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of it would be most unwise to ignore this aspect of his or her magickal studies.

The next chapter deals with a fictional meeting at the "Green Lodge" of the Order of the Athanor, which reads like a bad short-story, and is basically just a repetition, in narrative form, of the rituals given in previous chapters, with a bit of controversy between two members arguing about how a training program should be implemented. This is easily, in my opinion, the worst part of the book, but it might be useful for some readers in helping them visualise how a lodge meeting might play out.

The final two chapters give a summary of points on creating a magical lodge and joining a fraternal lodge, giving extra information on certain procedures. An appendix of legal documents relating to incorporation, tax exemption, and other such matters that a growing lodge might need to deal with is also provided, but this will be of little interest to the casual reader who has no intention of putting the information into practice.

Some people argue that Greer's work is a little dated, not accounting properly for the rise of the internet and the ease with which information (and, indeed, people) travels nowadays, but that is, in no way, argument enough to ignore this text. Indeed, for any Order or group, no matter who they are or what their aims may be, the section detailing the ordinances, constitution, and charter of the Order of the Athanor can, and, indeed, should, be implemented (if there is not already a similar legal element in place). I've seen so many groups struggle with issues that could easily be dealt with if the ordinances were in place. It might be boring and technical, and everyone wants to get to the "real" work of practicing magick, but these are the foundations that every serious group needs to consider and work on. Otherwise, and this is usually the case, a difficulty will be encountered, and it will shatter the group, which will ultimately collapse.

This book is designed to avoid such an event by giving the reader an inside look into a magickal lodge, in both creating and running one. Anyone involved in such a process can benefit immensely from this text.

"Inside A Magical Lodge", by John Michael Greer: Llewellyn Publications (1998)

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