The Tao of Craft: Fu Talismans and Casting Sigils in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition

This book by Benebell Wen is just phenomenal in scope and depth! Hundreds of pages and multiple topics with examples in detail. Meticulous yet, understandable as a somewhat newb to the subjects. It is my 2nd book from her and I hope they keep coming. I have become a fan of her easy reading writing style that still provides epic proportions of concise information.

This book is full of information on the construction of various written or painted Chinese talismans, sigil, incantations, magic symbols, charms, and diagrams - (符箓 - fulu) - and more. There are 585 pages filled with many hundreds of illustrations, graphs, and Chinese characters used for magical spiritual purposes perfectly translated into an understandable English.Leading Chinese qigong masters have several times told me that most difficult thing in teaching western audiences about Chinese traditional and modern qi gong (chi kung), tai chi, traditional Chinese health practices is translating the working words of these sciences and arts into English. The Eastern and Western ways of thinking can be so dissimilar. In short: western thinking attempts to be linear and logical; whereas the Chinese are holistic, with an over-riding and practical concern for gaining well being, success, and health. For them the main thing isn't "is it right, or true," but "Is it worth it and does it work well?" In other words does it benefit me, others, and nature?To gain this well-being, success, health and happiness, the Chinese for thousands of years have been making talismans, sigils, as well as using other spiritual occult techniques. The amazing thing is that author Benebell Wen explains this succinctly in a clear perfect English. The subjects in her book can range from finding love, earning more money, to blocking the black magic of others, and even obtaining a total Daoist mystical and practical harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man.She is a master of both eastern and western use of language, and eastern and western spiritual occult practices; and she has the ability to describe and teach these things. This is the book to buy for anyone interested in such things: be they a white magician, an ivy league professor of social or religious anthropology, or a serious practitioner of Chinese traditional arts, sciences or advanced mystical spiritual practices. Or anyone else that wants an interesting "good read."

Benebell Wen is known for her exhaustive knowledge, nerdy footnoting (in the best sense), practical acumen, and her delightful sense of humor. This book does not disappoint! With a fifth of this enormous book being footnotes (paradise for readers wanting more background info!), and at least a third practical appendices and reference breakdowns, this book is as useful and informative as it is thick. In it, Wen gives Westerners a solid footing in Eastern esotericism in general, and Taoist esoteric practice and philosophy in particular. She uses fu sigil crafting as the key, gate, and lock to exploring this other world. At the same time, she explicitly orients the work toward helping Western practitioners of "craft" (magic) use the insights/perspectives/wisdom/depth of the Taoist practice to elevate their own. An inspired book and project that I couldn't put down, and afterwards couldn't help but try to use. An amazing work. Well done, Wen.

Not only is Benebell Wen a fantastic author and very knowledgeable, but she doesn't just sell you a book and leave you to figure it out, but she has plenty of instructional videos on YouTube, and her website is full of free resources, including: Fu Talismans, sigils, sigil design references, template for the Perennial Fu of 99 Glyphs, oracle bone script divination cards, etc.

I love Benebell Wen’s work. This book is amazing. From the basics of Tao to fu sigils, she walks you step by step to understand not just the beauty of the Tao magic craft, but the history, the harmony, and the depth behind it. It’s a course in Chinese bone script, mythology, Taoist magical tradition and honestly, it’s becoming a treasured reference book. To me, it’s given me a foundation to a piece of knowledge I’ve looked at before but wasn’t ready to understand. Now, now I’m seeing things in a bigger context. I’m also realising that my love for mythology, for traditional craft magic has truly found a place to grow. If you want to deepen your respect for Eastern magical practices, to deepen your own skills, to stretch yourself further, the Tao of Craft is for you

A skilled attempt at explaining Chinese magic through the lens of Western culture. Excellent as an introduction. Good purchase.

I think this is my new bible ~ arrived in great condition ~ no problems with the product or the shipping

Benebell Wen's book is one I would reccomend to others for a few reasons. First, I have not seen another book like this anywhere. If you're interested in finding out more about the practical application of taoist esoteric techniques, this book is a good place to start. Wen's approach is a little bit different than what you'll find in most occult how to books. The author seems to go to great lengths to give her readers a firm grounding in the historical/cultural context in which taoist esoteric practices developed. Finally, what I really admire about Wen is the fact that she encourages her readers to not only learn these practices but attempt to graft them onto and make them a part of your own cultural milieu. So, for example, if you're a pagan or a practitioner of wicca, she asks you to see how you can incorporate the practices she teaches into your own lineage. This book is definitely worth the time and effort required to study and learn the practices contained therein.