Basic Conditions of Taoist Thunder Magic (Abhandlungen Fur Die Kunde Des Morgenlandes) (German Edition) Paperback – August 30, 2007

Cool book

A wonderful scholarly look at one aspect Chinese magical practice. A very nice combination of translated primary texts, and academic commentary. I purchased this text, and "Man, Nature, and The Infinite" (also by Prof. Reiter), as research material for my dissertation. He could have gone a little heavier on the primary sources, but overall a very good advanced text for those interested in the Daoist tradition, and in the study of magic in general.

I can give this book not more than 3 stars.Why that? Well, because even if it contains very good discussion of various aspects of Taoist Thunder Magic this book is regrettably exclusively ... scholarly. So, practically, it means (as examples) the followings:1- The author discusses Thunder Divinities, but no illustration of any of these divinities are given. Also, no explanation concerning their specific roles in Taoist talismanic thunder rituals are to be found in his book (for what specific ritually purposes they are invoked by the Taoist adepts).2- The author discusses writing charms, but no image of any charm are to be found inside these pages. Also, no explanation about how to make these charms, nothing about their ritual purposes, no incantation, no mudra are shown, etc, etc. So, in short, nothing for the readers interested by the practical side of Thunder Magic.3- The author discusses method of consecrating seals, but here again, no illustration of any seal.So, here again, (and unfortunately), we have a Taoist book exclusively written for a scholarly audience...However, those who are only interested by a scholarly approach to Taoist Thunder Magic will most probably be happy for having purchased this very serious and informative book. For these people, no doubt the book is worth of 5 stars.