Book Review-The Forbidden Knowledge of the Book of Enoch: The Watchers, Nephilim, Fallen Angels, and the End of the World by Harold Roth

Book Review

The Forbidden Knowledge of the Book of Enoch: The Watchers, Nephilim, Fallen Angels, and the End of the World

By Harold Roth

Publisher: Weiser Books

203 Page E-Book

Release Date: December 2nd, 2024

The Forbidden Knowledge of the Book of Enoch is not a book to take lightly, nor is it one that contains ceremonial magick and western occult influences, thanks to John Dee and Edward Kelly. So what is this book, then? Well, to understand that, we need to go back into history well over 4,000 years ago, and look at the different periods of history within Judaism, which is the religion that the Book of Enoch originates from. Enoch is an attempt at explaining the how’s and why’s of evil on Earth, as well as explaining the Flood. Through melding biblical history and academia, Roth thoroughly examines a fascinating and influential text through multiple lenses, allowing for a full understanding of what Enoch is really trying to say.

I chose this book, expecting a more occult and ceremonial magick bent on the subject, and was pleasantly surprised to find the exact opposite. Instead of regurgitating the Western Occult magick with Enoch and the Angels, The Forbidden Knowledge of the Book of Enoch instead examines the actual Book of Enoch, found in Qumran in what is now modern-day Iraq. Roth examines the different periods of Judaic history, and the different factions of Judaism that developed as the result of various cultural changes via trade, war and the movement of Temple Priests to Babylon, thus taking on some of those pagan beliefs. This seems to be the major sticking point, historically, and Roth considers Enoch not to be a foretelling of the end of the world, but moreso a rhetorical allegory for the issues of purity seen by many when the Temple priests returned from Babylon. There’s a lot of history that Roth gracefully examines, and even those like myself who don’t know much on this subject, Judaism, will find themselves learning new things, and still able to follow along.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, and gave myself all the time I needed to read it; I’ve begun a process of working with Angels and this book has added to the gnosis regarding them I’ve received. It also has helped inform some of my more occult rituals concerning Angels, the Watchers, etc. Roth exceeds in discussing the Judaic and Christian viewpoints concerning Enoch as well, and how the story of sin changed from the Watchers, to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden. Roth also examines how these two separate myths can, and did, co-exist with one another, and that the ancients saw their sacred stories as being more flexible, and less rigid, as we see today. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the Book of Enoch, as well as the more Occult end of this subject. It would be a perfect companion, or introductory read before reading the actual Book of Enoch, as well. Overall, I give it a 5/5 Pentagram rating. Well done!

Harold Roth is an author and artist who is among the foremost authorities on plants within the modern Occult community. He studied Hebrew as well as Jewish Mysticism and Magic for decades. The author of The Magic of the Sword of Moses and The Witching Herbs, he teaches classes on botanical magic, Kabbalah and Witchcraft. Visit him at haroldroth.com

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place, even Saints, Angels and Demons! He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism, Ceremonial Magick and Occultism, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns, including The Modern Merlin’s Corner, Entheogens for the New Gen, Stellium, and Scary, Strange and Mythical Encounters. He also has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!