Chaos magic is a modern system of magic that emerged in the late 20th century. It is characterized by its experimental and eclectic approach, drawing from various traditions and belief systems. One aspect of chaos magic that has gained popularity is the use of Chaos magic books. Chaos magic books are written texts that explore and provide guidance on the practice of chaos magic. These books offer a wide range of knowledge and techniques, allowing practitioners to develop their own customized magical practices. One key aspect of chaos magic books is their emphasis on personal experimentation and creative adaptation.
5. Now That’s What I Call Chaos Magick, by Greg Humphries and Julian Vayne
Formulaic rites aren t given for the reader to perform, and theories aren t expounded upon in great detail; NTWICCM shows you what chaos magick is like in action. The IOT was conceived of as a new kind of order based on meritocracy, and Liber Null serves as an introductory text to what was then a new approach to magickal practice.
One key aspect of chaos magic books is their emphasis on personal experimentation and creative adaptation. Unlike traditional magical texts, chaos magic books do not adhere to a specific set of rituals or rules. Instead, they encourage practitioners to explore and create their own methods and rituals based on their individual preferences and experiences.
Top 5 chaos magick books
There are some books that are required reading for the dedicated student, and this list represents my top five books dedicated to chaos magick – books that defined chaos magick as a distinct field of study and practice.1
Liber Null, first published in the late 1970s by Ray Sherwin, is the handbook for the Illuminates of Thanteros, the first group dedicated to chaos magick. The IOT was conceived of as a new kind of order based on meritocracy, and Liber Null serves as an introductory text to what was then a new approach to magickal practice.
New Falcon published Liber Null and Psychonaut together in 1987. Psychonaut expands upon themes raised in Liber Null, and contains the much maligned pseudo-scientific approach to catastrophe theory, but it does have its moments, defining and reframing magickal theories for a new generation of occultists.
The material draws heavily from Aleister Crowley, and sections of Magick are frequently paraphrased – even example for example in some cases. Even so, it remains a cornerstone of chaos magick, and its relevance has not dimmed.
Sherwin co-founded the Illuminates of Thanateros with Peter Carroll, and The Book of Results is another early text which helped define the movement. In it, Sherwin gives a lucid introduction to sigil magick via Austin Osman Spare, and introduces chaote philosophy.
The introduction to incense creation and aromatherapy have been criticized as being out of place in a book dedicated to chaos magick, but in many ways I think that rather misses the point.
Nox is an anthology of twenty-two essays and articles previously published in Sennitt’s magazine of the same name written by various chaos and black magickians. It primarily consists of the rites and theories of the Order of Nine Angels, and draws heavily on the Golden Dawn, Aleister Crowley, the OTO, and Lovecraft for inspiration.
Writers often “correct” the views of earlier authors, Lovecraft in particular (apparently forgetting that he wrote fiction), and Liber Koth focuses entirely on working with the Cthulhu Mythos.
These texts provide an enchanting snapshot of chaos magick’s earlier and darker influences circa the 1980s. The edge seems to have dulled somewhat in subsequent generations, and this book provides a great reminder of what once was. (Dead but dreaming…?)
Hine covers a wide variety of introductory topics in an easy, conversational style in this New Falcon title published in 1995. Hine employs a number of mnemonic devices intended to be “cute,” (Such as S.P.L.I.F.F.: Statement of intent, Pathways available, Link, Intense gnosis/indifferent Vacuity, Fire, Forget. See? It’s adorbs.), but the book is light and fun.
If there was one book you were going to use to introduce chaos magick to your non-chaote friends who had a dim view of the subject: this book would provide an excellent start and step towards rectifying that view.
5. Now That’s What I Call Chaos Magick, by Greg Humphries and Julian Vayne
Published in 2004 by Mandrake of Oxford, NTWICCM, after a brief introduction to chaos magick, the authors launch into descriptions of their work. Numerous rituals are presented, often written in the first-person, describing the rite performed and reflections from participants.
Formulaic rites aren’t given for the reader to perform, and theories aren’t expounded upon in great detail; NTWICCM shows you what chaos magick is like in action. It’s an odd approach, but, in many ways, it works.
It continues to surprise me how often I am asked for recommendations of chaos magick books. Whenever it seems like a dead or dying movement, but new people hit upon it, and a new wave of practitioners follows, each brining their own ideas into the practice.
What would your top five be?
First published on Plutonica.net 02 April 2008.
- See also, “Psyche’s list of chaos magick primers.” [↩]
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This flexibility is a core aspect of chaos magic, as it allows practitioners to adapt their practice to their own needs and desires. Chaos magic books often provide instructions on how to use various tools and techniques, such as sigils, symbols, and rituals. They may also explore different philosophical and psychological concepts that underpin chaos magic, such as the manipulation of belief systems and the use of altered states of consciousness. One of the most well-known chaos magic books is "Liber Null & Psychonaut" by Peter J. Carroll. This book, first published in 1978, has become a seminal work in chaos magic. It explores the theory and practice of chaos magic, delving into topics such as ritual magic, meditation, and the use of magical symbols. Other notable chaos magic books include "Condensed Chaos" by Phil Hine, "The Apophenion: A Chaos Magic Paradigm" by Peter J. Carroll, and "Practical Sigil Magic" by Frater U.D. These books offer different perspectives and approaches to chaos magic, providing readers with a broader understanding of the practice. Overall, chaos magic books play a vital role in the development and evolution of chaos magic as a modern magical system. They provide practitioners with a wealth of information and techniques, while also encouraging personal exploration and experimentation. Whether one is an experienced practitioner or a curious beginner, chaos magic books offer a gateway to the vast and ever-evolving world of chaos magic..
Reviews for "Tapping into the Chaos: Books on Chaos Magic and Chaos Theory"
1. Adam - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Chaos Magic books. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself losing interest halfway through the first book. The magic system also felt poorly explained, and I was left with more questions than answers. Overall, I just couldn't get into these books and wouldn't recommend them to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated the Chaos Magic books. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The world-building was also lacking, and I couldn't visualize the settings or understand the rules of the magical world. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, and their actions often seemed unrealistic or forced. I ended up giving up on the series after the first book, as I couldn't bring myself to continue reading something I didn't enjoy at all.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I didn't have high expectations for the Chaos Magic books, but I was still let down. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story didn't seem to go anywhere. The author spent too much time on unnecessary details and descriptions, dragging the plot along. The dialogue was also clunky and filled with cliches. I didn't feel invested in the characters or their struggles, and the lack of character development made it hard for me to care about their fates. Overall, I found the Chaos Magic books to be a tedious and uninspiring read.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While I didn't dislike the Chaos Magic books, I also didn't particularly enjoy them. The writing style was decent, but the plot felt predictable and lacked originality. The characters were okay, but I didn't find myself rooting for any of them. The action scenes were also lackluster and didn't engage me. I think these books may appeal to readers who are new to the fantasy genre or enjoy lighter, more straightforward stories, but for me, they didn't stand out among other fantasy series I have read.
5. James - 2 stars - I found the Chaos Magic books to be quite underwhelming. The concept of the magic system had potential, but it was poorly executed. The explanations felt rushed and haphazard, leaving me confused about how it all worked. The plot lacked depth and didn't make me feel invested in the story or the characters' struggles. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden bursts of action. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with these books and wouldn't recommend them to others.