Book: The Book of Fallen Angels by Michael Howard

[53rdspirit]

Hello All.

The Book of Fallen Angels by Michael Howard (Holmes Publishing Group, LLC) 2004

I have been looking at this book on-line to purchase and wondered if anyone here has read it and what your thoughts are about the book? Also, in your opinion, is the content theoretical or more philosophical?

Many thanks.
53rdspirit
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Are there such beings as witches now? We hear of none. --Then the last grand question, to which a secret of some importance is attached--What has become of them? Demonologia, JSF, 1827

[Martin]

I have the book, and its companion "Pillars of Tubal-Cain", and have found them both veritable goldmines. If you're interested in Luciferian witchcraft, the notion of Fallen Ones as scintillations of Light fallen to earth, and the related concept of Witchblood, then you'll enjoy it. As to the philosophical question, well it certainly opens the mind to new ways of perceiving witchcraft, and as such ethos should always inform one's praxis, it also has practical application.

[QuercusRobur]

I had a look at it on Amazon and it looks fairly serious. However, I wouldn't bother with it because I'm not interested in angels.

Since angels only came to Britain and Ireland with Christian belief I don't see what a Trad witch's practices would have to do with angels.
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"History is just a myth that has been written down" Napoleon Bonaparte

[Martin]

[Tabster]

I don't know if this connects at all with the book in question, but in my family trad we can see connections between various angelic characteristics and behaviours and some of the "big boys and girls" who we work with, so I don't see any conflict in finding out more about angels even though we're not practising any kind of religion.
There are angels in Judaism and Islam as well as Christianity, incidentally, and a lot of people have the sense of "being looked after" by someone non-human, whether or not they have a belief system that incorporates angels.
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"Any fool could be a witch with a runic knife, but it took skill to be one with an apple-corer." - Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum.

[naimh]

Yes Martin, I agree. I have also come across the idea that the "giants" that are often found in the cymric/brythonic/nordic texts, such as the likes of Bran, were in fact Nephilim (offspring of the fallen ones and the daughters of men).

I looked into it briefly and there is some reference in a few hebraic/abramaic texts to not all of the Nephilim being destroyed in the flood (of Noah fame) but escaping via boat to a distant Island; lol stranger things have happened, perhaps that Island was good 'ol blighty.

xXx

[QuercusRobur]

Martin, I'm very anti-angel because despite being brought up as Christian I went through a sh***y time as a kid and I still remember the feeling of having nothing and no-one to help me. Various people have said "since you're alive, the angels must have helped you". I'd rather be dead than go through that period again. Anything like that ranks as sheer torture in my book.

Since I've become pagan, the Irish deities have helped me, and if I don't know who to ask I just ask "the gods of my ancestors".

naimh, have you read the Lebor Gabala Erenn? The first two volumes are based on the Vulgate bible and there's some interesting stuff on Gog and Magog and how giants came into being, but it's mostly the Bible up to the flood and then the various Takings of Ireland start.
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"History is just a myth that has been written down" Napoleon Bonaparte

[Martin]

In that case you might find Fallen Angels an eye-opening read. The book deals with the older history of angels & their pre-christian roots, along with their correspondence with deities of other cultures. The intelligent conception of Fallen Angels has little to do with friendly beings watching over us & helping little children through illness, and more to do with potent forces capable of wielding great powers. I say don't blame the poor angels for your sh***y time, blame the church!

[Thorgrim]

I just want to second what Martin said above. Angels and demons are the same as french goblins, english elves, norse trolls ect., They are simply spirits. Do they exist? Do they have a place in Trad craft? Sure they do. So long as the witch sees them for what they are, by seeing past the cultural veil. Much like the master with his many names, he is limited by none.
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<div>certayne sorcerers, who having annoynted their bodies with an ointment which they make by the instinct of the devil, and putting on a certayne inchaunted girdle, will unto the view of others seem as wolves.</div>

[53rdspirit]

The book arrived today and I will let you know what I think of it. Thanks everyone for your input.

Regards,
53rdsprit
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Are there such beings as witches now? We hear of none. --Then the last grand question, to which a secret of some importance is attached--What has become of them? Demonologia, JSF, 1827

[Corvuscorax]

I will be interested to see what you think 53rdspirit, have you dipped into FALLEN ANGELS AND THE ORIGINS OF EVIL by Elizabeth Clare Prophet? Or ,The Genius of the Few, similar lines but most interesting.
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Crovus

[53rdspirit]

[Furdion]

So how is the book going. How did you perceive it? Enquiring minds wish to know
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Witches know about herbs, because that makes sense, and the good thing about most herbs is that they grow all by themselves...the ones you see growing in gardens are only useful for shoving up chickens bottoms