Magic, Power, Language, Symbol: A Magician's Exploration of Linguistics | 
| Author: Patrick Dunn
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $10.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 280460
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9
ISBN: 0738713600
Dewey Decimal Number: 133.43014
EAN: 9780738713601
ASIN: 0738713600
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
Postmodern Theory for a Pre-Modern Practice From the sigils of chaos magic to the numerical code of Qabalah, all magical practices operate in a web of symbols and language. Yet academics seldom examine the role that semiotics and linguistics play in the unfolding of magical works. In the follow-up to his debut Postmodern Magic, Patrick Dunn returns once again to the theoretical realm of the sign, the signified, and the changeable perceptions of a slippery reality. Intellectual and aggressively modern, his language-driven perspective on magic touches on all elements voiced and written, from speaking in tongues and creating mantras to composing Enochian spells and working with gematria. A hefty appendix includes exercises that put Dunn's theories to work, as well as the first published dictionary of English alphabet numerology. Highly literate and highly readable, Magic, Power, Language, Symbol will tickle the minds of theory-thirsty academics and seasoned mages alike, as well as anyone else eager to examine the manufacture of meaning.
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| Customer Reviews:
Interesting and Unique! August 31, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
For those who are already familiar with Mr. Dunn's system of "postmodern" magic, this work carries on even further into his unique and contemporary tradition. I actually bought "Magic, Power, Language, Symbol" before I ever heard of his first book "Postmodern Magic". I started reading "Magic, Power.." and upon greatly enjoying it, decided that it'd be best to go buy "Postmodern Magic", read all of that first and then continue with his second book; but that's just me, I like to be thorough.
I definitely believe that his system has much to offer contemporary magic. First and foremost he is an author that presents us with something NEW and UNIQUE; And that's saying a lot - and you'll see what I mean if you take a look at you local bookstore's metaphysical section; the same-old rehashed Golden-Dawn-Crowley-esqe material fills every single shelf. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those systems, it's just not anything new. How many times do we really need to re-read the instructions for the L.B.R.P. and here the same boring Qabalah introduction speech?
So like I said, "Magic, Power, Language, Symbol" is worthwhile because even if you disagree with his philosophy, it's something new; something that you've probably never considered before; and certainly something that will at least make you think. But beyond that I think most readers will take a way a lot from this book. There's nothing quite like it out there. Mr. Dunn combines his in-depth understanding of linguistics and postmodern philosophy with magical theory and practice. It's a very interesting and practical approach.
When you consider; all magical systems really are just words, symbols, numbers, etc. Symbolism is at the very heart of occult practice - and this book explains the how and the why.
In this work he gives some very original insights on topics such as Enochian, Barbarous words of invocation, sigils, glyphs, Qabalah and many other topics. I can honestly say that I learned something new on every page of this book - that is a rare thing to come across these days!
So, if you take your magical practice seriously, if you love learning the theory behind the practice, if you are interested in finding out how and why language and symbolism plays such an important role in magic; then you should read this book.
There's nothing bad I can say about it. Period. You will definitely learn many new things which you can adapt into your current practice.
And if you haven't already read Dunn's first book "Postmodern Magic", you will surely want to after finishing "Magic, Power,..." The two books go great together, one compliments the other; but don't think that you NEED both books; that's not my point. I just wanted to mention that they work good together.
One more thing; if you're the type who is lacking in originality and creativity, this book is ESPECIALLY for you. Personally, I could never understand how people can copy "spells" and "rituals" from other peoples books and actually use them in magic.. You HAVE TO write you own material for successful magic! This book gives a LOT of ideas and inspiration for writing your own stuff; it's very technical and detailed, but in a very good way.
That's all! Serious practitioners - get this book.
And Mr. Dunn - please keep writing! We need more creative authors like yourself to keep the tradition alive and growing. Thank you :)
Great idea! July 29, 2008
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
i got a note from amazon regarding this book. sounds like something i'd be very interested in, and will be ordering it tonight.
for me, language and magic go hand in hand. in fact, take a look at one of my most recent magical endeavors, Unbearable Fruit, on the Eldritch-Infernal site.
i also really enjoyed his previous book, Postmodern Magic. Mr. Dunn, email me sometime. would love to discuss things with you.
Ia Ia,
Venger As'Nas Satanis
Cult of Cthulhu High Priest
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