Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie

Written in 1854, this two-volume treatise on the occult explains the philosophy and method of ritual magic.

First published in France in 1854, this highly popular two-volume treatise on ritual magic initiates the reader into the secrets of Western occult philosophy. This first volume, 'The Doctrine of Transcendental Magic', chronicles the philosophy of western magic and the esoteric.Born Alphonse Louis Constant, French magician Éliphas Lévi (1810–75) wrote prolifically on the occult sciences. This highly popular two-volume treatise on practical magic attempts to initiate the reader into the mysteries of occult philosophy. Identifying magic as the 'nurse or godmother' of all intellectual forces, Lévi proclaims his firm belief in man as microcosm of the universe, the strength of human willpower and the effectiveness of sympathetic magic. This first volume, 'The Doctrine of Transcendental Magic', establishes Lévi's own philosophical approach to the theory of magic, detailing the various methods of accessing esoteric knowledge of the universe through supernatural methods. Beginning with the ancient origins of occult philosophy and influence, Lévi chronicles the history of magic, including transmutations, black magic, bewitchments, astrology, divination and alchemy.