Alan Richardson (2)Critiques

I am an outsider regarding occultism. I read a bit here and there, and am generally sympathetic. It's just that my own practices flow in other channels.

I found this book to be informative and useful. It's a great idea to compare these leading figures, and very effective at getting across a high level perspective on what's going on. I suppose if I were going to improve it, maybe I would add in a few more leading figures of the times. How does Manly Palmer Hall fit in here, etc.

Anyway, this is very much a side dish, but tasty and nutritious all the same.

Noted in books read that I did not see a connection to Wicca

A stone circle tour, with a lot of great information about what they are and what they are for. Info about some specifically. Good advice about how to work with them. This book was recommended to me after a visit to Long Meg. It answered some questions the visit raised.

Interesting comparison of the magical careers of two major figures in 20th century magic. The authors methods of starting with the last decades of their lives and working backwards is a little odd and makes it difficult to follow. Richardson also seems a bit preoccupied with Crowley's buggery. I mean, its not as though Crowley hid his sexuality, so it is not a sign of great perspicuity to realize that the man was bisexual. I was unaware of rumors that Fortune was either a man in drag or a lesbian. Richardson brings these rumors up to dismiss them. The main point I derived from the book was that Fortune had more direct contacts with Crowley than I would have expected, even in the small world of British occultism. Worth reading for anyone who is interested in Thelema or in the history of the ritual magic orders of the time.

There is an irritating snarkiness to the writing style throughout, also a lack of dating in the narrative. Lots of interesting anecdotes about figures in the British Occult scene from the 1950's to the 1990's. The authors are at least quite honest about what a curmudgeon Bill Gray was, and how often he fell out with his companions.

001095

S-000495-090909