Book Review-This is Chaos: Embracing the Future of Chaos Magic: 13 Essays on Chaos MAgic for Modern Practitioners compiled and edited by Peter J. Carroll

Book Review

This is Chaos: Embracing the Future of Chaos Magic: 13 Essays on Chaos Magic for Modern Practitioners

Compiled and Edited by Peter J. Carroll

Publisher: Weiser Books

274 Page Paperback

Release Date: June 2nd, 2025

This is Chaos is a must-have for the modern Magus or Wizard, Occultist or Witch, Sorcerer and Warlock, or whatever you want to identify as. It presents not only Chaos Magick at its’ roots, and even provides a brief history given directly from one of its most influential figures himself-Peter J.  Carroll, but also goes into the current of Chaos Magic-both past, and present, and even has ideas for where the current of chaos is headed. Fascinating magickal ideas such as egregores (which aren’t discussed often enough in the magickal community at large), as well as Thread Theory, Animistic Sorcery, and so much more.

I chose this book because I myself employ many different modes of magick, and have always gone back to the adage that “if I believe something to be true, then it must be true” which is posited as a basic idea in many Chaote circles. It’s not to say that Chaotes are eclectic, although many of us are, but we simply employ the means best suited for our current situation, needs, and any constraints. In other words, Chaos Magick is more about results than it is ascension and spiritual secrets in the way the Hermeticism is.

The essays on egregores and social media groups was frankly captivating, and explains some experiences I’ve noted in magickal groups on social media. The essay concerning Animistic Sorcery is a must-read for those Chaotes (again like myself) finding some spiritual base within modern Neo-Paganism and earth-centered traditions. The size of this book is misleading; yes, it’s relatively short compared to other reads on similar occult matters, but it’s jam-packed with information, ranging from bright, new ideas from up-and-coming Chaotes, as well as some more established figures lending their knowledge to the bunch. Without giving away anymore, I will say that I highly recommend this book to anyone who practices any form of magick; Chaos Magick is for everyone, and studying it, even briefly through this most recent entry into Mr. Carroll’s bibliography, will create an immeasurable amount of possibilities for the magician to expand their magickal techniques, and further empower their own, unique brand of magick. I have no critiques and as such give This is Chaos a 5/5 Pentagram rating!

Peter J. Carroll is the author of 6 books, including classic works on Chaos Magic, Liber Null and Psychonaut and Liber Kaos. He is past grandmaster of the Magical Pact of the Illuminates of Thanateros, chancellor of Arcanorium College, acting marshal of the Knights of Chaos, and a bard of Dobunni Grove. He maintains a personal website at specularium.org

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin is a Polytheist, Pagan, Animist, Witch, Sorcerer, Chaos Magician and Occultist. He embarked on his spiritual and magickal journey over 15 years ago. As such, he has extensive knowledge of The Occult, Ceremonial Magick, Chaos Magick, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and both modern and ancient world religions and folklore. He is a practicing Sorcerer, blending ceremonial high magick, chaos magick and witchcraft, as well as plant medicine, poisonous plants and entheogens, shamanic techniques, and mysticism. He believes that magick can be as simple or as complex as one needs it to be, and rejects dogma, instead trusting his intuition, and encourages other magickal and spiritual folks to do the same! He venerates and casts magick with a wide array of spirits and deities, and works with both the Left and Right Hand Paths, having experience in both. He has also studied eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. He is an Astrologer and Tarot reader and actively studies and practices many other forms of divination including Runes, Ogham, Palmistry and Scrying. An animal lover, he sees divinity in nature-the trees, plants, animals and sky.  Also an avid reader, you’re hard pressed to not find him nose deep in a book, most likely on an occult, mystical, religious or magickal subject. 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 gives readings and other spiritual services through his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see! You can reach him on Facebook, or e-mail him at [email protected]