Gathering the Magic by Nick Farrell © 2005 Immanon Press ISBN
978-1-905713-09-7 188 Pages Paperback
$21.99
(U.S.)
This is a book which has needed to be written for quite a while. There
has
been a not-so-slowly evolving awareness that the Piscean attitude towards
magic and magical groups has become outdated. I saw it 30 years ago,
working at the first Pagan temple I ever joined. At the time it was rank
heresy to suggest that, but it was true then, and it is even truer now.
Even if you have no desire to create (or even work in) a magical group of
any sort, you should read this book. It is filled with common sense
(which
really isn't - common, that is) ideas which "everyone knows" (and that no
one thinks to pass along for that very reason). It points out the
advantages and disadvantages of various leader****p styles; the creation of
an egregore (or "group mind"); as well as such nuts and bolts issues as
names (and the acronyms they get reduced to), logos, expenses, where to
meet, and so on. These are basic items which need to be addressed, and
which will affect the groups and the individuals who do, or don't, work in
it.
I could go on and on about particulars in this book, but it can all be
summed in a few sentences: If you plan to join an esoteric group, read
this
book so you are aware of what you may encounter. If you plan to set up an
esoteric group, read this book to help you through the process and so that
you are aware of the pitfalls along the way. If you know someone who is
in
such a group, read this book so you can help them deal with things if they
ask for it. In short, unless you are living in a cave somewhere with no
contact with the esoteric community (how did you get this review, then?),
read this book.
There are a few editing glitches, but although they may cause you to go
back
and re-read a sentence, they won't derail your understanding of the
concepts. And, to be honest, I only noticed them because I was looking
for
them. Even books produced by the "big name" publishers have them. My
major
surprise was the small number of them I encountered.
Overall I would have to recommend this book most highly.
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