Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon (An Occult Classic?)

This is a book review of "Initiation into Hermetics" by Franz Bardon. #occult

You can find my links here:

[ventusheart]

Initiation Into Hermetics is basically the book that opened the path to all energy work we do now 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[coldhaven]

I have this book at home. As far as historical occult writing goes, its a gem. Its a snapshot of what occultism was like at the time. Just like the many great books that precede it. However, the longer I study mysticism, metaphysics, spirituality, the occult--whatever you want to call it--the more I realize how much of personal gnosis or group gnosis is placed in such books. Crowley's works are rife with it. And he makes as many if not more ridiculous claims than Bardon.

What I can say about Bardon's work is: at least the subject matter is well organized. So many grimoires and instructional texts of the time do not seem to follow regimented thought patterns. One thing that I think is true about works such as Bardon's is the old-time belief that you had to suffer to get anywhere. Not to mention the tasks, criteria, and time involvement usually was beyond the reach of anyone other than the wealthy. To some extent, that is true today.

That is not to say that putting time into study and practice are not fruitful endeavors, they certainly are. However, I suspect that the road to spiritual progression is less rigorous than most of these men make it out to be. After all, blinds were commonly placed into such texts as a way to keep secret information away from the uninitiated. Having read books of antiquity, there seemed to be a consensus amongst these writers that such information should never fall into the hands of some amorphous unworthy. Abramelin the Mage is clear on this point and it seems to be something that rippled down through to the Golden Dawn and others.

However, with abuse being common amongst supposed masters taking advantage of truth seekers, this is not a recommended path anymore. As they say in Buddhism, nature becomes one's master. So the point I am trying to make is that times have changed. Bardon's instructions might work for some. Others don't have the time, as they are busy trying to survive in an economy that wants to eat them alive. This is a critique I've held against many monastic or ascetic paths. It might work for the monk who has time to dedicate to the practice, but for the rest of us its a bit more complicated. Even Buddha said that someone can gain enlightenment instantly. Or it might take several lifetimes.

Current price on Amazon is $40. If you are interested in the work, I'd suggest getting it on Kindle for $14 instead.

[MichaelVanderpool]

The Practice of Magical Evocation by Franz Bardon for those that want a unique insightful one of a kind insight into magic, will find an orchard of delight there... while those who can if ever make contact with the beings in the book (most will not), it is a treasure beyond all earthly treasure... one that, quite frankly, cannot be fully explored in one lifetime. My base for two years was Kraig's exercises in 11 Lessons on the High Magical Arts... I moved on to try the evocation of beings in Bardon's The Practice of Magical Evocation... it's mind-blowing with the manifestations and possibilities.

[willzinc]

Great review. I read the book a few years ago and twice within the last 8 years I started on the steps. I did steps 1 and 2 and then fizzled out both times. I was really into just enjoying my life during those years though. A lot of indulgence, drinking, neglecting my body, etc. I agree with you that a certain level of asceticism is expected (and maybe necessary?) to really get the most out of the path Bardon laid out. Now that I'm a little older and have my body and mind in better order, I'm strongly considering doing the program from step 1 again and trying to complete it. It is definitely not for the faint of heart.

[DavezillaMedia]

This was one of the first occult books I read and followed the exercised in. It made my head explode. I read it in 1984-85? I did not complete the entire book. It was too hard, but many of the things I learned from it, never left me. Glad to see you review this classic, Ivy!

[MichaelVanderpool]

P.S. Ivy Corvus - great and exciting review - well done. The Stenjar cipher easily found online might be of interest to those who move on to the 2nd book - I remain grateful to Rawn Clark many years ago who posted on the net about being able to ask the spirit(s) for a shortened sigil, which in the case of being granted this upon evocation, one could easily then draw it into the air and then call or 'instantly' evoke the being to you ... priceless insights I don't recall if 'in the text'. Carroll Poke Runyon further revealed in a podcast on Bardon how at his level of skill he could just rather simply and instantly make contact with various beings... I've yet to see some of the information presented in Bardon's texts anywhere else in written or spoken form. For serious occultists, I think this is one of the most important books for the practice of evocation.

[Jason-jizx]

IMO the reason Bardon is mandatory reading is because many modern occult books are heavily inspired by IIH assuming they haven't just taken exercises from him verbatim without attribution. Like reading Agrippa, knowledge of Bardon will help you navigate modern occultism even if you never adopt any of his practices.

[taionorbanus]

It's like reading translated stereo instructions. However it has a TON of value. The Pore Breathing alone is worth the price of admission.
I would also like to add his Fluid Condenser is magic soup. So soup is magic

[tmmmedia]

Woke up with abilities after not believing in anything. I asked God to show me what to do with all of this. The next thing that happened was a YouTube video popped up with this book. That was 5 years ago and since then I have mastered his books and teach it to others.
It’s not flawed it’s exactly as it should be. Not everyone should have this. But EVERYONE can do it!

[ArcanistOfLore]

I've really enjoyed this book and I look forward to going through the steps and seeing how my practice evolves through it.

[kathleenroberts]

I could levitate when I was a child and wish I could do it now. This sounds intresting.

[pauljames]

Excellent analysis. Thanks for all your work.

[U_N_Owen]

Bardon is somebody... he tells these stories and gives these methods, and if you just engage your intuition and imagine what he's telling you and don't strain with it... At some point, maybe years down the line, it'll pop up out of nowhere and you realize he's taught you this marvelous complex thing that had nothing to do with the surface elements of what he was saying at all. And you go back and re-read and this time you put yourself in the story and walk yourself through and imagine yourself in the role and doing these things, and you practice them over and over, and you do the whole thing yourself, and you get even more of it. Imagination is the key to the whole thing.

[mvjonsson]

I really liked your review and to me Bardon's book is a classic, even though it has its flaws.

You should do an interview with Franz Bardon specialist Clint Sabom, who has an excellent youtube channel where he guides Bardon practioners through the practice of the Ten steps.
Clint has many interesting perspectives that sheds vsluable light on the book.

Also Rawn Clark's book A Bardon Companion is also highly recommended for anyone interested in Bardon's system.

[liammaple]

I was literally contemplating stopping the initiation into hermetics practice. I had so many false starts, I thought about giving up. I’m not new to this so I question what I’d get out of it. But you definitely gave me the answer I need. It’s too obscure of a book to be a coincidence to me lol. Also, for anyone interested, the book can be read for free; the pdf is everywhere and there are communities with a bunch of insight on the practice.

[Shadowman]

This really a hidden gem... I might check it out. Good stuff as always Ivy! 🤘🍎🐍

[ramsesp]

After WW2, many initiates all across the board didn't have access to Physical Lodges or ways to receive their study lessons for obvious reasons. This book filled that gap & hence was praised and passed down till the modern day. The exercises are similar to what you'd find in various Rosicrucian, Theosophical & Sufis Orders, and if you ask the mystics in those traditions they will tell you it's better used as a compliment to those who already formerly received some form of traditional Initiation, which i 1000% agree. IIH was not written for aspirants, which is why it seems too "Hard" and "Rigorous" to many.

[elisabethVallieres]

There was once a book in which was written about iih initiation into hermetics that it was encoded meaning you had to decode it 🎉

[GoddessMimiLove]

Do my Virgo placements in astrology I enjoy discipline and routine, I am all about the details, I notice everything lol, my dad was in the army, my mom was very strict, so I didn’t notice it in the book, lol. But I can see what you talk about.
I am enjoying the reading.

[wendykleeb]

I love "Hermetic Philosophy and Creative Alchemy" by Marlene Seven Bremner. I also read "Hermetic Philosophy Collections" by various authors. My interest is the principles and thinking of how to apply those to my life and belief systems. My goal isn't personal power. My value is mind and soul development.
My energy work came through meditation and breath work.