A Theurigist’s Book of Hours

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Theurgist’s Book of Hours by Jeffrey S Kupperman, published by Avalonia Books. £18.99

From the introduction: In brief, prayer nurtures the mind, makes us more receptive to divine beings, habituates us to the otherwise potentially lethal divine light, perfects our ability to contact the gods, uplifts our minds to those of the gods, links us to them, purifies our pneumatic vehicle, brings out the divine element in the human soul, and makes us “the familiar consorts of the gods”. Prayer is so important that “no sacred act can take place without it”. 

 

The first few explanatory pages are very intense, but the praxis develops into something more accessible. Provided are detailed annual calendars, devotional hymns, prayers, extracts and writings, such as Chaldean Oracles and Greek Magical Papri. There are drawings that can be coloured. The devotionals are prepared for a celebrant and others, or can be used alone. Many are beautiful in sentiment and powerful in content. Expect Uberloads of doctrine. 

Though the blurb says the book is suitable for beginners, it helps to have read the previous book “Living Theurgy”. The author draws primarily on the Neoplatonic teachings of Iamblichus, Proclus, Pseudo-Dionysius, and the lunar/solar liturgical calendar reforms of Plethon. 

Excerpt: Prayer for The Hour of Dew: Hail Thunder, Perfect Mind: celestial orderer, hear are prayer! Mighty King of All, who causes the movements of the moon, we call to you. Hearken, O Saviour who gives light to the world in darkness. Now is the time you set for beginnings, so we celebrate a new cycle. Your light rises from the darkness as the dawn sings your praise. Our day and month begins anew, and so you are celebrated, O source of our existence. At this time of beginnings, purify our souls, O King, so we may live in your virtues. Let our past faults be corrected, our errors set aside that we may walk in divine ways. O Divine brilliance, lead us in holy ways as we set forth on our journey.

Review by Wendy Stokes  https://wendystokes.co.uk