Author What are your opinions on Dr. Alexander Cummins (books, courses, etc?)

[Thee Nightfool]

I see he has quite a few courses on his site, and was wondering if anyone on here has interacted with them. He seems to have quite the pedigree in the occult community. I think someone on here has mentioned in the past that he's initiated in Quimbanda as well, which is quite interesting to me.

But yeah, I'm mostly wondering if his courses are worth investigating.

 

[ashlesha]

I bought his one-off lecture on tattoos and sorcery and found it to be a total waste. Maybe his more in-depth courses are good, but I think it's going to be more for people interested in the academic background and "going deep" into niche interests. Not so much if you're looking for a course on mysticism or expanding a practical magical background.

 

[retr]

I second what Ashlesha said. If you want to learn about geomancy, for example, he's the go to. For Quimbanda specifically, you'd need to join a terreiro.

 

[HandOfGlory]

I've met and talked with him a few times. For Geomancy, folk necromancy, general divination, and grimoires he knows his stuff. I've attended his lectures in person and online and he has a way of teaching complex topics quickly. I'd recommend his classes especially his Geomancy and necromancy classes and he works a lot with the Grimoire Verum so if it is what you are studying he's your guy.

 

[Dyn Hysbys]

I agree with HandOfGlory, I recently watched the class on Necromancy, which was fascinating.
Al Cummins knows his stuff when it comes to Early modern magic, and his material does inspire you to look more closely at your own practice : the 'why' and 'how' of tools, circles etc.
I feel it's interesting for a sense of continuity and rootedness in western folk magic. It's a trove of historic information which can inform and inspire modern practice without being slavish.