depends on what angle you are looking for. There isnt one path of occultism, but many.

it depends on your perspective, but if you are viewing the Kabbalah, then reading up on the Babylonian Talmud would give some insight on its antithesis. Christian Gnosticism and Rosicrucianism will help in terms of the tree of life because both use the same concept

Also, digging into the Knights Templar might help, they used the tree of life in their supposed design of Oak Island, they worshipped Black Madonnas and are the possible linked to Masonic Occultism

The Templars were not particularly well versed the Qabalah or the ToL. That was more a Rosicrucian matter, as with Hermeticism. The Templars were Johanite Gnostics, primarily. After the Templars were officially disbanded, they later re-emerged in Scotland, meeting in secret and later merging with the Rosicrucians, eventually leading to the formation of Freemasonry (among other orders) as a public facet to their legacy.

i am aware of their history, i am just pointing to the idea that if they built Oak Island, there is a clear Tree of life in stone on the island and their beliefs might be something to look into

Since you've expressed interest in the Kabbalah:

• Kabbalah, Magic & the Great Work of Self Transformation: A Complete Course by Lyam Thomas Christopher

These works also include Qabalastic teachings, albeit of the Hermetic variety:

• Hermetic Kabbalah - Introduction

• A Garden of Pomegranates: An Outline Of The Qabalah by Israel Regardie

• Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts by Donald Michael Kraig

• Self-Initiation Into The Golden Dawn by Cicero

• The Complete Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie

• 777 and other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley

• The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Need to Know to Become a Qabalist by Lon Milo Duquette

• The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune

• An Introduction to the Kabalah by W.W. Westcott

• The Qabalah Unveiled by S.L. McGregor Mathers

• The Secret Wisdom of the Qabalah J.F.C. Fuller

The Spirits Book

we are all occultists when all tenets of truth are hidden

ooooh deep eh?

Be on the lookout for phonies who don't know a thing.

General rule of thumb, if they're trying to get your money by selling memberships, asking for donations, hawking subscriptions etc. they aren't the real deal.

Watch some documentaries on aliester Crowley

This is a good starting point . There are quite a few OTO societies across the states. Join one, meet weirdos, learn esoteric stuff.

I'd be hesitant to join or become beholden to any particular lodge and order, including the OTO considering minor ideological and philosophical differences I have with the Law of Thelema.

That said, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to attending a procession of the Gnostic Mass (in person), although technically that would be with the EGC and not the OTO, specifically.

Different strokes. I only say it because OTO is pretty popular and most people into Thelema are pretty open and or don't really take it too seriously. It's a good jumping off point to network and meet other folks into esoteric shit and possibly find a discipline more suited to whatever he's into.

Franz Bardon:

Initiation Into Hermetics The Practice of Magical Evocation The Key to the True Kabbalah The Golden Book of Wisdom

First one is good, second one is OK, after than, no, don't bother.

Which subverses are especially good for such questions?

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I'll give you a link to /r/OccultConspiracy too so no-one can accuse you of spamming your own sub.

Thank you.

If you want a true understanding into the occult read Rudolf Steiner.

http://rsarchive.org/

Crowley perverted magick although he wasn't entirely wrong all the time, but he is not legit an possibly a British and most certainly a black magician.

Kenneth Grant the same. All Crowley derived esoteric knowledge is tainted. All of it. I studied the Kabbalah and Crowley's Tarot and as brilliant as it is, which it very much is, it is tainted by Crowley's touch. Steiner will introduce you to the true path of the initiate and the completely updated version of the mystery traditions. Crowley's is based on old Kabbalah magic which is outdated and ineffective.

Read Steiner's 5 books and this essay which is an essay on the nature of evil... http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/biblianazar/ahriman.htm

Manly P. Hall offers a great overview and a semi-materialistic interpretation of magic so if you don't take everything he writes as truth.

Oh, and since you're interested in OBE and astral projection:

• The A∴A∴'s Neophyte guide to Astral Projection

• Monroe Techniques For Astral Projection by Robert Monroe

• A Kabbalistic Guide to Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection by Mark Stavish, M.A.

• Astral Projection / OOBE Class Notes (from Donald J. Garcia, Ph.D.)

Different strokes. I only say it because OTO is pretty popular and most people into Thelema are pretty open and or don't really take it too seriously. It's a good jumping off point to network and meet other folks into esoteric shit and possibly find a discipline more suited to whatever he's into.