By (author) Stephen Mandes Thomas
A powerful invitation to reconsider the intersection between Christianity and ceremonial magic by harnessing the power of the seasonal cycle
Designed to appeal at once to ceremonial magicians who feel called to work in the Christian tradition and ordinary believers who wish to explore the magical side of their faith, The Sacramental Magic of Advent aims to re-enchant the cycle of the year, starting with Advent and Christmas.
The power of the seasonal cycle is recognised by magical and religious traditions throughout the world. Beyond religion and magic, the cycles of the year have been sources of inspiration for many people since time immemorial, inspiring much of our great art, poetry, and music.
Sadly, the cycle of the year has largely been lost in contemporary culture, and above all in modern Christianity. Old feasts are forgotten or minimised, the long fasts become long shopping seasons, and the great holy days have been reduced to brief spasms of consumption.
Guiding the reader through Advent and Christmas, The Sacramental Magic of Advent resituates the Advent and Christmas period as an important season of increased spiritual significance, presenting a series of traditional magical practices, such as banishing rituals and the invocation of spirits, in a Christian context, so that they may be used by ceremonial magicians and more orthodox believers alike.
The book also explores the Christian practices of fasting and almsgiving, with prayer and forgiveness also presented as the powerful magical works that they truly are. Included also are explorations surrounding the cycle of the church, including the saints days and the Ember Days, the season of Advent and the great mystery of Christmas, followed by suggestions on how to re-work them to fit both a contemporary home life and a magical practice.
The Sacramental Magic of Christmas will make a worthy addition to the bookshelf of any student or seasoned magical practitioner looking to enhance or refine their practice.
By (author) Stephen Mandes Thomas
Stephen Mandes Thomas is a longtime practitioner of magic, astrology, and energetic healing who also happens to be a cradle Catholic. Initially training in the Golden Dawn tradition, he has also been initiated in Taoist and Druid magical traditions and ordained to the subdiaconate in the Liberal Catholic tradition. Rather than drawing away from the Catholic faith of his birth, he found that studying magic in fact drew him back toward his traditional faith, now informed by magical philosophy. He lives in Maryland with his family.
He blogs weekly on substack and also offers divination work.
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