The Tao of Craft: Fu Talismans and Casting Sigils in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition

Benebell is a saint. Seriously I have every single thing she's ever published even her tarot deck to my knowledge. I was looking for a way to create the fu Talismans for a while. I've seen the classic Chinese moves and all the yellow prayer papers totally intrigued me. I got her book I ching the oracle which lead me to her deck. Then I got her tarot book. She has such a wealth of knowledge. Now I can't say for the craft if it's powerful or not. I think that's for the result of the practitioner. But having a piece by piece practice. This book is the ultimate starting guide. Since she doesn't claim that it's actually a "users manual" which is a breath of fresh air. She allows the reader just to read the information if they find it interesting. And then she allows the practitioner to try things through trial and error. Now the best part is THERES ENGLISH TRANSLATION! I'm excited about that because most chinese magical practices don't have English translations to words and therefore it creates distance between cultures. All magical practices aren't cultural appropriation in my eyes because God isn't owned by people. And what God can do for people isn't classified by race or gender God gives us exactly what we asked for period. This book is awesome for those who are turning Taoist or are looking to understand the tradition a little more which again she classified it as her lense through the Taoist practice rather than touching base with the religion itself. All I can say is do yourself a favor and get it.

Hefty size, rich on historical context and practical guidelines. Benebell's website offers a free workbook with it that also comes with a solid 200+ pages. This is so well thought out and structured - worth every single penny spent on it.

This book by Benebell Wen is just phenomenal in scope and depth! Hundreds of pages and multiple topics with examples in detail. Meticulous yet, understandable as a somewhat newb to the subjects. It is my 2nd book from her and I hope they keep coming. I have become a fan of her easy reading writing style that still provides epic proportions of concise information.

This book is full of information on the construction of various written or painted Chinese talismans, sigil, incantations, magic symbols, charms, and diagrams - (符箓 - fulu) - and more. There are 585 pages filled with many hundreds of illustrations, graphs, and Chinese characters used for magical spiritual purposes perfectly translated into an understandable English. Leading Chinese qigong masters have several times told me that most difficult thing in teaching western audiences about Chinese traditional and modern qi gong (chi kung), tai chi, traditional Chinese health practices is translating the working words of these sciences and arts into English. The Eastern and Western ways of thinking can be so dissimilar. In short: western thinking attempts to be linear and logical; whereas the Chinese are holistic, with an over-riding and practical concern for gaining well being, success, and health. For them the main thing isn't "is it right, or true," but "Is it worth it and does it work well?" In other words does it benefit me, others, and nature? To gain this well-being, success, health and happiness, the Chinese for thousands of years have been making talismans, sigils, as well as using other spiritual occult techniques. The amazing thing is that author Benebell Wen explains this succinctly in a clear perfect English. The subjects in her book can range from finding love, earning more money, to blocking the black magic of others, and even obtaining a total Daoist mystical and practical harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man. She is a master of both eastern and western use of language, and eastern and western spiritual occult practices; and she has the ability to describe and teach these things. This is the book to buy for anyone interested in such things: be they a white magician, an ivy league professor of social or religious anthropology, or a serious practitioner of Chinese traditional arts, sciences or advanced mystical spiritual practices. Or anyone else that wants an interesting "good read."

Has become the finest book I have ever read on this topic! If I could give it ten stars, I would. The author has written a classic that will be sought after years down the road. I can see it becoming required reading in some college religious esoteric study courses. The amount of knowledge and personal experience from the author represented in her work is mind blowing. I hate big books in general and this is a big book...that I finished in three days as I couldn't put it down. Disclaimer: you have to want to learn what the author is conveying or you may lose interest but if the topic is tru lu y a desire of yours to look earn; it will be like water in the desert. That's how it was for me. She has written another book on Holistic Tarot, which o bought as fast as I could and am now reading that one. This author is a gift to anyone wanting to learn esoteric knowledge. Buy the book, open your mind, enjoy!

Not only is Benebell Wen a fantastic author and very knowledgeable, but she doesn't just sell you a book and leave you to figure it out, but she has plenty of instructional videos on YouTube, and her website is full of free resources, including: Fu Talismans, sigils, sigil design references, template for the Perennial Fu of 99 Glyphs, oracle bone script divination cards, etc.

A skilled attempt at explaining Chinese magic through the lens of Western culture. Excellent as an introduction. Good purchase.

Finally a magic book written by a smart person.

A book packed with shamanic, mystical knowledge from Eastern Asia for the practitioner and the metaphysical inclined. It makes it a complete holistic epistomological and ontological text of some of Eastern Asia cultural metaphysics and physics.

Reçu très rapidement, aucun problème. Livre en parfait état.

The Tao of Craft by Benebell Wen is an extraordinary book that immerses readers in the mysterious world of Taoist magic and the art of crafting talismans. Wen masterfully combines her extensive knowledge of spirituality, philosophy, and Taoist arts to create a unique guide that is both deeply researched and highly practical. One of the book’s greatest strengths is how accessible Wen makes the often complex and esoteric Taoist practices. Even those with no prior exposure to esotericism will find the book clear and easy to follow. Wen provides detailed instructions on crafting talismans, explaining each step with precision and offering rich illustrations to guide the reader. Moreover, she delves into the deeper philosophical aspects of Taoism’s approach to energy and life, making the book not just a manual, but also a profound spiritual treatise.

Wonderful insight into the subject matter's world.

I love this book and she has a lot of generous resource about this book on her website as well. Very well written and this is indeed a book that will teach you how to create Fu sigils. Very straightforward explanations and very easy to understand. :)