A Comprehensive Overview of Witchcraft, Demonology, and Satanic Beliefs: The Black Arts

Serena: The book arrived very shortly after the purchase, I was surprised how quickly it arrived. It is a very beautiful book

Germany on Jul 18, 2022

Tasha M.: DISCLAIMER: this book has misinformation and is very harmful to marginalized groups in the spiritual spectrum. Be careful.

this book isn't what I thought it was going to be. the reviews on amazon are so far from what this book is. nothing witchcraft in this, I was doing research for my WIP and thought this will be a good book. it was not, its honestly all Christianly/religious talk and sexist. skip this book and look for something better please.

Canada on May 02, 2021

Stanley: Editing my review, giving 5 stars. Its really good book for entertainment purpose too, the way Cavendish explained everything and stories about Aleister Crowley, its really fun to read
Book has its own dark Energy, will push you to follow Left hand path maybe in form of nightmares or dreams. From my perspective at no matter what level or kind of magician a person is, it is important to know to dark side of magic at least at beginner's level. This book touches all the topic and points to give knowledge about black arts. Than it depends on you if you want to follow Left hand Path and what particular field you want to go as Cavendish did excellent job in providing information about each field.

Canada on Sep 23, 2020

Client d'Amazon: This book is a little gem of occult topics. Its not a grimoire nor a wicca masterclass (if its what you are looking for thats not it). "Absorbing" as written on the cover is the right word to describe it. Cavendish cover a vast array from the surface to the depths of occultism practiced by humanity since as long as we were able to trace it as a whole. He dives more in some topics than others but will surely gives you a good basic of whats going on in numerology, or in the cabalist mind and many others. So you will be free to dive deeper more precisely in what you discovered after reading the black arts. It is surely a book to have in every occultist library, really nice look also, maybe that sexy cover will get your girl attention then she'll turn into a witch !

I give big credit to sir Cavendish for the outstanding neutrality in wich he helaborates on every topic, about every thing. He knows how to treat a subject with objectivity and still gives you enough to keep you fascinated about it. Never been bored during my read.

Canada on Sep 05, 2019

Katharina: I love this book so so much, I love how many different themes it covers, and different perspectives, and talks about issues causes by people's different standpoints on certain subjects without villifying either side. It doesn't belittle people who are involved/pratice witchcraft, or make anyone out to be a freak, or to be "fallen from grace" (or other mightier-than-thou christian/religious bs). You essentially don't need to know anything about witchcraft or other crafts/arts to read this book, but it won't bore you either if you DO know stuff already. My sister read my copy and she enjoyed reading it even though she never got involved with witchcraft, and I (who has been practicing witchcraft for a few years now) got a lot of new and interesting information out of this book as well. I truly hope more people who're interested in these crafts can read this book - FINALLY an un-biased source-material!
(the physical book itself is also very enjoyable, the thin pages and printing-style give it a nice, fitting aesthetic and feel great in your hand)

Germany on Apr 26, 2019

Luna4x0: This is great resource for those looking to get a general perspective on different occult practices. It covers general magic ritual, numerology, astrology, witchcraft, alchemy, and more.

Because it covers so much, it doesn't go into detailed analysis, but rather an overarching explanation of the basics and philosophies. This is a very good academic resource and it is written in neutral voice. It has some really neat historical references too. Some good visual aids included as well. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in occult topics.

Note: The numerology section was a little rough to get through, but I think that was a topic issue, not necessarily the writing itself.

United States on Nov 09, 2018

GV: Great read for those interested in the occult. It's a basic intro to various aspects of the occult, this is not an in depth analysis or historical book. Several reviews state that this isn't in depth enough, but if you actually take the time to read what you're buying you could have easily figured out this is an exploratory book. This is a CONCISE history of the occult, if you don't know what the means I would suggest a dictionary before purchasing this book.

The books touches on various branches of the occult such as witchcraft, spells, numerology, astrology, alchemy, kabbalah, tarot, charms, and summoning and control of spirits. It provides an insight to these topics but does not explore them fully.

United States on Jul 18, 2018

Anne Garcia: I read this book years ago. I found it to be informative and interesting. In no way does this book go deep into the Dark Arts but instead touches upon a bit of history along with an explanation of what some may see as a negative practice. Majick has always been looked upon as a form of evil. Detailed descriptions of early beliefs of " alchemy. " How precious metals were used along with other ingredients. Toward the end is where I became somewhat nauseous. This is not a book or subject for young children or teens in my opinion. I'll sum it up as a book that can lead you into the direction of further study of Black Majick and only that form. Very interesting. I was pleased to find this on Amazon and had to buy it. My initial copy disappeared many years ago.

United States on Nov 06, 2014

Lawrence Curcio: I originally purchased this book in 1972 so that I could have the title on my bookshelf as a little joke. Shortly thereafter I quit smoking and, substituting one habit for another, began to read voraciously. Cavendish was devoured in the ensuing feeding frenzy, poor fellow, and (Hey Presto!) the volume was considerably tastier than I had exepcted.

_The Black Arts_ is light enough to entertain, and scholarly enough to satisfy. Consider it a survey course in the occult, with particular (but not exclusive) emphasis on the 19th Cenury social aspects. It provides insights into the likes of Yeates, Doyle and Eliot as well. Cavendish does not promote any of the traditions, but he does report them and he relates them to one another. I emerged from the book edified if not enchanted.

Thereafter I pursued the casual hobby of collecting and reading Victorian and Edwardian occult classics - many of which were available in the same kind of bookstore where I found Cavendish. While not believeing any of the nonsense described, I was nevertheless (ahem!) charmed by those who did believe, and enjoyed their mad ravings. Alas, some decades later, a business associate recommended...

United States on Jan 30, 2007

Magickal Merlin: This book is not heavy-duty reading, on the history of the dark art of Black Magick.Personally,i'm a 'White Witch' and probably deemed 'fluffy' by many head-bangers.This magickal modern classic ,by Richard Cavendish, was intended to be a introductory primer ,when it was published in 1967.There are many interesting areas of the dark side of the Black Satanic Arts covered here,such as numerology and ritual magick.Donald Tyson wrote ,'Ritual Magic',in 1981.Which would seem redundant,if you had read,'The Black Arts'.(-Tyson's book did have many good antique photos though.)- If you are a student of Magick history,with an interest in the darker side of witchcraft,you will enjoy this book.It was republished in the original type-set.So many classical re-prints have such a sterile ,computer-print look to them,that it removes the pleasure of reading and absorbing the literature.For folks who are looking for weighty material from this paperback,will have to look into hard-cover works from the magicians of yesteryear .Yet,this book explains well the basic foundations that today's earth-magicians look to for ritual guidance.

United States on Dec 26, 2006