Here is an introduction to the magical and mystical realm of Taoism through biographical and historical sketches of Taoist adepts over two thousand years. This panoramic view of the many faces of Taoism and its intimate connection with Chinese culture and society includes intriguing accounts of the Taoist secret societies that carried out mystical exercises and powerful consciousness-altering techniques, including sensory deprivation, incantation, visualization, and concentration. This collection of sketches, compiled by Zhang Tianyu, a Taoist priest in the fourteenth century, and translated by renowned translator Thomas Cleary, portrays more than one hundred remarkable individuals from the eleventh century B.C.E. to the thirteenth century C.E. It introduces us to a broad and fascinating range of personalities including philosophers and scholars, magicians and mediums, alchemists and physicians, seers and soothsayers, and artists and poets, among many others. Cleary’s expert translation and informative footnotes make this collection a lively and accessible read.

The word 'magic' evokes many ideas, from a stage magician performing illusions to the pyrotechnics of witches and wizards depicted in movies and on television. This book covers the history, practices, and philosophies of magic and alchemy in Western history. It also looks at the tools used by magicians and alchemists.

The Greatest Magic is the Magic that Transforms the Self To learn the secrets of Enochian magic became my personal obsession. Little did I realize that a simple experiment with the spirit board would result a year later in a life-transforming and completely original alchemical initiation, the Great Work that is the ultimate goal of spiritual alchemy. Transcend ordinary consciousness and undergo a personal, life-altering transformation through Jenny Tyson's amazing journey of spirit communication and instruction. This remarkable book presents Jenny's yearlong training and the intense three-day initiation that turned her minimal psychic abilities into full-blown clairvoyance and clairaudience. Along the way she contacted several guides, including famed Elizabethan magicians John Dee and Edward Kelley. Providing detailed accounts of Jenny's experiences and the ghost box and other tools she used, Spiritual Alchemy guides your own spirit communication. Discover Jenny's unique analysis of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, her process of awakening and raising Kundalini energy, and her work with the angels and gateways to divine unity. With powerful new training methods, a unique interview with Edward Kelley, and more, this book revolutionizes the interactions between humans and spirits. Features a foreword by Donald Tyson.

Looks at alchemy as real magic that can be used by individuals to transform their spiritual and material worlds, and includes advice and exercises designed to help people harness and apply the principles of alchemy in their lives.

A comprehensive illustrated reference guide with more than 400 entries on the subjects of magic and alchemy.

"A comprehensive and exciting book containing the stories of the most famous wizards, magicians, alchemists, mages, necromancers, prophets, and tricksters in history!"--