I was aware of Jeffrey S. Kupperman as an author before I picked up this book due to his multitude of contributions to the esoteric communities, including the tremendous: Living Theurgy: A Course in Iamblichus’ Philosophy, Theology and Theurgy which was published by Avalonia in 2014. That said, I had no idea that he was a part of the steampunk community!
I found this to be a unique and interesting book. The book lays out the history of the occult revival of Western Europe in a concise manner, with the purpose being to teach steampunk subculture about the Victorian age esoteric movement so if they choose, they can add these elements into their cosplay personas. I think this book succeeds in this aim. There was plenty of information so that even someone who knows nothing about esotericism in Victorian times would be able, after reading this book, be able to add these elements to their steampunk persona, as well as have a basis for further research if they so choose.
The author begins with a bit of an overview about what steampunk is as well as what magic is, and continues into an examination of the esoteric during Victorian times including; Spiritualism, Theosophy, Freemasons, the Templars, Rosicrucianism, Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor, Ordo Templi Orientis, Martinism, and the Order of the Golden Dawn. Interspersed are detailed character sketches to help give ideas on how to add an esoteric theme to the readers own cosplay characters.
The author's own steampunk persona, Séitheach MacGregor.
Although the book focuses on Victorian high magic (magic which is ritualised and ceremonial), and which was more popular, there is also a chapter on low magic (folk magic) included.
Some later chapters contain helpful advice on building and expanding a steampunk persona and the author also includes some magical alphabets which could be useful in crafting props, and as a bonus, included pages of his own prop, the Magical Notebooks of Séitheach MacGregor.
There is an extensive bibliography for anyone interested in further research.
I really enjoyed this read! I have never done cosplay because I am quite introverted, but I find it fascinating, and I do make my own steampunk costumes for Halloween sometimes. It had never occured to me to add elements of the occult into my costumes!
Thank you Crossed Crow for this fun book!
Buy your copy here: High Magic in the Age of Steam — Crossed Crow Books Or anywhere else you buy books!
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