Paralibrum.

An independent home for bibliophile occulture

Scroll to read or search our library of book reviews.
By keyword, author, publisher or year.

‘Two Esoteric Tarots’ by Peter Mark Adams and Christophe Poncet
Original Mark Hewitt Original Mark Hewitt

‘Two Esoteric Tarots’ by Peter Mark Adams and Christophe Poncet

I would recommend this publication to anyone with an interest in the tarot, and it works well as both an introduction to the historical, cultural, and spiritual contexts of both the Sola-Busca and Tarot de Marseille. It is a triumph of two passionate and sincere researchers and a genuine benefit to an audience within and without the magical community – perhaps even art critics.

Read More
‘Goêtic Atavisms’ by Frater Acher and Craig ‘VI’ Slee
Original Sriram T R Original Sriram T R

‘Goêtic Atavisms’ by Frater Acher and Craig ‘VI’ Slee

This book requires multiple readings to understand how deftly the various sections gel together, despite their differences, or because of them. “What you did as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Therein lies the key to your earthly pursuits” (C.G. Jung). This is one such puzzle of a book with which you could have hours of pleasure.

Read More
‘Hagia Sophia’ by Peter Mark Adams
Original Mark Stavish Original Mark Stavish

‘Hagia Sophia’ by Peter Mark Adams

Hagia Sophia Sanctum of Kronos: Spiritual Dissent in an Age of Tyranny is Peter Mark Adams’ third book in a series of writings on classical initiation and its survival into the Renaissance. According to Adams, the Hagia Sophia itself is the incarnation of the most important ideas of Hellenistic theurgy, or spiritual practice wherein identification with, and even possession by one’s chosen devotional deity was the ideal.

Read More
‘ANARCH’ by Gast Bouschet. Reviewed by Peter Mark Adams.
Original Peter Mark Adams Original Peter Mark Adams

‘ANARCH’ by Gast Bouschet. Reviewed by Peter Mark Adams.

In essence, ANARCH documents an ongoing process of profound personal transformation mediated by a four year long retreat in a forested landscape. Captured in fine writing and immersive photography, I cannot sufficiently commend the profundity of conception and execution that characterises this work.

Read More
‘ANARCH’ by Gast Bouschet. Reviewed by Frater Acher.
Original Frater Acher Original Frater Acher

‘ANARCH’ by Gast Bouschet. Reviewed by Frater Acher.

ANARCH brings the spirit of Beuys down into chthonic depths; brings it to lie beside us, as it were, in a sacrificial pit. From there, Gast’s book buries us alive, takes us on a satanic–alchemical journey to leave us injured, wounded, and fully given over to transience as undead revenants in the 21st century in new and diabolical forms.

Read More
‘How to Become a Modern Magus’ by Don Webb
Original Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold Original Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold

‘How to Become a Modern Magus’ by Don Webb

Don Webb’s ‘How to Become a Modern Magus’ poses three interesting questions with its title. What is a Magus, what is magic, and is there a difference between a Magus and a Modern Magus? (…) A book that teaches all that deserves to be read, to be used and to be applauded!

Read More