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What I Did In My Holidays: - essays on black magic, Satanism, devil worship and other niceties — Ceremonial Magic

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What I Did In My Holidays: - essays on black magic, Satanism, devil worship and other niceties

Name: What I Did In My Holidays: - essays on black magic, Satanism, devil worship and other niceties
Price: 29.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780904311204

✍️ Dukes, Ramsey

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Ramsey Dukes, known for his incisive wit and intellectual rigor, delivers a compelling collection of essays that delve far beyond typical occult discourse. This volume challenges readers to examine the ethical ambiguities and uncomfortable truths lurking within black magic, Satanism, and what he provocatively terms 'devil worship.' Dukes cleverly extends the concept of 'demons' to encompass societal ills like prejudice, political dogma, and even the New Age movement, urging a critical re-evaluation of our most cherished beliefs and the compromises we make. It's a journey into the philosophical underpinnings of the dark arts and their surprising reflections in everyday life.

Dukes, Ramsey

📚 all books by this author (3) →

⚜️

Ceremonial Magic

🏛 Mouse That Spins 📅 2011 📖 410 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780904311204

Fun Fact

Dukes's collection is a sharp, often uncomfortable, intellectual workout for anyone serious about the philosophy behind the occult. It excels at provoking thought and smashing preconceptions, offering a refreshingly cynical yet insightful look at magic and modern society. Those seeking ritualistic how-to guides or affirmation of existing dogmas will be disappointed. However, for the reader eager to engage with the critical, philosophical edge of occulture, this book is an essential, albeit challenging, addition to their library.

📝 Description: What I Did In My Holidays: - essays on black magic, Satanism, devil worship and other niceties

Is it ok for a national government to negotiate with terrorists? Should we be prepared to make a pact with the demon Terrorism - or should we remain forever sworn to the demon No Compromise? Many old and new demons lurk on these pages: black magic, sexism, elitism, satanism, publishers, prejudice, suicide, liberalism, violence, slime, old age, bitterness, war and the New Age. Some reviewer comments: "Ramsey Dukes has a clarity, and creativity, of thought that means each of the many and varied chapters of this book leaves you with something to think about long after you've finished reading." "He should be required reading for anyone considering a move into the dark byways of occulture - he smashes preconceptions and enlightens with one fell swoop." "Remarkable, inspirational and thought provoking"

📑 What's inside

0 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & SOCIETY 3
1 LETTER TO CHAOS 16
2 SATANISM FOR TODAY 20
3 EXPLORING SPARE'S MAGIC 26
4 THE LAW IS FOR ALL... SOD THE LAW! 35
5 'LEAVES OF YGGDRASIL' 56
6 PAROXYSMS OF MAGIC 61
7 TURDS MADE FRESH 67
8 DYED IN THEIR WOOL 80
9 THE SATAN GAME 84
10 IN PRAISE OF DEVIL WORSHIP 111
11 THE TRAGEDY OF LEMUEL JOHNSTONE 135
12 THE CALIPHATE OTO 139
13 THE WITCHES' SABBATH 143
14 MY PROBLEM WITH FEMINISM 151
15 MY PROBLEM WITH THE NEW AGE 164
16 DION ISIS AND THE MEANIES 175
17 ON WRITING AND PUBLISHING 187
18 ON SLAPPING A LOVER 205
19 THE WILD AND THE TAME 211
20 STREET WHYS 214
21 THE SLIME WARRIOR 219
22 DEVIL WORSHIP FOR POWER AND PROFIT 224
23 NEW AGE RE-RUN OF WORDS MADE FLESH 241
24 THOUGHTS ON 'SHADOWS OF MIND' 253
25 STAND BY YOUR MANNERISMS 267
26 EXPERIMENTS IN RELIGION 289
27 The Crisis of Chaos 306
28 PRE-MILLENNIAL TENSION? STUFFIT! 318
29 The Passion Homes ProposaL 324
30 INTERVIEW FOR 'HEAD' MAGAZINE 328
31 FRAGMENTS
AFTERWORD 404

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Ramsey Dukes delivers a sharp, witty critique that demands active engagement from the reader. The text excels in its intellectual rigor, forcing a re-examination of Satanism and devil worship not as mere rebellion, but as philosophical tools for confronting self and society. However, this volume is NOT suited for those seeking simple ritual instructions, uncritical devotion, or light entertainment. It may alienate readers who prefer dogmatic certainty over ethical ambiguity or those uninterested in deconstructing their own political and social biases. The candid approach to societal ills requires a resilient mind ready to face uncomfortable truths about cherished beliefs.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a provocative intellectual challenge will find great value in Ramsey Dukes’ incisive exploration of the dark arts. This book is ideal for those who wish to confront the uncomfortable truths of societal prejudices and political dogma through an esoteric lens. It appeals to individuals ready to re-evaluate cherished beliefs, including those within the New Age movement, by extending the concept of 'demons' beyond the supernatural into everyday ethical ambiguities. If you enjoy rigorous philosophical discourse that bridges the gap between black magic and mundane societal critique, this collection offers a unique journey into the psychological underpinnings of these practices.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are a seeker unafraid of intellectual provocation, who questions conventional wisdom and delights in philosophical sparring, this collection is for you. Those interested in the deeper, often uncomfortable, ethical dimensions of occultism and societal critique will find it profoundly…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Ramsey Dukes delivers a sharp, witty critique that demands active engagement from the reader. The text excels in its intellectual rigor, forcing a re-examination of Satanism and devil worship not as mere rebellion, but as philosophical tools for confronting self and society. However, this volume is NOT suited for those seeking simple ritual instructions, uncritical devotion, or light entertainment. It may alienate readers who prefer dogmatic certainty over ethical ambiguity or those uninterested in deconstructing their own political and social biases. The candid approach to societal ills requires a resilient mind ready to face uncomfortable truths about cherished beliefs.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this is primarily a collection of philosophical essays. While it discusses themes of black magic and Satanism, it does so from an analytical and critical perspective, rather than offering instructions for practice.

Dukes explores the concept of 'devil worship' as a powerful metaphor for challenging norms and confronting uncomfortable truths. His focus is on the societal and psychological implications, using the imagery to provoke thought rather than advocate for literal adoration of infernal entities.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Occult Ethics Explored

Dukes provocatively dissects the moral landscape of magic, questioning conventional notions of good and evil. He invites readers to ponder difficult ethical dilemmas, such as the nature of compromise and conviction, and how these forces play out both in magical practice and in broader societal contexts, forcing a re-evaluation of personal boundaries.

Dismantling Dogma

This work stands as a powerful call to dismantle preconceived notions about magic, religion, and society. Dukes ruthlessly exposes the hypocrisy and limitations of various belief systems, from traditional occultism to modern liberalism, encouraging readers to think critically and challenge established wisdom rather than blindly accepting doctrines or stereotypes.

Modern Demonic Forms

Beyond the traditional infernal entities, Dukes expands the definition of 'demons' to include pervasive societal issues like sexism, elitism, war, and even the publishing industry itself. He uses the potent symbolism of the demonic to highlight the insidious forces that influence our world, urging a deeper understanding of where true 'evil' might reside.

📜 Historical context

Dukes's work sits comfortably within a lineage of iconoclastic occult thinkers who prioritize critical thought and individual experience over dogma. Much like figures associated with Chaos Magic or certain streams of Thelema, he challenges the ossified traditions, pushing boundaries and inviting a more nuanced, often uncomfortable, exploration of the magical current's philosophical and ethical implications.

📚 Glossary

Black Magic
Satanism
Occulture

📔 Questions to reflect on

What societal 'demon' do you find yourself most unwilling to compromise with, and what might a 'magical' approach to that confrontation entail?
Consider a deeply held preconception you possess about magic or morality. How might Dukes's perspective encourage you to actively work to dismantle it?
How does the concept of 'black magic' — stripped of its traditional moral baggage — redefine your understanding of personal agency and ethical responsibility?