Books by Jan Fries

Jan Fries
Living Midnight:
three movements of the Tao

In this book you will find a study of the divination system known widely as the I Ching, but here presented with all its magick intact and in a totally unique way. This leads naturally to an examination of the techniques of Taoist meditation and finally to a look at the divine entities that lie behind the system - the Immortals.

Anyone who has read Jan Fries's inspiring books - Helrunar, Visual Magick and especially Seidways: Shaking, Swaying and Serpent Mysteries, cannot have failed to notice that some of the magical techniques of the east and of the Taoist tradition are very close to his heart. Here you will find many practical exercises, I Ching divination in the mind, breathing experiences and visualisation of coloured vapours.

‘You can find the Immortals exploring the hidden delights of enchanted fairy grottoes, flower gardens, pine forests and pleasant autumn lakes. They walk on clouds, they sit in shady valleys enjoying the swirling mists and rest in the heart of the living midnight. You can meet them in the centre of yourself once you become empty enough. And you can meet them out here, walking in the world, disguised as mortals.’

‘May the high-born reader cast a benign and forgiving eye on this work, experiment with its humble methods and come to a higher understanding of the mysterious workings of the Tao.’ - Jan Fries

220pp 1869928-504 Ł10.99/$19.99 illustrated

Jan Fries
Seidways
Shaking, Swaying and Serpent Mysteries

(was Techniques of Obsession)

350pp 1869928-369 48 original illustrations £15/$25

From the author of Helrunar - manual of rune magick and Visual Magick, a handbook of freestyle shamanism, come the definative study of magical trance and possession techniques. The author is inspired by the Nordic tradition of Seidr, said to have been taught to the human race by Odin. The book provides an extensive survey of the manifestation of this powerful technique through several related magical traditions - shamanisn, mesmerism, draconian cults and the nightside of European paganism.

Seething is probably the most useful magical technique I have ever learned. I first was taken by the pleasure of it. My body felt warm and sensual, and seething in the hips felt quite sexual. I liked the feeling of my body taking over where the shaking was first voluntary - but I could still have some control, making the shaking stronger or more subtle. After a while I started to see visions - something that very rarely happens to me. I could see (with my physical eyes, not astrally!) the surface of the land in the centre of the circle rippling, like waves of energy. It was a really moving experience in a site that - until then - had not been particularly 'special' to me... it ..has had a major impact upon my magical work which used to be largely indoors, as at last I have found a way that I can work outdoors. This gives my magical work a potency that it simply didn't have before.

- Shantidevi quoted in chapter twelve 'Rhythms and the Mind

‘Very highly recommended’ - The Cauldron

'Jan Fries shows himself to be one of the most innovative and creative of contemporary magical authors. This is the best book on practical magick that I have seen for some time... an extremely useful body of techniques which any practically-minded magician will be able to use. Beautifully illustrated...Mandrake should be applauded for producing yet another fine book of modern magical practice and thought. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed!’
- Phil Hine in Chaos International 22

'The text is always interesting to read no matter where you start from. With such a broad spectrum of content, Seidways is suited to anyone studying shamanism for the first time, and wants to avoid a pile of new-age crap. It’s also a great all-rounder for anyone with a general interest in European mythology. Seidways will become one of the more thumbed books in my collection, and I am sure the collection of anyone else who buys it. - Sant reviewing in 'White Dragon

[Helrunar]

Helrunar
manual of rune magick
by Jan Fries

350 pages 1869928199 pbk, £9.99/$20 100 illustrations
'Helrunar' is the title of one who 'runes' or makes rune magick. This book explains how one goes about becoming a Helrunar. The runes are a pan-European magical language. Its roots can be found in the ancient pagan beliefs of our ancestors who built many thousand of stones circles, long barrows and dolmens throughout ancient Europe. This same symbols and techniques were used by the Pagan Celts and Germans. This book is a complete manual of magick based upon the arcane symbolism and secret techniques known as the runes. The runes are for all! - they are not a new religion or 'folkish' claptrap but a vibrant magical system that really works! This book is suitable for anyone with an interest in the actually practise of magick. It style and structure is similar to much acclaimed Visual Magic, which is a manual of freestyle shamanism. The author lives in Frankfurt near the Taunus Mountains. He is a musician artist and magician. For this edition he has edited the full text of all the rune poems and prepared over 100 original drawings and transcriptions of Celtic, Neolithic and Runic images. He takes us through the key magical techniques of the ancient pagan religion, currently undergoing a rebirth throughout the world. The reader is led right to the heart of this material on sigil sorcery, rune stance, rune breath etc. Read this book and discover how to be a helrunar too.

'...eminently practical and certainly breaks new ground.' - Ronald Hutton (author Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles)
Recommended by The Cauldron
'a very meaty read...' PJ in Gippeswic

For Beowulf, Prose Edda and Saga of Jomsvikings see Useful Magical Books

Click to visit the Jan Fries homepage

[Visual Magick]

Visual Magick
A manual of freestyle shamanism
by Jan Fries

1991 136 pages 1869928180 £10.99/$20

Suitable for all those inspired by such figures as Austin Spare and Aleister Crowley, and who feel the imperative to develop one's own unique magick way. Visual Magick aims to build vision, imagination, and creative magick. It shows how magicians, witches, artists and therapists can improve visionary abilities, enhance imagination, activate the inner senses, and discover new modes of Trance awareness. The emphasis is on direct experience and the reader is asked to think, act, do, and enjoy as s/he wills. Visual Magick began as a small treatise on sigil Magick and automatic drawing circulated privately amongst members of the Maat network, and is written for practising mind explorers of the unorthodox variety. 'One of the best books on magick I have read in a long while.' Pagan News 'A practical modern grimoire.' The Cauldron

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