The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic - Softcover

Israel Regardie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1567181325 ISBN 13: 9781567181326

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, 2001

Synopsis

Israel Regardie wrote The Tree of Life, a book many consider his magnum opus, in 1932. It has continued to sell for decades. And no wonder. Up until the time this book was published, very little information about true high magic was available to the public.

In this book, Regardie reveals the secrets of real magic. He begins with an explanation of what magic is and, just as importantly, what magic is not. He explains that it is a spiritual study and practice which, along with forms of yoga, forms the two branches of the tree that is mysticism. Magic is not being a medium or a psychic. Then he explains the tools of the magician, what they mean, and how to use them. He explains the techniques of evocation and invocation, skrying, and astral travel. He shows how the Qabalah unites everything. He even gives a description of the secrets of sexual magick. All of this is in a clear, lucid writing style. This book is simply a must for anyone who is, or aspires to be, a real magician.

Although Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero were friends of Regardie and are Senior Adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, what changes could they have made to this classic book? Well, they did change the spelling from British style to American. And they did change his transliterations of Hebrew into the more popular style he used in his later books. But nothing vital was changed or removed. Everything else they added was complementary to the text that was there. And what incredible additions they are! Extensive annotations throughout every chapter; over 100 illustrations; more descriptive contents pages; a glossary, a bibliography and an index. They've even added a biographical note on Regardie and the importance of this book to him and to the occult world.

This book contains some of the finest occult writing that has ever been produced. And with the new material by the Ciceros, it becomes a must-have for any magician!

About this title

From the Publisher:

Have you ever heard of Elbert Hubbard? After being a soap salesman he founded the Roycrofters (part of the handicraft movement) and the Roycroft Press, which printed magazines and books filled with inspiration and information. He was popular in the early 1900s. Most people today have never heard of him.

On the other hand, you've probably heard of Israel Regardie. About his book, The Tree of Life, famous occultist Dion Fortune wrote, "...it is going to be one of the classics of occultism." She was right.

The Tree of Life was a book of its time. And just as poor Elbert is pretty obscure today, so, too, are many of the references in Regardie's book. It was time, not to change the book, but to update it for modern readers.

The ideal people to do this were Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero, Senior Adepts of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and respected writers and lecturers. The actual changes they made were few — they Americanized some British spellings and carefully turned the transliterations of Hebrew into the modern system that Regardie used in his later books. But that was just the beginning.

Next, they made numerous explanatory notes for each chapter so that everyone can now fully understand the book. Then, to make it easier to use and more valuable they added a glossary, a bibliography, an index, and information on each chapter for the contents pages. To show its importance, they included a biographical preface giving information about Regardie and the book. And finally, to make it even more attractive, they've added over 100 illustrations. Now, this classic from the year 1932 is again a classic for the 21st century. Elbert Hubbard may be forgotten, but this book is fresh and lively. Again, if you get a book on real magic, this should be it!

From the Back Cover:

A Twenty-first-century Edition of a Magical Classic

Since it was first published in 1932, The Tree of Life has provided spiritual seekers and aspiring magicians with the most comprehensive study of the common threads of magical theory and practice. Israel Regardie's mission of bringing magic into the light of understanding takes a giant step forward in this new edition. Two Adept associates of Regardie's have contributed these enhancements:
-- Annotations throughout, with critical commentary and explanatory notes
-- A new introduction, glossary, bibliography, and index
-- Askenazic Hebrew translated to common Sephardic
-- A large number of new illustrations

If you are looking for a complete introduction to the study of magic, or if you have an older copy and would like a clearer, more usable version, you will not find a better choice than this edition of The Tree of Life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1567181325
• ISBN 13: 9781567181326
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 552
• Editor: Chic Cicero, Sandra Tabatha Cicero