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This collection of essays covers a range of topics, reflecting the changing interests of the author and the different publications in which the essays originally appeared. Two essays discuss the little known divination method of geomancy. This is not to be confused with ley lines or feng shui. It is not a method of reading earth energies but rather a method, resembling the I Ching in that it uses a binary system, of constructing figures which are then read in relation to the question asked. "The method of judging question according to Peter de Abano . . ." is a translation of a medieval handbook of the art, giving an idea of how it was originally constructed and used. "The forgotten oracle" explains the method in more modern language. Another pair of articles discusses the art of fencing. Although fencing is not usually regarded as a spiritual practice, Greer's researches suggest that the Renaissance emphasis on newly recovered esoteric geometry converted sword fighting from a natural extension of the human body to an art based on mathematical principles and the kind of relationship between the practical and spiritual found in Eastern martial arts. "Geometries of the sword" and "Swordsmanship and esoteric spirituality" give the details of these researches.
Of the remaining essays the one of most value to the general reader is "Magic, politics, and the origins of the 'mind-body problem'" In the modern world, one of the major philosophical problems is to explain how mind and body are related to one another. Since this is a problem for our top thinkers we tend to assume that such has always been the case: that humans have always experienced themselves as a material body somehow inhabited by a mind, soul, spirit, etc. Greer's essay does not review the arguments around this concept itself but rather discusses the history of political, religious and social alliances that led to the victory of one world view over its competitors. Of course, as soon as one thinks "this idea is taught because this group of people gained more power" one must realize that economic or social power is not a reliable test of ideas about the nature of the world.
Other essays explain the working of a magical lodge, with ideas later expanded into a book on the subject; the Hermetic art of training the human memory; the influence of hermeticism on utopian ideas; the influence of Pythagoras on Western magic; and various examinations of the Golden Dawn system of magic. The individual essays have bibliographies and the book contains an index.
Aeon Books, London 2020
978-1-91280-718-5
tpb 269p.
Of the remaining essays the one of most value to the general reader is "Magic, politics, and the origins of the 'mind-body problem'" In the modern world, one of the major philosophical problems is to explain how mind and body are related to one another. Since this is a problem for our top thinkers we tend to assume that such has always been the case: that humans have always experienced themselves as a material body somehow inhabited by a mind, soul, spirit, etc. Greer's essay does not review the arguments around this concept itself but rather discusses the history of political, religious and social alliances that led to the victory of one world view over its competitors. Of course, as soon as one thinks "this idea is taught because this group of people gained more power" one must realize that economic or social power is not a reliable test of ideas about the nature of the world.
Other essays explain the working of a magical lodge, with ideas later expanded into a book on the subject; the Hermetic art of training the human memory; the influence of hermeticism on utopian ideas; the influence of Pythagoras on Western magic; and various examinations of the Golden Dawn system of magic. The individual essays have bibliographies and the book contains an index.
Aeon Books, London 2020
978-1-91280-718-5
tpb 269p.
