Original Magic: The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi - Stephen E. Flowers Ph.D. 2017

Reading Curriculum
Initiation into Magic

The contents of this book concentrate on the acquisition and application of magical technologies for progressive self-development and for the general improvement of the world. The reason these two things go hand in hand is that the individual improvements are accelerated by environmental development, and the reverse is also true. The individual is of extreme importance in the Mazdan philosophy because each individual possesses a fravashi, or “holy guardian angel,” which is in fact an exponent of the individual’s true self derived from its heavenly archetypal prototype.

There have been many books of magic, and books about magic, yet few if any have been dedicated to the original form of this craft practiced by the magavans. To become initiated into the original ways of the magical art and science of the ancients, we need to learn about the history, culture, and spiritual heritage, which gave shape to the practice of the first Magians. To do this, the student should undertake a curriculum of reading in three categories: magic, philosophy, and history. The objective of this study is the deepening of contextual knowledge about the practices so that they will be most effective and transformative.

The bibliographies provided in this book provide many titles worthy of study, but the reading course can be drawn from a wide array of works. The important thing is that both the quality and quantity of the works be sufficient to complete the process of contextual learning. I would suggest that one book of philosophy and one of history be read each month of the overall curriculum, and that two or three books of basic magical theory and practice be read in the first three months by those students who are not already well versed in the basic skills of meditation, concentration, and visualization. I cannot overemphasize the necessity of this outside study—it provides the psychological context in which the practical exercises of this curriculum can and will take root and provide the fruits of your efforts.