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1996-02-19
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From: Taner Edis <edis@ETA.PHA.JHU.EDU>
Subject: Book on Occult?
Message-ID: <9211200426.AA05570@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 22:15:51 EST
I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows of a book on the
occult (as opposed to the paranormal) that doesn't tax ones sanity,
or, perhaps even one from a skeptical viewpoint, though that may be
too much to hope for... By "occult," I mean cabalistic stuff,
Hermetica, Templar conspiracy theories, loony secret societies,
Rosicrucian legends, and such weirdness.
It's not that material on them doesn't exist, it's just that
they're impossible to read beyond the first three pages, going on like
"When it is recalled that Daath is situated at the point where the
abyss bisects the Middle Pillar, and that up the Middle Pillar lies
the Path of the Arrow, the way by which consciousness goes when the
psychic rises on the planes, and that here also is Kundalini, we see
that Daath ......." Is there anything out there that attempts to tell
us something of what the hell is being said without requiring that the
Third Eye be already open, at least partially? Something that
wouldn't make me feel that the next brain disease should be named
after the author?
Taner Edis
From: "S. Christian Henry" <S104374%UMRVMA.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: Book on Occult?
Message-ID: <9211201438.AA02819@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 08:23:57 CST
Loompanics catalog has a number of different books on topics such as the
occult, the World Power Society, etc. I cannot vouch for the readability
of such books as I have not read them, but I have found that most of
the selections they offer are decent books. I believe you can even send
books back to them if you don't care for them (not sure about that,
though.) I don't have the address on me, but if you are interested,
send me mail (or post) and I'll bring the address monday.
-=Road Warrior=-
From: BLANTON@VAX2.DSEG.TI.COM
Subject: Books on the occult
Message-ID: <9211202022.AA16811@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 12:22:30 -0600
The North Texas Skeptics makes available a bibliography covering
a wide range of topics. I don't recall what coverage there is on
the occult, but I will post the bibliography when I next get a
chance (it's going to be after Thanksgiving).
The bibliography is well done by NTS members John Thomas and
James Rusk. I think you will like it.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| John Blanton |
| Secretary, North Texas Skeptics |
| blanton@mcopn1.dseg.ti.com |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
From: Brian 'Rev P-K' Siano <revpk@CELLAR.ORG>
Subject: Re: Book on Occult?
Message-ID: <9211210238.AA03868@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 21:10:08 EST
Taner Edis <edis@eta.pha.jhu.edu> writes:
> I'm wondering if anyone on the list knows of a book on the
> occult (as opposed to the paranormal) that doesn't tax ones sanity,
> or, perhaps even one from a skeptical viewpoint, though that may be
> too much to hope for... By "occult," I mean cabalistic stuff,
> Hermetica, Templar conspiracy theories, loony secret societies,
> Rosicrucian legends, and such weirdness.
Well, it's proably not exactly what you want, but James Webb's "The
Occult Undergound" and "The Occult Establishment" always struck me well.
Very well-researched, and scrupulously fair (that is, no sarcastic asides
about the people involved), Webb's two volumes constitute anifty history of
occult movements in the Western world.
You might also look for Gordon Melton's books-- the titles of which
escape my memory for the moment. Melton is also scrupulous and fair, and as
for a reference on modern occult beliefs and groups, his works are hard to
beat.
From: "Matthew Smith" <ST801741%BROWNVM.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: Book on Occult?
Message-ID: <9211211759.AA12055@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 12:49:45 EST
You're right--it isn't easy to find historically accurate, skeptical books on
the occult. Try Richard Cavendish's HISTORY OF MAGIC as a start. Webb's books
are also good. If you're interested in American occultism in particular, try
THE OCCULT IN AMERICA: NEW HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES. There is a growing number
of excellent books on specific areas of occultism as well.
Matthew Smith
st801741@BROWNVM