Paul Huson

Paul Huson is an occult author and artist known primarily for his influential works on witchcraft, magic, and Tarot. His 1970 book "Mastering Witchcraft" became a foundational text in modern witchcraft practice and remains in print today. As a practitioner of traditional European witchcraft and ceremonial magic, Huson drew from historical grimoires and magical texts to write detailed instructional books. His work "The Devil's Picturebook" (1971) explored the history and symbolism of Tarot cards, while "Mystical Origins of the Tarot" (2004) traced the cards' development from medieval Italy through the Golden Dawn system. Before his occult writing career, Huson worked in television and film as a screenwriter and art director in both Britain and America. He studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and later incorporated his artistic talents into his esoteric works, creating original illustrations and Tarot designs. His approach combines scholarly research with practical magical instruction, setting him apart from many other occult authors of his era. The breadth of his work spans practical grimoire magic, traditional witchcraft, Tarot divination, and the history of Western esoteric traditions.

Readers consistently highlight Huson's detailed research and practical, no-nonsense writing style. Reviews note his direct approach to teaching magical practices without modern sugar-coating. Readers appreciate: - Clear, step-by-step instructions for magical practices - Historical documentation and primary sources - Original artwork and illustrations - Balance of academic and practical content - Thorough explanations of Tarot symbolism Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style can be challenging - Some find his traditional approach too dark or intense - Older books contain dated social views - Limited coverage of ethical considerations Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Mastering Witchcraft" - 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) "Mystical Origins of the Tarot" - 4.1/5 (800+ ratings) Amazon: "Mastering Witchcraft" - 4.5/5 "The Devil's Picturebook" - 4.3/5 One reader noted: "Huson presents historical witchcraft as it was, not as modern practitioners wish it had been." Another commented: "His Tarot research is unmatched, but the writing can be dry."

Mastering Witchcraft (1970) A practical manual on traditional witchcraft covering rituals, spells, divination methods and magical theory drawn from historical European sources.

The Devil's Picturebook (1971) An examination of Tarot card symbolism and history, including detailed analysis of traditional card meanings and divination methods.

Mystical Origins of the Tarot (2004) A historical study tracing the development of Tarot cards from medieval Italy through various esoteric traditions.

The Coffee Table Book of Witchcraft and Demonology (1973) A visual exploration of historical witchcraft and demonology featuring artwork and documents from medieval to modern times.

How to Test and Develop Your ESP (1975) A practical guide to understanding and developing extrasensory perception through structured exercises and experiments.

The Fortune-Teller's Workbook (1976) A comprehensive guide to various forms of divination including palmistry, astrology, and card reading.

Magical Scripts and Cipher Alphabets (1977) A reference work documenting various magical alphabets and cipher systems used in Western occult traditions.

Doreen Valiente As a key figure in modern witchcraft, Valiente authored foundational texts on Wiccan practice and British traditional witchcraft. Her work parallels Huson's focus on traditional European magical practices and includes both practical instruction and historical research.

Francis Barrett Barrett's "The Magus" compiled ceremonial magic traditions that influenced Huson's own magical system. His work bridges medieval grimoire traditions with modern occult practice, similar to Huson's approach to synthesizing historical sources.

Stuart Kaplan Kaplan produced extensive research on Tarot history and symbolism through his Encyclopedia of Tarot series. His historical approach to Tarot scholarship aligns with Huson's work on card origins and meanings.

Nigel Jackson Jackson combines traditional European magic research with artistic expertise in creating magical illustrations and Tarot designs. His work merges scholarly study of medieval magic with practical applications, reflecting Huson's dual focus as author and artist.

Jake Stratton-Kent Stratton-Kent writes about grimoire traditions and their practical applications in modern magic practice. His research into historical magical texts and their contemporary use mirrors Huson's approach to traditional ceremonial magic.