I had thought at one point in the not-too-distant past that pursuing some of the broader western esoteric traditions felt like a good, natural progression of my magical studies. So great was this feeling that I actually ended up joining for some time our local OTO chapter, earning my Minerval degree. It would seem, however, that Witchcraft was not so willing to let me go. After a short amount of time with the OTO, I withdrew in favor of pursuing an initiatory Witchcraft tradition. I was still grateful for my introduction into the OTO though, despite how problematic its founder was. As a seeker of the Mysteries, my time there taught me a lot about magical philosophy and ritual structure, some of which I am sure worked its way into my Witchcraft practice. 

I suppose this nostalgia for my short time in ritual magic is what called me to pick up Gareth Knight’s Magic and the Power of the Goddess: Initiation, Worship, and Ritual in the Western Mystery Tradition. Given my more personal work in cultivating a relationship with the Goddess of the Witches, I thought that this book might be able to give me other perspectives to consider when exploring Her, while giving guidance on new ritual techniques that I might be able to incorporate into my work. 

It was refreshing to see how fast Knight was to get to the magical work. This is rare in most occult books—we all know the formula: Part 1: Theory, Part 2: Practice. In this book, however, the reader is called to start practicing with an exploration of the magic circle on page 2! Following this, he starts to explore more of the philosophical, psychological, and mythological manifestations of the Divine Feminine throughout various esoteric traditions, including the Greek myths, the Mysteries of Isis, and the Cult of the Blessed Virgin. There’s even a chapter dedicated to the manifestation of the Divine Feminine within the framework of faery folklore, which was a good addition but not something I expected in a book on the western mysteries. Scattered throughout each of these explorations are magical exercises designed to align the reader with the interpretations of each of these myths. 

While the meditations and exercises are numerous, there is one that I know I will for sure be carrying into my primary practice. It was called Polar Forces Acting on a Point. In this exercise, Knight offers the following instructions:

In terms of esoteric geometry,  see a point moving in free space. Left alone, it traces a line moving straight into infinity. See another force impinge on it besides the one that started its first movement. Now instead of tracing an infinite line it moves around upon itself. See it form a circle. Those two forces that acted on this point may be presented as positive and negative pillars. They are the polarity on one level that creates a form in another dimension. At whatever level one views a form, it will resolve into two forces at a higher (or lower) plane of existence. These dual forces are depicted by the pillars. The representation of these pillars also forms a gate. (p. 19)

In my experience, this straightforward act of focusing on the creation of two points from absolute nothingness served as the ideal catalyst for opening the portal between realms. Starting from these higher states of consciousness creates a powerful gateway for the Goddess, or any spiritual being for that matter, to enter our sphere of influence. Now, I know I might be stretching on Knight’s words here, but it worked for me. 

Much of my work with the Goddess has focused on her as a Goddess of the Moon, but there’s only three references to the Moon in Knight’s book, and those are referring to the Tarot card! The lack of the discussion on the moon goddess though was actually a great strength for the book. You can find references to moon goddesses in nearly any book on the Craft, but to be exposed to a good body of lore that is often missing from modern witchcraft books was certainly welcomed. She’s a goddess of the moon, but so much more than that too.

Book Information

• Magic and the Power of the Goddess by Gareth Knight (1930-2022)
• Publisher: Destiny Books
• Publication Date: March 27, 2008
• Dimensions: 6X9
• Page Count: 224
• Purchase here