This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of The Book of Forbidden Knowledge by Johnson Smith.
Read Full Summary

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Book of Forbidden Knowledge

Investigating the significance of dreams and various methods for predicting future events.

This part delves into employing dreams and other supernatural methods to decode the enigmas that lie ahead. The author details a variety of techniques from different cultures, emphasizing solitary ceremonies and the employment of emblematic objects to tap into hidden wisdom.

Methods and ceremonies designed to acquire insights into forthcoming occurrences via dreams, premonitions, and otherworldly methods.

The manuscript section delves into specific rituals designed to induce prophetic dreams and visions, highlighting the significance of their timing, the necessity of fasting, and the use of ordinary objects within a magical context.

During the summer solstice evening, participating in a fast or performing the custom of securing one's garter at specific times are rituals practiced to induce prophetic dreams.

Smith recommends various practices to induce prophetic dreams. During the Eve of Midsummer, a particular ritual involves fasting and situating oneself by the church's doorway as the stroke of midnight occurs. The conviction holds that spirits set to leave this world in the following year will make their presence known by knocking on the church door in the order of their forthcoming passing. On Midsummer Eve, single women keen to glimpse their future husband may partake in a ceremony that involves fasting, preparing an immaculate table with various edibles, dairy items, and alcoholic drinks, and positioning themselves as if ready to eat, ensuring the door remains slightly open throughout. Her future husband enters, acknowledges her with a bow, raises a glass in her tribute, refills her beverage, and exits with another respectful gesture.

Additional...

Want to learn the ideas in The Book of Forbidden Knowledge better than ever?

Unlock the full book summary of The Book of Forbidden Knowledge by signing up for Shortform.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x better by:

  • Being 100% clear and logical: you learn complicated ideas, explained simply
  • Adding original insights and analysis, expanding on the book
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
READ FULL SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE

Here's a preview of the rest of Shortform's The Book of Forbidden Knowledge summary:

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge Summary Enchanted amulets and protective charms are commonly employed in various practices.

This section explores the domain of magic from the period, scrutinizing not only astrologically significant talismans but also commonly used enchantments and protective charms. The author highlights the significance of purposeful action, alongside employing particular substances and ceremonial practices, to enhance these items, emphasizing the capacity to control invisible energies for individual advantage and safeguarding.

The book details the creation of potent amulets and protective talismans, made from specially selected materials during times of favorable celestial alignments.

Smith's work reveals a fascinating world brimming with powerful amulets and safeguarding talismans designed for various purposes. These objects, meticulously crafted from specific materials at exact astrological times, are thought to harness cosmic energies to bring about intended outcomes.

Talismans designed to bring love, protection, victory, and the destruction of pests and enemies

The author offers examples of talismans designed to garner affection,...

Try Shortform for free

Read full summary of The Book of Forbidden Knowledge

Sign up for free

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge Summary The book explores traditional healing methods, the invocation of curses, and various occult practices.

"The Tome of Proscribed Wisdom" delves into the fascinating realm of time-honored curative practices, emphasizing the use of botanical remedies and ritualistic processes. The publication explores both the positive aspects of sorcery and the darker facets, including curses and the disclosure of sinister magical practices, highlighting the disturbing consequences of manipulating natural forces.

Traditional remedies and cures, along with practices rooted in heritage medicine

This section of Smith's work focuses on practical remedies and cures rooted in folk medicine traditions. The author provides a fascinating resource for understanding historical healing practices, with a wide variety of ailments addressed, reflecting the era's limited access to modern medicine.

Employing various natural components such as plant extracts, roots, parts of animals, and elements from nature to address a broad spectrum of health conditions.

The author provides a variety of recipes for healing salves, potions, and treatments using natural elements. These recipes demonstrate the historical reliance on readily available resources— herbs, roots, and even animal parts—to address illnesses and...

What Our Readers Say

This is the best summary of How to Win Friends and Influence People I've ever read. The way you explained the ideas and connected them to other books was amazing.
Learn more about our summaries →

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge Summary Mesmerism, hypnotism, and psychic control

This section focuses on the manipulation of mental states and the exertion of influence over others through various techniques, including mesmerism, hypnotism, and psychic control. Smith explores the boundaries of mental prowess and offers advice on initiating hypnotic states to remotely sway the thinking of others. The book reflects the era's widespread fascination with mental acumen and the exploration of dormant abilities that was characteristic of the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Techniques for inducing hypnotic trance and altered states of consciousness

Smith explores the methods of initiating hypnotic states, offering comprehensive guidance for those who wish to learn the technique. The guidance underscores the significance of mental influence, emphasizing that the practitioner's ability to shape the individual's perceptions and expectations is crucial to achieving success.

Instructions on inducing hypnosis in individuals using bodily signals, articulated prompts, and concentrated attention.

The first method involves a person focusing intently on a bright object, such as a watch, which is placed above their line of sight. The practitioner's verbal...

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge Summary Experiences of the paranormal and events that defy natural explanation

The section delves into individual accounts of enigmatic events, unexplainable occurrences, and prophetic insights, highlighting Smith's fascination with the intersection of everyday life and events that defy natural explanation. The writer emphasizes our persistent intrigue with mysteries, positioning these stories within the framework of cultural perceptions regarding mysticism and phenomena beyond the natural realm.

Accounts and descriptions of hauntings, strange occurrences, and unexplained events

Smith narrates a series of interactions with otherworldly phenomena, offering these stories as evidence of a domain that transcends our ordinary reality. A destitute farmer envisions a youth guiding him towards a concealed cache located under a particular rock. In his slumber, the ordinary man is led through visions to discover hidden...

The Book of Forbidden Knowledge

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • The efficacy of rituals to induce prophetic dreams lacks empirical evidence and may be attributed to the placebo effect or confirmation bias.
  • The use of symbols and items charged with cosmic energy is not supported by scientific understanding and may be considered a form of magical thinking.
  • Dream interpretation is highly subjective and lacks a standardized methodology, making it unreliable for predicting future events.
  • The creation of amulets and talismans during specific celestial alignments is not recognized by science as a method for influencing outcomes in the physical world.
  • The belief in the power of talismans for specific purposes is not substantiated by empirical research and may be based on superstition.
  • Traditional rituals, spells, and...

Actionables

  • You can create a dream journal with a twist by incorporating a section for drawing symbols or objects from your dreams to explore their personal significance. After waking up, not only write down the details of your dreams but also sketch any symbols or items that stood out to you. Over time, you may start to notice patterns or recurring themes that could provide insight into your subconscious mind.
  • Develop a personalized...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Why people love using Shortform

"I LOVE Shortform as these are the BEST summaries I’ve ever seen...and I’ve looked at lots of similar sites. The 1-page summary and then the longer, complete version are so useful. I read Shortform nearly every day."
Jerry McPhee
Sign up for free