From: Taner Edis 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" 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 Subject: Re: Book on Occult? Message-ID: <9211210238.AA03868@lll-winken.llnl.gov> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 21:10:08 EST Taner Edis 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" 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