The Occult Sciences: A Compendium of Transcendental Doctrine and Experiment, embracing an Account of Magical Practices; of Secret Sciences in Connection with Magic; of the Professors of Magical Arts; and of Modern Spiritualism, Mesmerism and Theosophy.
London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co., 1923. Second Impression. Hardcover. Octavo. viii + 292 pp. Original dark blue cloth lettered in gilt on spine. Top-edge red. List of authorities & index. A work originally published by Waite in 1891, shortly after he had joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, it clearly reflects Waite's more magical (as opposed to mystical) interests of the time. Apparently when Kegan Paul decided to bring out this 'Second Impression' - some thirty years after the 'First' - they did so under the mistaken belief that Waite was dead, and that his permission to reprint was not necessary. Waite found out shortly before publication, and at his insistence Kegan Paul added a Publisher's Note telling that the re-issue was "without alteration," and that the views expressed in the work did therefore not necessarily reflect his current opinions on some of the subject matter. Contents: Part I, Magical Practices: Magic: Definitions; White Magic: The Evocation of Angels; White Magic: The Evocation of Spirits of the Elements; Black Magic: The Evocation of Demons; Necromancy: The Evocation of the Souls of the Dead; Part II: Secret Sciences in Connection with Magic: Alchemy; The Elixir of Life; Crystallomancy; The Composition of Talismans; Divination; The Divining Rod; Astrology; Kabbalism; Part III Professors of the Magical Art: The Mystics; The Rosicrucians; The Freemasons; Part IV, Modern Phenomena: Mesmerism; Modern Spiritualism; Theosophy. [Gilbert A9b]. Formerly in the library of the Buddhist Society London, with their name stamped in gilt on front board, and bookplate (struck through to indicate deaccessioned) on front pastedown. Cloth a little rubbed and darkened with a few light marks, spine ends, and points a little chafed. Still a solid, clean VG copy (no dust jacket). Item #54177
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