The Tree of Life: An Illustrated Study in Magic

Explore the Theory and Practice of Hermetic Qabalah with Israel Regardie's Definitive Guide

First published in 1932, The Tree of Life is widely regarded as Israel Regardie's magnum opus and one of the most influential works on Western occultism. In this landmark study, Regardie presents magic as a disciplined spiritual practice rooted in the Hermetic Qabalah and the broader tradition of mysticism. With clarity and insight, he explores the philosophical foundations of magic alongside its practical techniques, from ritual tools and divine names to evocation, skrying, and astral exploration.

This illustrated edition has been extensively annotated and expanded by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero―close friends of Regardie and respected Golden Dawn adepts. Their commentary, explanatory notes, and additional illustrations illuminate Regardie's teachings while preserving the integrity of the original text.

Together, these enhancements make The Tree of Life both a classic study of magical philosophy and a practical guide for seekers, students, and magicians exploring the deeper structure of Western esotericism.

Francis I. Regardie, born in London, England, November 17, 1907; died in Sedona, Arizona, March 10, 1985.  Came to the United States in August 1921, educated in Washington D.C. and studied art in school in Washington and Philadelphia.  Returned to Europe in 1928 at the invitation of Aleister Crowley to work as his secretary and study with him.  Returned to London as secretary to Thomas Burke 1932-34, and during that time wrote A Garden of Pomegranates and The Tree of Life.

In 1934 he was invited to join the Order of the Golden Dawn, Stella Matutina Temple, during which time he wrote The Middle Pillar and The Art of True Healing, and did the basic work for The Philosopher's Stone.

Returning to the United States in 1937 he entered Chiropractic College in New York, Graduating in 1941, and published The Golden Dawn.  Served in the U.S. Army 1942-1945, and then moved to Los Angeles where he opened a chiropractic practice and taught psychiatry.  Upon retirement in 1981, he moved to Sedona.

During his lifetime, he studied psychoanalysis with Dr. E. Clegg and Dr. J. L. Bendit, and later studied psychotherapy under Dr. Nandor Fodor.  His training encompassed Freudian, Jungian and Reichian methods.

Both Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero are Chief Adepts of the Golden Dawn as reestablished by Israel Regardie: Tabatha is the current G.H. Imperatrix and Chic is the G.H. Imperator Emeritus. The Ciceros have written numerous books on the Golden Dawn, tarot, and magic, including Golden Dawn Magic, Golden Dawn Rituals, Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition, and The Essential Golden Dawn, and they have provided updates, annotations, and introductions to classic Israel Regardie texts such as The Philosopher's Stone, The Middle Pillar, and A Garden of Pomegranates. Both are Rosicrucians: Chic was the Chief Adept of the Florida College of the SRICF from 2016 to 2023 and Tabatha is the current Imperatrix of the SRIA in America.

Both Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero are Chief Adepts of the Golden Dawn as reestablished by Israel Regardie: Tabatha is the current G.H. Imperatrix and Chic is the G.H. Imperator Emeritus. The Ciceros have written numerous books on the Golden Dawn, tarot, and magic, including Golden Dawn Magic, Golden Dawn Rituals, Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition, and The Essential Golden Dawn, and they have provided updates, annotations, and introductions to classic Israel Regardie texts such as The Philosopher's Stone, The Middle Pillar, and A Garden of Pomegranates. Both are Rosicrucians: Chic was the Chief Adept of the Florida College of the SRICF from 2016 to 2023 and Tabatha is the current Imperatrix of the SRIA in America.