WINNER: 2011 Esoteric Book of the Year

Balkan's Arcane Bindings (BAB) is proud to announce its pick for the English language 2011 Esoteric Book of the Year.

The BAB 'Golden Talisman Award' for '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year' goes to....

Scarlet Imprint's Crossed Keys translated by Michael Cecchetelli (Sable et d'Or Edition).

This book is simply jaw-dropping.  Bound together for the first time are two complimentary Late Renaissance works, the Enchiridion of Pope Leo III and The Black Dragon.  Contents range from spirit summoning to folk charms.  It is appropriately bound in scale-patterned, black, goatskin with inset dragon figure on marbled background.  Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  It is lavishly presented in a golden leather case with ribbon closures.  Amazingly, the Sable et d'Or Edition of Crossed Keys sold out in a single afternoon.  To meet the incredible demand, a handful of extra copies were added to the print run (totaling 55), and were quickly snatched up. It is sure to become a legend.  Mr. Cecchetelli has done a tremendous service for grimoire magic by introducing a new generation of magicians to these historic (and more importantly, useful), texts.

In second place, the BAB 'Silver Talisman Award' goes to...


Ixaxaar's The Red King by Mark Alan Smith (Thaumiel Edition).

Second volume in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series, The Red King is as regal as its name implies and a fitting tribute to Lucifer.  It is bound in full crimson goat and bears the 'Cardinal Crown of Thaumiel'. Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  Fascinating and powerful interior artwork by Namtaru Creations.  Each copy (66 total) is consecrated, signed, and sigilized by the author using ink that was ritually infused with his own blood.  They say authors put a little bit of themselves into their work.  In this case, Mark Alan Smith did so quite literally.  A truly talismanic work, one that the author claims will never be reprinted.

In third place, the BAB 'Bronze Talisman Award' goes to...


Scarlet Imprint's Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Rainha da Figueira do Inferno Edition).

The Rainha de Figueira do Infero Edition is a feast for the eyes.  With its rich silk boards, speckled crimson quarter-leather binding, and end papers marbled in dark rose and gold, the book reflects the sensuous trappings of a bordello.  Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  Its assertive and luxurious presentation, as well as the unrestrained bawdiness of some of the content, perfectly captures and honors the nature of Pomba Gira.  A demure presentation would have been completely inappropriate.  Thus, Scarlet Imprint's artisans chose wisely when deciding on its rather burlesque design.  Limited to 70 copies.  Keep an eye on Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold; he is quickly becoming one of the most important voices in occult publising.

2011 Honorable Mentions:

• Children of Cain by Michael Howard (Special Edition), published by Three Hands Press.
• The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet edited by David Rankine (Hardcover), published by Avalonia.
• Coagula: A Graphic Grimoire by Orryelle Defenistrate-Bascule, published by Fulgur Ltd.
• Magic Secrets translated by Philippe Pissier, published by The Society of Esoteric Endeavour.
• Liber Falxifer II: The Book of Anamlaqayin by N.A-A.218, published by Ixaxaar.
• Lux Haeresis - The Light Heretical by Daniel A. Schulke, published by Xoanon Limited.

Stay tuned for full reviews of this year's winners.

Considering this blog did not exist a year ago, and because 2010 was such an amazing year for esoteric books, I have decided to retroactively award three very special books with the awards they deserve.

The Golden Talisman Award for the '2010 Esoteric Book of the Year' goes (retroactively) to:

 Geosophia - The Argo of Magic (2 volumes) by Jake Stratton-Kent (Draco Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.

The 2010 Silver Talisman Award goes to:

The Occult Reliquary: Images & Artefacts of the Richel-Eldermans Collection edited by Daniel A. Schulke (Special Edition), published by Three Hands Press.  See my full review of this book here.

The 2010 Bronze Talisman Award goes to:


Gullveigarbok by Vexior 218 (Deluxe Edition), published by Fall of Man.  See my full review of this book here.

2010 Honorable Mentions:

• XVI: Bringing Down the House of God edited by Alkistis Dimech & Peter Gray (Kill All Kings Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.
• Queen of Hell by Mark Alan Smith (Trident Edition), published by Ixaxaar.
• Restorations of Masonic Geometry and Symbolry by Henry P.H. Bromwell (Quarter-Leather), published by Lovers of the Craft.
• A Gathering of Masks by Robert Fitzgerald (Deluxe Edition), published by Three Hands Press.
• Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bone by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Mayimbe Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.
• Sepher Raziel transcribed by Stephen Skinner and Don Karr (Leather Edition), published by The Golden Hoard Press.

I apologize in advance to authors and publishers of books I may have overlooked.  Within a classification as broad as 'Esoteric' there are a LOT of exceptional books published each year, making it impossible to evaluate them all.  Thus, some will inevitably elude me by 'flying under my radar', as they say.  If an unknown and exemplary title is discovered at a latter date I will add an additional category titled, 'Year's Overlooked Gem' and give credit where due.

I want to thank the authors and publishers for their incredible efforts in the world of talismanic publishing.  Thanks to them, the grimoire tradition is truly experiencing a new Golden Age.  Already 2012 looks to be another very promising year for esoteric books with the forthcoming release of Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum from Ouroboros Press; Mark Alan Smith's third book in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series, The Scorpion God, published by Primal Craft; Threshold: Black & Shattered Geometry by Ryan Anschauung & the Temple of THEM, published by Fall of Man.  Last but not least, be sure not to miss David Chaim Smith's The Sacrificial Universe, to be published by Fulgur Ltd.  Having some familiarity with Mr. Smith's graphic work, I expect this to be a very important book of  kabbalistic and alchemical revelation.  It is my opinion that David Chaim Smith is the Dionysus Andreas Freher of our day.  I am in awe of his artistic ability and vision.

The Occult Reliquary: Images & Artefacts of the Richel-Eldermans Collection edited by Daniel A. Schulke

Three Hands Press  2010  224 pages.  Illustrated: many full-color. Quarto.

Standard Edition: Scarlet cloth with dust jacket, limited to 700 copies.

Deluxe Edition: Quarter burgundy morocco over cloth boards with slipcase, limited to 250 copies.

Special Edition: Full scarlet morocco with slipcase, limited to 100 copies.

The Occult Reliquary was created in association with The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall.  It collects for the first time previously unpublished works of occult artwork relevant to the traditions of witchcraft, ceremonial magic, and Freemasonry.  Included works are part of the Richel-Edlermans collection, a significant collection donated to the Museum of Witchcraft by the late Bob Richel of Amsterdam.  Much of this collection (over 2000 pieces) could have been lost or divided up and scattered around the world if not for Richel's decision to contact The Museum of Witchcraft for preservation.

Within this large folio one will find diagrams and illustrations of charms, magic circles, fetishes, magical implements, talismans, herbs, and full-color photos of actual handcrafted pieces.  The age of the pieces ranges from antiquity to the mid 20th century.  They were originally collected by Richel's father-in-law, J.H.W Elderman (b. 1904), who Richel described as a "heks" (witch).  He was also a Magister in a lodge of the A:.A:. in The Hague.  It is not know if this refers to the 'Argentum Astrum' or the 'Ars Amatoria', as both magical orders are represented within the collection.

The editor made the wise decision to make The Occult Reliquary a mutus liber (silent book), or a book without commentary.  Limited footnotes, titles, and index numbers are given, but by and large viewers are forced to contemplate the images and arrive at their own meaning or surmise an object's intent.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words -- even more so when dealing with the esoteric.  The images are revelatory for those with eyes to see.

Many images have been executed using the detail of a draftsman, with some talismans shown from multiple perspectives to clarify their meaning, design, and method of use -- in some cases almost instructing the viewer.  The book is filled with illustrations of hag stones, witches knots, protective seals, divination tools, poppets, stangs,  mandrakes, alchemical apparatuses, and fertility charms.  It is a veritable cornucopia of occult symbolism and witch-lore.

Foreword is provided by Daniel A. Schulke.   Introduction is written by Graham King, curator of The Museum of Witchcraft.  The book concludes with an index providing description and medium of each image, of which there are over 275, and 130 in full color on glossy paper.  Back and white images (scanned from the originals) are sharp and printed on smooth & high-quality paper.

The Special Edition is bound in full morocco.  The leather has a gorgeous raspberry hue and is highly textured.  It is an absolute delight to hold and exudes the usual aroma of fine leather but with additional spicy notes of tonka bean.  The cover contains a gilt-stamped lunar enneagram device, and opens to black, leather-textured, end-papers.  The spine has four raised bands and is gilt-stamped with title and magic seals.  The book is finished with red & gold head/tail bands and a black, satin, ribbon bookmark, and comes housed in a sturdy slipcase covered in black linen.

Whether you're an Alchemist, Goetic magician, Freemason, Thelemite, Cunning Man, Rootworker, or Pennsylvania German Hexenmeister, you're likely to find something of great interest among these images.  Three Hands Press has done an amazing job and has treated the subject matter with the respect it deserves.    Please also remember that these precious and important images would have been lost if not for the efforts of The Museum of Witchcraft.  So, if you're looking for an important cause in which to donate to in this new year, please consider donating to The Museum of Witchcraft here, so that more irreplaceable works may be saved to further enrich our magical heritage.

Coming soon: Balkan's pick for '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year'

As this winter solstice approaches, soon I will announce my pick for the BAB '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year' (along with second and third places).  I may also retroactively award a 2010 pick, as this blog did not exist a year ago.  It was quite a year for talismanic texts and should be acknowledged.  Winners will be announced sometime in the next few weeks.

Books will be judged by the following criteria: binding, materials, design, talismanic intent & method of consecration (if applicable), layout, and editorial rigor.  Eligible books must have a 2011 copyright date.  I will  not judge books by their content, as it is unfair and pointless to compare different magical paths or traditions (like comparing apples to oranges).  While I do my best, I am not qualified to judge and assess every single magical system the world has to offer; I very much doubt such a person exists.  Therefore, books will be judged by their craft, creativity, and beauty only.

I am still waiting for a few possible last-minute contenders for 2011, such as Scarlet Imprint's Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Rainha da Figueira do Inferno edition), The Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn's Golden Dawn Rituals and Commentaries by Pat Zalewski (Deluxe Leather edition), and Three Hands Press' The Children of Cain by Michael Howard (Special full black goatskin edition).

Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog and for all the positive messages I have received.

Sincerely,

B. Balkan

Magic Secrets attributed to Guidon (Translated from Norman French by Philippe Pissier)

The Society of Esoteric Endeavour  2011 (Orig. circa 1670).   88 pages.  Illustrated (some colored).  Decimo-octavo (Eighteenmo).

Paperback, limited to 180 copies.

Magic Secrets is a collection of Norman folk-magic charms and remedies alleged recorded by a 17th century Cunning Man.  The book states that it was originally published in 1670, though dates and authors were often exaggerated or fabricated in the grimoire tradition to imbue them with an air of authority or legitimacy.  Its first known appearance was in the appendix of The Grimoire of Pope Honorious.   In many ways it is perhaps a precursor to other small charm books, such as the Romanus Buchlein (1788) and Johann Georg Hohman's Long Lost Friend (1820).  Like RB and LLF, Magic Secrets includes practical charms for the protection of livestock, charming of firearms, blood-stopping, reducing fevers, and instructions for creating protective wards and talismans.  The vast majority of the book's charms are related to animal husbandry, such as charms for protecting sheep, or healing horses.  This follows an earlier publication from The Society of Esoteric Endeavour, Society of the Horseman's Word, a book of equine charms detailing the practices of the legendary Scottish 'Horse Whisperers'.  Magic Secrets also includes anonymous commentary discussing the history of the book and background of some of the charms.

The charms in Magic Secrets are largely written from a Christian perspective and often call upon the favor of Christ and angels.  Considering the time and place of origin, this is hardly surprising.  However, like many European grimoires, the book occasionally walks a fine line between piety and blasphemy.  Blasphemous passages are written in Latin, presumably to hide their true meaning from others when spoken, as it would have certainly raised a few eyebrows, if not a few pyres.  Sudden heretical statements, intended to deliver a shock, were occasionally used as a magical healing technique to perhaps scare or chase away unwanted malign spirits.  One might compare it to wearing frightful masks to scare away evil spirits, especially on Halloween.

'The Peddler'  17th century France

As much as I love the recent wave of beautiful and fine-bound talismanic books, it is also refreshing to see a publisher willing to pay homage to the inexpensive, paperback, occult books that were circulated around Europe for hundreds of years, such as the Bibliotheque Bleu books.  These were the spell books of the common folk.  Even the illiterate valued these works, as they would often infer their own meaning from the book's printed symbols and diagrams or feign understanding when in front of clients.  These books are as much a part of occult history as the expensive, leather, tomes treasured by the educated and wealthy.  It should also be mentioned that Scarlet Imprint and Hadean Press have also continued this tradition by publishing inexpensive, paperback, occult works in their Bibliotheque Rouge and Guides to the Underworld series, respectively.  This flies in the face of those who claim specialty occult publishers only market to high-end collectors.  In the end, it's the content that matters.  It is my opinion is that a combination of both approaches best ensures the survival of the material.  Paperbacks (and even e-books) reach a far wider audience, keeping traditions alive, while sturdy bindings can almost guarantee a book's survival for generations, that is, barring any future book-burning crazes.  Unfortunately history is filled with many, and magical grimoires in particular have proven to be especially susceptible to the torches of zealots. 

In order to be historically accurate, the book is issued in paper wraps and has a somewhat rough-hewn binding.  The cover is printed with a talismanic design and is waterproofed using an age-old method that involves rubbing the cover with beeswax and then burnishing it with a smooth stone, all done by hand of course.  The paper is intentionally designed to have a rustic look and feel, much like the charms contained within.  It is given a yap binding (an overlapping cover, often seen in older Bibles) and has clipped corners.  According to the publisher, "Hahnemahle Medieval Laid 130 gsm paper" was chosen, as it closely resembles 17th century paper created with the mould-made production method.  The linen texture of the paper is amazing.  It feels very organic, and is flecked with natural fibers.  Pages have a natural deckle edge at the top.  The majority of copies (copies 1-154) have uncut pages, leaving it up to the reader to slice open each page with a pen-knife.  Further adhering to tradition, the publisher chose to print Magic Secrets using lead type, an admirable but expensive decision.  Though the publisher uses impressive printing methods and materials, the overall presentation of the book is very practical, including its size; it can easily be carried in a jacket pocket.  This book isn't intended to be a show piece -- it's designed for use.

I have a tremendous respect for Ben Furnee, the mastermind behind The Society of Esoteric Endeavour's publications.  His love for books and remarkable attention to historical detail, no matter how humble, comes through in each binding.  When one holds one of his hand-bound books one also experiences his passion, conveyed powerfully through the the magic of the bookbinder's art.  But be warned: his enthusiasm is contagious.

Gullveigarbok by Vexior 218

Fall of Man  2010  242 pages.  Illustrations by Helgorth and Vexior.  Octavo.

Standard Edition: Maroon cloth, limited to 500 copies.

Deluxe Edition: Full maroon leather, limited to 62 copies.

Gullveigarbok is a grimoire devoted to the understanding and adoration of Gullveig, the highest feminine principle of darkness within Norse mythology.  She is often described as a giantess and is considered the mother of werewolves and of the black arts.  Gullvieg has three feminine forms: mother, maiden, and crone.  This triumvirate of feminine principals, along with her association to witchcraft and darkness, is somewhat akin to the three-faced aspect of the goddess Hecate.  However, one should not consider them one and the same.

Much of the book is devoted to exploring the Norse sagas (The Elder and Younger Eddas), particularly their darker points.  It's clear that Vexoir 218 has extensive knowledge of The Eddas.  The author invites the reader to put themselves into the mindset of early Scandinavians to better understand how they may have looked at their physcial and spiritual world.  One of the central tenets of Gullveigarbok is that Gullveig represents an anti-cosmic force, or as the author calls it, "Chaos-Gnosticsim".  In this sense the book falls somewhat under the Luciferian (as personified by Loki) banner as it deals primarily with acausal energies.  According the Norse myth, Gullveig comes from Niflheimr, a world of mists, darkness, and black ice.  The black ice, called 'rime', represents a kind of frozen or static chaos.  In modern terms we might consider this anti-cosmic and symbolic substance something like dark matter.  Niflheimr is also the land where the Rime-thurses (creatures of darkness and cold, or shadowy ice giants) originate.

In addition to exploring the magical underworld of the Eddas, Gullveigarbok also provides incantations/songs and unique examples of bind-runes and staves for working runic divinations and practical magick .  The author also describes a type of meditative trance-work, called 'seta', which can be used as a method of astral travel to the underworld.  Vexior 218 chose to retain the original spelling of many Norse names and terms rather than Anglicize them.  This can make reading a bit more laborious for some, but considering the context of the book, I believe this was a wise decision.  Respect for tradition is a central theme throughout the text.  Fortunately the author has provided a pronunciation guide for readers in the Introductiion.  Also included are extensive footnotes further elaborating upon key elements of Norse myth and passages from the Eddas to back up claims.  There is also an Appendix and much-appreciated Index.  One final additon is a beautiful fold-out chart of the Norse Underworld.

The Deluxe edition is a true work of art.  It is hand-bound in rich, maroon, leather.  The mysterious 'LYKYL' bind-rune, which according to the author symbolizes 'Loki within Gullveig', is embossed into the cover.  This bind-rune is comprised of three 'Ansuz' runes, looking like three keys.  The 'Ansuz' rune means: transformation, breath, animating-spirit, and communication.  The three runes joined could also represent the three-fold aspect of Gullveig. The spine includes two raised bands and a raised runic title that is very striking.  The outer edge of the book's cover is decorated with fine tooling -- little hatch marks that lend delicate texture to the book's edge.  The scent of the leather is remarkable.  If I close my eyes I could almost swear I'm sitting in a Ferrari.  The book opens to black textured endpapers.  It is further decorated with a red satin bookmark and finished red head/tail bands.

Gullveigarbok is printed in very high-quality heavy paper.  It is smooth,  fairly rigid, and of a medium cream color.  Text is crisp and precise.  Chapter headings are printed with maroon ink.  Sixteen marvelous pen & ink drawings are contained within its pages (many full-page).  The plates 'Gullveig, Heidr, and Aurboda ascend from Nifelheimr', 'Heldrasill', and the chapter heading art for 'Gullveig in Aldna' are particularly well done and striking.  The rear of the Deluxe edition has a black envelope fixed to the inside cover.  Inside sits a black card with a LYKYL bind-rune hand-drawn in silver ink and signed by Vexior 218.  What I find most amazing is that Gullveigarbok is the first release by Fall of Man.  Never have I seen such a fine debut title from esoteric press.  They've certainly set the bar high right from the start.  Keep an eye out for their next release, Threshold: Black Magic and Shattered Geometry.

XVI: BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE OF GOD edited by Alkistis Dimech & Peter Grey

Scarlet Imprint   269 pages.  Illustrated (full color).  Octavo

Standard Edition: Natural linen cloth, limited to 700 copies

Kill All Kings Edition:  Full scarlet goat, slipcase incised with roman numerals, limited to 44 copies.

I would like to start this review with an enthusiastic congratulations to the publisher, Scarlet Imprint.  Their 'Kill All Kings' edition of XVI has recently been shortlisted for the Limited Edition and Fine Binding category of the British Book Design and Production Award.  This is an incredible achievement, and a first for the occult publishing world.  It appears that fine, talismanic, occult books are finally getting the respect they deserve.  Quite frankly, the reality is that esoteric books of this caliber can no longer be willfully ignored.  Further evidence of the shift towards acceptance can be seen with the amount of mainstream media attention this year's Esoteric Book Conference received.  In Scarlet Imprint's case, this recognition couldn't happen to better people.  In my correspondences with Scarlet Imprint, both Alkistis and Peter (owners) have always struck me as intelligent, warm, and gracious.  These are great people doing the Great Work.  Congratulations must also be given to all the fine artisans and craftsmen behind these books.  Lets hope this is the first of many awards to come.

The Tower by Tabatha Cicero
from The Golden Dawn Tarot

The book's title, XVI, refers to 'The Tower' card of the tarot.  Many of the book's essays theorize how 'The Tower' may best symbolize our particular point in history better than any other card.  Metaphors abound within the book's pages, such as the 'The Tower' possibly symbolizing the destruction of the Twin Towers and 911 attack, and perhaps a dramatic (and traumatic) birth of the 21st century.  'The Tower' card is represented by the Hebrew letter 'Peh' (פ), meaning 'mouth', a time to raise one's voice and be heard.  Taken with its other correspondence, Mars, it is a direct call to forceful action.  The book is electrifying; the lighting striking the tower -- a literary cattle prod.   XVI's intent is to jolt armchair occultists out of their endless navel-gazing and daring them out into the streets.  What was once cozy and safe has been shattered by the flaming sword.  The book argues that it's time for some to mature their practice, take it beyond theory, and make it crystallize in the outer world by utilizing the energies available to them, especially that of XVI, The Tower.  In short, it's time to channel sixteen, not act sixteen. 

With the so-called 'Arab Spring' and the even more recent Occupation of Wall St., the timing for this work couldn't be better.  One might even say XVI is a 269 page declaration of war.  As occultists, we know our most potent weapons are our unique cultural memes.  These concepts, beliefs, and sigils contain more power than any arsenal.  Just look at Alan Moore, arguably the most influential magician in the world (sadly absent from XVI).  The iconic Guy Fawkes mask from his graphic novel V For Ventetta (a sigil if there ever was one) has become the face of the Anonymous group and a symbol for political uprising and civil disobedience all over the world -- social movements strong enough to potentially topple nations (or ivory towers).  That, dear readers, is power.  Moore is the Merlin of our age.

  

It would take far to long to discuss each individual essay and provide enough content to do each justice.  Therefore I will comment on the book as a whole, as I believe this is a case where the end result far exceeds the sum of its parts, a truly synergistic effect.  Contributing authors represent a rich cross-section of paths, systems, practices and philosophies.  Both new and old voices from several continents helps create a diverse perspective.  XVI isn't interested in preaching to the choir.  How wonderful it is to see Peter Carroll, the 'godfather of Chaos Magick', still contributing keen insight even 20+ years after the publication of his foundational work, Liber Null.  Also included is another Chaos Magick founder, Ramsey Dukes, expert in magical demolition work.  What kind of revolutionary book would it be without these gentlemen?  The only other notable absence, besides Moore, is the 'Wrecker of Civilization' himself, Genesis P-Orridge. 

 Contents

• Peter Gray - Foreword 
• John Michael Greer - Magic and the End of History:  The shape of time, the myth of progress and the fall of civilisation
• Ramsey Dukes - XXXII, Not One Tower But Two: The forbidden pleasures of 9/11 and the fight for freedom
• Carl Abrahamsson - Everything Must Go...On!  Metaprogramming the future through art
• Eric K Lerner - The Tower:  Shango, santeria, phallic magick and the tarot
• Raven Kaldera - Being the Change:  The path of a trans-gender plant shaman, from permaculture to bdsm
• Michael Idehall - The Tower of Babel: Qliphothic initiation on the averse path and the astral realm
• Peter Grey - Seeing Through Apocalypse:  John Dee, Babalon, brain chemistry and apocalypse denial
• Dr George J Sieg - Occult War for the Aeon:  Aeonic warfare from, iot, oto, ona, to evola and the church, as civilisations clash
• James Wasserman - Defeating a Vile Threat: Advocating patriotic thelemic resistance to attacks on our liberty
• Hafiz Batin - Orgy in Matter:  The spiritual warfare of an Ismaili gnostic in the West
• Dr Dave Evans/Francis Breakspear - Twin Infinities:  Chaote on Crowley, car crashes and identity crises
• Stephen Grasso - Things Fall Apart:  Fighting dystopian doomsayers with Vodou
• Kyle Fite - Falling into Fire:  An initiates journey through Burroughs, Blake, Hesse, Crowley and Bertiaux
• Julian Vayne - The Ecstatic State:  The war against some drugs and the ritual use of ketamine, toad venom and foxy methoxy
• Orryelle Defenestrate Bascule - The Tower Crashes:  Direct artistic intervention, babble babel, and both theatrical and ecological action
• Peter J Carroll - Eschaton:  The godfather of Chaos magic enchants for the eschaton
• Alkistis Dimech - Coup de Foudre:  Woman and revolutionary witchcraft from the sabbat to collapse, from Michelet to Jack Parsons to now

Artwork by:

  Stafford Stone
  Kyle Fite
  Fredrik Soderberg
  Orryelle Defenestrate - Bascule
  Hafiz Batin
  Michael Idehall
  Eric K Lerner






There's a reason this book is a contender for an award: it's gorgeous!  It is bound in full scarlet goat skin, a fitting shade of red for its associations with Mars.  The title is blocked in black on the cover and spine.  The high-impact title and heavy grained leather (Highland?) lends to a dramatic and austere look.  Every element of its design says, "This is a serious book -- proceed with caution".  The book is protected by a slipcase (also scarlet) that is cut way in a 'V' revealing a portion of the book.  It is incised with the title, XVI.  Upon opening, the reader is greeted by dazzling golden endpapers -- not a gaudy and shiny gold, but rather a rich and lustrous gold.  The tome is decorated with scarlet head and tailbands.  XVI wears its scarlet ribbon bookmark like a tribute to the mark of Madame Guillotine.  Text is printed on heavy light-cream paper.  Chapter headings, designed to reflect the contemporary nature of the work, are printed bold in a combination of red and black.  There is no trace of bleeding even after frequent use of large, bold, letters in heavy ink.  Interior art is both contemplative and primal.  Kyle Fite's piece, "The Rise of Ra Hoor Khuit" is particularly striking.  Each book includes a limited fine art print by Eric Lerner.  Fore-edges of the book are blackened.  It's a nice touch, adding further severity to the book's aspect.  I haven't encountered blackened edges since the Durtro Press edition of Thomas Ligotti's Teatro Grottesco. 

It is my hope that XVI is the first of many occult books focused on direct social action. We need more books like this, books that inspire readers to take some responsibility and make a real impact in the world, rather than play it safe and just talk about it.  If people want to be the next Giordano Bruno, John Dee, Cagliostro, Jack Parsons, or Aleister Crowley, they'll really need to kick it up a notch or two. There's one thing all these magicians had in common: they took risks, often putting their careers and even their very lives in danger for their art, some paying the ultimate price. That's a lot more commitment than endless theorizing within the echo chamber of a small cadre of one's friends. Occultists have always been wed to politics, culture, and the trajectory of nations; our era (or aeon, if you must) is no different.  The spirit residing within XVI doesn't whisper or delicately suggest: it roars.  It howls, "Now is the time.  Step up and make a difference, or forever be part of the problem."

A Secret Meeting in Rome by Raymond Bernard

Brazen Serpent   108 pages.  Illustrated.  Full color.  Octavo.

Full leather (two colors, two varieties) with ribbon book marker, limited edition of 108 copies.    

A Secret Meeting in Rome was originally published in the early 1960s.  This current edition has been translated from the original French by Timothy W. Hogan, who also provides the introduction.  At its core, A Secret Meeting in Rome is a highly esoteric text falling within the traditions of Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, and even Sufism.  The story is written much like a journal.  A gentleman has a chance meeting with a stranger in Rome who turns out to be a adept of a secret society.  Later, they find themselves in a hidden crypt or grotto beneath a church.  Here they encounter 'The Cardinal in White' who explains their chance meeting wasn't chance at all, but rather had been orchestrated by unseen forces.  While in the subterranean grotto, the gentlemen go through an initiation making them part of an ancient order.  The Cardinal in White is a symbolic figure in Western esotericism symbolizing an elevated or enlightened state of consciousness.  A similar figure is encountered in Gustav Meyrink's surreal and esoteric novel, The White Dominican.

The book is written using a heavy amount of symbolism and allegory.  Much is written in code, and therefore functions on many levels; a meta-fiction, if you will.  One could say the plot is just the carrier for the signal.  Clues to hidden meanings are given in some cases, but by and large one needs to be a student of the Western Mystery Tradition (or even be an initiate) to understand the book's hidden content.  Even the book itself has hidden meaning.  For example, the book has 108 pages.  108 is also the number of copies printed.  The number 108 plays a key part in the story.  According to the book, 108 is the "prophetical number".  The book claims there are 108 years between periods of active and inactive existence of the Rosicrucian Order.  108 can be made into 9 (1+0+8).  9 equals the Hermit card of the tarot which has symbolic meaning linked to the book.  The text explains that 108, "is, above all, 'the periphery' of a triangle based on the number 37 of which the total of the sides is 111, a Christos number, which symbolizes the summit.  It is, thus, the number of accomplishment."

The book itself is very impressive.  It is bound in two different types of leather: medium grained dark blue leather boards and half-bound in a lighter grained, soft, black, leather (calfskin, I think).  The cover is stamped in gold with the Templar cross sporting the alchemical phrase, "Materializing the Spiritual, Spiritualizing the Material".  The title is stamped in gold on the spine between two raised bands and decorated with golden Templar crosses at the tail and head.  Shimmering, black, satin endpapers create a very lavish look.  White/blue head and tail bands.  A black satin ribbon is appreciated but seems a tad thin (only about 1/8th inch wide).  The font is large and an odd choice; 'Arial', I think.  But at least it's easy on the eyes.  Fonts are like coats: better a tad too large than a tad too small.  In addition, the text margins seem a bit narrow.  For example, the text sits only 1/2" from the top and side edges.  3/4" would have been a better choice, making the text block look less confined.  The paper is of heavy weight and has a smooth satin finish which creates occasional glare -- part of the trade off for smooth paper. 

Very minor quibbles aside, it's a striking publication from a relatively new press.  If 108 is the number of 'accomplishment', then Brazen Serpent certainly met their goals.  For those unfamiliar with Brazen Serpent, they are "A Denver-based publishing house specializing in Western Mystery Tradition Masonic Esoterica, Hermetic philosophy, and related material."  Their other two recent releases, Novo Clavis Esoterica and The Secret Psychology of Freemasonry are equally stunning.  Brazen Serpent appears to be part of a burgeoning movement within Freemasonry whose goal is to reemphasize esoteric teachings within the order.