Sexuality, Magic and Perversion

by Francis X. King

Book Overview

Out of print for decades, with copies selling for as much as $300 by antiquarian dealers, Francis King's fascinating Sexuality, Magic and Perversionhas been brought back to the public by Feral House. One of the first modern-day books to explore orgasm as part of a supernatural rite to achieve Divine Union, Mr. King investigates the use of sexuality by Western and Eastern religious and occult traditions, from fertility cults, tantricism, black masses,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806504544
• ISBN13: 9780806504544
• Release Date: January 1974
• Publisher: Carol Publishing Corporation
• Length: 208 Pages

Customer Reviews

sexual magic of a perverted kind

Sexuality, magic & perversion The title of this book is correct as to its contents I.e. that the sex magic (or sex performed by so called spiritual individuals) is of a negative calibre (perverse). I enjoyed this book as it added further enlightenment as regards a portion of the field of `sex magic', albeit the darker side. Interesting to me was the sexual activity of Aleister Crowley, heterosexual and homosexual. Interesting in that with all his spiritual titles, books and efforts etc, he died knowing and admitting that he failed in his spiritual quest. It is interesting to see that others still follow in Crowley's footsteps performing buggery in delusion of attaining enlightenment; others deluded still in efforts to procure power or satisfy perverted lusts. This book also outlines the activities of Charles Leadbeater as a homosexual paedophile in association with J Krishnamurti and brother Nityananda. Inclusive of this is Annie Besant condoning Leadbeaters homosexual paedophile activities in the dream and hope that J Krishnamurti was to be the `lord maitraya' (not so). It comes as no surprise to find that J Krishnamurti whitewashes the subject of homosexuality, as to what I have read to date. I was glad to find that Dion Fortune condemned those "male occultists who were engaged in building up what she called "a reservoir of dark astral power" by the use of homosexual techniques", glad in that I enjoyed Dion Fortune's `Mystical Qabalah' and would be saddened to find another taint associated with the Theosophical Society. This book shows a side of `sex magic' and is obviously not exhaustive, especially in light of such a vast and secretive subject. Thumbs up to the author for tackling two of the most taboo subjects (sex & spirituality) and combining them regarding this topic of `sex magic'. From a Gnostic perspective, the human machine is degenerate, egoic. The work of the black magician is to create/solidify the ego in all its distortions, ever losing sight of his/her true nature, deceived into using his/her sexual energy turbo charged into hellish depths, creating further karma and suffering. To attempt to harness the sexual energy in such a state, albeit however altruistic, is to ask for trouble for the most part; thus the reason as to its secrecy regarding the inner teachings of whatever shade of `sex magic'. I.e. The true awakening regarding the divine mother kundalini has no part with lust. Having stated that this book outlines most of the failings associated with `sex magic' (perverted) and more specifically "Crowleyanity", the author does end on a positive note saying that the `Mysteria Mystica Aeterna' (Austrian O.T.O section) and `Mysteria Mystica Veritas' (Swiss O.T.O section) offer a positive glimmer of hope in its workings. Further research would be needed, especially in view of the 30 plus years added since this book was written. Personally, in view of these organisations still drawing upon the works of Crowley and Adam We

naughty naughty

Feral House is consistent in releasing highly interesting, esoteric works that dabble (or indulge) in controversial subject matter worth reading.This one takes the magic-meets-sex motif into unique territory; for instance, revealing intimate details about well-known occultists and intriguing tidbits such as the contention that Crowley was the one who introduced Aldous Huxley to mushrooms. The author leaves no rock unturned within this concentrated study.At times, the author goes on endlessly with heavy passages quoted from other sources (which proves tedious), but this is balanced by an insightful, judicious study of the subject matter that includes humorously exposing frauds whenever possible. The reader definitely feels compelled to keep turning the page. I recommend this one...

Sexuality, Magic and Perversion...

SEXUALITY, MAGIC AND PERVERSION is a short book giving a rough detail of sex-magic from the 19th century to the early 1970s. I gave this book four stars only because it did not go into enough detail and adequately explain the theology behind occult practices of sex-magic.Sex-magic forms an esoteric element in Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, and is known as Tantra. Tantric texts supplement orthodox Buddhist and Hindu scriptures and form their own cannon of literature. Forms of sex-magic may have been practiced in pre-Christian Europe, and may have continued underground during the rise of the Christianity. The concept figures in primal fertility religions that developed in cultures based on agriculture and the changing of the seasons and the monitoring of the sun, moon and stars to determine the time of the years to plant and harvest crops. This frequently took on sexual imagery, for example spring rains being like the male seed fertilizing the female earth. It is said that the "witches" persecuted by the Church were followers of some such ancient cult. There is some speculation regarding the status of witches during the Middle Ages. Occultists claim that they were practitioners of a pre-Christian universal Goddess religion. Others, such as the noted scholar Rev. Montague Summers, claim that these witches were literally in leage with Satan himself and that the stories of them copulating with [satan] and casting spells to disrupt the Faithful are true. The status of these so-called "witches" is not well understood by either side, pro-, or anti-Christian.Modern interest in sex-magic originated from the stories brought back to Europe from travelers during the Victorian Era. Various cults sprang up which practiced heterosexual, homosexual and masturbation rites, animal sacrifices, poisons, abortions and black masses. Two of the most well known occult groups from the past 100 years are the Order Templi Orientis (OTO) and the Theosophical society. British occultist Alestier Crowley, rocket scientist Jack Parsons and Madame Blavaksky are among the noted figureheads in those occult groups.

A seminal, ground breaking work on human sexuality

Sexuality, Magic & Perversion by Francis King is a controversial, revelatory, highly recommended volume of original research that investigates sexuality in religions and traditions all over the globe, from fertility cults and tantricism to Islamic mysticism and Crowleyan sex magick. A tantalizing study of the mystical aspect of sex, heavily researched and presenting information about the life and work of outspoken yet little-known figures who distinguished themselves, for good or for bad, in the intersecting fields of sex and religion. Sexuality, Magic & Perversion had been out of print and a collector's item for decades. This new Feral House edition will admirably serve to introduce a whole new generation to this seminal, ground breaking work on human sexuality.