📖 Overview
My Life With The Spirits chronicles Lon Milo DuQuette's journey through Western occultism and ceremonial magic. The memoir traces his path from a young seeker in 1960s Nebraska to his development as a practicing magician and teacher of esoteric traditions.
DuQuette details his experiences with key magical orders and systems, including the Ordo Templi Orientis, Enochian magic, and Aleister Crowley's Thelema. His encounters with spirits, angels, and otherworldly entities are presented alongside practical insights into ritual magic and Qabalah.
The narrative alternates between DuQuette's personal evolution and his direct instruction in magical concepts and practices. His trademark humor appears throughout the text as he demystifies complex occult topics.
This memoir serves as both a biographical account and an accessible introduction to Western esoteric traditions. The work explores themes of spiritual seeking, personal transformation, and the integration of magical practice into modern life.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate DuQuette's humorous and down-to-earth writing style when discussing occult topics. Many note his ability to make complex magical concepts accessible through personal anecdotes. Reviews highlight his self-deprecating humor and practical approach to ceremonial magic.
Positive comments focus on:
- Clear explanations of Thelemic practices
- Personal stories that demonstrate magical principles
- Balance of seriousness and humor
- Relatable experiences for beginners
Common criticisms:
- Too much focus on personal stories vs magical instruction
- Some find the humor distracting
- Readers wanting more technical details left unsatisfied
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.23/5 (1,100+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings)
Representative review: "DuQuette demystifies high magic through entertaining stories from his own practice. Perfect introduction for newcomers, though experienced practitioners may want more depth." - Goodreads reviewer
Several readers noted this serves better as a memoir than a practical guide to magic.
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Angels, Demons & Gods of the New Millennium by Lon Milo DuQuette The book explains Enochian magick and spirit communication through firsthand accounts and practical techniques.
Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley This semi-autobiographical novel chronicles spiritual transformation through occult practice and Thelemic philosophy.
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The Chicken Qabalah by Lon Milo DuQuette This introduction to Qabalah presents complex mystical concepts through biographical anecdotes and irreverent humor.
Angels, Demons & Gods of the New Millennium by Lon Milo DuQuette The book explains Enochian magick and spirit communication through firsthand accounts and practical techniques.
Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley This semi-autobiographical novel chronicles spiritual transformation through occult practice and Thelemic philosophy.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Lon Milo DuQuette wrote this autobiographical work while maintaining his day job as a guitar teacher, showing that modern occultists often balance mundane careers with their magical practices.
🔮 The book details DuQuette's personal experiences with Aleister Crowley's magical system, Thelema, including his role as an ordained priest in Crowley's Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica.
📖 DuQuette is known for explaining complex magical concepts with humor and accessibility, earning him the nickname "The Comic Alan Watts of the Occult."
⚡ The author describes his first magical experience at age 12 when he accidentally performed a ritual that manifested physical phenomena, sparking his lifelong pursuit of esoteric knowledge.
🎭 Throughout the book, DuQuette reveals how he maintained relationships with various spiritual entities, including his Holy Guardian Angel, while raising a family in suburban Orange County, California.