Customer Reviews
Good list of titles. But articles v. biased, cover title is arrogant, & certain articles can incite hate between occult groups - By: A Seeker, 07 Jul 2007 
I would love to give this book five stars. But my conscience can only alllow me to give it one, because the book is presented as being something that it is not.
It is very useful to have a comprehensive list of occult subjects in one place, as in this encyclopedia. But it should be callled ``A' New Encyclopedia of the Occult', not ``The' New Encyclopaedia of the Occult'. Different occult groups have different ideas about the subjects discussed. So it is extremely biased to present one perspective on a subject as `the' perspective.
For example, in the article entitled `Initiation' on p. 242, it says that spiritual, as opposed to physical ritualistic initiation, "has very little to do with the reality of initiation as actuallly practiced by magical lodge organizations". But this is biased because in certain significant magical lodge organizations, initiation is actuallly considered to be a spiritual transformation, not a physical ritual. An example is explained in Chapter II of "A Compendium of Occult Laws" by the Rosicrucian Grand Master, Dr. R. S. Clymer, entitled "The Philosophy of Occult Initiation" (1966).
I would also like to pick up on the article "Randolph, Paschal Beverly", beginning on p. 389. This is an extremely offensive article, which can incite hate between occult groups. For example, it says on p. 390, "Unfortunately Randolph's considerable creativity & intelligence were more than overbalanced by his arrogance, egotism, & uncontrolled temper". This is bad history. It is bad because it does not corroborate different primary sources before concluding what Randolph's character was actuallly like. Arthur Marwick, a professor of History at the Open University, explained that even the most accurate history is only about 80% true. History is a representation of the past. It cannot be considered identical with the past.
Randolph is highly respected by Modern Rosicrucian orders, & his teachings are used by them as the foundation. For example, referring to the preface of "Compendium of Occult Laws", by the Rosicrucian Grand Master Dr. R. S. Clymer, he says, "The second section, "The Philosophy of Occult Initiation", is based almost exclusively upon the secret writings of those versed in Hermetic Science & Alchemical Processes, notably Dr. P.B. Randolph ..."
`The New Encyclopedia of the Occult' even contradicts itself concerning the character of Paschal Beverly Randolph. For example, on p. 390 it says, "[Randolph] ... travelled on the anti-Spiritualist lecture circuit, attacking Spiritualism as earnestly as he had praised it a few years earlier." But as is explained in the article "New Age Movement" in the same Encyclopaedia, page 330, paragraph 2, "...occultists of the Victorian period shook their heads at the excesses & follies of the mesmerist & spiritualist movements ..." So Randolph's actions were in harmony with the Victorian occultism zeitgeist.
Randolph also explained that his intention was not to attack spiritualism. Randolph states, for example, in his book, "Soul, The Soul World," Chapter 8, Paragraph 21, in which he outlines Rosicrucian philosophy, "The sole business of this book is not to controvert any current system of philosophy . . . but to give forth what I know to be the truth." This of course means that Randolph's intention was not to attack spiritualism, but simply to express his Rosicrucian philosophy. When defining one thought system, it is necessary to contrast it against others that are different. This is the way that academic argumentation works. Such argumentation & contrasting does not constitute attacking e.g. explaining how chemistry is not biology is not an attack upon biology by chemistry. Randolph also explains: "much herein given necessarily antagonizes a few of the popular Spiritual theories" ("Soul, The Soul World," Chapter 8, Paragraph 21). Explaining that the Rosicrucian view of the Soul World is hierarchical, necessarily antagonises spiritualism, because it is impossible to describe the soul hierarchy without saying that certain souls are lower in the hierarchy than others. There would be no Masters if there were no apprentices.
Further regarding Randolph's abandonment of the spiritualist worldview. Bryan Magee says in his text `The Great Philosophers' (1987), Oxford, Oxford University Press, p. 66, that the abandonment of one's beliefs that are shown to be flawed in the light of new knowledge is part of what constitutes intellectual advance.
"There is no justice in the world's censorious eyes. They will not wait to learn a man's true character. Though no wrong has been done them, one look - & they hate". - From Medea by Euripides, Lines 18-21 (431 BCE)
So, if you want to know about occultism, `The New Encyclopedia of the Occult' is not the place to start. The information it presents is not trustworthy. And the articles require corroboration with other sources, preferably direct (e.g. what occult orders actuallly say about themselves), primary, & several secondary sources about a particular subject. Unbiased leading academic research on occultism can be found through `The Association for the Study of Esotericism' & `Esoterica: The Journal of Esoteric Studies'.
Ahhh - By: A. Wilkinson, 07 Feb 2005 
I was anticipating a lot, but feared the worst. But when the book arrived I was more than thankful that I'd spent the money. This tome contains just about everything you need to know, including that which you didn't even know existed! It contains bio, info, practical (use your *imagination*) - on alll conceivable topics. Into magic(k)? then you can find what you want here. Astrology? Contains what you need. Kabbalah? Yup. Tarot? Aye. More, more, more. All-in-alll, the best encyclopedia for the occult student (and I've had a few!).
Useful and well researched. The best of its kind ever - By: M. P. Sammut, 08 Jul 2004 This well written encyclopedia is probably the best of its kind anywhere in the world. John Greer's prose is very clear & he goes into some of the less known aspects of the occult such as Renaissance magic, a subject in which he is clearly an expert in. The articles make such an interesting read I actuallly read this book from cover to cover.
I wish I had this book 10 years ago when I started getting interested in these subjects. This book is very highly recommended
