Sex Magicians

The Lives and Spiritual Practices of Paschal Beverly Randolph, Aleister Crowley, Jack Parsons, Marjorie Cameron, Anton LaVey, and Others

De: Michael William West, Hannah Haddix - foreword

Narrado por: Andy Rick

• Explores the background and sexual magical beliefs of Paschal Beverly Randolph, Ida Craddock, Aleister Crowley, Maria de Naglowska, Austin Osman Spare, Julius Evola, Franz Bardon, Jack Parsons, William S. Burroughs, Marjorie Cameron, Anton LaVey, and Genesis P-Orridge
• Details the life of each sex magician, how they came to uncover their occult practice, and, most importantly, how the practice of sex magic affected their lives

Offering a fascinating introduction to the occult practice of sex magic in the Western esoteric tradition, Michael William West explores its history from its reintroduction in the early 19th century via Paschal Beverly Randolph to the practices, influence, and figureheads of the 20th and 21st century such as Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, and Genesis P-Orridge, founder of Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth.

Focusing on 12 influential sex magicians, some well-known and some who have remained in obscurity, West details the life of each sex magician and how the practice of sex magic affected their lives. He explains how most of the figures presented in the book used sex magic as a means rather than an end, utilizing their practice to enhance and enrich their life’s work, whether in the arts, sciences, or as a spiritual leader. He examines what is known about Paschal Beverly Randolph, the founding father of modern sex magic, explores the tragic and mystical life of Ida Craddock, and discusses, in depth, iconic figures like Aleister Crowley and Austin Osman Spare, who saw sex magic as a source of artistic power and is now seen as a prophet of the chaos magick movement. Other sex magicians explored deployed magic to drive themselves to the highest echelons of achievement: in literature, William S. Burroughs; in music, Genesis P-Orridge; and in science, Jack Parsons, who openly used magic while making unconventional breakthroughs in rocket science. The author also examines Maria de Naglowska, Julius Evola, Franz Bardon, Marjorie Cameron, and Anton Szandor LaVey.

While these sex magicians each followed a different spiritual path and had varying degrees of notoriety and infamy, one common thread emerges from looking at their interesting lives: utilizing magic to know thyself and change your reality is a journey that requires imagination, creativity, and self-awareness to the quest for enlightenment.

©2021 Michael William West. All Rights Reserved. (P)2021 Inner Traditions Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Brilliant

Deeply connected the dots between various magickal practitioners because of this book. I have nothing negative to say give it a chance and dive down the rabbit hole of knowledge.

Amazing book

One of the better books I have listened to on audible—-I was very impressed

Good bios

These books can be pretty corny with all the magic and stuff. The author seems to genuinely believe in magic or is at least open to it which is keep me of a drag, but it’s not too overt. I like the bios and bought it for that. I learned some things about some of these people

Excellent historical recollections

this book is an excellent historical recollection of Western Sex Magic. all the characters are being presented in a chronological order of their birth and their life working.

This book do not provide any explicit techniques rather a thorough understanding of the of the lives of the people that created Western Sex Magic.

it is clear and unbiased. highly recommended if you want to understand the topic

Interesting, Insightful, and Utterly Degenerate

While it is that sex magic is something real and deserving of studious practice, observation and ritual, it is in this book one finds just how much of a certain path has been woven in to our modern world and not for it's or our benefit. Rather, the selfish interests of drug and sex-crazed maniacs who were as much in need of therapy as a dose of lead to the brain. It is certain, however, such investigations are deserving of respect for the information turned up and braught forth, as with this book, to be digested with discernment and, hopefully, wisdom.

Cool history of sex magick in the west

I liked the broadness of scope the author has invested with this book and learned about new folks in the sex magick world, as well as new things about the more famous people featured here.

I will likely listen again.