"ASCENSION I," Part Four Dissent among the forces of Hell, and a revolt within the order of witch-hunters, deepen the peril surrounding Rowan Black and the people she loves. Wild-card assassins and renegade demons enter the field, and a centuries-old conflict threatens to become a free-for-all melee.

New York Times bestselling creators GREG RUCKA and NICOLA SCOTT return with their chilling witchcraft cop saga, BLACK MAGICK! The walls separating Detective Rowan Black's worlds of witchcraft and police work have begun to crumble, and the forces targeting her are now revealed. But what they want, why they want it, and what they'll do to get it will impact more than Rowan alone. As the occult and infernal collide, those closest to Rowan may find themselves consumed as Rowan herself comes to embrace her power. Collects BLACK MAGICK #12-16

The complete first chapter of the critically acclaimed series from New York Times bestselling creators GREG RUCKA and NICOLA SCOTT, assembled together for the first time! Rowan Black is awakening to the almost unimaginable power that is her inheritanceÑa power she neither wants nor is able to refuse. But all power comes at a price, and those who seek to destroy her may not be as dangerous as those who wish to control her. Yet when oneÕs will can alter reality, the ultimate enemy may be the human heart. Collects BLACK MAGICK #1-11, plus additional content, artifacts, and backmatter designed by ERIC TRAUTMANN

The Book of Ceremonial Magic - Arthur Edward Waite - The Book of Ceremonial Magic by Arthur Edward Waite was originally called The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. It was first published in a limited run in 1898, and distributed more widely under the title The Book of Ceremonial Magic in 1910Writing in the late 19th century, Waite had studiously researched many obscure tenets of magic. Much of this book concerns the obscure occult tomes, which the author condenses and presents to readers in this single volume. Waite's studies uncover a variety of knowledge; there are thousands of spells and rituals that date back to Medieval times and have a theological basis. Many exist to ward off devils, witches or other evil phenomena, while others seek to conjure beneficent spirits. Another intriguing aspect of ceremonial magic is the ability to form pacts with supernatural beings. These rituals in themselves act to compel supernatural entities to assist a human being; none of them involve offering one's soul. However, many require one or more materials and ingredients to begin - grave dust or a certain plant for instance. Waite disapproves of those who reprint and sell the older magical grimoires for two principle reasons. Firstly the quality of the English translations is low, often proscribing completely different instructions and requisites for a given ritual than was given in the original source text. Secondly these books make no distinction between 'white' or 'black' magic; such lack of organization makes it difficult for the modern reader to distinguish the practices. Over 150 symbols, seals, insignia, charts and other illustrations populate this text, each offering insight into how the magician correctly undertakes his tasks. Waite includes many scripts that the performer of magic must read out loud as he attempts to conjure, summon or communicate with forces from other planes of existence.

A “daring, urgent, and transformative” (Brené Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Dare to Lead) exploration of Black achievement in a white world based on honest, provocative, and moving interviews with Black leaders, scientists, artists, activists, and champions. “I remember the day I realized I couldn’t play a white guy as well as a white guy. It felt like a death sentence for my career.” When Chad Sanders landed his first job in lily-white Silicon Valley, he quickly concluded that to be successful at work meant playing a certain social game. Each meeting was drenched in white slang and the privileged talk of international travel or folk concerts in San Francisco, which led Chad to believe he needed to emulate whiteness to be successful. So Chad changed. He changed his wardrobe, his behavior, his speech—everything that connected him with his Black identity. And while he finally felt included, he felt awful. So he decided to give up the charade. He reverted to the methods he learned at the dinner table, or at the Black Baptist church where he’d been raised, or at the concrete basketball courts, barbershops, and summertime cookouts. And it paid off. Chad began to land more exciting projects. He earned the respect of his colleagues. Accounting for this turnaround, Chad believes, was something he calls Black Magic, namely resilience, creativity, and confidence forged in his experience navigating America as a Black man. Black Magic has emboldened his every step since, leading him to wonder: Was he alone in this discovery? Were there others who felt the same? In “pulverizing, educational, and inspirational” (Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Basketball (And Other Things)) essays, Chad dives into his formative experiences to see if they might offer the possibility of discovering or honing this skill. He tests his theory by interviewing Black leaders across industries to get their take on Black Magic. The result is a revelatory and essential book. Black Magic explores Black experiences in predominantly white environments and demonstrates the risks of self-betrayal and the value of being yourself.

Presents a poem celebrating the African-American experience and what it means to be part of a strong, proud, and free people.

Rowan Black is a detective with the Portsmouth PD... and a witch, two aspects of her life she has struggled to keep separate. Now someone is targeting Rowan, someone who knows her secrets and means to expose her... or worse. Collects BLACK MAGICK #1-5.

Black Magic looks at the origins, meaning, and uses of Conjure—the African American tradition of healing and harming that evolved from African, European, and American elements—from the slavery period to well into the twentieth century. Illuminating a world that is dimly understood by both scholars and the general public, Yvonne P. Chireau describes Conjure and other related traditions, such as Hoodoo and Rootworking, in a beautifully written, richly detailed history that presents the voices and experiences of African Americans and shows how magic has informed their culture. Focusing on the relationship between Conjure and Christianity, Chireau shows how these seemingly contradictory traditions have worked together in a complex and complementary fashion to provide spiritual empowerment for African Americans, both slave and free, living in white America. As she explores the role of Conjure for African Americans and looks at the transformations of Conjure over time, Chireau also rewrites the dichotomy between magic and religion. With its groundbreaking analysis of an often misunderstood tradition, this book adds an important perspective to our understanding of the myriad dimensions of human spirituality.

"ASCENSION I," Conclusion Rowan, Alex, and Detective Nicky Colt find themselves drawn into the same moment of crisis as the CEO seems poised to lose control of her corner of the Abyss. As tragedies loom on every front, Rowan must decide if she will allow things to run their course and have the lives of those she cares for come to their tragic endsÑincluding her own or, by her will, change the reality that is rising around her.

"AWAKENINGS II," Part Six Conclusion. Strands come together, the Hand of Glory has been lit, Alex has made a deal with the witch hunters, and the face of Rowan's enemy is revealed, with damning consequences.