It is, however, a coherent text book in it's own right. It covers the essentials of the A∴A∴ system of initiation, from the preliminary stage of Student to the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversion of the Holy Guardian Angel. For the first time it makes available practical details that will be of immense value to students of Thelema.Beginning with Crowley's unpublished essay "Occultism," it offers several of the foundation papers of the A∴A∴, including Liber 185, Liber Collegii Sancti, which describes the oaths and tasks of each grade in its Outer College. A new paper presents the correct designs (with color illustrations) for the corresponding robes of each grade. This book's lengthy color section includes General J.F.C. Fuller's paintings for the Temple of A∴A∴ and Crowley's illuminated manuscript of an A∴A∴ Ritual for the Neophyte, Liber 671 vel Pyramidos.The central feature of this book is the Master Therion's lengthy and penetrating commentary to the inspired writing, The Book of the Heart Girt with a Serpent (Liber LXV). While Liber LXV gives the best account available of the attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, it is couched in the language of mystical poetry. Crowley's commentary gives a more easily understood exposition, and it is some of his most lucid writing on magick and mysticism. Crowley's shorter commentaries to seven others of The Holy Books of Thelema are also included.This book also contains Madame Blavatsky's inspired text, The Voice of the Silence, with a commentary by Crowley that explores the various stages of consciousness in Mahayana Buddhist mysticism and their correspondences to Holy Qabalah.

    As anthropologist Ashley Montagu notes, Knight's eighteenth-century work combines seriousness of purpose with ingenuity and wit. Its companion piece, Wright's nineteenth-century survey, ranges even further in scope, embracing the worship of the female as well as of the male generative powers. Both works have long been out of print, and this new edition will prove a great benefit to students and scholars.

    In the five chapters are discussed and elaborated the essentials necessary for the practice of yoga, ways of attaining siddhi, the philosophy of existence, importance of yoga, the spirit, maya or illusion, the microcosm, the functions of the body, the principles of pranayama or breathing, asanas or postures, the Kundalini and its awakening, the various forms of yoga, etc.