Alexander C. Rae

This might equally be called "Occultism With a Smile". Despite the sneer/snicker tone, it actually is quite informative for the beginner.

"Romantically minded occultists have always believed that the[Templars] had some tremendouse secret knowledge that caused them to be persecuted. Practical occultists believe that the King of France just needed money, and the easiest way to get it was to accuse the Knights of bestial rites, burn them at the stake, and confiscate their loot."

"Old occultists' bloodshot eyes light up at the mention of the Golden Dawn. Never in history has such an unlikely bunch of people gathered together to perform such unlikely acts. Not even on prime-time television sitcoms."

"The idea behind sex magic is that at the moment of climax you release a power that can be tapped for magical ends. People like Crowley went a step further (in his case, 15 0r 16 steps further) by indulging in every depravity they could think of and using a suggestion box for more."

It is too bad that there does not seem to be a Bluff Your Way in Theology. I bet it would be better than Charles Merrill Smith's efforts (but I could be bluffing.)… (mere)