christian-faith tainted times.
I knew Dion Fortune was a superstitious woman who had a solid disdain for what she calls "witches", as opposed to the glorious, pure, Christian, faith-based, ritual magic dudebros she hung out with (who are def not witches, just so you know!!!), but it was still a brow-raising, braincell-deadening experience to read her waffling about how the witch-hunters of the inquisition was using the right methods the right way to find the infernal hags of satan.
Lady, they would have burned all that smoke right out of you! Apart from the fact that the "magic" Dion described the Inquisition using (and I am very certain they actually just tortured people instead of brewing potions, but let's go with her version for now!) to detect witches sounded a lot like something a witch would do, she is actively delulu about their intents, purpose and methodology.
In short, this is the work of a nutcase who was a cool girl of her time. Part of the most elite bros of her time, she was as blind to reality as they were, despite the fact that her position as a woman may have afforded her some perspective.
That was my personal beef with this writer. Onto the content of this book: it did not teach me psychic self-defense, against witches or otherwise.
The non-secret method she did name was thoughts & prayers, preferably not just from you but also your magic friends, of which I have none.
I didn't need a book to tell me that I could potentially call on Jesus, you know. That's not helpful.
The way I see it, there is no discernible difference between ritual magic and witchcraft. It's just words she threw around a lot.
I knew Dion Fortune was a superstitious woman who had a solid disdain for what she calls "witches", as opposed to the glorious, pure, Christian, faith-based, ritual magic dudebros she hung out with (who are def not witches, just so you know!!!), but it was still a brow-raising, braincell-deadening experience to read her waffling about how the witch-hunters of the inquisition was using the right methods the right way to find the infernal hags of satan.
Lady, they would have burned all that smoke right out of you! Apart from the fact that the "magic" Dion described the Inquisition using (and I am very certain they actually just tortured people instead of brewing potions, but let's go with her version for now!) to detect witches sounded a lot like something a witch would do, she is actively delulu about their intents, purpose and methodology.
In short, this is the work of a nutcase who was a cool girl of her time. Part of the most elite bros of her time, she was as blind to reality as they were, despite the fact that her position as a woman may have afforded her some perspective.
That was my personal beef with this writer. Onto the content of this book: it did not teach me psychic self-defense, against witches or otherwise.
The non-secret method she did name was thoughts & prayers, preferably not just from you but also your magic friends, of which I have none.
I didn't need a book to tell me that I could potentially call on Jesus, you know. That's not helpful.
The way I see it, there is no discernible difference between ritual magic and witchcraft. It's just words she threw around a lot.
March 22, 2023
There were a few chapters at the end on psychic self-defense. By the time I got through the first 95% of the book, I became too exhausted to read how to defend myself. This book was an exhausted, wasted effort. Even when I tried to read the parts on self-defense, I struggled. It could've been written more clearly and with titles on each self-defense strategy. It was like a scavenger hunt trying to find each one.
The last few chapters are all you need. Do yourself a favor and ignore the first 95% of the book.
The last few chapters are all you need. Do yourself a favor and ignore the first 95% of the book.
January 18, 2025
Everyone should read this. I do wish it covered more on the topic, but it was a good starting off base.
Also! Explained a little bit about what I had experienced in the past.
I truly think a lot of people should learn about psychic attacks, and other spiritual/magical elements to this reality. They play a part in life, but so many people are not aware of it.
Don't be a victim, and also it helps to explore topics outside a normal box of thinking and your comfort zone.
Also! Explained a little bit about what I had experienced in the past.
I truly think a lot of people should learn about psychic attacks, and other spiritual/magical elements to this reality. They play a part in life, but so many people are not aware of it.
Don't be a victim, and also it helps to explore topics outside a normal box of thinking and your comfort zone.
August 31, 2010
For the intermediate student. You must have an open mind and you should beware as you will come across some biases. Overall the information is usefull in learning to develop the brain power we do not use (they say 90%).
If you are interested here is the free PDF version of the book. http://tarotinstitute.com/free/psychi...
If you are interested here is the free PDF version of the book. http://tarotinstitute.com/free/psychi...
March 29, 2015
The strong side of this book is that it explains the influence of astral energies in everyday-life situations in a very easy to grasp and intuitive (even trivial) way. The down side is that what's inside could be written on 20 pages and that it's only basic, even elementary knowledge for people who otherwise have no clue what's going on.
March 24, 2010
a classic for those interested in esoteric studies ~ I found it just a tad dated, but most often amusingly so
March 8, 2011
Highly credible and a very interesting read.
February 24, 2016
Excellent book!
January 17, 2021
This book has been on my shelf for years, but I'd never made a serious attempt to read it before.
I'd read two of Fortune's occult novels in college and enjoyed both of those as precursors to things like Mists of Avalon, so I'd sort of assumed this would be similarly enjoyable. At least when I was a baby-witch, it was certainly the book every other book said to read on this topic, so maybe if it wasn't enjoyable it would be educational...
Wow, was I wrong.
The actual advice regarding psychic self-defense is largely contained in three short chapters at the end (not all four of the final group of chapters, just three of them) and even those are pretty sketchy on details. I do think the last several chapters are worthwhile.
Unfortunately, much of the rest of the book is full of racism, sexism, internalized misogyny, ableism... I mean, I realize it is a product of its time, but it has not held up well. Considering the relatively low quality of the information actually available in the book, I don't think the really offensive views on all of the above are worth wading through. (And I say *that* as someone who loves trashy Victorian adventure novels, so please, trust me.)
That said: It's is an obvious attempt to make some pretty esoteric material available to a wider audience. It's the text from which many others are derived.
So, I don't really recommend it for a whole slew of reasons while I understand that it's the basis of many similar texts written since then, which gives it a certain value in itself.
I'd read two of Fortune's occult novels in college and enjoyed both of those as precursors to things like Mists of Avalon, so I'd sort of assumed this would be similarly enjoyable. At least when I was a baby-witch, it was certainly the book every other book said to read on this topic, so maybe if it wasn't enjoyable it would be educational...
Wow, was I wrong.
The actual advice regarding psychic self-defense is largely contained in three short chapters at the end (not all four of the final group of chapters, just three of them) and even those are pretty sketchy on details. I do think the last several chapters are worthwhile.
Unfortunately, much of the rest of the book is full of racism, sexism, internalized misogyny, ableism... I mean, I realize it is a product of its time, but it has not held up well. Considering the relatively low quality of the information actually available in the book, I don't think the really offensive views on all of the above are worth wading through. (And I say *that* as someone who loves trashy Victorian adventure novels, so please, trust me.)
That said: It's is an obvious attempt to make some pretty esoteric material available to a wider audience. It's the text from which many others are derived.
So, I don't really recommend it for a whole slew of reasons while I understand that it's the basis of many similar texts written since then, which gives it a certain value in itself.
May 23, 2022
As a lay person, I'd place this book somewhere between interesting and totally goofy. Ms Fortune went off on a lot of personal tangents; the actual defense parts comprised about 25% of the book. She seemed to believe in real, blood-sucking vampires, and cautioned against crossing witches (I would love to know what on earth she defines as a "witch").
A lot of superstitious twaddle, which surprised me as she clearly advised against falling into knee-jerk superstitious modes of thinking (I agree). All in all, very dated and rather elitist stuff that did not age well.
Minus one star for slyly pushing an anti-black cat agenda (more superstition of the worst order). Never trust anyone who wouldn't want a swarm of black cats around them.
A lot of superstitious twaddle, which surprised me as she clearly advised against falling into knee-jerk superstitious modes of thinking (I agree). All in all, very dated and rather elitist stuff that did not age well.
Minus one star for slyly pushing an anti-black cat agenda (more superstition of the worst order). Never trust anyone who wouldn't want a swarm of black cats around them.
July 11, 2017
Quit on page 133. Rest of book didn't hold much interest, first half was not especially useful but did have some decent information and anecdotal evidence.
July 24, 2023
Well, that was a disappointment. I take esoterics and occultism with a massive bucket of salt, but I am interested in symbolism and psychology, so I thought I'd give this book a go... but it was complete and utter garbage.
The beginning was promising - Dion Fortune discussed the link between occultism and psychology, and between mental and physical well-being (after all, she did study psychology and worked in the field), but it descends into fantasist woo-woo very quickly. Fortune seemed to have taken the term "emotional vampire" a little too literally and actually believed that these people astral-projected their vampiric forms onto their victims, sucked their blood in their sleep, and even left bite marks on their flesh. And that isn't even the most ridiculous statement in this book.
There is some useful advice on how to protect oneself against negativity as well as some interesting insights into the subconscious mind, but 90% of this book is infuriating pseudo-science, bigotry, internalised mysogyny, and a smattering of Christianity. I'm confused how one can believe in Jesus, magic, vampires, ghosts and science at the same time. This book was first published in 1930, but feels much, much more dated than that.
The beginning was promising - Dion Fortune discussed the link between occultism and psychology, and between mental and physical well-being (after all, she did study psychology and worked in the field), but it descends into fantasist woo-woo very quickly. Fortune seemed to have taken the term "emotional vampire" a little too literally and actually believed that these people astral-projected their vampiric forms onto their victims, sucked their blood in their sleep, and even left bite marks on their flesh. And that isn't even the most ridiculous statement in this book.
There is some useful advice on how to protect oneself against negativity as well as some interesting insights into the subconscious mind, but 90% of this book is infuriating pseudo-science, bigotry, internalised mysogyny, and a smattering of Christianity. I'm confused how one can believe in Jesus, magic, vampires, ghosts and science at the same time. This book was first published in 1930, but feels much, much more dated than that.
November 10, 2024
Definitely not an "easy" or "casual" read. The chapters are written lecture style, and the fact it was published in 1930, in London - makes for kind of a rough read. It helped if I pictured an old auntie teaching me life lessons in the kitchen, listening to her ramble as she's chain smoking - I may not necessarily be following the full way through, understanding half of what she's saying, or even really believing all that she's telling me - but she believes it's true, and she believes what she's saying can help protect my soul, so let me absorb what I can.
Not nearly as many self-defense strategies as I was looking for. Unless identifying the potential problems and risks counts, and it does. But I do really appreciate that the book reveals witchcraft and psychology side-by-side, and includes various religious aspects as they're relevant. And getting a peek behind the curtain of occult organizations is always interesting.
Not nearly as many self-defense strategies as I was looking for. Unless identifying the potential problems and risks counts, and it does. But I do really appreciate that the book reveals witchcraft and psychology side-by-side, and includes various religious aspects as they're relevant. And getting a peek behind the curtain of occult organizations is always interesting.
December 7, 2019
By no means this is a practical handbook on what needs to be done in case of a psychic attack. Here you will find a lot of personal accounts of paranormal activity and, scattered between this anecdotes, some interesting concepts that can direct your into further investigation. You can also get insights into the ways of occult groups at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s specially in the last 3 chapters that some practical methods are exposed. Not very informative but it kept my curiosity because of the very personal way this writer has to expose the information , at times not too organized and mostly shallow, but bringing many subjects into the table. Also you can picture the feeling of a woman who is seriously involved in an occult organization at that historical moment, her values permeate the narrative, a little prudish to my taste, but very interesting.
February 6, 2017
Lots of "you should" or "you should not" without any context as to why.
I honestly didn't care for this piece of occult literature. Dion Fortune comes off as very authoritative about the subject of the book which would be an otherwise good thing, but the subject matter is not presented in an accessible manner. This book felt as if it were written for occultists by an occultist, but it's just a monologue with very little practical magic, and even less information as to the reasoning behind why you are doing what you are doing in regards to the psychic self-defense. I highly recommend if you are interested in magical self-defense that you start somewhere else.
I honestly didn't care for this piece of occult literature. Dion Fortune comes off as very authoritative about the subject of the book which would be an otherwise good thing, but the subject matter is not presented in an accessible manner. This book felt as if it were written for occultists by an occultist, but it's just a monologue with very little practical magic, and even less information as to the reasoning behind why you are doing what you are doing in regards to the psychic self-defense. I highly recommend if you are interested in magical self-defense that you start somewhere else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews