Brother Lon Milo DuQuette is pretty famous around Washington Masons for his declaration that we need to buy his books, but that we don’t have to read them. This line has been picked up by Brother Troy Spreeuw as well. It’s a good line, I may have to steal it myself someday.
I’m not sure if I’m doing things wrong or not, but I always buy the books, and I always read them.
So pictured above is my haul of books from last weekend’s Esotericism in Freemasonry Conference. All of them are new to me, and as you can see from the bookmark, I’ve already started Perdurabo.
I’ve read both of Jaime Paul Lamb’s previous books, Myth, Magick & Masonry, and Approaching The Middle Chamber. I found both to be superb, so am very much looking forward to reading his latest, The Archetypal Temple. He is an excellent speaker, and a great Mason.
Perdurabo is a biography of Aleister Crowley. Honestly, I’ve never known what to think about this complex man. My great friend, Brother Ken Lane suggested that I’d really enjoy this book, so I’m reading it on his advice, and perhaps it will help me refine my thoughts about Crowley.
I spend a fair amount of time lost in the world of Tarot, and quite enjoy my path with it. But, that path has never included the Thoth deck. I have one that I acquired three decades or so ago, actually apparently it’s a collectible ‘greenie’ now, but I’ve never been able to connect with the Thoth cards. Despite them being, to my eye, the most beautiful deck ever created.
I’ve read a lot from Lon Milo DuQuette through the years, as well as hearing him speak, and find his style to be a delight. So I picked up his Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot. Perhaps it will help me better connect with these beautiful cards.
Finally, I picked up a copy of P.D. Newman’s Alchemically Stoned. I’d heard about this particular book for quite some time, and having heard Bro. Newman discuss it, and his next book this weekend, I’m looking forward to diving right in. Plus, picking up a copy of Theurgy when it becomes available in December.
I’ve had the great pleasure and honor of getting to meet and spend time with Jaime Paul Lamb, Lon Milo DuQuette, and P.D. Newman as a result of these Esotericism in Freemasonry conferences. All are Brothers and truly solid men. I’m pleased to recommend their works to you.
As I close, I’d just like to touch upon Brother DuQuette’s words that I titled this essay with. Please buy the books, you don’t have to read them.
The people who write about Freemasonry and its related arts must receive some compensation for their work, if we hope to have them continue. Books like this never sell more than a small number of copies, and no Masonic writer is getting rich, or even making minimum wage from their efforts. But we need those efforts if we are to better understand Freemasonry in our own lives. So we must reward our writers by buying their books. Doing so is an investment in ourselves, and our own potential within Masonry.
I would also recommend though, that we read the books. For doing so will enhance and beautify our own personal Masonic path. Mackey complained long ago that Masons aren’t readers. Let’s start to change that.
Thanks for the direct link to purchase the books directly from the authors - that's helpful. Authors make more when you buy their work directly from them, when that is possible.
I’m trying to force myself to finish Journey of the Elu to Enlightenment, The Seven Honor Men, and Contemplative Masonry before I buy anything else…but I’ll probably take your recommendations anyhow.