this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2026
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Occult, Esoteric, Magick, and Paranormal

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Someone is interested in your practice.

What books/lectures/philosophies do you tell them to start with?

I'm fairly well rounded because I'm not committed to a single practice.

My interest has been mostly academic so my 4 books to start with would be

"Western Esotericism: a guide for the perplexed" by Wouter Hanegraff

"The Alchemists Handbook" by Frater Albertus

"Three Books of Occult Philosophy" by Henry Cornelius Agrippa

"The Three Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon" by Aleister Crowley, S. L. MacGregor Mather's, F. C. Conybear

The guide for the perplexed, Handbook, and Occult philosophy I think give a good intro to the historical context of magick and the occult while the next two give good modern context and peak Renaissance context respectively.

The idea is to have a well rounded understanding of what magick even is as a concept and then offering a grimoire (The Books of Solomon) as a place to start exploring deeper.

I think a past me on Tumblr would be getting lambasted for even suggesting someone should try Goetia after no practice and some contextual readings, but that's where I started. I don't think I believe in magick and this is all just a fun aesthetic, but I have performed several rituals from the Goetia for fun. It really encapsulated the stereotypical modern occult experience and truly sent me down the path I'm on now (Imteresting only because my first summon was Zagan and I asked for wisdom).

Where would you tell someone to start?

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[–] Hermit_Lailoken@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Liber Null and Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll

Quantum Psychology by Robert Anton Wilson

And not necessarily esoteric

The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom

[–] Hermit_Lailoken@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I am uncertain if this is what you are looking for. All three books changed my perspective on myself and the world.

[–] nagaram@startrek.website 1 points 2 days ago

Liber null was an early read for me too.

What do you think are the important lessons in those books?