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Recovering the Ancient Magic

Long, Max Freedom
Reader rating
4.6
(1 reviews) 119 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unlock the enigmatic secrets of ancient Hawaiian magic.

Max Freedom Long's pioneering work delves into the enigmatic world of Huna, the ancient Hawaiian system of magic. Following an extensive eighteen-year investigation, including fourteen spent immersed in Hawaii, Long meticulously compiles his observations and theories. This volume explores a diverse array of paranormal phenomena, from astonishing feats like fire-walking and levitation to the subtle powers of mind-reading and instant healing. Long doesn't merely catalog these events; he attempts to unravel the underlying principles, offering a profound inquiry into the true nature of magical ability.

Key themes
The Huna System Unveiled Manifestations of Ancient Power A Pioneer's Esoteric Inquiry
Historical context

This text belongs to the early twentieth-century occult revival, bridging Western esotericism with Eastern and Pacific Islander spiritual traditions. It reflects the era's fascination with 'primitive' wisdom as a source of authentic magical power distinct from European ceremonial magic.

Difficulty
●● Moderate
Fans will love it
Aleister Crowley · Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee · Manly P. Hall · Edgar Cayce
🌙 Witchcraft & Wicca
🏛 Swedenborg Press 📅 2022 📖 304 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781528772471
Fun fact
Max Freedom Long's "Recovering the Ancient Magic" is an indispensable historical document for anyone interested in esoteric traditions. It shines as a pioneering effort to systematically analyze Hawaiian Huna, presenting fascinating accounts and thoughtful theories. While some modern readers might find its scientific rigor dated or its interpretations speculative, it remains a foundational text in both Huna studies and the broader discourse on occult phenomena. It's a must-read for its historical significance, though it won't satisfy those seeking a practical magic manual.

📝 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 pioneering work serves as a crucial bridge between Hawaiian Huna and Western occult interests, detailing phenomena like levitation and instant healing through an extensive investigative lens. While valuable for its historical documentation of early twentieth-century magical theory, it may not suit readers preferring rigorous academic anthropology or those seeking purely ritualistic Wiccan liturgy without philosophical backing. The text is dense with Long’s personal theories rather than objective ethnography, which might frustrate skeptics or those expecting dry scholarly detachment. However, for enthusiasts of comparative occultism and the specific lineage of Hawaiian magic presented here, it remains a significant primary source that illuminates the perceived mechanics of the supernatural.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a foundational understanding of Huna and Hawaiian magical systems will find this volume indispensable. Max Freedom Long’s eighteen-year immersion offers a rare, insider perspective on paranormal phenomena such as levitation, fire-walking, and mind-reading. It is ideal for those interested in the historical development of modern Wicca and eclectic witchcraft who want to trace the roots of these practices beyond traditional European folklore. The book appeals to seekers of instant healing techniques and those curious about the psychological underpinnings of magical ability. By unpacking the principles behind these feats rather than just cataloging them, Long provides a practical framework for understanding how ancient magic operates in the human mind and spirit, offering both historical insight and esoteric utility.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★
For seekers fascinated by the mysteries of ancient traditions and the potential of the human mind, this book offers a unique gateway. If you're drawn to the esoteric roots of magic and yearn to understand the mechanisms behind seemingly impossible feats, Long's groundbreaking research awaits your…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Long’s pioneering work serves as a crucial bridge between Hawaiian Huna and Western occult interests, detailing phenomena like levitation and instant healing through an extensive investigative lens. While valuable for its historical documentation of early twentieth-century magical theory, it may not suit readers preferring rigorous academic anthropology or those seeking purely ritualistic Wiccan liturgy without philosophical backing. The text is dense with Long’s personal theories rather than objective ethnography, which might frustrate skeptics or those expecting dry scholarly detachment. However, for enthusiasts of comparative occultism and the specific lineage of Hawaiian magic presented here, it remains a significant primary source that illuminates the perceived mechanics of the supernatural.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Huna refers to an ancient system of esoteric knowledge and magical practice originating from the kahunas of Hawaii, which Max Freedom Long dedicated years to studying and interpreting.
While it details various magical phenomena and Long's theories on their operation, the book primarily serves as a historical and theoretical exploration of Huna, not a how-to guide for practitioners.

📖 Who should read this

For seekers fascinated by the mysteries of ancient traditions and the potential of the human mind, this book offers a unique gateway. If you're drawn to the esoteric roots of magic and yearn to understand the mechanisms behind seemingly impossible feats, Long's groundbreaking research awaits your discovery.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Huna System Unveiled

This foundational text introduces readers to Huna, the esoteric magical tradition of ancient Hawaii. Long's dedicated research aimed to decode the practices and philosophical underpinnings of the kahunas, presenting his interpretations of their unique understanding of consciousness and its influence on reality.

Manifestations of Ancient Power

The book meticulously details a spectrum of extraordinary occurrences attributed to Huna practitioners. From dramatic displays like fire immunity and materialization to mental feats such as telepathy and instant healing, Long provides a comprehensive survey of the "impossible" phenomena he sought to understand and explain.

A Pioneer's Esoteric Inquiry

Long's methodological approach involves careful observation, data collection, and theoretical assimilation. His work is a testament to an individual's persistent quest to demystify ancient magical abilities, offering both philosophical musings and detailed accounts gleaned from his extensive immersion in Hawaiian culture.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The astonishing power of the kahunas, witnessed in feats like fire-walking and instantaneous healing, compels us to question the very boundaries of what we deem possible within the human experience.”

“My fourteen years among the islands and the subsequent study of collected data represent an earnest attempt to decipher the intricate mechanisms by which ancient minds manipulated reality.”

📜 Historical context

First published in 1936, this volume stands as a seminal work, widely recognized as the initial dedicated exploration of Huna magic in the Western world. Long's diligent efforts established a new field of inquiry, paving the way for subsequent studies into Hawaiian spiritual practices and the broader mechanics of esoteric power. It marked a significant moment in occult literature.

📚 Glossary

Huna
Kahuna
Telepathy

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Consider the phenomena described in this book. Which examples of "ancient magic" challenge your current understanding of reality the most, and why?
  2. If Long's theories about Huna are correct, what implications might this have for modern scientific understanding of consciousness and its potential?
  3. Reflect on the idea of an "ancient magic" being "recovered." What does this suggest about the cyclical nature of knowledge and human perception?

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