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Hands-On Chaos Magic: Reality Manipulation through the Ovayki Current
This irreverent guide to chaos magic emphasizes experimentation and finding out what works best for you. Andrieh Vitimus presents a revolutionary hands-on course of study for the average Jane or Joe. Vitimus banishes the severe tone of other esoteric orders, offering an accessible and practical approach that makes it easier to perform successful chaos magic that is uniquely your own.
"Andrieh Vitimus is the real deal...honest-to-gods, in-your-face magic. Hands-On Chaos Magic is just what it says, and the next best thing to working with the master himself."―Lon Milo DuQuette, author of The Magick of Aleister Crowley , Homemade Magick , and Low Magick "A must-have for any magician."― Taylor Ellwood, author of Multi-Media Magic "Written with intelligence, experience, and a genuine desire to empower readers."―Raven Digitalis, author of Shadow Magick Compendium "A usable introduction to the concepts and practical techniques of chaos magic."―Donald Michael Kraig, author of Modern Magick "A well-considered and thorough contribution to the chaos magic current."―Dave Lee, author of Chaotopia
"Andrieh Vitimus is the real deal...honest-to-gods, in-your-face magic. Hands-On Chaos Magic is just what it says, and the next best thing to working with the master himself."―Lon Milo DuQuette, author of The Magick of Aleister Crowley , Homemade Magick , and Low Magick "A must-have for any magician."― Taylor Ellwood, author of Multi-Media Magic "Written with intelligence, experience, and a genuine desire to empower readers."―Raven Digitalis, author of Shadow Magick Compendium "A usable introduction to the concepts and practical techniques of chaos magic."―Donald Michael Kraig, author of Modern Magick "A well-considered and thorough contribution to the chaos magic current."―Dave Lee, author of Chaotopia
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
212 people are currently reading
1414 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 26, 2010
This book is in my Top Five Chaos Magic Books Ever. Andrieh Vitimus is the next generations Phil Hine and Peter J Carroll.
This book is the single most extensive volume on Chaos Magic written to date. It does not matter if you are just beginning your path or are an experienced Chaos Magician looking to improve your game...this book has plenty of magickal red meat for you.
After reading his book, attending some of his classes and public rituals he led, I am convinced that Andrieh Vitimus is the real deal. And I am a skeptic at heart.
You can't go wrong with the book. I rest my personal recommendation on it. If you want to hear an interview with Andrieh, drop by my podcast at PaganChaosMagic.com and listen to Episodes 17 and 18.
This book is the single most extensive volume on Chaos Magic written to date. It does not matter if you are just beginning your path or are an experienced Chaos Magician looking to improve your game...this book has plenty of magickal red meat for you.
After reading his book, attending some of his classes and public rituals he led, I am convinced that Andrieh Vitimus is the real deal. And I am a skeptic at heart.
You can't go wrong with the book. I rest my personal recommendation on it. If you want to hear an interview with Andrieh, drop by my podcast at PaganChaosMagic.com and listen to Episodes 17 and 18.
October 13, 2017
Vitimus offers a stripped bare guide to magic. The text is free of the theological glosses of many systems and breaks magical workings down to their core of energy and the psyche.
Whilst there was nothing new for myself within the text, I can commend the approach taken by Vitimus. The combined approaches of Qi based exercises and a dose of Regardie/Bardon influenced auto-hypnotic/NLP elements breaks down the mechanics of magical working to the core. Whilst a grimoire may have the glamour, this text offers the mechanics/owners guide to the psychology of magic.
Overall, a good primer for the adept looking to move beyond the repetition of rituals from grimoires. This text is thus a fine stepping stone to the deeper works of Regardie, Wilson, and Jung in terms of magical application.
Whilst there was nothing new for myself within the text, I can commend the approach taken by Vitimus. The combined approaches of Qi based exercises and a dose of Regardie/Bardon influenced auto-hypnotic/NLP elements breaks down the mechanics of magical working to the core. Whilst a grimoire may have the glamour, this text offers the mechanics/owners guide to the psychology of magic.
Overall, a good primer for the adept looking to move beyond the repetition of rituals from grimoires. This text is thus a fine stepping stone to the deeper works of Regardie, Wilson, and Jung in terms of magical application.
January 23, 2021
Immense toolbox of interesting practices, some of which worked ok and got my feet off the ground w/ some energy tech. But from what I remember it wasn't as much my bag as it mainly works from an energy/psychological approach, which for chaos magic seemed especially limiting and too much catered to the watered down western view of how magic functions & by what means, which of coarse is explained as energy direction & psychological manipulation/projection/will. Even when spirits come up from what I remember he kinda magesplains them away.
March 23, 2016
Pared down sanity for the adventurous.
This is a deceptively mammoth book. Andrieh is a master communicator and that shows in the quality of the writing. The chapters are short because they don’t need to be longer. What you need to know is synthesised and presented in a very clear fashion. Another thing I respect about the writing is the author’s intent to credit all ideas not his own, making the book not only a manual in its own right but a jumping off point to further exploration.
For me the book is very much like receiving a big box of Lego at Christmas. The instructions while very clear and focused are also clearly labelled as starting off points and you are encouraged to take them into any and all directions.
As an added bonus the author is not some remote figure, but a very real presence on social media; Facebook, a blog and podcast and so it is actually accessible and seems very amenable and approachable.
As to the subject matter, I suppose if you are reading this then you already have an interest. While I accept it is not for everyone, I do think it could prove useful and fun for more people than may immediately be drawn to it. You can go as deep as you want to go. The first 4 chapters alone (relaxing, breathing, body posture and enhancing sensory perception) are enough to make big changes in most people's lives.
So if you have doubts or a curiosity these are great hands to be in. I would recommend it whole-heartedly (as it was recommended to me.) My only regret was buying a digital copy as this is a book I would like to have a tactile relationship with.
I include below a list of contents just so you can see how MUCH it covers:
This is a deceptively mammoth book. Andrieh is a master communicator and that shows in the quality of the writing. The chapters are short because they don’t need to be longer. What you need to know is synthesised and presented in a very clear fashion. Another thing I respect about the writing is the author’s intent to credit all ideas not his own, making the book not only a manual in its own right but a jumping off point to further exploration.
For me the book is very much like receiving a big box of Lego at Christmas. The instructions while very clear and focused are also clearly labelled as starting off points and you are encouraged to take them into any and all directions.
As an added bonus the author is not some remote figure, but a very real presence on social media; Facebook, a blog and podcast and so it is actually accessible and seems very amenable and approachable.
As to the subject matter, I suppose if you are reading this then you already have an interest. While I accept it is not for everyone, I do think it could prove useful and fun for more people than may immediately be drawn to it. You can go as deep as you want to go. The first 4 chapters alone (relaxing, breathing, body posture and enhancing sensory perception) are enough to make big changes in most people's lives.
So if you have doubts or a curiosity these are great hands to be in. I would recommend it whole-heartedly (as it was recommended to me.) My only regret was buying a digital copy as this is a book I would like to have a tactile relationship with.
I include below a list of contents just so you can see how MUCH it covers:
October 17, 2014
Good book full of some interesting concepts, hands-on practical exercises, and perspectives on magical workings. At times, a bit wishy-washy with thought processes and other times quite blunt and to the point. I like blunt and to the point.
Beyond the book, I like how the author is very accessible and engaging to his readers through social media, email, his website, podcasts and with recent online rituals and webinars.
Beyond the book, I like how the author is very accessible and engaging to his readers through social media, email, his website, podcasts and with recent online rituals and webinars.
February 27, 2018
Such a great book on the practical applications of magic. I've read through this book many times now and the scope, accessibility, and content is nearly unrivaled among the myriad of occult and witchcraft books lining shelves today. I literally can not recommend this book enough to people. Whether you are a novice or master, there is much to be gained by reading and following the exercises in Hands-On Chaos Magic.
February 26, 2019
Maybe one of the modern classics of how-to-books on magic, Andrieh Vitimus' "Hands-On Chaos Magic" gives a practical introduction to the topic in which nomen est omen. Packed with a load of often funny, playful exercices, it covers the basic techniques like breathing, posture, meditation or visualization and basic operations like sigil-making, invocation or evocation and much more. The ones who know him from his excellent podcast surely recognize his no-BS-approach combined with a good sense for humor.
The only reason why this must-read doesn't get five stars is a slight critique on it's approach and the question of it's purpose. Goal of the book is to get people started with magic, it is supposed to be the book you want to have, when you first want to get your feet wet. Concerning pure practise, Vitemus does a remarcable job. But an introduction into magic is an introduction into a culture, a history, a often dangerous place and by being fundamentally concerned with action in and of itself an introduction to a special kind of responsibility. Now I like that he isn't int he least patronizing, I like that the practise of this book isn't tied to any specific kind of current or tradition. But I think one has to address this topic(s).
The other thing which bothers me is the question of explaining magic. Very little is said concerning that as this is a) anyway not fully possible and b) not exactly the purpose of the book. But again, it is important to adress it and insofar he does it, I think he starts from the wrong end and this in an approach seemingly lacking of seriousness. Both are inherent problems of Chaos Magic, as I percieve it. Chaos Magic has contributed a great deal of developing the practise of magic, but in and of itself it is a dead end, too. It has a way to mix everything up in it's tendency to psychologize magic, often taking the map for the meal. I don't say Andrieh does this consciously and we're further than that today, but the occasional attempts to "scientify" things doesn't really work. It's not just all in your head, it's not "anything goes".
Still it's a great book and with all such books on magic, it is entirely worthless if only read. Put it to practise. It will surely take years to go completely through it but it will be worth the time. And: read some other books. Anyway for sure, but here especially to contextualize.
The only reason why this must-read doesn't get five stars is a slight critique on it's approach and the question of it's purpose. Goal of the book is to get people started with magic, it is supposed to be the book you want to have, when you first want to get your feet wet. Concerning pure practise, Vitemus does a remarcable job. But an introduction into magic is an introduction into a culture, a history, a often dangerous place and by being fundamentally concerned with action in and of itself an introduction to a special kind of responsibility. Now I like that he isn't int he least patronizing, I like that the practise of this book isn't tied to any specific kind of current or tradition. But I think one has to address this topic(s).
The other thing which bothers me is the question of explaining magic. Very little is said concerning that as this is a) anyway not fully possible and b) not exactly the purpose of the book. But again, it is important to adress it and insofar he does it, I think he starts from the wrong end and this in an approach seemingly lacking of seriousness. Both are inherent problems of Chaos Magic, as I percieve it. Chaos Magic has contributed a great deal of developing the practise of magic, but in and of itself it is a dead end, too. It has a way to mix everything up in it's tendency to psychologize magic, often taking the map for the meal. I don't say Andrieh does this consciously and we're further than that today, but the occasional attempts to "scientify" things doesn't really work. It's not just all in your head, it's not "anything goes".
Still it's a great book and with all such books on magic, it is entirely worthless if only read. Put it to practise. It will surely take years to go completely through it but it will be worth the time. And: read some other books. Anyway for sure, but here especially to contextualize.
May 22, 2018
Super easy and funny read. Interested me despite reservations it was too light hearted for someone walking the LHP as an apprentice. Mentor says go ahead it won’t give you what you seek but it’s up to you. He was right, of course.
November 4, 2024
Pretty fun read. Kinda the number 1 self help omnibus.
January 22, 2016
We didn’t really like this book. It wasn’t what we expected nor did it appeal to us when we read it. However, it is not our intention to review the book based on the fact that it wasn’t what we thought we were getting but on what it actually is.
First, we thought it would have more to do with Chaos Magick and while it did have some Chaos Magick in it, it was really an eclectic merging of Chaos Magick, modern Hoodoo, often quoting our friend Cat Yronwode’s Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic who kindly gave our daughter one of her first jobs at her Lucky Mojo Curio Company, and the sort of modern, some might say post modern, electric and pop culture magic of Taylor Ellwood. But mostly, this is a book for beginners, particularly very hesitant and skeptical beginners, giving numerous exercises to develop one’s magical and psychic skill. There is no doubt in our minds that if one proceeded through these exercises faithfully that one would indeed make great progress on one’s magic path. For us, it was all too much of what we’d been through ages ago, but for the novice this may be just the book sHe is looking for.
The Silver Elves
Goodreads authors of the The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves volume 1, and of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 2.
First, we thought it would have more to do with Chaos Magick and while it did have some Chaos Magick in it, it was really an eclectic merging of Chaos Magick, modern Hoodoo, often quoting our friend Cat Yronwode’s Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic who kindly gave our daughter one of her first jobs at her Lucky Mojo Curio Company, and the sort of modern, some might say post modern, electric and pop culture magic of Taylor Ellwood. But mostly, this is a book for beginners, particularly very hesitant and skeptical beginners, giving numerous exercises to develop one’s magical and psychic skill. There is no doubt in our minds that if one proceeded through these exercises faithfully that one would indeed make great progress on one’s magic path. For us, it was all too much of what we’d been through ages ago, but for the novice this may be just the book sHe is looking for.
The Silver Elves
Goodreads authors of the The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves volume 1, and of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 2.
May 31, 2017
This is my favorite chaos magick book. In my opinion it does a better job of defining what chaos magick really is than any other book I have found.
There are no boundaries or rules in true chaos magick. You create your own system of practice and you can draw from any source you like. Everyone should have a different spiritual practice because we all have different upbringings and different beliefs. This book makes all that very clear while also providing a starting point to begin your study.
There are no boundaries or rules in true chaos magick. You create your own system of practice and you can draw from any source you like. Everyone should have a different spiritual practice because we all have different upbringings and different beliefs. This book makes all that very clear while also providing a starting point to begin your study.
August 28, 2017
One of the best books about magick!
In this book, Vitimus explains why everything regarding magick works.
Great book for beginners and not beginners.
Among the things I didn't like, the exercises appear one after the other, so it is very difficult to do them while reading the book, some exercises and examples lack information, and some other exercises are meant to do with other people.
I would recommend to read the book once without doing all the exercises and then read it again in order to do the exercises correctly and with the right amount of time.
In this book, Vitimus explains why everything regarding magick works.
Great book for beginners and not beginners.
Among the things I didn't like, the exercises appear one after the other, so it is very difficult to do them while reading the book, some exercises and examples lack information, and some other exercises are meant to do with other people.
I would recommend to read the book once without doing all the exercises and then read it again in order to do the exercises correctly and with the right amount of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2016
Outstanding.
If you're looking for practical applications of magic, this is what you need. The exercises work. Truly an outstanding, no bullshit, look at how to empower yourself and the world around you.
If you're looking for practical applications of magic, this is what you need. The exercises work. Truly an outstanding, no bullshit, look at how to empower yourself and the world around you.
April 6, 2023
While I didn't jive with every concept covered in the book (I can't imagine doing energy ball exercises at this point in the game), I loved most of the book and the author's general tone.
Most Magick books I've read have put me off with their tone and this one was a pleasant exception.
Most Magick books I've read have put me off with their tone and this one was a pleasant exception.
September 30, 2012
Not quite as readable as I like. Full of interesting ideas, but no concrete examples. Not for the beginner or the faint of heart.
June 8, 2023
The book is one of the very few that truly defines Chaos Magick as it was originally understood. This is a perfect, practical continuation of Liber Null and Psychonaut: An Introduction to Chaos MagicandCondensed Chaos: An Introduction to Chaos Magic. In those books, you get the theoretical foundation of Chaos Magick, but there isn't much detail or development regarding the practice. Here you have it.
This is the book. This book contains everything you need to understand, initiate, and develop your magick practice.
There are a lot of exercises in this book, so it's not exactly a fun, exciting reading experience, but it is a handbook, a guide for you.
This is the book. This book contains everything you need to understand, initiate, and develop your magick practice.
There are a lot of exercises in this book, so it's not exactly a fun, exciting reading experience, but it is a handbook, a guide for you.
November 11, 2024
If you’re looking for chaos magic that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering real, in-your-face results, Hands-On Chaos Magic is exactly what you need. Andrieh Vitimus throws out the pretentious mystique that can sometimes cloud the practice and gives you a clear, no-nonsense approach that feels both refreshing and genuinely empowering. There’s no “one way” here—Vitimus encourages experimentation, trial and error, and discovering what clicks for you personally, which is such a core part of chaos magic.
With Vitimus, it’s all about practicality and getting your hands dirty with the craft. The exercises and techniques are so clearly laid out that even if you’re new to chaos magic, you can dive right in and get moving. The book’s irreverence doesn’t mean it lacks depth; instead, Vitimus brings intelligence and a wealth of experience to every chapter, making it a reliable go-to whether you’re a beginner or have some years under your belt. If you want a guide that respects your ability to make magic your own, this one’s a game-changer.
With Vitimus, it’s all about practicality and getting your hands dirty with the craft. The exercises and techniques are so clearly laid out that even if you’re new to chaos magic, you can dive right in and get moving. The book’s irreverence doesn’t mean it lacks depth; instead, Vitimus brings intelligence and a wealth of experience to every chapter, making it a reliable go-to whether you’re a beginner or have some years under your belt. If you want a guide that respects your ability to make magic your own, this one’s a game-changer.
June 11, 2022
Warmed over Llewellyn energy ball nonsense with some seriously bad editing. Lazy writing, too. Guy couldn't be bothered to correctly quote a popular song from the 90s in his intro and I was correct to guess that was the bar being set. He also includes a banishment ritual that involves performing visualizations while you drop a deuce. If there is a better metaphor for mainstream metaphysics, I can't find it.
To be honest, the author's smug tone and self-reverential asides made it impossible to finish this. I double checked myself for bias due the writing being so piss-poor by listeninh to an interview with him. Listening to him pontificate was more irritating than reading it. Especially when he started huffing his own farts about "moving on" from chaos magick into appropriating Afro-Carribean spirituality and declaring himself an Oungan.
Hard pass.
To be honest, the author's smug tone and self-reverential asides made it impossible to finish this. I double checked myself for bias due the writing being so piss-poor by listeninh to an interview with him. Listening to him pontificate was more irritating than reading it. Especially when he started huffing his own farts about "moving on" from chaos magick into appropriating Afro-Carribean spirituality and declaring himself an Oungan.
Hard pass.
August 29, 2025
Chaos Magic has no strict set of rules. The only stipulation is that intent is the main attribute of Chaos Magic. The clearer your intent is, the more effective it becomes.
Andrieh Vitimus provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of esoteric and occult knowledge in his book. Some portions of the text also describe various aspects of NLP and CBT. Chaos Magic is an umbrella term for all that.
“Hands-On Chaos Magic: Reality Manipulation Through the Ovayki Current” is suited for everybody: from beginners to people who already know the given subject very well.
This is a useful and interesting book!
Andrieh Vitimus provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of esoteric and occult knowledge in his book. Some portions of the text also describe various aspects of NLP and CBT. Chaos Magic is an umbrella term for all that.
“Hands-On Chaos Magic: Reality Manipulation Through the Ovayki Current” is suited for everybody: from beginners to people who already know the given subject very well.
This is a useful and interesting book!
December 19, 2024
I picked this up for research purposes and was quickly unsettled by it. There were several interesting visualisation exercises, and then it devolved into bloodletting and group BDSM rituals. Not for me, thanks!
March 1, 2025
Fantastic
I've read a couple other books in the subject, but they didn't resonate. This book left it open to the reader, and I particularly appreciated the focus on energy. The sections on astral work were beneficial also. Very well done.
I've read a couple other books in the subject, but they didn't resonate. This book left it open to the reader, and I particularly appreciated the focus on energy. The sections on astral work were beneficial also. Very well done.
May 31, 2020
This is a good book for someone who has very little experience in magick of any kind. If you haveexperience it’s a little boring.
January 29, 2023
This book seems to draw a great deal on folk magic. I intended to work through the whole book but gave up as the writer's style is too annoying and American. And his bio is rather ridiculous.
February 18, 2024
Absolutely the best book on energy work and magic development I've read in a LONG time. Must read for any magical /energy practitioners in my opinion. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.
February 11, 2025
a good book to start on chaos magick !! very « practical » and exercised based ! so not a lot of theory…
July 17, 2016
Hands-On Chaos Magi is one of the best practical magic books available on the market. If you want to understand how to influence change in a repeatable way, without the dogma of religion, this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews