The Book of Pleasure (Self Love): The Psychology of Ecstasy may be the cornerstone of Austin Osman Spare’s written output as the book includes his first mentions of his groundbreaking ideas regarding sigil work and invocations.
Originally published in 1913, facsimile editions of this book have been released as recently as 2005. I still love the feel of paper and boards between my fingers, but, if you like to sample before you swallow check out this online version of the text that I found at the Hermetic site. Here’s a taste:
Some praise the idea of Faith. To believe that they are Gods (or anything else) would make them such-proving by all they do, to be full of its non-belief. Better is it to admit incapacity or insignificance, than reinforce it by faith; since the superficial “protects” but does not change the vital. Therefore reject the former for the latter. Their formula is deception and they are deceived, the negation of their purpose. Faith is denial, or the metaphor Idiotcy, hence it always fails. To make their bondage more secure Governments force religion down the throats of their slaves, and it always suceeds; those who escape it are but few, therefore their honour is the greater. When faith perishes, the “Self” shall come into its own. Others less foolish, obscure the memory that God is a conception of themselves, and as much subject to law. Then, this ambition of faith, is it so very desirable? Myself, I have not yet seen a man who is not God already.
Austin Osman Spare is considered to be the father of Chaos Magick. Find out more about the development of Chaos Magick and Spare’s place in its pantheon by listening to this illuminating reading of Liber Null by Peter J. Carroll at Joe Nolan’s Insomnia.
Stay Awake!
Joe
