This book is a timely re-issue of the original 1997 publication. By the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, this work treats the reader to some metaphysical fireworks and controversial issues.

Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh are most recently known for their unsuccessful plagiarism case against Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code.

However, this well-researched and well-argued work should not provoke further legal wrangles and provides a primer in the history of magic and alchemy from all angles.

The story of magic and alchemy is unavoidably woven into the fabric of the history of philosophy, religion, healing, science, engineering, architecture, writing, painting, and sculpture. The list is endless.

New Zealand-born writer and lecturer Michael Baigent is also the author of Ancient Traces and as well as writing, he has qualifications in psychology.

Richard Leigh is a novelist and lecturer with a thorough grounding in history, research, comparative literature and esoterica.

Together the authors present a rich fabric of the history of Western thought and a remarkable survey of the present-day occult revival.

The authors reveal that since the 17th century there has been a tension and resistance between science, religion, philosophy and the arts.

By the 20th century, it seemed as if science held sway, but there has been a revival of interest in occult and spiritual thought. This has led to a new attitude to science which becomes more multidisciplinary in the present-day.

There is also more acknowledgement of a holistic view in many areas, including medicine. The reader may discern the continuing thread of hermetic thought that has been suppressed, but never entirely eradicated, from Western culture.

The book is divided into two main sections, the first being a history and explanation of hermetic thought from ancient Egypt to the present.

The readers are introduced to the origins of hermeticism, from Thoth, or Hermes Trismegistus through the Dark Ages, Renaissance, the Romantic revival to the resurgence of new spiritual movements like Theosophy and disciplines such as psychology.

The pathway of hermetic thought into Europe is shown convincingly. The absorption of hermetic elements into Islam was particularly enlightening. It is interesting to read that while the Christian church was so opposed to hermeticism, many of the church fathers were active alchemists until it became rather dangerous to be so. It was then that this current went underground.

The same holds for science and political luminaries such as Isaac Newton, Dr. Thomas Browne, Dr. John Dee and so many others.

This book has all the names of the Western Magi and their achievements recorded in detail. One of the strengths of this book is the research with the wonderful bibliography that can take the reader on further journeys of exploration into the realms of their special interests.

The second part of the book is devoted to the current use of alchemy and magic. The authors examine closely the philosophical underpinnings and the modus operandi.
I was pleased to see that Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell feature prominently here. One very useful section is the separation of the shamanistic and hermetic streams of the current occult revival.

So, what is the difference? In my limited understanding, the shamans are using their selves to channel wisdom and prophecy from higher realms – whatever they may be. It is an unconscious or altered consciousness state in which rituals are performed. A good example is Voodoo.

The hermeticists are using both intellect and will to bring about a change in state. They use what has been provided by nature and manipulate it to produce a desired result. The main precept is ‘As above, so below’. It is performed in a conscious state. The best examples are drawn from Homeopathy or Freemasonry.

The chapter on music is essential reading. Sound has been used by both shamans and alchemists since the dawn of time. Horns, conch shells, bells and the voice have been used for so many purposes. The human voice can enhance worship, strengthen the will in times of war, sooth the being to promote healing, and create trances by chanting.

The same can be said of the vast array of instruments at our disposal today which lend their voices to the human ear. The reader may be surprised and shocked at the section on rock music, for this is shamanistic ritual at its most potent. The authors explain exactly why.

If you thought you had no interest in alchemy or magic, think again. Both are deeply embedded in our culture. The arts carried symbols and encrypted information when it was dangerous for a scientist, doctor, priest or architect to display any hermetic leanings. So we have in paintings, poetry, drama, buildings and music a rich abundance of the coded information of hermetic thought.

This book is classed as alternative history, but it is well-researched and covers a vast territory. It follows the development of Western thought and shows how hermetic thought has been integrated into our minds.

The more I read through this book, the more I enjoyed it. There were many ‘Aha’ moments for me which always pleases.

This book will appeal to those who want to know more about the development of our minds and culture. It will also appeal to budding alchemists, magicians and metaphysicians.

Recommended with four stars out of five. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out this one failing of the book. Due to the wealth and depth of content in such a small book, the resultant small print was somewhat taxing!

– Reviewed by Jennifer Hoskins in New Dawn No. 99