Introduction to Magic, Volume III: Realizations of the Absolute Individual

Authentic initiatic practices, rituals, and wisdom collected by the UR Group • Explores esoteric practices for individual development, handed down from a primordial tradition and discernable in alchemy, Hermetism, religious doctrines, Tantra, Taoism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and the pagan mysteries of the West • Reveals the ultimate magical goal of the “Absolute Individual,” the immortal and divine potential that requires rare gifts and extraordinary efforts for its realization This volume, the third in the series, complements the first two, yet they are not strictly sequential, and their contents can be read in any order. Volume III, more than the others, bears the personal stamp of Julius Evola. In its pages you’ll discover that the “magic” of the UR Group has nothing to do with sorcery or superstition. It was their term for an active and affirmative attitude toward individual development handed down from a “primordial tradition” and discernible in alchemy, Hermetism, esoteric religious doctrines, indigenous practices, Tantra, Taoism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and the pagan mysteries of the West. Its goal was the “Absolute Individual,” the immortal and divine potential that requires rare gifts and extraordinary efforts for its realization. However, there is incalculable value in this volume even for the less heroic. By studying the practices and realizations within, the reader will be liberated from conventional dogmas--religious, political, scientific, and psychological--and see with the clearer eye of realization.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to the Third Volume PART I I.1 Paths of the Western Spirit I.2 ABRAXA • The Cloud and the Stone I.3 BRENO • Modern Initiation and Eastern Initiation I.4 HAVISMAT • The Zone of Shadow I.5 EA • Poetry and Initiatic Realization PART II II.1 EA • Aristocracy and the Initiatic Ideal II.2 BŘEZINA • Canticle of the Fire II.3 ARVO • About an “Arithmetical Oracle” and the Backstage of Consciousness II.4 AROM • Experiences: The Crown of Light II.5 GERHARD DORN • Clavis Philosophiae Chemisticae (The Key of Alchemical Philosophy) Edited by Tikaipôs II.6 Various Commentaries Difficulties of Belief He Who “Saw” the Gods Men and Gods PART III III.1 EA • The Legend of the Grail and the “Mystery” of the Empire III.2 HAVISMAT • The Instant and Eternity III.3 ABRAXA • Communications III.4 PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA • The Dignity of Man III.5 Commentaries PART IV IV.1 APRO • The Cycles of Consciousness IV.2 TAURULUS • Experiences IV.3 EA • What Is “Metaphysical Reality”? IV.4 IAGLA • On the “Law of Beings” IV.5 Various Commentaries PART V V.1 PLOTINUS • Maxims of Pagan Wisdom V.2 LEO • Human Rhythms and Cosmic Rhythms V.3 Experiences of a Chain V.4 EA • On the Limits of Initiatic “Regularity” PART VI VI.1 C. S. NARAYANA SWAMI AIYAR • Transmutation of Man and Metals VI.2 EA • On the Symbolism of the Year VI.3 ABRAXA • The Magic of Victory VI.4 ARVO • The “Origin of Species,” According to Esotericism VII.1 Various Commentaries More on Survival • On Pacts, Fear, and More VII.2 EA • On the “Sacred” in the Roman Tradition VII.3 Liberation of the Faculties PART VIII VIII.1 Starting Magic, According to Giuliano Kremmerz VIII.2 RUD • First Ascent VIII.3 ABRAXA • Knowledge of the Sacrificial Act VIII.4 Various Commentaries On Sacrifice PART IX IX.1 SIRIO • Noise IX.2 PAUL MASSON-OURSEL • On the Role of Magic in Hindu Speculation IX.3 EA • Esotericism and Christian Mysticism IX.4 GIC • From “The Song of Time and the Seed” IX.5 Metapsychology and Magical Phenomena IX.6 LEO • The “Plumed Serpent” PART X X.1 AGARDA • Remarks on Action in the Passions X.2 SAGITTARIO • Awakening X.3 ARVO • The “Primitives” and Magical Science X.4 AGNOSTUS • Two Hyperborean Symbols X.5 GALLUS • Experiences among the Arabs X.6 Various Commentaries PART XI XI.1 MAXIMUS • Notes on “Detachment” XI.2 The Ascetic, Fire, Rock, Space • From the Milindapañha XI.3 EA • Spiritual Authority and Temporal Power XI.4 About Drugs XI.5 Various Commentaries Seeing Without Wanting to See Ways to the “Void” PART XII XII.1 EKATLOS • The “Great Sign”:On Stage and in the Wings XII.2 EA • Esotericism, the Unconscious, Psychoanalysis XII.3 ANAGARIKA GOVINDA • The Double Mask XII.4 Magical Perspectives, According to Aleister Crowley XII.5 Envoi Index

About the Author :
JULIUS EVOLA was one of the foremost authorities on the world’s esoteric traditions. His other works available in English include The Hermetic Tradition, The Yoga of Power, Revolt Against the Modern World, Eros and the Mysteries of Love, The Doctrine of Awakening, The Mystery of the Grail, Meditations on the Peaks, and Men Among the Ruins.

Review :
“Those who look to Julius Evola’s work for guidance have often wondered what practices Evola himself used to get in contact with Tradition. The answer lies in Introduction to Magic, which represents the records left behind by the UR Group, the mysterious occult order that was the medium through which Evola first experienced the reality of Tradition and grasped its essence. Many of the themes and concepts which were to recur in Evola’s later work are already present in these documents. The great importance Evola attached to these volumes is attested by the belief of Evola’s biographer that the original manuscripts were the only belongings he took with him when he was forced to flee Rome in 1944. The fact that this work is finally available in its entirety to Anglophone readers, masterfully translated by Joscelyn Godwin, is therefore a great service to genuine spiritual seekers everywhere.” “I am impressed by this fine translation of some of my old mentor Julius Evola’s works. I find that ‘Aristocracy and the Initiatic Ideal’ conveys very well the baron’s own beliefs and sentiments as to what it means today to be a true aristocrat among the ruins. Exceedingly insightful comments, as one would indeed expect. A truly excellent publication.”