THE BLACK CHAPBOOK - RRH LIMITED EDITION

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In this LIMITED SIGNED edition of the first publication from new imprint Fool’s Errand, Rob Rider Hill offers up a three-month-plus-a-bit model of introductory magical exercises, from basic meditation all the way to spirit evocation.

Paying tribute to the punk ethos and small-press publications that enchanted the author in his youth, this visually arresting text is an exercise in simplicity, both in its aesthetic, and in the stubbornly stripped back methods it describes.

From the Introduction:

This course is designed to take a minimum of three months, though each month is quite intensive. Take it easy, go through the lessons in order and get comfortable with each. We're not expecting some austere adept to commit several hours every day to magical flights with the spirits, we're expecting a minimal commitment each day, which will grow over the three month period, probably an afternoon or evening every week where you try the bigger stuff, and any other reading or experimentation you like.

If you do get through this in three months, you should have enough of a foundation to get to grips with most of the instructional material out there. You might then never return to this text, but I'm sure you'll realise how helpful this small selection of methods has been, wherever your magical journey has taken you.

Month one - Preliminaries:

In this month we start to take control of the first temple, our body and the consciousness it contains. We begin with breathwork, posture, meditation, and chanting as the pillars of our work in this space. We also begin to understand magical timing, the solar and lunar rhythms, and the planetary week, and to create our own simple practices to synchronise with these various wheels. We set aside a place to be our altar and set it up for our meditations. We begin working with a simple method of divination.

Month two - Initiation into Witchcraft:

In this month we learn to move the energies we're beginning to become aware of into the space around us. First we learn two simple adaptations of modern magical rituals to continue our practice of energy control, and then we receive a simple method of consecration. With this new skill we turn our attention to the goddess of witchcraft Hekate, and the god of magic Hermes, constructing devotional talismans to maintain our new relationships, and create an altar to our ancestors.

Month three - The Magical Temple:

Now we have our energy control, our basic consecration skills, and our devotional relationships with our patrons and ancestors, we can begin the process of formal magical ritual. We begin by constructing our Elemental Tools and perform a ritual to equilibrate those forces, and then arrive at a procedure of planetary initiation and spellcraft using the same method. This work commences within the month, but is likely to continue for a few more weeks.

At the end you'll find a ritual for making contact with a spirit who will serve as your Magical Assistant. This spirit will help you in your magic, and will be able to guide you as you take your next steps on the magical path.