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Recovering the Ancient Magic

Long, Max Freedom
Reader rating
4.5
(1 reviews) 132 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover the meticulously researched secrets of ancient Hawaiian magic, long held by the kahunas.

Max Freedom Long, following 14 years immersed in Hawaiian culture, dedicated nearly two decades to deciphering the enigmatic system known as Huna magic. This foundational text presents his comprehensive findings, offering a unique blend of firsthand observations and speculative theories. Readers will encounter fascinating accounts of phenomena like fire-walking, levitation, instant healing, and telepathy, alongside Long's profound philosophical contemplations on their underlying mechanisms. It’s a compelling journey into the practical and theoretical aspects of ancient magical power, as interpreted by a persistent Western observer.

Key themes
Huna Lore Exploration Manifesting the Impossible Philosophical Inquiry
Historical context

This work sits at the intersection of early 20th-century occultism and ethnographic spiritualism, exploring indigenous Hawaiian practices through a Western esoteric lens. It reflects the era's fascination with 'primitive' wisdom as a source for modern magical revival.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Manly P. Hall · Aleister Crowley · Llewellyn Publications titles
🌙 Witchcraft & Wicca
🏛 Swedenborg Press 📅 2011 📖 304 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781447403296
Fun fact
Max Freedom Long’s "Recovering the Ancient Magic" is an indispensable, if often debated, cornerstone for anyone interested in Huna and indigenous magical systems. It excels in its meticulous documentation of alleged phenomena and its ambitious attempt to construct a theoretical framework. Those seeking a practical spellbook will be disappointed, as it's more an observational treatise. However, for scholars and serious students of esoteric history, it remains a fascinating, pioneering work that opened the door to a unique understanding of Hawaiian spiritual power.

📝 Description: Recovering the Ancient Magic

Recovering the Ancient Magic presents the results of an 18-year-long study of Huna magic, detailing examples of fire-walking, spiritualism, levitation, mind-reading, instant healing, and changes in physical material. Max Freedom Long spent 14 years in Hawaii studying the secrets of the kahunas of magic. His attempts to discover the secrets behind magical ability are detailed in this volume containing his collected data and assimilated theories. Long examines the various examples of ancient magic that he witnessed and presents profuse philosophical thoughts. This volume features chapters on many elements of ancient magic including: - Fire-walking - Ghosts - Hypnosis, mind reading, and telepathy - Crystal gazing - Voodoo - Incantation rituals - Materialisation and levitation First published in 1936, Recovering the Ancient Magic was the first book on Huna, and Max Freedom Long's study would make the perfect read for those interested in the secrets of magical power.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Long’s work provides a fascinating, albeit subjective, window into Hawaiian esotericism, presenting a compelling mix of anecdotal evidence and theoretical framework. However, readers expecting rigorous academic anthropology or strictly traditional Wiccan doctrine may find the speculative nature of the content frustrating. The book is not for those who prefer dry, objective historical analysis or who are skeptical of Western interpretations of indigenous wisdom. It serves best as a philosophical exploration rather than a practical manual. While intriguing for its bold claims and immersive narrative, it requires an open mind to appreciate Long’s unique synthesis of observation and metaphysical speculation without demanding empirical proof.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a bridge between Western occult theory and non-Western spiritual traditions will find this book invaluable. It offers a rare, detailed look into Huna magic as interpreted by Max Freedom Long, blending practical accounts of phenomena like healing and levitation with deep philosophical inquiry. Those interested in the historical development of Wicca and witchcraft will appreciate how Long’s decades of immersion provide a unique perspective on ancient power structures. This text is ideal for practitioners who enjoy speculative theories grounded in firsthand observation, offering both inspiration and a structured understanding of magical mechanisms that have been largely overlooked in mainstream esoteric literature.

⭐ 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 practical applications of ancient esoteric wisdom, intrigued by the power of the human mind, or simply curious about the real-world manifestations of magic, this pioneering work offers a unique and engaging perspective. It's for those ready to explore the boundaries of known…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Long’s work provides a fascinating, albeit subjective, window into Hawaiian esotericism, presenting a compelling mix of anecdotal evidence and theoretical framework. However, readers expecting rigorous academic anthropology or strictly traditional Wiccan doctrine may find the speculative nature of the content frustrating. The book is not for those who prefer dry, objective historical analysis or who are skeptical of Western interpretations of indigenous wisdom. It serves best as a philosophical exploration rather than a practical manual. While intriguing for its bold claims and immersive narrative, it requires an open mind to appreciate Long’s unique synthesis of observation and metaphysical speculation without demanding empirical proof.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Huna, as interpreted by Long, refers to an ancient Hawaiian system of esoteric knowledge and spiritual practices focusing on the conscious and subconscious mind's ability to influence reality, manifest desires, and perform what appears to be magic.
While it details many examples of Huna in action and explores the theories behind it, this book is primarily a scholarly and observational study of the subject, not a step-by-step instructional manual for practicing Huna magic.

📖 Who should read this

If you're drawn to the practical applications of ancient esoteric wisdom, intrigued by the power of the human mind, or simply curious about the real-world manifestations of magic, this pioneering work offers a unique and engaging perspective. It's for those ready to explore the boundaries of known reality.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Huna Lore Exploration

Max Freedom Long embarked on an extensive, 18-year scholarly quest, spending 14 of those years in Hawaii, to unravel the mysteries of Huna magic. This book meticulously documents his determined efforts to understand the principles and practices of the kahunas, presenting his collected observations and developing theoretical frameworks based on his unique interpretations.

Manifesting the Impossible

Readers will delve into detailed accounts of extraordinary phenomena attributed to Huna practitioners. From seemingly defying physics with acts like fire-walking and levitation, to demonstrating profound mental abilities such as telepathy and instant healing, Long catalogues a compelling array of alleged magical feats that challenge conventional scientific understanding and invite deeper inquiry.

Philosophical Inquiry

Beyond mere description of magical acts, Long offers profound philosophical insights derived from his extensive research. He doesn't simply list the phenomena but strives to theorize the worldview and spiritual mechanics that permit such displays. This encourages readers to consider the deeper implications and underlying principles of these ancient, powerful traditions.

💬 Quotes from the book

“My years among the islanders revealed not merely superstition, but a consistent, observable pattern of phenomena defying conventional explanation, pointing to a profound, forgotten science.”

“The kahuna's ability to heal instantaneously, not through mere suggestion but by tangible physical alteration, suggested a profound mastery over the very fabric of reality itself.”

📜 Historical context

First published in 1936, "Recovering the Ancient Magic" stands as a landmark in esoteric literature, credited with introducing the concept of Huna to a wider Western audience. Long's work emerged during a period of burgeoning interest in spiritualism and ancient wisdom traditions, positioning it as a pivotal, if controversial, early exploration of Hawaiian magic within the broader occult revival.

📚 Glossary

Huna
Kahuna
Telepathy

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a time you witnessed something that defied your logical understanding. How might Long's interpretations of Huna offer a new framework for comprehending such experiences?
  2. Long theorizes about the connection between mind, spirit, and physical manifestation. How do your own beliefs align or diverge from this concept, and what implications does it have for your personal power?
  3. Consider the ethical implications of possessing the kind of 'ancient magic' described in this book. How would you apply such power responsibly, and what safeguards would be necessary?

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