The Thai Occult - Sak Yant
"The Thai Occult - Sak Yant" Peter Jenx & Ajarn Metta
Despite centuries of cultural exchange there is so little serious attention in the west paid to the magical systems of the east. In particular the area of Southeast Asia, whose rich and diverse cultures spring from a foundation of animism and centuries of imported Hindu and Buddhist doctrine, are abundant in ancient magical practices barely understood by western practitioners.
In this second volume in his groundbreaking Thai Occult series editor and writer Peter Jenx brings us "The Thai Occult - Sak Yant", a detailed description of the current and historic state of magical practice based in Thai tattooing techniques, involving a system of sigils and teacher student lineages that are centuries old.
Through a series of interviews with a selection of Ajarns, lay practitioners of Sak Yant, we are given various historic perspectives on the evolution of the Sak Yant, the Yant symbolism and its attendant ritual practices including ink making, mantra - katas memorization, the making of amulets and talismans, and years of study and practice before the forms of the Yant have been perfected and the student is advanced enough to impart ink into human flesh.
It is an incredible volume, beautifully modern in its design, easy to read and full of high-res colour pictures of tattooing practices, yants, and images of ancient yant grimoires. The final 100 pages of the text are a compendium of images of Sak Yant designs that rival the most elaborate western grimoires.
The binding is a smooth coated paper with debossed designed covers stamped in silver on the front, spine and reverse. The paper is thick high quality nice to the touch in keeping with its overall modern book design. Real stitched signatures and red headbands give it a wonderful feel in the hand while reading.
Given the interconnectedness of the modern world it is only now that serious scholarly attention and field work is being done to explore and document the magical practices of the eastern cultures. Jenx and Metta have done an incredible job in bringing insightful, provocative and yet respectful field research to the public. I am rather excited about the next volume in the series coming out.
In the meantime, whether you are a scholar, magician, tattoo enthusiast, or sigilist get yourself a copy of this groundbreaking and exquisite volume:
"The Thai Occult - Sak Yant" Peter Jenx & Ajarn Metta
