The Secrets of Dr. Taverner

The works of Dion Fortune have come full circle. From their creation during the occult renaissance of the early 20th century to the expiration of their copyright in 1997, these works are of significant value to the occult student of today and, we hope, of the future. Both her fiction and non-fiction works are indispensable reading for any serious student of our Western Mystery Tradition.

This book is something that I was fortunate enough to happen upon early in my occult training and represented, to me, what we may all aspire to become. The character of Taverner himself is the epitome of a modern occultist living "in the world but not of it" as they say. Although his methods and status as a magician might invite ridicule from others, he himself maintains a separation between the two and is both occultist and well respected physician, a challenge we all face and aspire to accomplish.

This particular book is a collection of stories that Dion Fortune had written with the intent of presenting them by way of a serial for the purpose of magazine publications. Each story represents a specific "case" not unlike the stories of Sherlock Holmes from which she apparently draws her style. More than that, each case is a kind of lesson about occultism, whether it is the practice or mis-practice of occultism or an explanation of occult laws.

As a work of fiction, I hope you enjoy it as a discussion of occultism, I hope you find it valuable and as a whole package, I hope you love these stories as much as I do and find pleasure in reading them over and over again.