Seeking Recommendation New to the occult

[riki322]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to all of this and honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many paths and systems are out there.

If you were starting over today, what path would you recommend for a beginner? Also curious what foundational practices or books you actually found useful when you were first getting your footing.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

 

[Belial6969]

Up

 

[zagros777]

I would start with the franz bardon books. You don't need to work with the entities that he cataloged in his practical evocation book, but the mechanics he teaches will help you navigate through the most mainstream systems. Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't go around trying to mess with demons or angels. Learn the basics first, those things are very advanced.

 

[yves]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to all of this and honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many paths and systems are out there.

If you were starting over today, what path would you recommend for a beginner? Also curious what foundational practices or books you actually found useful when you were first getting your footing.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

meditate, meditate, meditate.

 

[uraniumglass]

Paths are so personal. If I were to start over, I'd tell myself that the exploration phase shouldn't be bypassed.

I learn best by getting an idea of the bigger picture and then exploring what I feel drawn to. Maybe that isn't how you learn though. So how do you learn? What do you feel drawn towards learning? What have you already learned?

 

[solxyz]

I generally recommend Aiden Wachter's Six Ways as a starting point. It's not too tied in to any particular school or sect and will give you exposure to a wide range of techniques. After working your way through that book, you will have a lot better sense of where you want to go next.

 

[nomadskeep]

I generally recommend Aiden Wachter's Six Ways as a starting point. It's not too tied in to any particular school or sect and will give you exposure to a wide range of techniques. After working your way through that book, you will have a lot better sense of where you want to go next.

I also usually recommend this. Super great entry level book. Another is "Advanced Magic for Beginners" by Alan Chapman.

 

[HoldAll]

[Help] - tips or a suggestions for beginner

hey guys do you have any tips or starting recommendation (books, authors, etc) for somone who is getting started. im mostly interested in LHP/personal power/knowledge. also is there any thing (ritual, prayer, etc) that you know of or have done to, lets say increase the...

wizardforums.com

 

[Accipeveldare]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to all of this and honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many paths and systems are out there.

If you were starting over today, what path would you recommend for a beginner? Also curious what foundational practices or books you actually found useful when you were first getting your footing.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

Chaos Magick is a great start. I would recommend Liber Null and Psychonaut by Peter J Carrol. (Who has passed away as of recent. May the gods be with him)

 

[Necro]

Look into Kenneth grant material

 

[theseawitch]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to all of this and honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many paths and systems are out there.

If you were starting over today, what path would you recommend for a beginner? Also curious what foundational practices or books you actually found useful when you were first getting your footing.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

I recommend the book "Six Ways: Approaches and Entries for Practical Magic" by Aidan Wachter. Wonderful foundational magical practices that don't have any specific tradition or dogma attached to them. The information and practices in the book are fundamental and adaptable. Also, my best advice is to just read and study as much as you can, constantly confirm and cross-reference everything, take everything with a grain of salt, take nothing for granted, and don't listen to fearmongers. If you want to practice the occult you need to not be scared. And know that there is a lot of bullshit out there so just be careful and think critically.

 

[zipzapzop42]

If you want a more philosophical start to magic I highly recommend Alan moore’s moon and serpent bumper book of magic and his comic Promethea not much in the way of practical stuff but great if you want to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of ceremonial magic even if I now disagree with some of his conclusions

 

[Amizodpalsdon]

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty new to all of this and honestly feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many paths and systems are out there.

If you were starting over today, what path would you recommend for a beginner? Also curious what foundational practices or books you actually found useful when you were first getting your footing.

Appreciate any thoughts or advice!

It's very understandable to be overwhelmed, now, as it was then, when some of us others started out. I would suggest, since you asked, that like any new journey, don't stray too far, initially, from where you're starting from. Don't be too frightened to explore. It's a bit like the Yellow Brick Road, if you know the story. You may find good witches, bad witches, neutral witches, even the great Wizard of Oz himself! And, speaking from experience, you might find yourself right back at home. That doesn't mean you won't have experienced a wonderful mystical world which, after a spell (see what I'm doing here?!) back home, you can re-explore and maybe enlighten we fellow travellers. Feel free to ask more. Best wishes.