Book excerpt: Upon its original publication in 1996, Paths of Wisdom was hailed as the definitive introduction to the magical Cabala#8212the tradition of philosophy and symbolism at the heart of modern ceremonial magic. Encyclopedic in its detailed presentation of Cabalistic teaching, but written in a clear and readable style accessible to the complete beginner, Paths of Wisdom covers every aspect of the magical Cabala from the perspective of the Golden Dawn tradition#8212the most widely practiced approach to Cabalistic magic today. From the overall structure of the Tree of Life, through the complete symbolism of each of the tree's 10 spheres and 22 paths, to the practical applications of the Cabala in magic, meditation, pathworking, and daily life, it's all here#8212including material not found in other books on the magical Cabala. This new edition has been revised and corrected by the author and will take its place as the standard introduction to the Cabala in ceremonial magic.