Chaos magick is a modern magical tradition that emerged in the late 20th century. It is characterized by its focus on the use of belief and intention to create change in one's reality. Central to the practice of chaos magick is the idea that any belief or system of belief can be utilized, regardless of its traditional associations or validity. This flexibility allows practitioners of chaos magick to incorporate elements from various religious and occult traditions, as well as pop culture and personal symbolism. Chaos magick books are written resources that provide guidance and instruction on the practice of chaos magick. These books often explore different techniques and rituals that can be used to manipulate and manifest one's desires.
Chaos magick books
“The most original and probably the most important writer on Magick since Aleister Crowley."—Robert Anton Wilson, author of the Prometheus Rising and other works
Peter Carroll’s classic work has been profound influence on the Western magical world and on the practice of chaos magick in particular . In Liber Null and Psychonaut , Carroll presents an approach to the practice of magic that draws on the foundations of shamanism and animism, as well as that found in the Greek magical papyri, the occult works of Eliphas Levi and Aleister Crowley, and the esoteric meditative practices of classical India and China. Also very much at work in the text are 20th century scientific ideas of quantum physics and chaos theory.
The result is a profoundly original work of magical studies that also includes a selection of extremely powerful rituals and exercises for committed occultists with instructions that lead the reader through new concepts and practices to achieve Carroll’s definition of magic itself: the raising of the whole individual in perfect balance to the power of infinity.
This Weiser Classics edition is a thoroughly revised republication of Liber Null and Psychonaut , first published by Weiser in 1987, and includes a new foreword by Ronald Hutton , a leading authority on modern witchcraft and paganism.
About the Author
Peter J. Carroll began his career in Magic at London University where the Chemistry proved so tedious that he settled on a pass degree in that and an unauthorized first in Magic, with Liber Null & Psychonaut emerging as his postgraduate thesis over the next several years whilst teaching high school science. He is past Grandmaster of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros, Chancellor of Arcanorium College, Acting Marshall of the Knights of Chaos, and a Bard of Dobunni Grove. He maintains a personal website at specularium.org.
Praise For…
“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
“Peter Carroll has successfully broken down many of the patterns that so many magicians cling to. Liber Null and Psychonaut —written not only for students of chaos magic, but to separate the necessary from what may be the unnecessary formula of magick—covers much new territory. Carroll has taken methods from Austin Osman Spare, shamanism, paganism, and Chaos science and synthesized them into a new system of practice.”
— The Portal
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Hermetism & Rosicrucianism
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Mysticism
- Science / Chaotic Behavior in Systems
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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Liber Null & Psychonaut: The Practice of Chaos Magic (Revised and Expanded Edition) (Weiser Classics Series) (Paperback)
Peter Carroll’s classic work has been profound influence on the Western magical world and on the practice of chaos magick in particular . In Liber Null and Psychonaut , Carroll presents an approach to the practice of magic that draws on the foundations of shamanism and animism, as well as that found in the Greek magical papyri, the occult works of Eliphas Levi and Aleister Crowley, and the esoteric meditative practices of classical India and China. Also very much at work in the text are 20th century scientific ideas of quantum physics and chaos theory.
The result is a profoundly original work of magical studies that also includes a selection of extremely powerful rituals and exercises for committed occultists with instructions that lead the reader through new concepts and practices to achieve Carroll’s definition of magic itself: the raising of the whole individual in perfect balance to the power of infinity.
This Weiser Classics edition is a thoroughly revised republication of Liber Null and Psychonaut , first published by Weiser in 1987, and includes a new foreword by Ronald Hutton , a leading authority on modern witchcraft and paganism.
About the Author
Peter J. Carroll began his career in Magic at London University where the Chemistry proved so tedious that he settled on a pass degree in that and an unauthorized first in Magic, with Liber Null & Psychonaut emerging as his postgraduate thesis over the next several years whilst teaching high school science. He is past Grandmaster of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros, Chancellor of Arcanorium College, Acting Marshall of the Knights of Chaos, and a Bard of Dobunni Grove. He maintains a personal website at specularium.org.
Praise For…
“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
“Peter Carroll has successfully broken down many of the patterns that so many magicians cling to. Liber Null and Psychonaut —written not only for students of chaos magic, but to separate the necessary from what may be the unnecessary formula of magick—covers much new territory. Carroll has taken methods from Austin Osman Spare, shamanism, paganism, and Chaos science and synthesized them into a new system of practice.”
— The Portal
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Hermetism & Rosicrucianism
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Mysticism
- Science / Chaotic Behavior in Systems
These books often explore different techniques and rituals that can be used to manipulate and manifest one's desires. They may also delve into the philosophy and theory behind chaos magick, discussing concepts such as sigils, servitors, and altered states of consciousness. Some popular chaos magick books include "Liber Null & Psychonaut" by Peter J.
Carroll, which is considered a foundational text in chaos magick. This book explores the underlying principles of chaos magick and provides exercises and techniques for practitioners to develop their magical abilities. Another notable book is "Condensed Chaos" by Phil Hine, which offers a practical approach to chaos magick, focusing on techniques that can be easily incorporated into everyday life. Other chaos magick books may cover specific topics or areas of interest within the practice. For example, "The Chaos Protocols" by Gordon White explores the intersection of chaos magick and finance, offering practical advice on using magical techniques to navigate the modern economic landscape. "Prime Chaos" by Phil Hine delves into the philosophy and cosmology of chaos magick, examining concepts such as evolution, consciousness, and the nature of reality. Chaos magick books serve as valuable resources for both beginners and experienced practitioners of chaos magick. They provide guidance, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the principles and techniques that underpin this unique magical tradition. Whether one is interested in incorporating chaos magick into their existing practice or is a complete newcomer to the occult, these books offer a wealth of knowledge and insight into the world of chaos magick..
Reviews for "Chaos Magick and Shamanism: Books That Blend Ancient and Modern Practices"
1. Jane - 2 out of 5 stars
I found Chaos magick books to be confusing and lacking in structure. The concepts presented were too abstract for my liking, and I struggled to apply them to my own spiritual practice. The lack of clear instructions and the emphasis on personal interpretation made it even more difficult for me to grasp the concepts presented. While I can see the appeal for some individuals who enjoy freeform and experimental approaches to magic, it simply didn't resonate with me.
2. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars
I found Chaos magick books to be nothing more than a mishmash of random ideas and unverifiable claims. The authors seem more interested in impressing readers with their supposed mastery of the occult than providing practical and useful information. The lack of a coherent system or methodology made it impossible for me to see any value in these books. I believe in a more structured and traditional approach to magic, and Chaos magick books just didn't meet my expectations in that regard.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
As someone who prefers a more organized and systematic approach to magic, Chaos magick books left me feeling confused and bewildered. The eclectic nature of the content and the constant emphasis on personal interpretation made it difficult for me to understand how to incorporate these ideas into my own practice. Moreover, the lack of historical and cultural context undermined the credibility of the information presented. While I appreciate the desire for individual freedom and experimentation, this chaotic approach to magick simply isn't for me.