On a first read a "Kabbalistic Handbook for the Practicing Magician" is more than a little dense and can be difficult for the average student. However Lisiewski takes THE most critical topic in practical magic - how we train and relate to our subconscious - and shows the reader how it is to be done if we want to experience success in our magical operations with regularity, predictability, and confidence. In doing this, he slays, or at least wounds, several sacred cows of modern magic, and reminds the reader that magic is an art as well as a science, and if you are not getting the results you want then you need to change what you are doing. Lisiewski holds a Ph.D. in Physics and has studied alchemy with Frater Albertus and magic with Israel Regardie giving him a perspective that is unique among a selection of authors who are either self-taught and/or are not trained as rigorously as hard sciences (or magic and alchemy)require. Unfortunately Lisiewski's writing style does not help the matter with an over zealous need to hammer home some points at the expense of others. This is something that should have been caught by the publisher. However, despite this, as the author points out, the book is a handbook and not a novel. It is meant to be read, re-read, and re-read again, and its principles applied daily. Maybe Lisiewski should have opened his book with the first words of Paracelsus' Credo, "Do not fear me for I am different". Different it is, and you will be glad you read and applied the teachings this little handbook contains.

guess what? i did'nt even read this book - but i'm still annoyed. i have his others and can totally relate to the other slamming reviewer. i even emailed the publishers saying this book ("kabbalistic cycles") gets the award for the most padding ever. further, the whole idea in that book is flawed, imo. you can't expect to read/influence reality by using an artifical, intellectual construct (totally divorced from reality). like it's Really "friday" etc.
you'll have far better satisfaction with your natal chart As Well As Astro-weather. the latter alone trashes his whole concept, imo (he probably knows this himself).
i do admit his book on the heptameron is good. alot of good points but still much padding. tho even here, i've corresponded with actual practicing magicians/lodge leaders who say it's bunk.
the physical manifestations that is - with cracking walls no less!
so how dare i post a review? i've shelves of magick books...
you don't need this one.
i myself like falcon pub. but the afore mentioned lodge leader does'nt. hint?