Transcendental Magic

About this book

A pentagram, a serpent and a magician's wand become parts of a language that Éliphas Lévi believed could explain the workings of magic.

Transcendental Magic brings together his influential theories of will, symbolism and occult correspondences, often presenting ritual and religious imagery within a grand philosophical scheme. His arguments mix nineteenth-century invention with readings of older sources, and his historical claims need care. The book helped shape the imagery and vocabulary of modern ceremonial occultism, particularly through its unforgettable illustrations.