Both Sides of Heaven: Essays on Angels, Fallen Angels and Demons

by Sorita d'Este (Editor)

Look up towards the heavens and open your mind to the infinite, for it is there that you will see the colourful and multifaceted world of winged messengers - Gods, Angels, Fallen Angels and Demons. BOTH SIDES OF HEAVEN is a collection of 18 essays by some of the foremost modern esoteric writers, occult scholars and magicians. In their personal contributions they share their experiences, research and unique insights into the spiritual realms of the mysterious beings who have played such an important and inspirational role in human spiritual history. From the nature of the daimons of the Graeco-Roman world, the Zoroastrian Ahuras and Daevas, the seductive Lilith and mighty Lucifer, through to the Fallen Angels of the Bible and the Book of Enoch, and their children the Nephilim, we find that these powerful beings are harbingers of change. In this anthology their magical natures are explored through the works of Renaissance magicians such as Dr John Dee and Edward Kelley, Dr Thomas Rudd and more recently Madeline Montalban, as well as in that of the experiences of the contributors themselves. The ceremonies and conjurations of grimoires such as the Key of Solomon, Goetia and Grimorium Verum are considered, as well as adaptations thereof and simpler, personal encounters. When you look at Both Sides of Heaven seeking wisdom and knowledge from the wings of ethereal messengers, you will see legions of angels and demons, archangels, fallen angels, old gods and even a few faeries and green butterflies. And maybe, they will be looking back at you too. As these essays demonstrate, Angels have been with us for many thousands of years, and their influence continues to be felt as strongly today as it ever was!

Genres: Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Magic

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Sorita d’Este is an author, researcher and priestess who has devoted her life to the Mysteries. She is the author of around 20 books exploring subjects related to the practice and history of magic, mythology, religion, folklore and witchcraft. Her previous books include titles such as Hekate Liminal Rites, Practical Elemental Magick, Visions of the Cailleach, Wicca: Magickal Beginnings and The Isles of the Many Gods. Her latest release is Circle For Hekate: Vol I. She lives on a hill in Glastonbury (Somerset, UK) from where she works as a publisher and writer. She is frequently distracted from her work by her love of gardening, exciting visitors and the promise of interesting esoteric knowledge.

Reviews

[Layo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation from several authors, and the submissions are diverse; articles range from tales of personal experiences with spirits (I would have liked more of this) to academic overviews of such things as Dee's angelic work, the grimoires, and the legends of the fallen angels. As I was warned in other reviews, some of the articles end just when the authors have me hooked. I would have liked a lot more information about Madeline Montalban's approach to working with Lucifer/Lumiel, for example. Some of my favorite articles were by Jake Stratton-Kent about Greek goetia and Verum (familiar stuff if you follow his writing, but as always he has me just about convinced that his approach is something I'd want to try myself), Melissa Harrington on Lilith, and Payam Nabarz on Zoroastrian angels and demons. Stephen Skinner's topic of using thwarting angels when summoning demons is of great interest, and I'd really like to read a first-person account of using this approach with the angels of the Shem ha-Mephorash a la Rudd - did it work, and if so what were the results? I'd recommend this book to those who are looking for an introduction to the topic, but for those who are more familiar with the subject it might be like a winetasting when you want a case of wine. Several of these articles make me wish they were a book. Still, that's a recommendation in itself.