Natural Magick

E-339: Basic Books. Good. 1957. Hardcover. Hardcover. 4to. Published by Basic Books, Inc. , New York. 1957. 409 pgs. Reprint. Bound in cloth boards with titles present to the spine. Boards have light shelf-wear present to the extremities (titles along the spine are faded and worn). No ownership marks present. Text is clean and free of marks. Binding tight and solid. This book contains ancient magical rituals and techniques collected over fifty years of research, these rare manuscripts were originally written in ancient Latin and were until recently elusive to the general public. Written by John Baptist Porta, a Neapolitan scholar of notable ability who had devoted great attention to the study of natural and physical science. Porta visited most of his known world to gather and perfect the knowledge utilised in his writings. This was achieved by years of research pooling information from rare manuscripts on these subjects and comparing the various sub-sections of each to find the central methods of magic. While crucially informing the readers of the differences so they can experiment with which works best. The value this book gives the reader of the perspective of those early scientists and the way they perceived their known universe was as precious then as it is now. It should be remembered that few in Porta's time were free from naivety toward many marvels and superstitions which were inherited from the past and Porta's work shows that he was no exception, as much of the "marvelous" is found in his writings. On the whole, however, his information is definite and practical and his work is as good as could be expected of one, not himself a practical experimenter or investigator, but a conscientious and scholarly student of literature, ancient and contemporary. This point is critical as it frees him of the certain prejudice a trained scientist may have given to different schools of thought. Therefore the reader is presented with a clear, unbiased view of the concepts, perceptions, and achievements of a host of historically important scientists and philosophers through Porta's writings. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .