From the back cover: Written by professional occultist Isaac Bonewits, the only person ever to earn a degree in Magic from the University of California, this book describes a real-world basis for magic and psi abilities, and how to create "realistic" magical systems for rpg. Whether you belive in psychic powers or not, Bonewits will show you that it is possible for a game magic system to accurately reflect the theories and practices that real-world magicians and clerics have used for thousands of years... without sacrificing playability Here you will find: - A "unified theory" of magic and "psi" abilities - A mathematical basis for determining both the chance of success of a spell, and its power in real-world terms - Why a spell is a process, not a thing - How to game the High Powers, whatever you belive them to be, in a way that is both playable and respectful - The literary and "real magical" roots of various roleplaying systems... and Magic: The Gathering -A tongue-in-check adventure showing how it all works: The Quest for the Sacred Mehleetah, featurng the caffeine-sodden mages of the Javacrucian Cult - A complete glossary of terms relating to magic, psi and Higher Powers. Authentic Thaumaturgy is not based on any specific game. It's written in general terms, applicable to any RPG. If you enjoy tinkering with your game's magic system, or if you just wonder what it would be like to be a "real" magic-user in this world or another one, this book will bring you many hours of enjoyment... and thought