The Sacramental Magic of Advent. A Guide to Christian Ceremonial Ritual at Christmas - Stephen Mandes Thomas

A powerful invitation to reconsider the intersection between Christianity and ceremonial magic by harnessing the power of the seasonal cycle

Designed to appeal at once to ceremonial magicians who feel called to work in the Christian tradition and ordinary believers who wish to explore the magical side of their faith, The Sacramental Magic of Advent aims to re-enchant the cycle of the year, starting with Advent and Christmas.

The power of the seasonal cycle is recognised by magical and religious traditions throughout the world. Beyond religion and magic, the cycles of the year have been sources of inspiration for many people since time immemorial, inspiring much of our great art, poetry, and music.

Sadly, the cycle of the year has largely been lost in contemporary culture, and above all in modern Christianity. Old feasts are forgotten or minimised, the long fasts become long shopping seasons, and the great holy days have been reduced to brief spasms of consumption.

Guiding the reader through Advent and Christmas, The Sacramental Magic of Advent resituates the Advent and Christmas period as an important season of increased spiritual significance, presenting a series of traditional magical practices, such as banishing rituals and the invocation of spirits, in a Christian context, so that they may be used by ceremonial magicians and more orthodox believers alike.

The book also explores the Christian practices of fasting and almsgiving, with prayer and forgiveness also presented as the powerful magical works that they truly are. Included also are explorations surrounding the cycle of the church, including the saints days and the Ember Days, the season of Advent and the great mystery of Christmas, followed by suggestions on how to re-work them to fit both a contemporary home life and a magical practice.

The Sacramental Magic of Christmas will make a worthy addition to the bookshelf of any student or seasoned magical practitioner looking to enhance or refine their practice.