Magic: An Occult Primer

David Conway’s Magic: An Occult Primer is a classic work that helped bring structured magical training to a wide audience when it first appeared in the early 1970s. Clear, thoughtful, and practical in its approach, the book remains one of the most accessible guides for serious students of the Western magical tradition. This edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, with all illustrations redrawn for clarity and practical application.

Magic: An Occult Primer is divided into two principal sections—Magical Theory and Magical Practice—followed by an extensive set of appendices.

In Magical Theory, Conway presents a concise exploration of the philosophical foundations of magic. He begins by examining magical practice within the framework of natural law, outlining the principles that underlie magical operations. From there, he introduces the reader to the Kabbalah and broader cosmological concepts that have informed Western esoteric traditions for centuries. The section concludes with an examination of the discipline and daily practices necessary for the magician’s development.

Magical Practice moves from theory into application. Conway outlines the preparations necessary for magical work, including tables of correspondences that remain useful even for experienced practitioners. He discusses the timing of rituals, the preparation of sacred space, and the ritual implements required for magical operations. The section culminates in master rituals presented through both Kabbalistic and Egyptian approaches. Conway also explores practical magical techniques including astral projection, talismanic magic, and prophecy.

The book concludes with a substantial set of appendices, offering magical recipes, discussions of occult alphabets, and an extensive “Occult Who’s Who,” providing valuable reference material for the student of magic.