🕯️ Occult Philosophy

The Something and Nothing of Death

✍️ Parfitt, Will
Reader Score
4.7
(4 reviews)
$13.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This work treats death as a constant companion that can guide humans toward a better existence. Written in accessible language, Parfitt addresses widespread fears and horrors about dying through open discussion rather than fixed doctrine. The publication incorporates reflective exercises that allow readers to examine their own thoughts, feelings, and personal perspectives. By confronting the reality of mortality, the text aims to cultivate a lively acceptance of what cannot be evaded, serving readers across various spiritual backgrounds.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Psa Books 📖 148 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781999976309
Fun Fact
Parfitt excels at demystifying death, offering a serene, non-dogmatic path that feels both ancient and urgently modern. It shines for those weary of religious guilt or clinical detachment. However, readers seeking scientific rigor or specific grief counseling techniques may find it too philosophical. It sits uniquely between self-help and existential philosophy, a rare gem for the secular seeker.
📚 This Book in Collections

📝 Description: The Something and Nothing of Death

Will Parfitt approaches the presence of death throughout human life as an advisor that encourages people to live more fully. Published by Psa Books, this paperback presents practical and open ended perspectives on dying without pushing any single faith or party line. The writing lays out common fears and horrors surrounding mortality, offering readers a debate between the author and the audience rooted in honest inquiry and acceptance. The text includes exercises for reflection designed to take readers deeper into their own personal explorations. Reviewers Starwalker and Barbara Brown highlight how the material remains grounded while providing multiple viewpoints on both the something and the nothing of mortality. The book suits anyone seeking a straightforward, compassionate, and practical examination of grief, bereavement, and healing, regardless of their specific beliefs. It does not suit readers looking for strict dogma, definitive promises about an afterlife, or a single mode of thought.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Parfitt delivers a serene exploration of mortality that feels both intellectually honest and spiritually nourishing. The text successfully strips away dogmatic clutter, offering a refreshing perspective for those weary of fear-based religious teachings. However, this work does not suit readers seeking definitive dogma, complex theological debates, or sensationalist occultism. It is also likely to disappoint those who require concrete proof of an afterlife or prefer rigid doctrinal structures over open-ended inquiry. The gentle tone may feel too abstract for individuals craving aggressive spiritual warfare or immediate mystical experiences. Ultimately, it is a quiet companion for the reflective soul, not a loud proclamation for the skeptical mind or the dogmatic believer.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to dissolve their deepest fears about mortality will find profound comfort in this gentle yet rigorous guide. It is ideal for those who feel alienated by traditional religious promises of an afterlife, preferring instead a framework grounded in the tangible quality of daily existence. By treating death as a compassionate mentor, Parfitt offers a practical approach to self-care through honest inquiry. Those ready to embrace fierce, unapologetic aliveness will discover how preparing for death becomes an act of profound presence. This book serves seekers across all spiritual or secular backgrounds who desire a serene, open-ended dialogue that dismantles anxiety and fosters a deeper connection to the present moment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
Readers seeking solace from the fear of death, those navigating bereavement without religious crutches, and anyone desiring a grounded, philosophical approach to living a more intentional and authentic life.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 4 reviews
5
3
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
P
Paul E.
November 6, 2025
My new favorite

Bought this as a gift for my sister and ended up ordering a second copy for myself. There's real depth here that reveals itself on a second reading. Shipping was quick too.

A
Amanda W.
July 27, 2025
Excellent find

First purchase from this shop. Every rereading turns up something I missed. It connects ideas I'd only seen treated separately elsewhere. Recommended if you're ready to do the work.

K
Kevin W.
April 9, 2025
Deep and rewarding

I've read excerpts online before, but having the full text is different. Every rereading turns up something I missed. Will be gifting a copy to a friend.

E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Parfitt delivers a serene exploration of mortality that feels both intellectually honest and spiritually nourishing. The text successfully strips away dogmatic clutter, offering a refreshing perspective for those weary of fear-based religious teachings. However, this work does not suit readers seeking definitive dogma, complex theological debates, or sensationalist occultism. It is also likely to disappoint those who require concrete proof of an afterlife or prefer rigid doctrinal structures over open-ended inquiry. The gentle tone may feel too abstract for individuals craving aggressive spiritual warfare or immediate mystical experiences. Ultimately, it is a quiet companion for the reflective soul, not a loud proclamation for the skeptical mind or the dogmatic believer.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. It is secular and inclusive, focusing on psychological and philosophical perspectives rather than religious doctrine or promises of an afterlife.
Not at all. Parfitt writes in accessible, conversational prose, making complex ideas about mortality easy to digest and apply to daily life.

📖 Who should read this

Readers seeking solace from the fear of death, those navigating bereavement without religious crutches, and anyone desiring a grounded, philosophical approach to living a more intentional and authentic life.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Mortality as Mentor

Secular Spirituality

Present-Moment Awareness

📜 Historical context

Situated within the modern humanistic tradition, this work echoes the secular memento mori practices of Montaigne while bridging the gap between clinical death studies and New Age metaphysics. It rejects post-mortem reward systems, instead aligning with existentialist thought that prioritizes earthly meaning over heavenly promise, reflecting a contemporary shift toward psychological integration rather than theological salvation.

📚 Glossary

Lively Acceptance
Congruence
Honest Inquiry

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. If you knew your time was limited, which daily habit would you immediately abandon?
  2. How does imagining your own end change the way you view your current relationships?
  3. What would it look like to treat your mortality as a supportive friend rather than a threat?

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