Esoteric Books For Sale

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TARO As Colour - Ithell Colquhoun - Fulgur Deluxe Ltd Ed 1/78 - Lord Of Pleasure (Six of Cups)

$500     Buy Now

Excellent Condition

This is a deluxe edition of Ithell Colquhoun's TARO As Colour. Only 78 deluxe examples were produced by Fulgur.

Each copy is unique, with a different front cover, corresponding to the TARO card represented.

Hand bound with quarter vellum, with all edges guilt, has a silk covered wrap around cover, which is gold blocked on the front and spine, and is housed in a silk covered slipcase.

A radical visual exploration of the occult forces behind the traditional tarot deck by the neglected British Surrealist, Ithell Colquhoun.

In 1977, a series of 78 strange enamel works were exhibited in a small gallery in Cornwall. The vibrant images were modestly grouped together in five large frames. For the curious viewer the artist provided a page of explanation, affirming that these ‘psycho-morphological’ studies were, in fact, designs for a Taro. Within a few weeks, the exhibition was gone.

Such was the first and last appearance of Ithell Colquhoun’s revolutionary explorations of the Taro As Colour. The product of a lifetime of esoteric study and art practice, Colquhoun’s bold project seeks to dispense with the figurative narratives of the traditional tarot and re-imagines the forces behind each card as pure colour. Drawing from the pioneering work of Moina Mathers and Florence Farr in the 1890s, Colquhoun integrates the esoteric teachings of the Golden Dawn with Surrealist automatic techniques to produce a design for a taro deck that remains unique in Western esotericism. Setting aside the role of the tarot in fortune-telling, through the power of pure colour Colquhoun invites us to reach for transcendence.
TARO As Colour - Ithell Colquhoun - Fulgur Deluxe Ltd Ed 1/78 - Lord Of Wealth (Ten of Disks)

$500     Buy Now

Excellent Condition

This is a deluxe edition of Ithell Colquhoun's TARO As Colour. Only 78 deluxe examples were produced by Fulgur.

Each copy is unique, with a different front cover, corresponding to the TARO card represented.

Hand bound with quarter vellum, with all edges guilt, has a silk covered wrap around cover, which is gold blocked on the front and spine, and is housed in a silk covered slipcase.

A radical visual exploration of the occult forces behind the traditional tarot deck by the neglected British Surrealist, Ithell Colquhoun.

In 1977, a series of 78 strange enamel works were exhibited in a small gallery in Cornwall. The vibrant images were modestly grouped together in five large frames. For the curious viewer the artist provided a page of explanation, affirming that these ‘psycho-morphological’ studies were, in fact, designs for a Taro. Within a few weeks, the exhibition was gone.

Such was the first and last appearance of Ithell Colquhoun’s revolutionary explorations of the Taro As Colour. The product of a lifetime of esoteric study and art practice, Colquhoun’s bold project seeks to dispense with the figurative narratives of the traditional tarot and re-imagines the forces behind each card as pure colour. Drawing from the pioneering work of Moina Mathers and Florence Farr in the 1890s, Colquhoun integrates the esoteric teachings of the Golden Dawn with Surrealist automatic techniques to produce a design for a taro deck that remains unique in Western esotericism. Setting aside the role of the tarot in fortune-telling, through the power of pure colour Colquhoun invites us to reach for transcendence.
Cecil Williamson's Book of Witchcraft #161/300

$199     Buy Now

Brand new / mint

"Cecil Hugh Williamson (1909-1999) is, I believe, one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft. He is probably best known for founding the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, North Cornwall, which he ran up until midnight on All Hallows Eve 1996; three years before his passing over in to the spirit world. Unbeknown to many however, this was just part of a colourful and magical career that spanned most of the 20th century. This included working in a Rhodesian tobacco plantation, the pre-war film industry, the British secret services and, most importantly, devoting his life to the study of traditional witchcraft".

In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the Museum of Witchcraft, Steve happened upon a handwritten manuscript entitled simply ‘Witchcraft’ and containing an intriguing pot-pourri of esoterica from the hand of the Museum's founder; Cecil Williamson. It is this manuscript which provides the basis for Steve's book which includes a full annotated transcript of the ‘Witchcraft’ manuscript, a history of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft, a treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches, an account of his meetings with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’. The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto largely ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history, and one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft.

The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history.

A full annotated transcript of Cecil Williamson’s “Witchcraft” manuscript.
A History of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft.
A treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches.
An account of his meetings with Alistair Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’.

Special Edition

Cream 175gsm ripple finish dust jacket, bound in burgundy cloth with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, black end papers with red and black head and tail bands. Lithographic printing on 120gsm cream paper stock with sewn binding. Limited to 300 hand numbered examples.

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