Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Teacher and author Josephine McCarthy returns in podcast episode 116 to discuss her phenomenal books, including The Work of the Hierophant and the Magical Knowledge trilogy, published by Mandrake of Oxford.
To begin the interview, McCarthy describes The Work of the Hierophant, a remarkable and ground-breaking text that reveals a template for the creation and administration of a magickal lodge. She explains her understanding that the inner structures of most modern esoteric and religious institutions are faulty and imbalanced, which was the impetus for the book. In it, Josephine explains how one may engage inner contacts and lines of consecration to bring forth manifestations of divinity, deity, or priesthood into the physical plane. This knowledge is useful not only for establishing magical lodges, but also for founding new religions.
“The Work of the Hierophant is one of the very few intelligent books written about genuine Magical Orders. In it, Josephine McCarthy gives us some startling, eye-opening and at times disturbing insights into how true Orders work, and how we might connect with them. This is the real thing. She shows how the individual can, with right attitude and application, make his or her own links with these inner surges of Otherworld consciousness, for lack of a better description. She shows what you might experience, how you might handle the contact and develop it, with the likely pitfalls that human vanity and ego can create – and also what you should avoid and run screaming away from! Trust me, this will become a classic.”
- extract from the Forward by Alan Richardson, author of Aleister Crowley and Dion Fortune: The Logos of the Aeon and the Shakti of the Age
From there we discuss Josephine’s Magical Knowledge trilogy, beginning with Book I: Foundations / The Lone Practitioner.
“[Magical Knowledge Book I: Foundations / The Lone Practitioner] is a book that gives deep insight into the pitfalls, mistakes and problems of attempting serious magic as a lone practitioner. It offers techniques, foundational patterns, contacts and lashings of advice for those who wish to walk the path of powerful magic without the usual accoutrements of bullshitters, messiahs, and of course, the age old ‘secrets’ that only the higher initiates can have access to…”
“Breaking out of the age old restraints of secrecy and oaths, [Magical Knowledge Book II: The Initiate] this second book in the series leads the reader through the techniques, issues and beings … The Initiate guides and advises, informs and introduces the serious magician to rarely discussed areas of visionary and ritual magic. The information presented in this book flows from the deep roots of true magic, and as such can be applied to any particular path or magical method; the reader is introduced to the structure and inner contacts behind the various schools of magic that exist today. Magic can only truly blossom if the boundaries are challenged, and to do that, the magician needs to understand the dynamics of power and the inner worlds. This book aims to guide the magician along that path.”
“[Magical Knowledge Book III: Contacts of the Adept] is an advanced magical volume that is filled with rituals, visions and inner contacts, covering a variety of aspects of serious magical practice … In today’s magical world, the Mysteries are quickly being destroyed by commercialism, simplification, popularisation and titillation. The depths of the Mysteries are slipping away during this turbulent time and this book is my contribution to a growing body of work by various occultists aimed at stemming the destruction of our most precious knowledge.”
I heartily recommend all of McCarthy’s books and, in all honesty, think it would be difficult to exaggerate their importance. She is revolutionizing esoteric teaching with her honesty, courage, and dedication to the work. In my opinion, these books are instant classics and those that avail themselves of her wisdom will have done themselves a great service.
In the Occult of Personality Membership Section, Josephine McCarthy delivers a teaching about Navigating the Tree of Life that is extremely valuable for inner work. Join us for that insightful discourse!
Podcast 100 – Josephine McCarthy
The Work of the Hierophant by Josephine McCarthy
Magical Knowledge Book I: Foundations / The Lone Practitioner by Josephine McCarthy
Magical Knowledge Book II: The Initiate by Josephine McCarthy
The Exorcist’s Handbook by Josephine McCarthy
The Work of the Hierophant – The Foolishness of the Neophyte
Book Review – Josephine McCarthy: Magical Knowledge I, Foundations
Book Review – Josephine McCarthy: Magical Knowledge II
“Findhorn” Wikipedia entry
intro music by HipGnosis and Paul Avgerinos – “Awakening”
outro music by Beth Quist – “New Moon”
