The Book of Gates: A Magical Translation

By Josephine McCarthy

Book Overview

New enhanced edition of The Book of Gates - a Magical Translation second edition, is a rich and deep searching new translation and magical interpretation of a little-known New Kingdom Ancient Egyptian funerary text that contains a wealth of mystical and magical secrets. Of particular interest to magicians, occultists, Kemeticists and more, The Book of Gates has as much relevance for the living as much as the deceased, and its deeply enigmatic verses lead the reader on a harrowing yet inspirational journey through the Underworld. This second edition has been reformatted and presented in a more portable size both as a cloth bound hardback with dust sheet and high quality paper, and paperback with a beautiful duplex cover.

It is one of the most profound and transformative magical texts to have survived from the ancient world, yet today it remains largely unknown. In 2016, adept magician and author Josephine McCarthy, along with Middle Egyptian translator Michael Sheppard, while analysing its texts discovered layer after layer of magical knowledge hidden away inside its complex narrative.

The Book of Gates was sumptuously illustrated onto tomb walls and royal sarcophagi, and this visual feast has been lovingly reproduced in this edition, in colour and monochrome, by magical artist Stuart Littlejohn, where it is also joined by some of his original works. Translated from Middle Egyptian by Michael Sheppard, interpreted by Josephine McCarthy, and illustrated by Stuart Littlejohn, The Book of Gates offers the reader page after page of enigmatic puzzles, insights, and keys that reveal the timeless roots of alchemy, ritual, and magical vision. TaDehent Books is truly proud to present a book so steeped in mystery, magical meaning, and ancient wisdom.

Josephine McCarthy is an adept magician, author, and the director of the Quareia Magical Training School. She has authored twenty-nine books on magical theory and practice, and has taught in the USA and Europe for the last three decades. She lives in Southwest England with her husband Stuart Littlejohn.

Stuart Littlejohn is a magical artist and classical ritualist whose artwork has featured in many books by leading writers on the subjects of magic, myth, and the occult. His original artwork can be found in collections around the world, and his detailed studies of Egyptian, Classical Roman, and Ancient Greek imagery are renowned in the international magical communities.

Michael Sheppard is an editor, translator and consultant on ancient languages, and was acting editor and ancient language consultant for the Quareia Magical training course.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1911134698
• ISBN13: 9781911134695
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Tadehent Books
• Length: 322 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Resource for Occultists

If I were to have only one book about ancient Egyptian magic on my shelf, this would be a top contender. It is not written for an audience assumed to have a wealth of pre-established knowledge on Egyptian gods, myths, or literature, but any level of background knowledge will help the reader understand the style of Egyptian speech. (Something like Miriam Lichtheim's 'Ancient Egyptian Literature' is a good start for the absolute beginner). The text is formatted into the 12 hours of the Duat, each hour comprising sets of scenes interspersed with useful commentary that interprets and elaborates upon most passages of text. The book also contains commentator's (McCarthy's) and translator's (Sheppard's) introductions as well as a glossary and bibliography. The commentary is sometimes just as dense as the text, and it is not meant to be an easy read. For those with sufficient stamina, however, the effort to work slowly, reread often, and 'think sideways' will repay the reader many times over.