From: ba@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (B.A. Davis-Howe)
Subject: Ceremonial Mysticism--Reading List
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 22:03:59 GMT


The following is a draft of a reading list on Ceremonial Mysticism.  Before 
reading the list, I ask that you read my definitions and judge it in that
context.  Please feel free to either post sugestions or mail them to me.
Questions regarding my reasons are welcome as well, but gratuitous flames 
by those who view things very differently are not.  If you don't agree with
my definitions or approach, that's fine--but it is not what I'm asking.  I'm
looking for feedback on my approach--how to refine it and communicate it most
effectively.  Thanks for your help.

Ceremonial Mysticism is a term I coined to express my approach to Ceremonial
Magic.  I do not claim to have the TRVTH, but this is consistent with my life
and world-view.  Ceremonialism is one style of magic (there are many styles)
which includes a number of approaches.  Ceremonialism is a Mentalist style,
that is, it works primarily with the power of the mind (as distinct from
working with nature, spirits, or vital force); these powers are focussed through
symbols, which may be words, images, rituals, etc.  Ceremonialism works through
the disciplined manipulation of the mind (on all its levels) by the conscious
use of symbology--this can have a multitude of results.  Mysticism is the
process of connecting, in some way which we cannot describe or define, with the
Divine.  We do not understand what the Divine is, and we use many names for
it; however, on a deeper level, all Gods are One God.  The one sure sign of 
mysticism is Love.  Those who have experienced the Mystery will feel
themselves called to loving, though the expression will vary.  One  of the goals
of Ceremonial Mysticism is the deeper connection to the Divine.  The methods
are all ultimately devoted to preparing us to experience this Mystery
continually.  This takes a great deal of transformation on our part, which is 
the point of learning to exert change within our psyche.  One of the reasons
which led me to use the term Ceremonial Mysticism instead of the more usual
Ceremonial Magic, is that I accept that Angels and Gods are real, i.e. they
have an existence outside of my psyche.  This is also true of elementals, etc.
I hope that this paragraph is not completely opaque, and that it explains my
biases accurately enough.


READING LIST

Copyright 1992
B.A. Davis-Howe

PREPARATORY:
Kurtz, Katherine; Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic (F)
King, Francis; Magic: The Western Tradition (NF)
Bradley, Marion Zimmer; The Forbidden Tower (F)
Ashcroft-Nowiki, Delores; The Ritual Magic Workbook(RMW): pp. 1-26 (NF)

BASIC DEVELOPMENT:
RMW: I (pp. 27-44)
Bonewitz, Isaac; Real Magic (NF)
Caldecott, Moyra; Tall Stones Trilogy (F)
RMW: II (pp. 44-62)
Starhawk; Dreaming the Dark (NF)
Kurtz, Katherine; The Adept (F)
RMW: III (pp. 63-81)
Dennings and Phillips; The Magical Philosophy, Vol. I (NF)
Crowley, John; Little, Big (F)
RMW: IV (pp. 82-100)
Theresa of Avila; Interior Castle: pp. 7-94 (NF)
Kurtz, Katherine; Harrowing of Gwynedd (F)
Kurtz, Katherine; Deryni Magic (NF)
RMW: pp. 101-240
Dennings and Phillips; Magical Philosophy, Vol. V: pp. 3-161 (NF)

For Further Reading:
SOURCE TEXTS:
Anthony, Piers; Tarot (F)
Butler, W.E.; Lords of Light (NF)
Halevi, Z'ev ben Shimon; Kabbalah: Tradition of Hidden Knowledge (NF)
Kurtz, Katherine; Works (F)
Lewis, C.S.; Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength (F)
River and Gillespie; The Knot of Time (NF)
Theresa of Avila; Interior Castle: pp. 96-235 (NF)

RECOMMENDED:
Anonymous; The Bible: "Psalms"; "The Song of Songs"
Booth, Leo; When God becomes a Drug (NF)
Crowther, Patricia; Lid Off the Cauldron: pp. 114-148 (NF)
de Lint, Charles; Works (F)
Dennings and Phillips; Magical Philosophy, Vol. II and Vol. V: pp. 3-161 (NF)
Eliade, Mircea; Works (NF)
Garrett, Randall; Works (F)
Hancock, Neil; Works (F)
Le Guin, Ursula; A Wizard of Earthsea; The Tombs of Atuan; and  The Farthest Shore (F)
L'Engle, Madeleine; Works (F and NF)
Jung, C.G.; Works (NF)
Kelly, Thomas; A Testament of Devotion (NF)
Kempton-Smith, Debbi; Secrets From a Stargazer's Notebook (NF)
Lao Tzu; Tao Te Ching (NF)
Musashi, Miyamoto; The Book of Five Rings (NF)
Shah, Idries; Tales of the Dervishes
Woods, Margo; Masturbation, Tantra, and Self Love (NF)

QUESTIONABLE (for various reasons, including my not having read it yet):
Carroll, Peter; Liber Null and Psychonaut (NF)
Mathews and Green; The Grail Seekers Companion (NF)
Reed, Ellen Cannon; The Witches' Qabala and The Witches' Tarot (NF)
Scully, Nicki; The Golden Cauldron: Shamanic Journeys on the Path of Wisdom (NF)
Stein, Diane; The Kwan Yin Book of Changes
Tyson, Donald; The New Magus (NF)
Underhill, Evelyn; Mysticism (NF)

GENERAL:
Mythology from all cultures
Mystical writings, especially auto-biographies

              Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again,
                               Br'anArthur

I am convinced that one cam learn more real magic from one good story
than from any number of grimoire. --Me