The Game of Wizards- by Charles Ponce.
This book looks at several of the major divinatory systems in a very scientific and analytical way. It pushes the mystical element right out. Included are Astrology, I-Ching, Tarot, Kabbalah and Alchemy. The how-to aspects are confined to three very detailed appendices covering Astrology, I-Ching and the inter-relatedness of the Tarot and Kabbalah. The book concludes with an essay that examines where the development of the human mind is headed.

The Secret of Atlantis- by Otto Muck.
This work supports Plato's accounts of Atlantis from Timias and Critias, quoting large chunks of the original Plato. Muck, a former WW2 German Scientist, places Atlantis in the middle of the Atlantic. He supports this theory with a large amount of quite convincing geographical evidence. He aligns a major eruption of the volcanoes under the Atlantic with a time of major flooding, when sea levels rose permanently, leaving Atlantis underwater, and the former mountain tops being all that is left exposed as the now lesser Antilles. Various places in the world show evidence of such events at the dates he suggests, which also corresponds with long dark periods of ash cloud cover and subsequent climate changes. This, he thought, also changed the flow of glacial ice. Atlantis used to cause it to pass close to the UK, and the UK climate became significantly warmer after this period.

Man and Time- by J.B.Priestley.
This is a bit dated, being written in the sixties, so the section on Time in literature is distinctly lacking, but the section on the scientific theories of time and time travel are still relevant. Another interesting section is the inclusion and analysis of letters written to the author by the public. This was in response to his request for documentation of strange experiences concerning time.

Supernature- by Lyall Watson.
Supernature looks at the cross over point between science and the supernatural or occult. Every subject is explored thoroughly, examining available research already done in those areas, and using it to draw conclusions. It is comprehensive and interesting. The subjects covered include; Astrology and the planets, life fields, brain waves, PK, the will, the aura, poltergeists, thoughtography, eyeless sight, psychometry, alchemy, palmistry, graphology, phrenology, hypnosis, dreams, hallucination, telepathy, intuition, witchcraft, time, precognition, and the concept of life on earth as an experiment! Watson discusses experiments such as plants showing electronically recorded responses to the death of shrimp, concluding that all life forms give out a kind of SOS signal at the moment of death.

Foundation/Foundation and Empire/Second Foundation- by Isaac Asimov.
The essence of these books is the practise of psychohistory. This is a method of using psychology and maths to predict the future. Hari Seldon, the first and greatest psychohistorian, predicted the fall of the Empire and the galaxy in a state of chaos for a ten thousand years. But with the formation of his foundation, he states civilization can be resumed in only a thousand years. He does not calculate for the arrival of a mutant on the scene. Most fascinating is the way the foundationers think and indeed, are thought of by the rest of the world. They come out tops in extremely difficult situations, often against force, by use of superior intelligence.

Batman- The Dark Knight Returns- by Frank Miller.
This is a cartoon book, where Batman is now middle aged! The society he lives in has changed and his values seem now to be at odds with it. It is now a little unclear whether he is a hero or a villain. Superman and a new race of mutants are thrown in for extra seasoning. It is an interesting look at perspective and ethical standpoints.

Our Lady of Darkness- by Fritz Lieber.
This is a work of fiction, loosely in the Lovecraftian style. It is based on the idea that architecture can have an existance. A town/city can be brought to life by use of magical processes. Some examples of the types of rituals used are written into the story. There is also the idea of drawing a shape onto a map, in this instance a triangle, and then performing certain actions on certain buildings at key points to induce a magical 'awakening'. Not limited to buildings, there is also the concept of books becoming an animated life form!

Celtic Myths and Legends- by T.W.Rolleston.
Rolleston is a scholar who examines this subject from a historical perspective, as opposed to the usual mere storytelling. The legends are included but are interspersed with their relationship to historical periods and events therein. He looks at how the people who were the Danaan were beaten by invaders and became the fairy folk, cropping up in future legends, but their lands remaining hidden. Any that did go there, could never find their way back after their return. He looks a little at the Arthur/Merlin legend, but mainly confines himself to Ireland- though occasional reference is made to the Greeks! It is an extremely lenghty and thorough study offering much in the way of historical insight. One feels, after the first hundred and fifty pages, that a certain drifting into lands filled with red-headed warriors has occurred!

Amulets and Superstitions. Also, Egyptian Magic- by A.E.Wallis Budge.
These books, particularly the former, are like taking an extended stroll round the British Museum, or a similar museum, with your own personal tour guide. It brings the Egyptian Amulets and symbols to life, with many illustrations, as well as exploring the symbolic magic of other ancient cultures. It looks at some of the many religions that Christianity has 'borrowed' its symbolism from. It adds a colourful depth of history to pre-existing occult knowledge.

The Sacred Yew- by Anand Chetan & Diana Brueton.
This book looks at the history of the Yew tree. I learnt a lot about both the botanical history of Yews, as Well as the Occult symbolic history. The Yew is considered an immortal plant, because of the way it grows old and falls down, and appears to be nothing but a rotted trunk for many years, then re-roots into a circle of Yew trees, thought to have been used for magical purposes. The book records geographical instances of the oldest and the largest of these magnificent trees.

The Dragonlance Legends- by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman.
The second trilogy of Dragonlance books, is a major improvement on the first, exploring the world of Raistlin as a mature Magician in much greater depth. He has developed into a much deeper and darker character, possessed of a self-centredness that would befit any Satanist! There are some spectacular examples of LBM, and isolate intelligence. It is not really essential to have read the first trilogy for familiarity with the characters, as a]they have changed and matured, and mostly weakened in comparision to Raistlin, and b]previous escapades are recapped in the story where necessary. This is a real fantasy world to lose yourself in as you walk the path with Raistlin the Red, and finally Black Magus.

Leviathan- by John Gordon Davis.
An excellent environmentalist adventure story, this is one for Animal Activists! A self funded activist plans to save the Whales by destroying the huge whaling factory ships! This is an inspirational book for things to do with those excess millions!

Next After Lucifer, and Adversary- by Daniel Rhodes.
Vampire stories where the bad guy wins- yippee! Apparently there is a third in the series, but I am loathe to read it in case the Vampire finally gets staked! The story is a little slow going and over-explained, but does this in true Gothic style, whilst cleverly bringing the ancient Vampire into the modern world, first France then USA. Next After Lucifer explains the story and its history and sets the scene, but I think Adversary is much more fun!

Books of Blood, Volumes I-VI- by Clive Barker.
Clive Barker at his twisted genius best, I think. These short stories really squelch about in the gory goo of horror, whilst creating a Lovecraftian atmosphere as a backdrop. But they are set in such day to day settings, that you really feel any one of these horrors could be just around your own corner. Delicious stormy night bedtime reading!

Time Travel- by Paul J.Nahin.
This book is aimed at sci-fi writers, to assist them in writing about time travel, without making any glaring mistakes if they have no knowledge of the physics involved. Well that's what the back cover says! I found the book extremely complicated, not being a scientist at all really, and quite technical, getting heavily into physics and maths. But I ploughed through it, and felt I understood the concepts involved in Time Travel much better by the end. I decided perhaps it was not the subject for me! But it is certainly a fascinating read, if you have an interest in the subject.

Gather Darkness- by Fritz Leiber.
A timeles fantasy, that could be set in the past, the future, or another world! The book examines the eternal clash between the system, in this case a dictatorial ruling religious class, versus the free thinking individual, and the similar underground group he finds. A group of powerful practising black magicians, using LBM and magic trickery to influence the mindless main body of society. A warning note of 'The king is dead, long live the king' comes in at the end though.

A Leg to Stand on- by Oliver Sacks.
A neurologist who has personally experienced the effects of the injury he analyses, Sacks manages to look at this subject from both a scientific and human perspective. Apart from his findings that the medical profession try to ignore, such as, most orthapaedic patients experiencing a sense of alienation from their injured limb, which extends into the OU by the nerves actually not transmitting messages; Sacks also describes the state of 'Flow' very well. This tends to be , in his case, in the form of an orchestra of the body. His other books are equally insightful and interesting, on various defects in the human psyche.

Prelude to Foundation- by Isaac Asimov.
If you've read the other five, then this is an amazing book that finally brings the whole series to a concluding finish. In the preface, Asimov suggests reading it before all the others, even though it was written after. I felt it fitted better at the end though, giving a sort of continuous circularity to the whole series. If you've already read the others, then I guess you haven't got a choice! If you haven't read any Foundation yet, then I suppose you'll have to toss a coin to decide the order!

The Vampire Lestat, and, Queen of the Damned- by Anne Rice.
These two follow-ons to Interview with the Vampire have so much more to offer than the first, I feel. Lestats experiences as a new Vampire, and his feelings about death before 'becoming' are very relevant to the early black magicians experience. I have never heard another being describe feelings I have had myself, so accurately, but this could be just a personal experience thing. Beginning to Xeper and how Lestat develops unaided as a Vampire, had a lot of commonalties, IMHO. Queen of the Damned, on the other hand, looks at the other end of the extreme, where in varying degrees, the older Vampires have become extremely distant from any trace of their humanity. They experience isolateness in differing degrees, and only those who are strong enough to go to ground, the nearest they come to death, can be 'reborn' on a more powerful level. For me this sums up Xeper and Remanifest in art.

Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming- by Stephen LaBerge & Howard Rheingold.
Packed with useful tips on how to have a lucid dream, how to have one at will, how to do what you want in it, examples of what other people have used this technique for, and lots of exercises to help you on the way. There is some background about sleep patterns and brain activity, but really it is a practical exercise book.

The Matrix. [Movie]
This film should definitely be on everyones list! It explores the OU and SU in ways you possibly had never thought of, but maybe on some deep down paranoid level, always suspected! That aside, it is a perfect Metaphor for the magicians condition. The experience of waking up to self awareness and the sense of being different. The learning of new skills, that defy what the world says you can be capable of, and then taking those skills back into the world, and simultaneously walking amongst them and beyond them. I loved it so much I had to buy it, and it always makes me sigh with pleasure!

The Devil's Advocate. [Movie]
This is a lovely little artistic exploration into the nature of Satan! Some more fantastic examples of manipulation and LBM generally. Satan makes an amazing speech defining his role as giver of knowledge, and God as the malevolent jester, who at the end of the day cannot be relied upon for anything! It has an ending for everyone, and although its not the exact choice I would have made as director[!], it's not the last choice I would have made either. Options open!

Meet Joe Black. [Movie]
Bit twee in places, but absolutely packed with amusing and entertaining examples of LBM. Liked it, not as much as Devil's Advocate, but quite a lot! Death is a very interesting character!

Dreaming as Delirium. by J.Allan Hobson.
Hobson looks at the brain/mind as a single complex, a concept that probably only sounds unreasonable to the camps of psychologists and neurologists who separated them in the first place! He sees the brain-mind as a dynamic balancing act between the chemical systems [cholinergic and aminergic] that regulate waking and dreaming consciousness. Hobson looks at the delicate chemical balances that control dreaming and psychosis. If a normally sane person experienced the same kinds of states that they experienced during dreaming, in their waking state, they would be considered psychotic. Thus the underlying theme returns to how our thoughts, dreams and memories derive from specific nerve cells and electrochemical impulses. Hobson also questions the nature of dreams, as regards their hidden meanings and narrative structure. He uses this intensive study of the nature of dreams as a control point to looking at the nature of psychoses. Hobson formulates the three dimensionality of brain-mind space, using the AIM reference frame. A is for activation energy, I is for information source, M is for modulation. These factors then fit into a shape, the example used being a cube. The state of consciousness is represented as a dot in this cube, its position varying according to state, from awake to dreaming to coma. Within this cube shape however, the positions are limited to regular pathways. The psychotic do not appear to be limited to these pathways. He looks at orientation, as in the sense of becoming aware of our surroundings on waking, and how quickly this happens when we perceive danger. Also, how we often get it wrong because our thinking process is not yet properly organised. At this stage anti-cholinergic chemicals are released to precipitate wakefulness, and these also cause a serotonin release. This has interesting crossover theses into the study of depression, where serotonin production is a factor. Orientation in this sense is becoming aware once more of our mind map. Patients with Alzheimers often become 'lost' in their surroundings, as their mind maps are displaced. Hobson also looks at memory, to some degree, as it affects such things as the dream state, and our perception of who we are. He speculates that we are the sum of our own, and other people's subjective opinions, as there is no such thing as TRUE memory. Even the most fresh and recent memory has a perspective slant on it. He also has an interesting take on hallucinations. Initially, he just suggests that we see what we expect to see, and the psychotic may have less in the way of expectations. More interestingly, he looks at the effects of sleep deprivation, and how this causes hallucinations, a fact long known to shamans of the world. But he analyses that hallucinations occur in this state because of the balance of the aminergic/cholinergic chemicals. Deprived of sleep, the cholinergic chemicals build up without release, until they are present in large enough quantities to overpower the aminergic waking ones, thus allowing a hallucination [or dream sleep state] to occur in the waking state. Somewhat controversially, he also suggests that EST may equilibrate brain/mind chemicals. Not least of all, he also states that REM sleep may be essential as a process to 'back up' learning to our memory files. A student friend of his, slept for five minutes after every hour of studies, and always got top marks! Hobson has done some study into the role emotions play in dreaming, finding that only just over thirty per cent of dreams are based around positive emotions like joy and love. The other, just under seventy per cent, are based on negative emotions like anger, fear, and anxiety. He also notes that the aminergic chemicals are higher in this type of REM sleep, but doesn't really draw any further conclusions. It seems the aminergic chemicals produced in this type of dream at this light stage of sleeping, might be some kind of internal alarm clock, as these are the sort of dreams we awake abruptly from, with a sense of panic, as our chemical environment floods with aminergic fight/flight chemicals. Hobson has done some research into sleep patterns and the 'natural' cycle. I had some experience of this myself last december/january, after staying up all night and the following day, decided to experiment with sleep rhythms. I decided to only sleep when I felt I needed to, and the result of this was I slipped into a 25 hour day. This in itself brought along symptoms akin to extreme jetlag, and a total loss of sense of time. These are precisely the same reactions Hobson noted in his own sleep experiments. He has also noted that sleep doesn't fully revitalise the depressed, as their brain/mind chemicals do not allow them to receive the correct amount of REM sleep. In the final section Hobson looks at ways in which the sleep states can be beneficial to us. This includes record keeping to find personal optimal sleep times, looking at sleep as the ultimate healer, hypnosis for pain relief, and meditation for stress relief. Hobson concludes with a discussion about why he is rather anti-drug treatments, except in the extremely psychotic. This includes an insightful look at the chemical causes of the psychoses undergone by chronic alcoholics, and various long term effects of REM deprivation.