Mandrake Speaks Review

The Red Goddess is a beautifully produced book, but this really isn't a triumph of style over substance. Too often with limited edition bound-in-genuine-un-baptised-toad skin volumes of esoterica, the text is a big let down (do you really want to read more oh-so-spooky Cultus Sabbati waffle?).

The Red Goddess is quite different. Peter Grey takes us on a journey through history, searching for the tell-tale scent of the Whore Goddess. We meet her in ancient Babylon and get to really understand why the Old Testament prophets had such a downer on Her. We glimpse her brazen face in the Revelations of St.John, and her more intimate manifestations in the shew stone of John Dee and Edward Kelly. Tracking our quarry further, we spy Her in the work of Crowley and, crucially, see where Crowley couldn't get to grips with this most formidable force. Jack Parsons rounds off the history and brings us up to speed with what the Mother of Harlots has been up to since her début in ancient Persia.

With Her back-story brilliantly brought to life, we are then offered an insight into the work of making contact with the Goddess through Peter's own work. This is devotional yoga and the key technique is Letting Go. In this sense the methodology of interacting with Babalon is very similar to that recommended by many adepts when dealing with any powerful, transcendent force. There are some inspired suggestions for specific techniques in this volume; the use mirrors, BDSM sexual explorations, drugs, Enochian – it's right here and in some detail. But most important of all, the book simply smells of Her. This isn't just a history, not just another to-do list of tactics to deploy. Instead this whole volume is suffused with the obvious power and passion for the Work that Peter Grey has been pursuing. Finally the author also contextualises Babalon in contemporary culture, demonstrating how she is a thoroughly modern Goddess.

I'm always dubious that just reading a book can get you anywhere unless you act on the contents, but this volume virtually glows with its own scarlet energy. Talismanic production, excellent research blended with some delectable turns of phrase, means that reading all 156 pages is itself a powerful invocation.

Although the present volume is a limited edition it is possible that the text will be made available as a less expensive version (though not immediately). However, if you're serious about getting close to The Red Goddess you're going to have to pay, and honey, she's worth every penny. Seven stars out of a possible seven.

- Julian Vayne (author of Pharmakon)

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