Author Profile: Rufus Opus

So those of you who know me know that I am an open-minded practical magician. I work across magickal schools of thought. I’m not above a little kitchen witchery and I’m certainly no stranger to the three great pillars or The Great Work. I’m all about Hermetics, Alchemy, even Wortcunning and I secretly have a love for Grimoiric Magic. I am a Lon Milo Duquette fan-girl. All the while I think Michael Ford is brilliant, Daniel Schulke is fascinating and I love David Rankine, Stephen Skinner, and Joseph Peterson.  I enjoy the works of both Frater Barrabbas and Andrieh Vitimus.

I have yet another magus to add to this list of more modern magicians for whom I have a great deal of respect. Rufus Opus.  See, what happened is I mentioned some goal setting on FB and Rufus responded immediately that I should work some planetary magic. He then proceeded to provide me with some of his writing about a Jupiter working. 

To be honest at first I was slightly skeptical because it seems Rufus and I have very different ideas about Daemons and deities but what we do have in common is we’re both working magicians. I am open-minded, after all. I am not anti-Christian magick either. I just usually modify it for my own work. After reading his Jupiter ritual I found myself excited about performing the ritual and honored that he shared it with me. I’ve been practicing magick since 1984. It’s hard to surprise me with something fresh.  But Rufus Opus did it. While the rite itself is to be expected, the manner in which it was presented was unique and interesting (IMHO). Enough to get me excited about it which, again, is tough to do.

First – his writing style is very likable. I think that’s important because I think the reader pays attention and gets more from what they’re reading if the writing is fresh and upbeat. He doesn’t talk down to the reader either, which is awesome. Basically, his books are not your typical dry, scholarly, meandering treatises on grimoiric magick. You can also tell he walks the walk.  He strips away the B.S. and leaves you with what’s useful and informative. Not a lot of writers can do that. It’s a gift.

Despite our obvious theological differences I found his rite quite workable, practical and useful. You can purchase The Gate of Jupiter rite from his website as well as many other fascinating books (in PDF). I highly recommend his work for serious magicians if you are interested in Hermetics and Grimoiric work. Now don’t let the fact that he’s a Christian turn you off if you’re pagan (or alas, a Daemonolater like me).  He doesn’t push the issue and in Gate of Jupiter even offers up an alternative to God and Jesus if you’re so inclined.  Now obviously with regard to the Angelic Grimoire -it’s angels, baby. But if you’re like me you simply see Angels as different aspects or emanations of divine intelligence (i.e. Daemons) and God is just a generic name for the highest (in your own pantheon, silly). So definitely buy some of his books. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and I think you’ll find his style refreshing.