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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Magia oriental

Name: Magia oriental
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781784799762

✍️ Shah, Idries

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$13.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An anthropological study of esoteric beliefs and informal practices from North Africa to Japan.

This volume documents the informal belief systems and magical practices found across twelve distinct cultural regions. Idries Shah spent years conducting field work to compile concrete evidence of traditional sorcery, including Brahmanic immortality conjurations, Arabic Abjad letter systems, Indian alchemical methods, and regional talismanic spellwork. Richly illustrated, the text presents a direct cultural and social science account of how populations in these areas construct and maintain esoteric frameworks.

Key Themes

Indian alchemical traditions Arabic Abjad systems Talismanic spells and divination

Literary Context

Rooted in social science and cultural anthropology, this work examines informal belief systems across twelve diverse regions spanning from North Africa to Japan. It focuses on traditional esoteric practices, ancient Brahman rituals, and historical Arabic systems of thought.

Shah, Idries

📚 all books by this author (3) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

C.G. Jung · Mircea Eliade · Joseph Campbell

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Isf Publishing 📅 2019 📖 344 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781784799762

Fun Fact

Idries Shah's 'Magia Oriental' is a groundbreaking ethnographic journey into global esoteric thought. It excels in its ambitious scope and meticulous detail, offering a rare comparative study of magical beliefs. Those seeking a practical spellbook will be disappointed; this is a scholarly, yet accessible, anthropological deep dive. It stands as a vital resource for understanding the human impulse towards the mystical across cultures, solidifying Shah’s legacy as a bridge-builder between esoteric traditions and academic inquiry.

📝 Description: Magia oriental

Magia oriental is a comprehensive anthropological study examining informal beliefs, esoteric practices, and cultural modes of thought across diverse regions stretching from North Africa to Japan. Author Idries Shah draws on years of rigorous research and field work across a dozen distinct cultural environments to carefully document specific occult traditions. The volume includes rich material on Indian alchemy, the Arabic Abjad system, talismanic spells, divinatory techniques, and an ancient Brahman conjuration intended to secure immortality. Profusely illustrated throughout, the text grounds its comparative examination in direct observation and scholarly precision. The book suits readers seeking a rigorous, field-based examination of esoteric practices and cultural anthropology across Eastern traditions. It does not suit those looking for a modern instructional spellbook or speculative occult fiction.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Shah’s profusely illustrated volume stands as a monumental achievement in cultural understanding, offering scholarly precision across a dozen regions. However, it is not suited for those seeking quick, superficial entertainment or strict scientific data analysis. Readers expecting dry academic jargon might find the ethnographic narrative too broad, while those looking for prescriptive magical formulas will be disappointed by its descriptive nature. It demands patience and an open mind to appreciate the nuanced connections between disparate belief systems, making it less ideal for casual browsing but rewarding for dedicated students of comparative religion and anthropology.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply captivated by the intricate tapestry of human belief systems will find this text indispensable. Idries Shah offers a brilliant ethnographic lens, illuminating how and why people think across diverse regions like North African deserts and Japanese shrines. Those seeking to understand the hidden currents of cultural psychology and esoteric practices worldwide will gain profound insight through his meticulous research. It is perfect for scholars and enthusiasts eager to explore the intersection of folklore, philosophy, and human behavior without needing prior specialized knowledge, making complex cultural dynamics accessible and engaging.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the enigmatic power of global magical traditions, or seek to understand the very fabric of human belief systems beyond formal religion, this comprehensive exploration is essential. It's for the curious mind eager to journey through the world's informal spiritual landscapes.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Shah’s profusely illustrated volume stands as a monumental achievement in cultural understanding, offering scholarly precision across a dozen regions. However, it is not suited for those seeking quick, superficial entertainment or strict scientific data analysis. Readers expecting dry academic jargon might find the ethnographic narrative too broad, while those looking for prescriptive magical formulas will be disappointed by its descriptive nature. It demands patience and an open mind to appreciate the nuanced connections between disparate belief systems, making it less ideal for casual browsing but rewarding for dedicated students of comparative religion and anthropology.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it details specific practices like spells and talismans, Shah's primary aim is academic and cultural understanding, not instruction. It's an exploration *of* magic, not a "how-to" manual for practitioners.

No, its strength lies in its sweeping geographical and thematic scope, comparing and contrasting magical beliefs and practices across a vast array of cultures from North Africa to the Far East, rather than specializing.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Cross-Cultural Esotericism

Shah meticulously maps out the diverse tapestry of esoteric traditions spanning continents. He illustrates how magical thought and informal beliefs manifest uniquely, yet echo universal human desires, offering a rare comparative lens on global magical practices and their underlying philosophies.

The Architecture of Belief

This work delves into the fundamental mechanics of human thought regarding the supernatural. Shah dissects not just *what* people believe, but the underlying psychological and cultural frameworks that give rise to these informal spiritual and magical systems, providing deep insight into the human mind.

Ancient Rites & Systems

Beyond theory, the book provides concrete examples of arcane knowledge. Readers will encounter details on Indian alchemical processes, the mystical numerical system of Abjad, the intricacies of divination, and the protective power of talismans, even an ancient Brahman spell for immortality.

📜 Historical context

Idries Shah was a prolific writer known for introducing Sufism and other esoteric traditions to the Western world in an accessible, yet scholarly manner. "Magia Oriental" fits this tradition, offering an ethnographic and comparative study of magical thought, departing from purely theoretical or purely ritualistic approaches common in earlier Western esotericism. It represents a more anthropological look at the subject.

📚 Glossary

Abjad
Talismanic
Brahman

📔 Questions to reflect on

How do informal beliefs and magical practices in your own culture compare to those described in "Magia Oriental"?
Shah explores *why* people believe. What fundamental human needs or desires do you think magic attempts to fulfill?
Consider the difference between a "formal religion" and an "informal belief system" as presented. Where do you draw the line, and why?