Rika and Satoko’s
bibliography on magic

This website is intended as a resource for people pursuing spiritual transformation. No matter how useful a text may be, it can never be a substitute for the actual practice of magic. Only with the deepest of seriousness can spirit free itself from the shackles of mundanity. This requires a revolution in consciousness, involving the whole body. For spirit is nothing but self-determining body.Our manifesto can be found here.This page is best viewed as a perpetual work in progress; the lists are entirely non-exhaustive, only indicating some texts we believe to be useful. They also reflect our eurocentric and academic background. As our spiritual journey continues, we plan to move into traditions beyond those confines. As we do so, we will update this bibliography.

“Magic is the […] art
of causing change to occur
in conformity with will.”
Peter J. Carroll,
Liber Null

Basics

  • 07th Expansion Umineko no Naku Koro ni Original, PS3 port & Manga ★
    By far the most accessible and engaging introduction to magic we know of. For those choosing the Steam release, we recommend either using the original sprites and backgrounds or, if applying the voice patch, selecting original sprites and turning off ADV mode (original backgrounds are not available). Note, however, that if you wish to use PS3 graphics, the port is better.

  • Wittgenstein, Ludwig Lecture on Ethics
    A short exploration of the distinction between facts and spirit.

  • Hanegraaff, Wouter J. Western Esotericism: A Guide for the Perplexed
    Useful introduction to the history of ‘discarded knowledge’ within the eurocentric paradigm, including hermetism, gnostic religion, astrology, theosophy, alchemy, secret societies, hypnosis and modern occultism. Aimed at an academic audience.

  • Fowden, Garth The Egyptian Hermes: A Historical Approach to the Late Pagan Mind ★
    Provides a brilliant introduction to historical magic through a study of the cult of Hermes-Thoth in Roman Egypt. We highly recommend reading Hanegraaff’s incredible Hermetic Spirituality and the Historical Imagination afterwards.

  • Foucault, Michel The Hermeneutics of the Subject: Lectures at the Collège de France, 1981–1982 ★
    The beginning of a life-changing lecture series on spiritual transformation in Ancient Greek philosophy. If you are entering magic from the field of academic philosophy, this is essential. Recommended alongside the following lectures and the work of Pierre Hadot.

  • Perlman, Fredy Against His-story, Against Leviathan! An Essay ★
    A poetic history of the rise of civilization and the peoples who have fought against it.

  • Carroll, Peter J. Liber Null & Psychonaut ★
    An indispensable guide to the practice of magic. Be aware, however, that the history presented is extremely dubious.

Classics

Histories

Appendix

Ever since civilization’s infancy, magical practices have faced threats of domestication and suppression. The following is a companion bibliography centered on structures of domination and movements seeking to undo them. See also Zoe Baker’s excellent reading list on anarchism, Marxism and feminism, which this appendix is intended to complement.

What can be said at all can be said clearly; and whereof one cannot speak thereof one must be silent.