MANDRAGORA. Further Explorations in Exoteric Poesis.

SARA, Ruby [editor].

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Publisher: UK: Scarlet Imprint.
Date Published: 2012.
Edition: First Edition, First Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine
Book Id: 303232

Description

Octavo, original copper shot crushed cloth embossed with a black foil spirit of Mandragora. Black head and tail bands, black endpapers. Archival quality paper. 249 pp. 450 hand-numbered copies printed. A fine copy without dust jacket as issued. ¶ A companion volume to DATURA, comprising nine extensive essays and the works of 48 poets, including Adriano Camargo Monteiro, Adrienne J. Odasso, Alexander Cummins, Alison Leigh Lilly, Anna Applegate, Anthony Rella, Ariana Dawnhawk, Brock Marie Moore, Caroline Carver, Chris Page, Christopher Greenchild, Craig Fraser, Erynn Rowan Laurie, j/j hastain, Jenne Micale, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Melusine, Jimmy T. Kirkbride, Jose Leitao, Juleigh Howard Hobson, Juliet Johns, Katie Anderson, KH Solomon, Levannah Morgan, Literata Hurley, Mama Whodun, Mark Mandrake, Mark Saucier, Mark Valentine, Michael Routery, Mike Slater, Miriam Axel-Lute, Orryelle Defenstrate-Bascule, Paul Holman, Paul B.Rucker, Peter Dube, Peter Grey, Phil Legard, P. Sufenas Virius Lupus, Rebecca Buchanan, Ruby Sara, Scott Schroder, Shaun Johnson, Slippery Elm, Stuart Inman, T.Thorn Coyle, Valentina Cano, Voxx Voltair. In addition to the rich wilderness of poetry represented in these pages, Mandragora also presents nine essays on the nature of the strange, mad, chymical wedding of poet and magic, and the occult euphoria that follows it through time and space. Throughout these pages we glimpse the ghost of Orpheus, that god-touched and wandering patron of verse, in explorations of the poet as seducer of the gods, the role of verse in ritual theatre, and the poet in relationship with the Muse. Twice we are invited to fix our hearts on the lives and works of specific voices from the history of esoteric poetry in essays on Ted Hughes and Fernando Pessoa. The prophetic voice of the poet is explored, specifically in relationship to Brigid, as is the role of poetry in the grimoire tradition, the use of the cut-up technique in poetry and magic, and the relationship of poetry to the ongoing conversation between science and occult practice. In these essays the poetic word is grounded in tradition and history, rooted in thought & a face given form and a spirit animating its limbs. Essays included are 'The Poet as God Seducer' by P.Sufenas Virius Lupus; 'Black Venus and Wise Hermes' by Phil Legard; 'On Cut-Up' by Alexander Cummins; 'A Spell to Awaken England' by Peter Grey; 'Magical Verse in Ritual Theatre' by Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule; 'Burying the Poet by Erynn Rowan Laurie; 'On Pessoa' by Jose Leitao; 'Houses of Death' by Jimmy T. Kirkbride; and 'Head of Orpheus' by Michael Routery. Ruby Sara writes: "for me there truly is no difference on a metaphysical level between poetry and magick - they are the same movement, and you cannot have true magick without poetry (or true poetry without magick). Poetry is the language of magick, it is magick given voice and form. On a practical level, the human voice is a critical instrument in various manner of spellcraft, as is language... history bears this out thoroughly I think... and in my experience, spellcraft is hugely enhanced by applying to it the music and rhythm and articulate beauty of invocative, resonant poetry."