Voudon Gnostic Workbook: Expanded Edition

I have been a practitioner of various forms of magic(k) and spirituality for over twenty years, and a teacher of the same for some years, and I think I can safely say that Bertiaux's Voudon Gnostic Workbook (VGW for short) is one of the most astonishing, challenging, and frustrating works of magick one is likely to ever encounter. The challenge of this book, and the controversy surrounding it, compare to similar points often raised about the works of Crowley and Kenneth Grant -- i.e., that it is a difficult work that reflects its author's unique perspective but, despite its flaws, there is no substitute for it that comes close to its style, and you either love it or hate it.To begin with, as some critics have rightly noticed about this work, do NOT expect a traditional or even historically credible account of actual Voodoo within the VGW. Bertiaux basically accedes to this point by using idiosyncratic spellings such as "Voudon" and the clever "Vudu" and slightly humorous variations like "Vudutronics" to distinguish his unique treatment from others. If you seek a historical or traditional depiction of Voodoo culture, you should look elsewhere. That said, Bertiaux is clearly a natural born mystic (not unlike Crowley) who brings his creativity and endless, exhausting inventiveness to a subject too often bogged down in orthodoxy for its own sake. By placing creativity and innovation in the forefront of his work, Bertiaux demonstrates, again like Crowley and Grant, that a creative mind IS the ultimate source of real magick, no matter what label you give it.The VGW is, honestly, more "gnostic" than "voodoo." That can be seen as a feature or a bug depending on what you're looking for. Bertiaux's prose style if often twisted and confusing, and this is a book that demands multiple readings and note taking. Do not expect an easy read, and do not expect to understand much of what the author is trying to say without a solid background in Jungian psychology, Heideggerian ontology, and even chaos magick. This is a book that one has to live with over a long period of time to really absorb. In one sense, it reminds me of another difficult and long tome, Gurdjieff's "Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson." Gurdjieff refers to such books as "legominisms," or word-objects that cast a spell upon the reader by the very way they are written and presented. Be prepared to open yourself up to this sort of quasi-hypnotic effect when you dive into this thing. Such books are magical tokens in themselves, capable of having an initiatory effect upon the reader as a result of deep reading and consideration.But don't be put off by all this difficulty either. The VGW is an eminently practical tome, full of short exercises, meditations and rituals that anyone can easily perform with a minimum of preparation. The "Dedication to the Hoodoo Spirits" that is found in the beginning of the book is a good ritual to perform as you set out on the task of reading the VGW. The book's five sections can easily be dealt with one at a time. Indeed, the book was originally written as a series of separate lectures and later compiled into its present form, so going through piece by piece is a recommended practice. There is still a sense with this book that you are missing something that can only be provided by in-person initiation and one-on-one mentorship, but realistically speaking that is unlikely to happen for most of us, so we have to make the most of the material we have. And that material is impressive, covering a dizzying array of "vudu," gnostic Christianity, diabolism, Thelema, chaos magick, theology ... an eclectic smorgasboard that never really seems to synthesize as a coherent whole, but the individual parts are no less interesting or valuable for that flaw.The recent Weiser reprint is just that -- a reprint, not really a new edition; it seems to be simply a photo-reproduction of the original book's headache-inducing typography (except for an added preface and conclusion by Courtney Willis). This is a major fault, but given the inaccessibility and high cost of the original out-of-print edition, it is better than nothing for now.In sum: A challenging, idiosyncratic, creative, frustrating, but irreplaceable work of modern magick.

Came yestrday,it lacked diagrams and pics mentioned in text and are not available,most are irrelevant since avid descriptions are given as well as offers to jin their research project on such things as mentioned within,spent most of day and night reading and am amazed to see someone finally saying things straight about a path(as its called). In his sction of languages I see many external influence working on his id for the formations of deities or beings etc,the method tho is quite likable( I have similar things that work).His space travel is interesting as is his time travel,( unnessacary but giving a sense of control). Reminiscant of my youth ( I preffer the youth as a safety factor,you know what or who your dealing with),without the allowance of possession by any entity that has a hankering.From the text I see why at one time witches and they did not get along,( a large vampire streak there),where some groups choose to deify forms of energies they merely refer to them as spirits.Dealing primarily with the Loa of the Afro-Atlantean sect there is no mention of the Gods/Godess' of some such as Oduada (father earth) he does give instruct on contacting other family of spirits to work with for given purpose.I am pleased, I wanted to know more about what they call Loa etc and its evident simplicity as compared to other more elaborate systems or schools.It definitely filled a void opening doors to the lazier magi and making workings more pleasurable in our earthly sense.It is not the only way to do things and he doesnot say it is the only way for Vou or the doo or hoo,merely his sect from the the ealy days of Haiti (1770 to 1957),it does embrace many ancients.Well done.Today I received the missing diagrams,charts and some very interesting pages of history surrounding the afore mentioned system from the publisher ( a very nice bunch to deal with).

This huge volume is definitely a fascinating read, although I can clearly understand if readers got lost in material. It is a facsimile of the original, so any typographical errors in the original have obviously been carried through to this title. If reprint were considered, I would suggest a metaphysically inclined editor go through it. The early chapters of the book (How to Be a Big Lucky Hoodoo) offer a bit of practical knowledge that can be used immediately. The rest of the book contains a vast introduction to the universe in which Michael Bertiaux operates. To get the most out of this material one would be best off enrolling in the 4 year training program that is offered, as some of the information is deliberately censored in this version of the text, and several concepts that are introduced may not be fully explored for the reader to have a firm grasp on them. It is, however, a very interesting journey and one that gives the reader insight into the possible depth of such practices. I would recommend it be read by the serious student of metaphysics, and I am sure it would be a valuable addition to the practitioner's library as well, even if only as a reminder of the value of composing one's own system of magick as opposed to using someone else's.

Uma obra de arte de Michael Bertiaux!!!

Greatly rewarding for the soul brave enough to wade through this massive text.

Importante tratado para aqueles que querem conhecer outros caminhos no misticismo. Mas continuo acreditando que o melhor caminho para o homem ocidental seja ainda a Kabbalah hermética prática.

Esse livro é fantástico! Todo estudante sério de Magia e Voudon precisa ter uma cópia!

This is no book for a beginner even if you find the 10 lessons of Chapter 1 easy. For a newcomer drawn to the current, Chapter 1 is an easier way of reaching the Spirits in the first instance. But thereafter it is probably aimed at adepts. Beginners will find it extraordinarily hard work (possible but far from easy). It is worth the work, though. Be aware that it is a workbook, not a course in Magick, so you can pick and choose the papers relevant to your needs; also that it bears little resemblance to exoteric Voodoo or Vodou while it does draw on its symbology and basic beliefs. It is as much gnostic as voodoo.It is a book of generally dark teachings, likely to be dismissed by newcomers for whom the current is unsuitable anyway; and in unwary hands could be dangerous.The nuisance is the famously missing drawings are still missing. Certain lessons are aided with dawings but as with the Magick Childe editions, they are missing. It surely would have taken little effort for the new publisher to include them as a leaflet or appendix to the text. The drawings are available from the associated web site but an inconvenience to have to retrieve and print out.