About the author
Lauron William de Laurence (31 October 1868 – 11 September 1936) was an American hypnotist, occult author and publisher, and a self styled spiritual authority who gained notoriety in the early 20th century as both a cult leader and promoter of esoteric teachings. He was arrested multiple times over the course of his career, most notably in 1912 for operating the Order of the Black Rose, a cult accused of physically and mentally abusing its members, distributing narcotics, and engaging in trance induced orgies, ritual whippings, and hypnotic domination. Despite these controversies, de Laurence became a prolific occult author and mail-order publisher and salesman. His works, particularly his widely circulated edition of the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses, had a lasting influence on magical practices throughout the African diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean.
📖 Where to start with L W de Laurence
💬 What our editors say about L W de Laurence's books
“De Laurence’s work stands as a comprehensive volume for those willing to engage with dense symbolic analysis rather than quick-fix answers. It meticulously demystifies each card, providing rich insights that transcend specific…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Key to the Tarot
“This text provides a comprehensive initiation into Tarot’s intricate world, successfully framing the deck as a dynamic instrument for understanding rather than a rigid predictor of fate. De Laurence meticulously deciphers both…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Illustrated Key to the Tarot
“This seminal work provides a necessary look at the archetypal grimoire, detailing magical operations and sigils from its specific historical period. It successfully outlines methods for summoning spirits and performing…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis
📋 Editions by L W de Laurence in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Key to the Tarot | 2002 | Book Tree | 180 | 9781585092079 |
| The Illustrated Key to the Tarot | 2003 | Book Jungle | 160 | 9780970978875 |
| The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis | 2013 | Digireads.com | 118 | 9781420948134 |
| The Lesser Key of Solomon: A Modern Rendering of the 17th Centur | — | Penemue Media | — | 9781964297040 |
| The Master Key | 2007 | Digireads.com | 428 | 9781420929379 |
| "Magic," Black and White; Charms and Counter Charms. Divination | 2022 | Legare Street Press | 152 | 9781018734804 |
