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Magic: A Treatise On Natural Occultism
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone
68 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 1988
49 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Manly P. Hall
765 books1,123 followersCanadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 24, 2021
4/5 Stars: Truth and Wisdom sheathed in dazzling symbolism
A mystical guide to vitalize your life, a call to harmony and peace, a lecture in occult terminology, a new system of visualizing the Unseen; this Treatise might attempt too much at once. But to make it short:
What is this 'Treatise' about, actually?
It pursues multiple goals at once. First and foremost, Hall wishes to educate the reader in harmony, to study the individual self, to know ones limits first and unfold ones infinite potential second. He wishes to point out to all the natural phenomenon that can not be seen nor deduced, but experienced. He wishes to communicate that such observations of human life are centuries old, their laws and workings unchanged despite humanity undergoing so many forms of governance and religions. Magic is as real to him as the sun in the sky and god in his heart, and with this conviction and clarity he writes his treatise, making excessive use of metaphors and figures.
Was it easy to read?
That depends. When he speaks of elementals and shows us pictures of goblins and salamanders, he uses personifications for natural processes which humanity has as of yet not devised any better symbology or analysis. When he speaks of black man "born into slavery", he refers to a state of humanity before it reached the Stone Age, enslaved to its base instincts and urges. This excessive use of figurative language needs quite some getting used to and might hinder the level of clarity he intended for his work. But once digested, his use of symbols and metaphors encourages the reader to compare his ideas to their own experiences and draw their own conclusions.
Is this teaching me how I can become a magician?
To be honest, yes, it does. Intended or not, Hall devised his own school of initiation. Perhaps such endeavors can not be done without some degree of eccentricity. As such, the very first question should be if Hall's way of explaining things works for you.
Magic, Demons, Devils, Clairvoyance, Mental Rays that scorch through walls and elementals preying on people and leeching their life force, vampires, werewolves - his treatise uses all these words but he is insistent to put empirical, factual meaning behind them. Understanding his teachings might require to enter a fairy tale and then deliberately stripping it off all splendor until nothing but daily labor and discipline remains.
His philosophies are defensively altruistic, meaning that he teaches to never force yourself onto anyone for good nor ill. He procures self-development and self-fulfillment in very small steps, and to be extremely mindful to stay out of everybody else's business unless it interferes with your own. Even then, he'd rather turn the other cheek and subsequently do his business elsewhere, believing in a form of utopian harmony that even he admits is out of reach.
My personal interpretation of the Treatise
We have become to misunderstand the term Magic. Material Enlightenment can not be enough when we don't see that God can not be believed in, only recognized or ignored. Without morale, people put their life in the hand of coincidence, let others decide their fate.
Everybody does magic. The mother that buys her child candy, asking for nothing in return but smiles and laughter, does magic. The manager that looks his employee in the eye, telling her or him that their skills are insufficient and they might need to look for a job elsewhere, does magic.
When the child grows up spoiled and idle, the mother's magic was black, harmful. When the employee finds courage to seek a place where their talents are better suited, the manager's magic was white, helpful.
We can not observe nor deduce what turns our actions into harm or harmony. Yet, everyone can experience the consequences of their deeds. And through their experiences learn, and decide for themselves.
A mystical guide to vitalize your life, a call to harmony and peace, a lecture in occult terminology, a new system of visualizing the Unseen; this Treatise might attempt too much at once. But to make it short:
"An occultist is an expert in the science of life."
What is this 'Treatise' about, actually?
It pursues multiple goals at once. First and foremost, Hall wishes to educate the reader in harmony, to study the individual self, to know ones limits first and unfold ones infinite potential second. He wishes to point out to all the natural phenomenon that can not be seen nor deduced, but experienced. He wishes to communicate that such observations of human life are centuries old, their laws and workings unchanged despite humanity undergoing so many forms of governance and religions. Magic is as real to him as the sun in the sky and god in his heart, and with this conviction and clarity he writes his treatise, making excessive use of metaphors and figures.
"Magic is not medieval superstition tutored by the spirit of ignorance: it is a very material fact."
"Magic is the art of manipulating the unseen forces of Nature."
Was it easy to read?
That depends. When he speaks of elementals and shows us pictures of goblins and salamanders, he uses personifications for natural processes which humanity has as of yet not devised any better symbology or analysis. When he speaks of black man "born into slavery", he refers to a state of humanity before it reached the Stone Age, enslaved to its base instincts and urges. This excessive use of figurative language needs quite some getting used to and might hinder the level of clarity he intended for his work. But once digested, his use of symbols and metaphors encourages the reader to compare his ideas to their own experiences and draw their own conclusions.
Is this teaching me how I can become a magician?
To be honest, yes, it does. Intended or not, Hall devised his own school of initiation. Perhaps such endeavors can not be done without some degree of eccentricity. As such, the very first question should be if Hall's way of explaining things works for you.
Magic, Demons, Devils, Clairvoyance, Mental Rays that scorch through walls and elementals preying on people and leeching their life force, vampires, werewolves - his treatise uses all these words but he is insistent to put empirical, factual meaning behind them. Understanding his teachings might require to enter a fairy tale and then deliberately stripping it off all splendor until nothing but daily labor and discipline remains.
His philosophies are defensively altruistic, meaning that he teaches to never force yourself onto anyone for good nor ill. He procures self-development and self-fulfillment in very small steps, and to be extremely mindful to stay out of everybody else's business unless it interferes with your own. Even then, he'd rather turn the other cheek and subsequently do his business elsewhere, believing in a form of utopian harmony that even he admits is out of reach.
My personal interpretation of the Treatise
We have become to misunderstand the term Magic. Material Enlightenment can not be enough when we don't see that God can not be believed in, only recognized or ignored. Without morale, people put their life in the hand of coincidence, let others decide their fate.
Everybody does magic. The mother that buys her child candy, asking for nothing in return but smiles and laughter, does magic. The manager that looks his employee in the eye, telling her or him that their skills are insufficient and they might need to look for a job elsewhere, does magic.
When the child grows up spoiled and idle, the mother's magic was black, harmful. When the employee finds courage to seek a place where their talents are better suited, the manager's magic was white, helpful.
We can not observe nor deduce what turns our actions into harm or harmony. Yet, everyone can experience the consequences of their deeds. And through their experiences learn, and decide for themselves.
"Few realize that man is responsible for the things he has not done."
"Ignorance is not Black Magic but it is the greatest ally that the Black Magician has in the world today."
"People who do not know any better are constantly doing someone else's dirty work."
"Moral shortsightedness results in vice, philosophical shortsightedness in materialism, religious shortsightedness in bigotry, rational shortsightedness in fanaticism."
"The wise man obeys the laws of the substances which he works with, and thereby causes these substances to work for him;..."
April 5, 2025
This book is a philosophical and metaphysically rich examination of the esoteric principles that underlie both White and Black Magic. As with much of Hall’s work, this book is not merely about external rituals or ceremonial practices, but rather a profound exploration into the internal struggles and alchemical processes of the soul.
This short but impactful treatise is framed around the polarity of the Right-Hand Path and Left-Hand Path, correlating to the aspirant’s choice between spiritual ascent or material descent. Hall makes a compelling case that true magic is not about manipulating external forces, but about mastering one's inner world and spiritual essence. The “fruitage” of both paths is poetically and sharply contrasted: the Right-Hand Path leads toward liberation, divine union, and immortality, while the Left-Hand Path ends in crystallization, soul loss, and spiritual servitude.
The philosophical depth of this text is evident in passages discussing the unwinding of consciousness from form in a spiral motion, symbolizing a return to the source—a resurrection of divine identity. The language is rich with alchemical symbolism, astrological references, and a dualistic cosmology that frames every choice as either elevating or degrading the soul.
Hall emphasizes the moral and spiritual responsibilities of the magician. Definitions of the White and Black Magician are not based on superficial labels, but on the intent and purity of the soul’s motives. A White Magician, in Hall’s view, must labor with sincerity and virtue, gaining trust from higher spiritual powers, while the Black Magician seeks to dominate through force, manipulation, and inversion of divine law.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its timeless relevance for those walking a path of inner transmutation. Hall's warnings about the misuse of magical power, the loss of the soul’s essence in material entanglements, and the cosmic consequences of personal choices resonate with ancient wisdom traditions from both East and West.
This book truly merits a 5-star rating, but I gave it 4 stars due to its brevity—it's a very short read at just 59 pages. As with all of Hall's works, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
This short but impactful treatise is framed around the polarity of the Right-Hand Path and Left-Hand Path, correlating to the aspirant’s choice between spiritual ascent or material descent. Hall makes a compelling case that true magic is not about manipulating external forces, but about mastering one's inner world and spiritual essence. The “fruitage” of both paths is poetically and sharply contrasted: the Right-Hand Path leads toward liberation, divine union, and immortality, while the Left-Hand Path ends in crystallization, soul loss, and spiritual servitude.
The philosophical depth of this text is evident in passages discussing the unwinding of consciousness from form in a spiral motion, symbolizing a return to the source—a resurrection of divine identity. The language is rich with alchemical symbolism, astrological references, and a dualistic cosmology that frames every choice as either elevating or degrading the soul.
Hall emphasizes the moral and spiritual responsibilities of the magician. Definitions of the White and Black Magician are not based on superficial labels, but on the intent and purity of the soul’s motives. A White Magician, in Hall’s view, must labor with sincerity and virtue, gaining trust from higher spiritual powers, while the Black Magician seeks to dominate through force, manipulation, and inversion of divine law.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its timeless relevance for those walking a path of inner transmutation. Hall's warnings about the misuse of magical power, the loss of the soul’s essence in material entanglements, and the cosmic consequences of personal choices resonate with ancient wisdom traditions from both East and West.
This book truly merits a 5-star rating, but I gave it 4 stars due to its brevity—it's a very short read at just 59 pages. As with all of Hall's works, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
April 30, 2021
One of the most interesting views that I have read on the topic. This book was short but surgical in its impact. Hall’s depiction of Black Magic and Black Magician’s resonates very strongly with that from Toltec philosophy. This book made me want to be a better person and masterfully connects ennui, powerlust and disaffection to multiple niche’s in society be it business, religion, or academia. ETC. This book is short but rich in its reflective import. I foresee many re-readings to come.
February 9, 2025
Summary (I’ve omitted a lot of beautifully written knowledge, this doesn’t even begin to do the book justice):
Light and darkness are not enemies but complementary forces—both must be mastered. Darkness appears in two forms: Luciferic, the unawakened potential of raw energy, and Satanic, the perversion of that energy into destruction. The universe operates under the Law of Reaction—all actions, noble or corrupt, return to their source, shaping the soul’s destiny.
Temptation is the price of intelligence. Knowledge without discipline breeds chaos. True wisdom requires the harmony of will and desire—without this, the mind becomes a servant of its lower impulses, leading to black magic, where spiritual forces are seized for selfish ends.
The Paths: Spirit vs. Matter
The battle between spirit and matter is the inner Armageddon, the war between two roads:
• The Right-Hand Path ascends, recognizing the body as a servant of the soul. The magician disentangles spirit from matter, crossing the Rainbow Bridge into liberation.
• The Left-Hand Path descends, binding the soul to the lower worlds. The ego, seeking power, erodes into darkness until it is lost to corruption.
Some fail to walk either path, falling into spiritual inertia—like the angels, pure but unevolved, forever stagnant.
Magic: The Manipulation of Power
Magic is the art of directing unseen forces—but how one wields power determines its nature:
• White Magic – Power earned through purity and rightful mastery.
• Black Magic – Power seized by force, “storming the gates of heaven.”
• Grey Magic – Power misused unconsciously.
• Yellow Magic – Power left to stagnate and decay.
A true magician refines himself, purifying his energies. If he falters, his own inner forces may turn against him—either transforming him or corrupting him. The black magician, on the other hand, seeks dominion without merit. He may manipulate the forces of nature, but in the end, they will consume him.
Lucifer and Satan: The Opposing Extremes
Neither Lucifer nor Satan is inherently evil—they are forces of cosmic balance:
• Lucifer is unchecked fire—ambition without wisdom, raw potential that burns when misused.
• Satan is inertia—the cold force that resists change and stagnates growth.
Both are necessary. If the Sun shone eternally, all would burn; if darkness ruled indefinitely, all would freeze. Man’s task is to walk between these forces, mastering them rather than falling prey to their extremes.
Demons: Shadows of Our Own Making
Demons are not external entities—they are perverted energy. Unlike the lower kingdoms of nature, which follow divine law, man alone has the ability to create his own destruction. When he misuses power, he becomes the very demon he fears.
The Four Bodies: Man as an Alchemical Process
Man is an alchemical being, composed of four bodies, each linked to an element:
• Earth (Physical Body): The material vessel, refined through experience.
• Water (Astral Body): The seat of emotions and desires, which must be purified.
• Air (Mental Body): Thought and intellect, sharpened into wisdom.
• Fire (Spiritual Body): The divine spark, the path to liberation.
The spirit is above all, but it cannot manifest without a chain of vehicles. If the lower bodies rule, the divine spark is imprisoned, buried under endless appetites and selfish cravings. Instead of the spirit ruling its world, it becomes a captive of its own desires.
The Black Magician’s Delusion
The black magician believes he knows what he needs, but in truth, he only knows what he wants. Instead of seeking harmony with nature’s laws, he forces nature to obey his will. But nature is like the Cyclops of Greek myth—blind to morality, it follows its own course. The wise obey these laws; the foolish defy them and are ultimately destroyed by the very forces they seek to command.
Interference and Free Will
Even the Masters do not enter uninvited. To influence another’s mind without consent is spiritual theft. Healing must be sought, not imposed—suffering is a lesson, and true healing comes from correcting the cause.
Modern spirituality often falls into black magic—demanding favors from the universe rather than working in accordance with divine law. Many seek power to dominate others, believing knowledge entitles them to rule over the weak. But no one can reap where they have not sown—the cosmos does not grant power without rightful effort.
To rise, he must master himself.
Light and darkness are not enemies but complementary forces—both must be mastered. Darkness appears in two forms: Luciferic, the unawakened potential of raw energy, and Satanic, the perversion of that energy into destruction. The universe operates under the Law of Reaction—all actions, noble or corrupt, return to their source, shaping the soul’s destiny.
Temptation is the price of intelligence. Knowledge without discipline breeds chaos. True wisdom requires the harmony of will and desire—without this, the mind becomes a servant of its lower impulses, leading to black magic, where spiritual forces are seized for selfish ends.
The Paths: Spirit vs. Matter
The battle between spirit and matter is the inner Armageddon, the war between two roads:
• The Right-Hand Path ascends, recognizing the body as a servant of the soul. The magician disentangles spirit from matter, crossing the Rainbow Bridge into liberation.
• The Left-Hand Path descends, binding the soul to the lower worlds. The ego, seeking power, erodes into darkness until it is lost to corruption.
Some fail to walk either path, falling into spiritual inertia—like the angels, pure but unevolved, forever stagnant.
Magic: The Manipulation of Power
Magic is the art of directing unseen forces—but how one wields power determines its nature:
• White Magic – Power earned through purity and rightful mastery.
• Black Magic – Power seized by force, “storming the gates of heaven.”
• Grey Magic – Power misused unconsciously.
• Yellow Magic – Power left to stagnate and decay.
A true magician refines himself, purifying his energies. If he falters, his own inner forces may turn against him—either transforming him or corrupting him. The black magician, on the other hand, seeks dominion without merit. He may manipulate the forces of nature, but in the end, they will consume him.
Lucifer and Satan: The Opposing Extremes
Neither Lucifer nor Satan is inherently evil—they are forces of cosmic balance:
• Lucifer is unchecked fire—ambition without wisdom, raw potential that burns when misused.
• Satan is inertia—the cold force that resists change and stagnates growth.
Both are necessary. If the Sun shone eternally, all would burn; if darkness ruled indefinitely, all would freeze. Man’s task is to walk between these forces, mastering them rather than falling prey to their extremes.
Demons: Shadows of Our Own Making
Demons are not external entities—they are perverted energy. Unlike the lower kingdoms of nature, which follow divine law, man alone has the ability to create his own destruction. When he misuses power, he becomes the very demon he fears.
The Four Bodies: Man as an Alchemical Process
Man is an alchemical being, composed of four bodies, each linked to an element:
• Earth (Physical Body): The material vessel, refined through experience.
• Water (Astral Body): The seat of emotions and desires, which must be purified.
• Air (Mental Body): Thought and intellect, sharpened into wisdom.
• Fire (Spiritual Body): The divine spark, the path to liberation.
The spirit is above all, but it cannot manifest without a chain of vehicles. If the lower bodies rule, the divine spark is imprisoned, buried under endless appetites and selfish cravings. Instead of the spirit ruling its world, it becomes a captive of its own desires.
The Black Magician’s Delusion
The black magician believes he knows what he needs, but in truth, he only knows what he wants. Instead of seeking harmony with nature’s laws, he forces nature to obey his will. But nature is like the Cyclops of Greek myth—blind to morality, it follows its own course. The wise obey these laws; the foolish defy them and are ultimately destroyed by the very forces they seek to command.
Interference and Free Will
Even the Masters do not enter uninvited. To influence another’s mind without consent is spiritual theft. Healing must be sought, not imposed—suffering is a lesson, and true healing comes from correcting the cause.
Modern spirituality often falls into black magic—demanding favors from the universe rather than working in accordance with divine law. Many seek power to dominate others, believing knowledge entitles them to rule over the weak. But no one can reap where they have not sown—the cosmos does not grant power without rightful effort.
To rise, he must master himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2024
This one I acquired with the massive lot I inherited from my late Uncle Joe. I am not a believer in the occult or any mode of religious thought though I like to read such works on occasion. This one is really far-out man. It is a hodge-podge collection of beliefs cobbled from Hinduism, Egyptian myth, Christianity, and medieval European lore on witchcraft including bits from classical literature such as Dante, Milton and even a definite influence from Blavatsky especially found in the repeated references to Atlantis. Of course, I’m assuming more Blavatsky’s version than Plato’s (unfortunately). All of this has some terms ripped from science & astronomy at the time (1920s) thrown into the mix.
There are a (very) few tidbits that I find relevant such as on page 24 item #47 the last sentence which reads:
As of old, so today, the cry is seldom “Save souls,” but is usually “Show us miracles.”
Then other parts of the text can be taken the wrong way (if they weren’t meant in that context already that is) such as Item #59 which refers to the “Brown Man” who was “ordained to labor in the fields” and the “Black Man” described as “the creature born into slavery”. Yikes.
There are other questionable passages in the text such as Item #90 that strikes me as slightly fascistic.
Our natures cannot be allowed to just grow, […] anymore than children can be allowed to run around promiscuously and then be expected to amount to anything; they must be trained, and there must be a thorough understanding as to who is master and who is servant. [pg.37]
Granted this passage is in the section titled The Mechanics of Magic and is referring to the discipline of magic but the metaphor is a bit of a collar tugger but not out of place.
Then there’s Item#102 pg.41. It begins:
No man who is sick should be healed merely because he has an ailment. He should learn the lesson that accompanies the disease which he has brought upon himself. To affirm health is foolishness; to find out the reason for the ailment, make right the wrong and become healthy again, is wise and proper. To be so moderate, so wise, so thoughtful, as not to become sick, is still better philosophy.
The context is you shouldn’t use magic on people who do not specifically ask per item for it but it also places blame for illness which for the most part is just plain wrong. Then the rest of the passage runs with the contextual not really relating to what it has already put forth with the blame game. This is repeated throughout the book and items don’t necessarily relate to the previous or next item either. Again, this passage can be misconstrued and has been, unfortunately, a refrain from the American right and anti-vaxxers in general.
On the other hand, some of the rich imagery was really cool in my opinion. Also, the illustrations are really neat. I especially liked the image of the "Black Morning” at the beginning of time in the text. It sent my mind off in a million directions, so there’s that.
Overall, I’m not angry or disappointed that I read it, it was a fast read although its formatting diced up any sort of narrative momentum that could have been possible. I would only recommend this if you like reading esoterica such as 19th-century spiritualism & mysticism and belief in Atlantis. Otherwise, I can’t recommend this one.
June 7, 2023
What to do if you don’t agree because everything existed BEFORE the Christ and the only things people can write about is everything around the Jews and Christ. Thousands of year old text before Christians and still why couldn’t they write about that.
What happened with Moses and even the Priests in Egypt could do magic. Who determines what is Black or White because surely there is no such thing as Black!
Vampires of the Astral Plane.
I do believe Manly and me would have been the best of friends and the conversations we would have had for surely who determines what is nefarious.
What happened with Moses and even the Priests in Egypt could do magic. Who determines what is Black or White because surely there is no such thing as Black!
Vampires of the Astral Plane.
I do believe Manly and me would have been the best of friends and the conversations we would have had for surely who determines what is nefarious.
September 11, 2020
Very interesting!
August 9, 2024
Fun, interesting. Recommend it to any open minded person looking to dig a little deeper and philosophise.
September 5, 2023
Filled with exhortations by someone who is best known for promoting mystic and occult views among the wider public, notably the US and Canada. The text gives the impression that there are secret doctrines concerning the inner mysteries of life, but does not disclose in any meaningful fashion what those secrets or mysteries are, such that much of what is written does not make any sense.
June 23, 2020
Decent, but not as good as his other texts. I think this might be because the ordering of this series of writings is not the most obvious. Will have to read more and come back to this later. Manly always delivers though - the talk of white vs. black magic was quite interesting.
Want to read
April 21, 2023I thought goodreads is like a library not just advertising amazon
June 12, 2024
It's definitely not for beginners learning about the occult and magic/spellcasting but with new age religions on the rise, it's important to read and know about black and white magic.
June 18, 2024
It was awesome. A nice guide and start for understanding all the concepts of our different bodies and the elements of magic
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews