The Secret Lore of Magic – Idries Shah (Citadel Press/Lyle Stuart)

A Gateway into the Forbidden Arts. Delve into the hidden history of Western occultism with this essential survey by the renowned thinker and Sufi teacher, Idries Shah. This volume is a "textbook of the secret arts," providing a comprehensive and clear introduction to the most famous (and infamous) grimoires of the medieval and Renaissance periods. It is an indispensable resource for the student of the Western Esoteric Tradition or the history of magic. The Content: Shah presents the key texts of magical literature, including the Key of Solomon, the Magia Naturalis of Albertus Magnus, and the Grimoire of Honorius. He provides context, translations, and analysis of the rituals and sigils that defined the occult world. Scholarly Approach: Unlike many sensationalist works on the subject, Shah approaches the material with intellectual curiosity and historical rigor, making it a staple for serious researchers. Condition: * Format: Vintage paperback (ISBN: 0806500042). Exterior: The covers show honest rubbing and shelf wear consistent with its age and importance. Corners and edges are rubbed, giving it the look of a well-consulted reference work. Binding: The spine is creased, indicating a book that has been opened and studied, but it remains fully intact. Interior: The text block is clean and bright, free from the underlining or occult marginalia often found in copies of this nature. A solid, "honest" reading copy of a classic in the field of magic and folklore.…