The Magical World of Dr. Joseph Lisiewski

by Mark Stavish, Alfred DeStefano III (Editor)

Few figures in modern occultism have garnered as much admiration - and vitriol - as Dr. Joseph Charles Lisiewski. Born in the coal mining regions of Central Pennsylvania, Lisiewski came of age as religious orthodoxy was waning, but before the world of the 'Counter Culture Movement' had fully come full-term. After a terrifying magical evocation at the age of 17, he quickly found himself involved with two of the greatest occultists of the Twentieth Century – Israel Regardie and Frater Albertus. Having worked with both men for years, he detailed his unique relationship with them in – Israel Regardie and the Philosopher's Stone (2008). Having myself worked with Lisiewski, I tell the story of our decade- long friendship, the magical and alchemical projects we worked on together, the truth behind his academic claims, and details of the final ritual I performed for an exorcism for a ritual that went bad, and for which he claimed would ultimately take his life. A must book for anyone interested in one of best known, and least understood, figures of modern occultism.

130 pages, Paperback

Published June 21, 2017

About the author

Mark Stavish, the Director of Studies for the Institute for Hermetic Studies (which he established in 1998), is a life-long student of esotericism with over 25 years experience in comparative religion, philosophy, psychology, and mysticism with emphasis on Traditional Western Esotericism. His articles have appeared in academic, specialty, and mass market publications specializing in spiritual studies, making Mark one of the leading authorities in Hermeticism today.

In addition to being a member and officer of several prominent Rosicrucian and Martinist societies, he served as the Director of Research for the Occult Research and Applications Project, of the Philosophers of Nature (PON). The Philosophers of Nature was founded by Jean Dubuis in France in 1979 and for twenty years was the leading resource for practical information on mineral and plant alchemy, as well as qabala. ORA, a statistically based research wing of the American branch of PON performed detailed exploration into the validity and practicality of various traditional esoteric methods. Original research from the ORA Project was published in the organization's journal, The Stone.

A graduate of King's College, in Theology (B.A.), and Communications (B.A.), and Rhode Island College (Providence), with a Master's degree in Counseling emphasizing psycho-spiritual modalities and Psychosynthesis, he brings a unique blend of tradition with modern research to the application of esoteric philosophy.

Reviews

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was familiar with Lisiewski's name and his connections to Regardie, Albertus and the Falcon Publishing cannon. Not much else besides these details and that he was known for strong opinions on occult matters.

This book was a "light" read about one of his friends relationship with him I read it in two sittings, before bed and finishing it the next morning. I enjoyed it a lot because it was a very human portrait of someone involved in the occult and how they approached several areas. There's things to be learned about humanity, who we are and how we engage other people that will make me think as well as a few gems I pulled from it.

Not a life changing book but it was exactly what I needed for a quick read between some projects and I don't feel like I wasted my time in devoting a few hours to it.

[Alex Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, poorly formatted

I really appreciated this clear and seemingly balanced view of Joseph Lisiewski’s life. The text is excellent. However, this version is very poorly formatted, with page numbers appearing in the middle of text, random changes in font, etc. If you can ignore those things (it wasn’t too hard for me), an excellent read.

[Christopher Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story is a must for any students of the occult sciences. many important lessons here.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always got the feeling he was off his rocker