if somebody is looking for a complete introduction to the study of magic, or if somebody has an older copy and would like a clearer, more usable version, he or she will find a better choice to this edition the tree of life.because this book has provided spiritual seekers with the most comprehensive study of the common threads of magical theory and practice.

Please review portions of this book before buying it. While I'm sure the writers are able to write, the style of writing is excessively wordy filled with needlessly multisylabic adjectives. As a consequence, it is difficult to read not to mention understand. The writers have forgotten that meaning and information are lost when they are diluted with excessive words.

This book is an absolutely brilliant introduction to the study of white magic or theurgy but the Cicero's have unfortunately corrupted it with their editing and with illustrations not even found in the original
edition. If you want a real edition, get a second revised edition published by Weiser books, from 1971 or the same thing, just paperback, published by Weiser in 1991, tenth printing. Many books published after Regardie's death are corrupted, virtually all the editions put out by Lllewyn are corrupted (but not the one's published before his death in 1984).

It is wrong to associate Regardie with Crowley, he was an apprentice of the man at one time but he eventually broke off his relationship from him when he took a turn for the worse (at one point Regardie calls some of Crowley's new writing "deplorable"). He praises Crowley's early work, such as the original Equinox (notes on the Kabbalah)and Magick (I've never seen it in print). If you want to know why Regardie left the Golden Dawn read his "What You should know about the Golden Dawn" and also read the uncorrupted version of the Tree of Life.

this book is my favorite so far since i been spending money on occult books for the past month and a half. Im interested in eventually doing the rituals but first i need to study the meanings behind every aspect of the rituals. I agree this is a book to contemplate on. Very beautifully written with beautiful illustrations. If your a beginner and want to eventually make your life magic this is the book for you. It is easy to read and is great for an intuitive soul. I read an interesting chapter on astral projection, the whole book is interesting. Anyways this is turning into a rant so ill stop!

This book gives overview of many occult practices like ceremonial magic, qabalah, theurgia, alchemy, evocation of spirits by method of Abramelin, etc. It has many interesting insights and can clarify some things to students of magic. Only practical method is short version of Banishing Pentagram ritual which is also given in many other Regardie's books like Middle Pillar. Students interesting in practice should buy his other books like: The Golden Dawn, Middle Pillar, etc.

I highly recommend Dr. Regardie's book to all serious students of metaphysics and magic. He carefully explains magical philosophy and offers solid techniques and advice for the individual seeking this path of higher development. This particular new addition breaks down each topic and subtopic to more clearly aid the reader then the previous edition. Dr. Regardie's qualifications and experience in the field is excellent. Having once met him at his home in Studio City, California, I also found him to be a dedicated teacher and a kind individual.

I've had only two reactions from this book: falling asleep or laughing. Repressed Regardie is far from my favorite author, or any useful author in particular; I've only found his works, "The Golden Dawn" and "A Garden of Pomegranates" to be mildly useful. "Tree of Life" seems to be one long, drawn-out, arrogant criticism of other practices, and indeed other magicians. The information is exceptionally watered-down and seemingly copied from his superiors in the Golden Dawn (namely, Aliester Crowley, who is a "lesser" to him). Armchair magicians don't have much purpose in general, and Regardie certainly falls easily into that category!

regardie is an excellent source for not only magick in general but also for the advanced kaballist..cannot recommend another author who trancends him.

I found this book to be amazing. I have researched the various relgions of the world for several years now (never really seeing the big picture untill recently), but I found this to be still a kind of difficult read. It was the first book that truely introduced to me some of the Qabalah, and it took a little bit of outside reasearch to get at this book. From my findings though, one can not really read Regardie cover to cover without study (or a lot of previous knowledge). I got a lot out of this book, and would recomend it to anyone willing to work through the material. I found working through the material and doing the research to understand the book to be just as valuable as the book itself also. A great starter on some of the more western esoteric traditions some (eastern stuff in there too).

This book is absolutely amazing, after reading it I went out and bought several of Regardie's books. This is definitely the best introduction to magic that I have read, and it definitely seems to be a major source that many contemporary introductions to magic are based on. I would, nevertheless, recommend people approach this book with: 1) a bit of familiarity with the basic premises of the Qabalah and Tree of Life (Dion Forutne's "The Mystical Qabalah" is a great place to start), and 2) an ability to decipher long and wordy sentences.
Other reviewers have complained about Regardie's writing style. I definitely agree the first chapter is a bit over the top, but throughout the rest of the book I fell in love with his style. It makes readers use conscious effort in order to gain understanding, because Regardie wraps many layers of meaning into what he writes. After the first chapter, I found the writing style extremely poetic and beautiful, although I definitely feel it could be simplified. Regardless of the writing style, Regardie's treatment of the topic is straightforward and clear... especially considering the veil of secrecy that cloaked discussion of magic in previous centuries.

The book is divided into two major sections. The first is basically more theoretical, covering the theory of the Tree of Life... a topic that perpetually reveals more and more depth intricate layers. The second (and much larger) part is more practical, though it really deals with the theory behind magical practices. This section really helps to demystify the meanings behind magical practice, and has helped give me a more clear direction in my own path.
Particularly valuable are the treatments of WILL and IMAGINATION, the two key ingredients in practical magic... many exercises are weaved into the text, and the reasons as to why these and other elements are essential is very clearly covered. The best part of this book was definitely the chapter on the astral plane and exercises to develop abilities for astral projection... I would have paid for this chapter alone!

This book has immense benefit for both the "armchair magician" (stuck in theory with no practice) and the practicing magician. It is a great overview for aspiring magicians, and I sense it would only reveal more as readers become more experienced. I will come back to it again and again...

Regarding the connection with Crowley... I was wary of Regardie for a while, because of the association with Crowley, but after reading this book I realize the extreme importance Regardie placed on spiritual aspiration. I actually find he has a lot in common with Samael Aun Weor (look him up), which really surprises me. Definitely, it seems Regardie is on the side of "white magic", and now that I am rereading Crowley I am sensing that his reputation is skewed. Parts of his writing seem to really glorify self indulgence, but I think there is more spiritual value to his work than he is often given credit for by his detractors.
Despite all of this, doing a bit of research suggests their connection was thinner than it may at first appear... Regardie was only Crowley's secretary, Crowley refused to give him any practical teaching in magic. And, later in life Regardie seemed a bit pissed off about his association with Crowley, because he considered himself a Golden Dawn member and not a Thelemite. Although the back of my edition says the book is "the most comprehensive introduction to the... writings of Aleister Crowley", I find this insulting almost. The publisher probably put it on to increase sales, because the book really has very little to do with Crowley.
At the very least, reading The Tree of Life helped expand my perspective and open my mind. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I've read the material contained in The Tree of Life a hundred times in a hundred other books. Those books are a but a shadow of this one. Each of those others list this one in their bibliography while they try to re-tell it as well. None have succeeded. Those other books have their place, but this very well written tome is at the foundation of modern magick.

There are a couple of things I might mention to the potential reader. Though containing a good explanation of the Qabalah, contrary to the title, the book is really about Ceremonial Magick in its many forms. At times, Regardie approaches the subject as an apologist arguing around Blavatsky's Theosophical Society's tenants, which were the fashion at the time of the writing. The debate is mostly lost on modern readers but doesn't detract from the work and is completed in the early chapters.

Regardie's only stumble, in my option, is his chapter on alchemy, the last "narrative" chapter of the book. Here Regardie describes the art of alchemy as a spiritual process only and doesn't delve into the possibility of an actual chemical practice. Regardie's book The Philosphers's Stone carries on this narrow interpretation that the author later admitted, I believe, didn't wholly encompass the craft.

As for the Ciceros' contribution to the work, I can't comment since I'm unfamiliar with earlier editions. However, I found the pictures, footnotes and corrections meaningful and helpful for the most part. Where they weren't helpful, I ignored them. Feel free to do the same.

It's also good to see a Llewellyn book not printed on paper-towel quality stock, but durable bonded paper. A book this good should last. A hard copy would be the only improvement upon the printing.

I wholly agree that if Regardie had done nothing else but write The Tree of Life, the world of magick would be forever in his debt. The only other book I can think of that impacted the magick world as much as this one, is Regardie's own Golden Dawn. This book belongs in every magickal library and deserves to be read no matter how well you think you might know the material.