The Tao of Craft

BOOK DESCRIPTION

For the first time in English,* Benebell Wen reveals the rich history and theoretical principles underlying the ancient practice of crafting Fu talismans, or magical sigils, in the Chinese Taoist tradition and gives detailed instructions for modern practitioners who would like to craft their own Fu. Fu talismans are ideograms and writings typically rendered on paper and empowered by means of invocations, ritual, and transferences of energy, or Qi. Talismans can be used for many purposes, such as strengthening or weakening personality characteristics, finding love, earning more money, or easing emotional tensions in the home. The Tao of Craft shows how metaphysical energy can be harnessed to amplify, strengthen, weaken, dispel, or block other metaphysical energy and to rectify perceived imbalances in the material plane. Supported by an abundance of detailed charts and images, this book serves as a step-by-step handbook that gives readers the knowledge and confidence to craft their own Fu talismans for personal empowerment.

Wen, author of Holistic Tarot, delves into historic and cultural contexts of the Fu, from the neolithic period of Chinese history to contemporary practices of esoteric Taoism. Providing a solid foundation in the principles of Eastern spellcrafting, she highlights the blending of Taoist metaphysical practices with Western approaches to magic by pointing out eclectic, integrating, and harmonizing facets from other cultures and religions.

Historically, Fu talismans were used by medieval Chinese for alleviating illness; averting misfortune, magical attacks, and curses; defending against assaults; and avoiding poverty. This book shows western practitioners that the skill and knowledge to develop an interactive relationship with spirit realms are still available to them today, and serves as a practical handbook for accumulating Qi energy from sources in the environment and channeling it in concentrated form into their own Fu talismans.

* Note. This is not technically a true statement. There are a handful of academic books that touch upon the subject, which you’ll find published by university presses. Many of these books are cited in The Tao of Craft. There are also a few obscure self-published books on the subject.

PRAISE

“Benebell Wen has gifted us with an amazingly rich resource for a life of magic and fulfillment, revealing the sacred and empowering why behind the ancient Taoist art and practice of talisman crafting. Read and remember where you are and why you are here.”

—Phyllis Curott, priestess, attorney, and author of Book of Shadows, WitchCrafting, and the Love Spell [Author Website]

“The publication of any book in English on the creation and use of Fu talismans—among the most useful and accessible parts of the rich heritage of Chinese magic—is welcome, but when that book turns out to be readable, thoughtful, and eminently practical, that’s cause for celebration. Benebell Wen’s The Tao of Craft is all that and more, and deserves the attention of any reader interested in the theory and practice of operative magic.”

—John Michael Greer, author of The New Encyclopedia of the Occult and The Celtic Golden Dawn [The Archdruid Report]

Glimpses into my personal Book of Methods (or grimoire)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Benebell Wen is a practitioner of various metaphysical arts. She studies tarot, feng shui, the I Ching, numerology, and both Chinese and Hellenisic astrology. Wen is the author of Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth (North Atlantic Books, 2015). When not lecturing, teaching, or writing on metaphysics, Wen practices law in California and New York. She is of Taiwanese descent and currently lives in Northern California with her husband James and the spirit of their beloved cat.