esoteric and occult books

Esotericism and the occult have been an interest of mine for many years now.

In this blog I will be sharing some—but not all—of the books that I have read over the years that deal with these subjects. This is more of a list for educational purposes and maybe you can find something that sparks your interest, and whether you believe it or not it's up to you.

Feel free to share some other ones in the comments.

Black Pullet

The Black Pullet is a guide to the construction and use of magical talismanic rings. It promises that the reader, able to understand its content and possessed of a virtuous demeanor, will be capable of using its incantations and tools to obtain everything from the capability to become invisible to hoards of hidden treasure.

Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz

This allegory tells the story of Christian Rosenkreutz's invitation to the wedding of the king and queen. During his seven day journey, Rosenkreutz experiences progressive tests, purification, and death. The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz is a romantic expression of the journey and eventual goal of the philosophy and practice of Alchemy. 

Corpus Hermeticum

The Hermetic philosophy was regarded as an ancient theology, parallel to the revealed wisdom of the Bible, supporting Biblical revelation and culminating in the Platonic philosophical tradition.

Greek Magical Papyri

A collection of magical spells and formulas, hymns, and rituals from Graeco-Roman Egypt, dating from the the 100s BCE to the 400s CE.

Key of Solomon

This most celebrated of all magical textbooks, believed to be written by King Solomon himself, details the processes for summoning and mastering the spirits. Demonstrates that the usual theoretical distinction between black magic and white, evil magic and good, is not so simply drawn.

Oration on the Dignity of Man by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

It was written as an introduction to a public debate Pico was planning to host in Rome to discuss with the scholars of his day and the leaders of the Catholic Church 900 theses of his own, on what he considered to be the most important questions concerning the universe, theology and human existence. Pico was never able to hold his Oration since the Church stepped in to prevent it from happening and persecuted him for heresy on several of his theses.

Picatrix

Picatrix is an encyclopedic work with over 300 pages of Hermetic magical philosophy, ritual, talismanic and natural magic. It's a grimoire of astrological magic and one of the most important works of medieval and Renaissance magic.

Psychology and Alchemy by C.G. Jung

Alchemy is central to Jung's hypothesis of the collective unconscious. In this book he begins with an outline of the process and aims of psychotherapy, and then moves on to work out the analogies between alchemy, Christian dogma and symbolism and his own understanding of the analytic process. 

The Egyptian Book of the Dead

Consisting of spells, prayers and incantations, each section contains the words of power to overcome obstacles in the afterlife. The papyruses were often left in sarcophagi for the dead to use as passports on their journey from burial, and were full of advice about the ferrymen, gods and kings they would meet on the way. Offering valuable insights into ancient Egypt, The Book of the Dead has also inspired fascination with the occult and the afterlife in recent years.

The Enneads by Plotinus

The six Enneads bring together Neoplatonism—mystic passion and ideas from Greek philosophy—together with variants of the Trinity and other central Christian doctrines, to produce an original synthesis and thoughts in ability of the human soul to ascend through ever higher levels of existence toward a supreme perfection.

The Kybalion by William Walker Atkinson

The Kybalion is a widely read and influential study of the principles of Hermeticism. The philosophy of Hermeticism posits that all life and truth flow from a single, universal creator. This universal creator then gave knowledge of universal truths to man and through a study of these truths of the physical world, great feats of science can be achieved and humans can reach their full potential.

The Secret Doctrine by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

A sourcebook of the esoteric tradition, outlining the fundamental tenets of the Secret Doctrine of the Archaic Ages. This title addresses the perennial questions: continuity of life after death, purpose of existence, good and evil, consciousness and substance, sexuality, karma, evolution, and human and planetary transformation.

The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall

The Secret Teachings of All Ages is an encyclopedia to the ancient occult and esoteric traditions of the world. Its hundreds of entries shine a rare light on some of the most fascinating and closely held secrets of myth, religion, and philosophy from ancient time to the present day.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead

A comprehensive guide to living and dying, The Tibetan Book of the Dead contains exquisitely written guidance and practices related to transforming our experience in daily life, on the processes of dying and the after-death state, and on how to help those who are dying. As originally intended this is as much a work for the living, as it is for those who wish to think beyond a mere conventional lifetime to a vastly greater and grander cycle.

Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Cornelius Agrippa

Three Books of Occult Philosophy is Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's study of occult philosophy, acknowledged as a significant contribution to the Renaissance philosophical discussion concerning the powers of ritual magic, and its relationship with religion.

Zohar

The Zohar represents an attempt to uncover hidden meanings behind the world of appearances. It is the central work in the literature of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition.