The Chaonomicon: Quintessential Chaos for the Serious Magician - Paperback

by Jaq D. Hawkins (Author)

What is chaos magic?Nearly forty years after its beginnings, Pagans and magicians are still asking the question, or finding conflicting information online.Jaq D Hawkins was the first chaos magician to write of the history and elements of chaos magic for a widespread audience. Now, in this new volume, that history is expanded and the concepts, specialist terms and culture associated with chaos magic are clarified for a new generation of magic users.Basic concepts and methods, associations with Discordianism and the teachings of magicians of the past, advice on how to survive the natural chaos that plagues those who choose the magical path ... or more precisely are chosen by it, combine with an insightful perspective of the perversities of magic and the convoluted landscape of life through which the magical path leads us. With some practical advice and basic spells designed to work within the very world of chaos wherein magic finds its direction, this book is a simple yet unequalled sourcebook for dealing with the unpredictability of magic in a multiverse of natural chaos.

Excerpt from review by Peter J. Carroll: "Jaq D Hawkins' Chaonomicon gives a fair sketch of the general history of Chaos Magic without going into excessive detail about the personalities and the inevitable personal squabbles involved. She shows the history and genesis of many of the ideas that came together to create a new way of thinking about magic and new ways of doing it.The book contains a particularly good analysis of the historic and current functions of the Gods and Goddesses of Chaos, and the relationship between the Chaoism that began in the UK and the Discordianism that began in the USA.The Chaonomicon also describes many of the basic techniques of Chaos Magic in simple terms free from occult obscurantism, so readers new to the subject can find much to try out experimentally."

Excerpt from review by Ray Sherwin: "If this were a film it might be described as "a roller-coaster ride" and, as might be expected, the views from the top, panoramas of magick, chaos science, chaos literature and the mythos itself are replete with comprehensive detail and a profound understanding of the subject.Those looking for a "How to..." manual should go elsewhere. I referred to "Tertiary Chaos" as early as 1987 and chaos magick has matured even more since then, as is evidenced, in part, by this book. I recommend it highly."