2012 Reprint of 1945 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Israel Regardie, born Francis Israel Regudy (1907-1985) was an occultist and writer, author of books on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The exercise known as the "Middle Pillar" was devised by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Regardie expanded upon it and made it public over 60 years ago in the first edition of this book. Since that time, the exercise has been altered and adapted for just about any spiritual use you could think of. It is a mainstay of many Western traditions of magic. The exercise is intended as a technique to break the barrier between the conscious and unconscious. This classic work provides an introduction to magic and occultism while providing directions as to how to perform the Qabalistic Cross, the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and the Middle Pillar exercise. It remains a classic book in the field.