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Magic, Power, Language, Symbol: A Magician's Exploration of Linguistics | 
 enlarge | Author: Patrick Dunn
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
Buy New: $12.21
You Save: $5.74 (32%)
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Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 183940
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9
ISBN: 0738713600
Dewey Decimal Number: 133.43014
EAN: 9780738713601
ASIN: 0738713600
Publication Date: August 1, 2008
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Product Description
All forms of magic are linked to language. As a magic practitioner and a linguist, Patrick Dunn illuminates this fascinating relationship and offers breakthrough theories on how and why magic works. Drawing on linguistics and semiotics (the study of symbols), Dunn illuminates the magical use of language, both theoretically and practically. Analyzing the structure of ritual, written signs and sigils, primal language, incantations across cultures, Qabalah and gematria (Hebrew numerology), and the Enochian vocabulary, he poses new theories on the mechanics of magic.This revolutionary paradigm can help magicians understand how sigils and talismans work, compose Enochian spells, speak in tongues for magic, create mantras, work with gematria, use post-modern defixios, and refine their practice in countless other ways. ""Magic, Power, Language, Symbol" is a unique tour de force that reinterprets the very nature of magic - placing it within the modern sciences of symbolism (semiotics) and language (linguistics). Within this paradigm, Dunn explains something that most other books miss: a logical and scientific understanding of how and why real magic actually works." - Donald Michael Kraig, author of "Modern Magick".
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| Customer Reviews:
 A good explanation of the connection between linguistics and magic October 6, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Overall, I was fairly impressed by this book. I think Dunn does an excellent job of explaining a lot of the theories behind language and magic, as well as showing how theories can be made into practice. He explores concepts of gematria, glossalia, metaphor, semiotics and much more and in the process makes all the concepts approachable and easy to understand. In fact, I think that's the strength of this book. It's written so that anyone can pick up the book, read about the concepts, and put them into practice, though at least in the case of gematria, readers will probably need to have a decent familiarity with Quabala.
I also liked his explanation of the semiotic web and the Defixio. In both cases he not only explains the theory, but also provides personal anecdotes and suggestions for how the reader can incorporate those practices into his/her work. I think his latest book is a good introduction to linguistics and magic, and he provides the reader some other works to explore once they finish his work.
I did have two minor issues which made this book a four out of five for me. The fourth appendix of the book has a bunch of practical exercises for the book. It seems odd that the exercises are placed at the end of the book, instead of incorporated into the book. I'm not sure if that a decision of the publisher or the author. The other issue is that while he does cover a lot of the connection between linguistics and magic, he doesn't cover much of the contemporary work occurring with linguistics or magic. He dedicates only a small section to the contemporary work. That said, this a good primer for linguistics and magic and how the two disciplines can be brought together. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in branching outward from more conventional approaches to magic.
 Interesting and Unique! August 31, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
For those who are already familiar with Mr. Dunn's system of "postmodern" magic, this work carries on even further into his unique and contemporary tradition. I actually bought "Magic, Power, Language, Symbol" before I ever heard of his first book "Postmodern Magic". I started reading "Magic, Power.." and upon greatly enjoying it, decided that it'd be best to go buy "Postmodern Magic", read all of that first and then continue with his second book; but that's just me, I like to be thorough.
I definitely believe that his system has much to offer contemporary magic. First and foremost he is an author that presents us with something NEW and UNIQUE; And that's saying a lot - and you'll see what I mean if you take a look at you local bookstore's metaphysical section; the same-old rehashed Golden-Dawn-Crowley-esqe material fills every single shelf. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those systems, it's just not anything new. How many times do we really need to re-read the instructions for the L.B.R.P. and here the same boring Qabalah introduction speech?
So like I said, "Magic, Power, Language, Symbol" is worthwhile because even if you disagree with his philosophy, it's something new; something that you've probably never considered before; and certainly something that will at least make you think. But beyond that I think most readers will take a way a lot from this book. There's nothing quite like it out there. Mr. Dunn combines his in-depth understanding of linguistics and postmodern philosophy with magical theory and practice. It's a very interesting and practical approach.
When you consider; all magical systems really are just words, symbols, numbers, etc. Symbolism is at the very heart of occult practice - and this book explains the how and the why.
In this work he gives some very original insights on topics such as Enochian, Barbarous words of invocation, sigils, glyphs, Qabalah and many other topics. I can honestly say that I learned something new on every page of this book - that is a rare thing to come across these days!
So, if you take your magical practice seriously, if you love learning the theory behind the practice, if you are interested in finding out how and why language and symbolism plays such an important role in magic; then you should read this book.
There's nothing bad I can say about it. Period. You will definitely learn many new things which you can adapt into your current practice.
And if you haven't already read Dunn's first book "Postmodern Magic", you will surely want to after finishing "Magic, Power,..." The two books go great together, one compliments the other; but don't think that you NEED both books; that's not my point. I just wanted to mention that they work good together.
One more thing; if you're the type who is lacking in originality and creativity, this book is ESPECIALLY for you. Personally, I could never understand how people can copy "spells" and "rituals" from other peoples books and actually use them in magic.. You HAVE TO write you own material for successful magic! This book gives a LOT of ideas and inspiration for writing your own stuff; it's very technical and detailed, but in a very good way.
That's all! Serious practitioners - get this book.
And Mr. Dunn - please keep writing! We need more creative authors like yourself to keep the tradition alive and growing. Thank you :)
Great idea! July 29, 2008
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
i got a note from amazon regarding this book. sounds like something i'd be very interested in, and will be ordering it tonight.
for me, language and magic go hand in hand. in fact, take a look at one of my most recent magical endeavors, Unbearable Fruit, on the Eldritch-Infernal site.
i also really enjoyed his previous book, Postmodern Magic. Mr. Dunn, email me sometime. would love to discuss things with you.
Ia Ia,
Venger As'Nas Satanis
Cult of Cthulhu High Priest
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