A Review of Three Perspectives (part three)
This is part three of a three-part series reviewing recent books on magic(k)al theory and practice. In part one I took a brief look at Taylor Ellwood’s “Space/Time Magic” and “Pop Culture Magick”. You can read Taylor’s rebuttal to my review (and my subsequent comments) in the comments of that entry. In part two I reviewed Lupa’s book “Fang and Fur Blood and Bone: A Primal Guide to Animal Magic”, today I will focus on Ross G.H. Shott’s book “The Dark Arts of Immortality: Transformation Through War, Sex, & Magic”.
If Ellwood’s magic is concerned with expanding your perceptions in hopes of discovering your “true potential”, and Lupa’s magic is concerned with connecting with the primal forces on this earth, then Shott’s is dedicated to glorification of the self (with the ultimate goal of self-deification). “The Dark Arts of Immortality” is a manual of Left-Handed or “black” magic given a Pagan (Germanic Heathen to be precise) slant. This is not to insult Shott, he proudly claims his philosophical and spiritual heritage throughout the book. Prominent Satanists/Setians Anton LaVey, Stephen Flowers (aka Edred Thorsson), and Don Webb are quoted in addition to favored thinkers of Left-Hand path philosophy like Friedrich Nietzsche and Aleister Crowley.
Shott’s book claims to give you the tools to achieve Godhood. To him the “Left-Handed” path is the only logical path an “awakened” person who wants to evolve could take. He attributes “Right-Handed” paths as leading into the worst aspects of Christian dualism (or at best muddled sublimation of the self), though he doesn’t seem to notice the false dichotomy he creates in setting up his definitions of these two paths. As someone who adheres to a polytheist outlook on the world, I get nervous when anyone boils everything down to one of two choices.
The main tools within the book involve harnessing the powers of “fury” (war), “ecstasy” (sex) and “exaltation” (magic) with the ultimate goal of ascension (with an intact ego or “self”). To become in Shott’s terminology a “Lord of the Left Hand Path”. If such a goal is your cup of tea, then you may enjoy this book. It certainly has some glowing reviews on Amazon.com. For me personally, I don’t much see the point in creating a “super-Jason” to roam the heavens, but to each their own. However, If you are looking for a primer in such things, Shott’s book is an quick read with practical advice from his perspective.
So after reviewing three books on the subject, what is magic? Simply it is the directing of your will towards a goal. That goal can be self-discovery or self-exaltation. It can be earth-bound or lofty. It can be as complex as creating a new reality or (in the words of Crowley) as simple as blowing your nose. Where it goes, and how it is used all depends on your preferences and temperament.
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