The book of black magic by Arthur Edward Waite is a compelling read for those interested in the occult and the dark arts. Waite, a prominent figure in esoteric circles, delves into the history, philosophy, and practice of black magic in this comprehensive tome. While many may shy away from the subject matter due to its taboo nature, Waite approaches it with scholarly rigor and objectivity. One of the main ideas that Waite emphasizes throughout the book is the distinction between black magic and white magic, or the left-hand and right-hand paths. He argues that black magic is not inherently evil or malevolent but rather a misunderstood and misused form of esoteric knowledge. Waite believes that practitioners of black magic should be guided by certain moral principles to avoid harmful or unethical practices.
The therapist wrote something on her notepad. Then she said she wanted me to start taking some tablets. I said I didn’t like taking tablets unless they were absolutely necessary.
So Sandwich Woman had to drive hundreds of miles to keep an eye on a confused or ailing parent, then race back again to collect the kids from school. If Harper s Bazaar ever runs a mid-life Blues Sisters special, it will have to feature models who have been living in the same skanky trackie bottoms for nine weeks.
Waite believes that practitioners of black magic should be guided by certain moral principles to avoid harmful or unethical practices. In the book, Waite delves into various topics related to black magic, including ritual practices, spellcasting, and the invocation of demons and spirits. He provides detailed instructions and explanations, oftentimes drawing from ancient and medieval grimoires and occult texts.
Depression's the curse of my generation and I'm struggling in its grasp
I have a confession. I used to cheat in those multiple choices. My eyes scanned down the lists of A, B, C or D and I would try to figure out which letter was the right one to pick.
Not-so-sorted: Actress Emma Thompson, left, and television presenter Fiona Phillips have both spoken about feelings of depression
If choosing mainly Cs meant that I was popular, with the eyebrows of Jaclyn Smith from Charlie’s Angels, then C was the letter I circled. I picked the answer that made me the best kind of girl to be.
More than 30 years later, I found myself in a psychiatrist’s consulting room with a questionnaire in front of me.
I recognised the format immediately: ‘Please circle A, B, C or D.’ Only this wasn’t a quiz about how to avoid being a wallflower at parties, or make yourself into the ideal bride for Donny Osmond (convert to Mormonism, get your teeth fixed, wear a lot of purple).
The options on this particular multiple choice said things like: ‘I find I take very little pleasure in life these days’; ‘I don’t consider myself to be a happy person’; ‘I drink more alcohol than I used to’; ‘I am anxious and tired some of the time? Most of the time? All of the time?’
My pen hesitated. I wanted to be sure I circled the right answer. Despite the fact I’d finally felt rotten enough to seek professional help, pride dictated that I still came across as the best kind of girl to be.
I could see what the questions were driving at and I could easily imagine the conclusions.
‘If you ticked mainly Bs, you are a total basket case. Get a bloody grip, woman!’ It didn’t say that, obviously. Nonetheless, that was my fear. So I chose the most upbeat answers I could find.
The psychiatrist, a serene, elegant woman, read through my multiple choice answers and gave a brisk little nod. ‘Have you had any suicidal thoughts?’ ‘No. Never. Absolutely not.’
I didn’t mention the strange allure of a nearby motorway bridge at dead of night.
She didn’t speak again. Eventually, I blurted into the silence: ‘Sometimes, I think it would be easier not to be. Not to be dead. I have two children, I can’t leave them. But just to stop, you know. To not exist for a while.
‘Sometimes, not existing, that would be really nice.’
And when do you have these thoughts?
‘Usually at 4am.’ How often are you awake at 4am? ‘Every morning.’ Every morning for how long? ‘I’m not sure. Eighteen months.’
The therapist wrote something on her notepad. Then she said she wanted me to start taking some tablets. I said I didn’t like taking tablets unless they were absolutely necessary.
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‘Don’t worry. We just need to get you off rock bottom so you can start to get better.’
Rock bottom? Get better? What was she talking about? ‘I’m not mad,’ I protested, ‘I’m a national newspaper columnist.’ And we both started to laugh. So it was, dear reader, that I was enrolled in the growing army of depressed middle-aged women.
Let’s call us the Blues Sisters. Unofficial logo: Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Theme tune: Karen Carpenter singing Rainy Days And Mondays .. . ‘Talking to myself and feeling old. Sometimes I’d like to quit. Nothing ever seems to fit.’
Cynics sneer and say that depression is very fashionable these days. I must say, I haven’t felt especially on-trend.
If Harper’s Bazaar ever runs a mid-life Blues Sisters special, it will have to feature models who have been living in the same skanky trackie bottoms for nine weeks. Or a must-not-have dressing-gown trimmed with cat hair.
Perhaps Vivienne Westwood could design the perfect little black dress for the woman who can’t face leaving the house?
Lately, a lot of women have started to speak candidly about their depression.
That wonderfully witty novelist Marian Keyes told fans that she couldn’t sleep, write, read or talk to people.
Emma Thompson, who always comes across as the most sorted, funny star imaginable, admits she has sometimes been in a state ‘when you never wash, and wear the same things all the time . . . You just don’t want to be; you want to switch it off and stop.’
Fiona Phillips, who left the GMTV sofa in 2008, having been its main anchor for 12 years, admitted she suffered a breakdown as she tried to cope with her mother’s Alzheimer’s while trying to provide a normal life for her two young boys.
Fiona didn’t like to complain because she was so fortunate and ‘ everyone’s got hard times in their lives’.
Depression is the curse of my generation. When did this epidemic begin? I can remember my grandmother — my Welsh mamgu — when she was the age I am now, sitting in her back-kitchen and saying: ‘My nerves are playing up.’
You never hear about ‘nerves’ any more, do you? Nerves have gone the way of the hostess trolley and the Ford Prefect. Instead of nerves, we have depression and panic attacks and little silver wafers of pills we pop in our handbag to take the edge off another bright, unmanageable day.
The typical female of my age has been dubbed Sandwich Woman because she found herself in the middle of two demanding generations.
Sandwich Woman postponed having her first baby till her 30s to get her career established. She and her partner couldn’t afford a house to raise kids in on one salary, so she had to keep working.
Then, just as Sandwich Woman got the kids sleeping through the night, one of her parents fell ill. As the modern family is so dispersed, chances are your mum and dad don’t live round the corner any more.
So Sandwich Woman had to drive hundreds of miles to keep an eye on a confused or ailing parent, then race back again to collect the kids from school. Somewhere in between there was a job to be taken care of.
And a man. Life is no picnic for Sandwich Woman — though let me tell you she would dearly love to have time to go on picnics with the kids, in summer, when the weather gets nice.
Is it women who are mad, or is it the society we live in? We always suspected there would be a price for Having It All, and we were happy to pay it; but we didn’t know the cost would be our mental health.
My story is no different from any other Sandwich Woman. For a time, my mum was seriously ill, I ran into gynaecological problems, I fell badly behind with a novel I was writing, and I felt so bad I was letting people down that I didn’t have the self-confidence to finish it.
Because I was permanently tired and distracted, I felt like I was being a lousy mother to my two wonderful children. And I didn’t want to let it show or, God forbid, seek help.
So long as I didn’t seek help, waking at 4am and feeling the call of the motorway bridge was normal. Perfectly normal.
So, ladies, what is the answer to the depression epidemic, that damnable multiple choice of our age? Is it A, B, C or D?
Maybe it’s none of the above. Maybe we have to stop doing multiple choices. Maybe we have to accept that it will be absolutely fine if we’re not the best kind of girl to be.
Waite also explores the psychological and spiritual implications of black magic, discussing its potential benefits and pitfalls. One of the most intriguing aspects of The book of black magic is Waite's exploration of the historical figures and cults associated with black magic. He delves into the lives and beliefs of prominent black magicians, such as Aleister Crowley and Eliphas Levi, shedding light on their contributions to the occult landscape. Waite also examines the influence of secret societies, such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, on the development of black magic. Overall, The book of black magic offers a comprehensive and scholarly exploration of black magic that will appeal to both the curious reader and the serious occult practitioner. While it is important to approach the subject matter with caution and respect, Waite's work provides valuable insights into a realm of knowledge that is often dismissed or shrouded in fear. By shedding light on the historical, philosophical, and practical aspects of black magic, Waite encourages readers to approach this topic with an open mind and critical thinking..
Reviews for "Hidden Messages and Coded Language: Decoding "The Book of Black Magic"
1. Jane - 2/5
I found "The Book of Black Magic" by Arthur Edward Waite to be quite disappointing. While I was expecting an in-depth exploration of black magic and its practices, the book fell short in providing any meaningful information. The author seemed more interested in promoting his own theories and beliefs, rather than providing practical knowledge or historical context. Additionally, the writing style was overly convoluted and difficult to follow, making it a struggle to get through the book. Overall, I would not recommend this book to those looking for a comprehensive resource on black magic.
2. Mark - 1/5
"The Book of Black Magic" was a complete waste of time for me. I was hoping for a well-researched and objective exploration of black magic, but instead, I found the book to be filled with unsubstantiated claims and pseudo-scientific jargon. The author seemed more interested in showcasing his personal beliefs and prejudices than in providing any valuable information. Furthermore, the book lacked any practical guidance or relevant examples, leaving me without any real understanding or insights into the subject matter. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was intrigued by the title "The Book of Black Magic," but unfortunately, the content did not live up to my expectations. The author, Arthur Edward Waite, seemed more concerned with promoting his own esoteric theories than providing a comprehensive understanding of black magic. The book lacked clear structure and often delved into tangents that were difficult to follow. I also found the writing style to be overly complex and verbose, making it a tedious read. Overall, I was left feeling dissatisfied and would not recommend this book to those seeking a genuine exploration of black magic.
4. David - 2/5
If you're looking for a practical guide on black magic, look elsewhere. "The Book of Black Magic" by Arthur Edward Waite was a confusing and meandering read. The author appeared to be more interested in discussing his own beliefs and theories, rather than providing any practical knowledge or historical information. The lack of clear structure and organization made it difficult to follow the book's main arguments, and the writing style was unnecessarily verbose and convoluted. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of black magic.