I started to read this on Saturday, but soon resorted to skimming the text, mostly because the mention of Angels and white light started to get in my wick (pardon the pun).

I know that Michael Howard is respected in the occult world, being the editor of "The Cauldron" magazine, etc. but I was unaware of his basis in western mystery esoterica/occult practices. I read this book with high expectations, and perhaps if I were still a beginner, it might have been a non-too taxing introduction to magical practice. Given my current spiritual direction, however, I found the information and correspondences provided used at odds with my own practices.

I don't use the archangels, I dont' call the four quarters, I don't recognise the elemental beings to whom he refers, I don't recognise all the correspondences from the old grimoires, I am not interested in Qabbalah or astrology either, nor to I subscribe to the notions of sin or karma. Were I that way inclined, this book would have been very helpful indeed.

Other tools for honing the focus are brough into play, such as incense and tarot cards, which a newcomer would find helpful.

I did find the text well written and clear. The editing in my particular edition being very good indeed. ( )