Chaos magic books are a popular topic of discussion among practitioners of occult and esoteric traditions. Chaos magic is a modern magical practice that emerged in the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from various occult traditions, religious beliefs, and philosophical concepts. Chaos magic books serve as guides and resources for individuals interested in exploring and practicing chaos magic. These books often provide practical techniques, rituals, and exercises that individuals can use to tap into their own personal power and influence reality according to their desires. One of the key principles of chaos magic is the belief that belief itself is a powerful tool. In other words, chaos magicians do not adhere to any particular set of beliefs or dogmas.
While it doesn’t seem particularly different from the sorcery of Doctor Strange (who might just be wielding Order Magic, in contrast), the distinction is that Chaos Magic can create life, and destroy, well, everything.
While Age of Ultron saw Wanda and her brother receive their powers through experimentation with the Mind Stone, WandaVision proposes that Wanda has always been a magical being, and that the Stone simply augmented what was already inside her. Hence, Chaos Magic is incredibly powerful, but deeply unstable, and has the potential to destroy the entire universe - and maybe even the multiverse.
In other words, chaos magicians do not adhere to any particular set of beliefs or dogmas. Instead, they adopt and discard beliefs as needed to achieve their desired outcomes. This flexible approach to belief is often referred to as "paradigm shifting".
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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“It may be suggested that there have so far been three leading theorists of modern Western magic. The first was Alphonse Louis Constant, alias Eliphas Levi, in the mid-19th century, who established that in order to work magic, it is necessary first to change oneself and ultimately to understand the universe. The second was Aleister Crowley, in the early 20th century, who drew on both Eastern and Western traditions to provide conceptual frameworks within which both aims might be achieved. The third has been Peter Carroll, in the late 20th century, who placed the same aims within an ultra-modern, or post-modern, context of cosmology and morality.”
— From the foreword by Ronald Hutton, author of The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft and other works
Chaos magic books reflect this emphasis on individuality and experimentation. They often encourage readers to develop their own unique approach to magic, drawing on various sources and traditions. These books may include techniques such as sigil magic, ritual improvisation, and working with servitors (thought-forms created by the magician). Popular chaos magic books include "Liber Null & Psychonaut" by Peter J. Carroll, "Condensed Chaos" by Phil Hine, and "Advanced Magick for Beginners" by Alan Chapman. These books provide practical instructions and insights into the philosophy and practice of chaos magic. It is worth noting that chaos magic books are not limited to just instructional texts. Many chaos magicians also find inspiration in works of fiction, poetry, and philosophy. These sources can offer different perspectives and ways of thinking that can be applied to magical practice. In summary, chaos magic books are valuable resources for practitioners of chaos magic. They offer practical techniques and insights that can help individuals explore their own personal power and shape their reality according to their desires. By encouraging experimentation and individuality, these books reflect the core principles of chaos magic..
Reviews for "Mastering Chaos: Must-Read Books for Advanced Practitioners"
1. Jessica - 1 star
I found Chaos magic books to be completely useless and a waste of time. The concepts presented were convoluted and the practices described were confusing and impractical. I couldn't make any sense of the author's ideas and it just left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. I would not recommend these books to anyone looking for a genuine understanding of magic.
2. Matthew - 2 stars
I was eager to explore chaos magic and picked up a few books on the subject. However, I found them to be lacking in substance and depth. The authors seemed more interested in appearing edgy and rebellious rather than providing practical guidance. The rituals and techniques described felt haphazard and lacked any real coherence. Overall, I was unimpressed with the chaos magic books I read and wouldn't recommend them as a valuable resource for aspiring magicians.
3. Sarah - 1 star
Chaos magic books were a disappointment to me. The information presented was scattered and difficult to follow. It seemed like a mishmash of random ideas and practices with no clear structure or purpose. I was hoping for a comprehensive guide to chaos magic, but these books left me with more questions than answers. I would advise potential readers to look elsewhere for a more coherent and informative exploration of magic.
4. David - 2 stars
Having heard so much about chaos magic, I was excited to delve into the books. However, I found them to be a jumble of contradictory ideas and vague suggestions. The lack of clear explanations and practical examples made it difficult to grasp the concepts being presented. It felt like the authors were intentionally trying to keep the reader in the dark, which only made the whole experience frustrating. I would caution others against wasting their time on chaos magic books unless they enjoy confusion and ambiguity.
5. Emily - 1 star
I was highly disappointed in the chaos magic books I read. They came across as pretentious and overly abstract, with little practical guidance for those interested in magic. The authors seemed more interested in showcasing their own philosophical musings rather than providing practical techniques and advice. I struggled to connect with the material and ultimately felt like I wasted my time. I would not recommend chaos magic books to anyone seeking a clear and actionable understanding of magic.