COMMENTS ON TAROT & MAGIC

Tarot & Magic is one of a series of “Special Topics In Tarot” being presented by Llewellyn Publishing. I can't say enough about this series—the books and topics are outstanding! And there is an added bonus—each book in this series has a forward written by the highly knowledgeable Mary K. Greer.

Donald Michael Kraig is highly skilled in both Tarot and Magic, and is one of those people that take their studies to the next level and work with them actively in their lives. No - I do not know Mr. Kraig personally, but his writing shines with a caring for people, and with a sense of respect for his subject.

Tarot & Magic is not a book to be taken lightly, nor a book to be simply “read.” It is a book to be experienced—on all levels. The magic is in the experiencing. As Mr. Kraig points out throughout the book, we are all doing magic all of the time, each day of our lives. It is simply that we do not recognize it. The aim of Tarot & Magic is to "explain what is behind the techniques of working with the cards ..."

Mr. Kraig has chosen to use four Tarot decks to show how Tarot may be used in ritual and Magic: The Golden Dawn Magical Tarot (by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero), is used for its symbolism and because of the influence that it had on A. E. Waite and Aleister Crowley. In style, it reflects the Victorian era. The Universal Tarot (by Roberto De Angelis) is used for the manner in which the cards are depicted—it is a modernized version of the Rider-Waite [-Smith] deck. It also reflects the sentiment of its time—the idealizing of the Renaissance era. The Thoth Tarot (by Aleister Crowley, illustrated by Lady Freida Harris), is included also for its rich use of symbolism. In style, it reflects the new ideas coming in during and after the World War II era. The Shadow Tarot (by Linda Falorio) is used in the final chapter—Tarot And Magic—Continual Evolution. This is an out of print deck, majors only, that deals with "the darker side of the psyche.” (Please note: the above descriptions are from the book, and reflect Mr. Kraig's thoughts.)

As for how the scans of the decks are used in this book—sometimes they are coordinated with the text, sometimes they are grouped together on a separate page. I vote for interspersing the card scans and the text—it flows much better for me.

I like the sequence of this book—it takes the "simple" subjects first, and then builds into the more complex ones. At all times the reader, and their level of knowledge (or lack of) is respected. I am of the school that isn't all that sure that "higher" knowledge belongs in a book. No—I don't think it needs to remain a secret, but I do think that personal instruction is the route to go. In fact, I go one step farther—let's hear it for the apprentice path! :)

In Chapter 1, The Tarot And Magic, Mr. Kraig goes into the symbolism inherent in Tarot, and gives a very credible explanation of what magic is and why it works. He also sets the groundwork for following chapters in his use of posing a set of questions at the end of the chapter. The questions are aimed at helping the reader to place the teachings of that chapter into practical use, rather than asking for a regurgitation of the material presented.

In Chapter 2, Tarot Spells, we learn the how and why of spellwork. There are points that I disagree with—such as the use of "day of the week" and "astrological sign" candles—but Mr. Kraig does make a point of saying, in essence, "Take what you will and build on it." He also does a nice job of explaining magical tools, including chart presentations in regards to the use of color, its metaphysical properties, astrological correspondences and correspondences to each day of the week. In a quiet manner he hands the practitioner a very powerful tool! In this chapter we also see the groundwork or "template" for spell work in the presentation of spells for love, career, traveling and healing.

In Chapter 3, Astral Projection, Pathworking And The Tarot, Mr. Kraig describes methods for accomplishing the actual projection, as well as doing pathwork on the astral plane with the use of the Tree of Life. While I take exception to the method Mr. Kraig uses for doing the actual projection, I was fascinated by the path work that he describes. What a marvelous manner in which to expand ones spiritual path! I was also very appreciative of the correspondences that Mr. Kraig presents, archangels associated with the Sephira, and the explanation of the four worlds.

In Chapter 4, Dancing The Tarot, Mr. Kraig references work done by Melita Denning and Osborne Phillips in Llewellyn Practical Guide To The Magick Of The Tarot. Their work goes far beyond the noting of postures in the Tarot deck, or even the intuitive work of mimicking the postures to enter the cards. Of great interest here is the use of the Tree Of Life, and of physical movement. There is quite a good explanation to go along with the notations on the Tree Of Life Chart, enabling any practitioner to determine on their own which paths to work with for which energies/issues.

In Chapter 5, Mr. Kraig brings up the work of talismans, amulets and ritual. He puts their use well within the range of any serious student.

In Chapter 6, The Tarot And Ceremonial Magic, we look at the difference between spell work and ceremonial magic. Here we also begin work with the minor arcana and the Tree Of Life, and delve into the use of the Lesser Banishing Ritual Of The Pentagram—an integral part of any magical (magickal to me) work.

In Chapter 7, The Tarot As Magic, we look at synchronicity and divination magic.

In Chapter 8, The Tarot And Sex Magic, we look at the raising of sexual energy, and why we would want to do that (other than for personal gratification). In lesser hands this could have been a very banal chapter, but Mr. Kraig has presented us with a well thought out, well written article, including a correspondence with the position of the figures in any given card and sexual positions.

In Chapter 9, Tarot And Magic—Continual Evolution, we delve into the Shadow Tarot (Linda Falorio and Fred Fowler), and working with shadow energies. (I am not going to go into the background of this deck, which Mr. Kraig has included, but it is fascinating reading.)

I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to work with the Tarot and the Tree Of Life, with or without using magic to do so. There are suggestions within these chapters for professional Tarot readers as to things that they can use as "value added" segments for their clients. I found that a strange, yet appropriate manner in which to view the work that Mr. Kraig presents here. There are many levels of learning to experience here—none will fail to teach!

—Bonnie Cehovet
Aeclectic Tarot

Over the past seven years, I've watched Donald Michael Kraig mature into a wonderful and effective teacher at tarot conferences around the country. He's been a best-selling author for Llewellyns longer than I can remember. His Modern Magick is not only a Llewellyn best-seller, it's widely referred to as the magician's bible. In his latest book, Tarot & Magic (ISBN 07387-0185-8) published by Llewellyn, Don combines his best-selling way with words and his master teacher skills to produce a truly remarkable tarot book for beginners and experts alike.

If you know nothing about magic, you'll find this book to be invaluable in helping you create talismans, amulets, spells and performing effective magic. If you're a master magician, you'll find ways to improve your skills and methods for teaching others to do magic quickly and competently. If you know next to nothing about Tarot, you'll find this book a great tool for learning all about your cards. I dare say even Tarot experts will learn a thing or two as well.

You'll learn how to use Tarot cards as magic and to create magic rituals, talismans and amulets. You'll learn how to use the tarot in pathworking and astral travel. You'll learn how to dance the Tarot and help your clients do the same thing. We're not talking polka here, it's more like walking through one card and into another. You'll even learn a little basic ceremonial magic.

There's no hocus pocus here. Don's no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to magic is easy to understand and even easier to replicate. He doesn't ask you a memorize a lot of things. Rather he asks you to understand the process and then create your own magic. There's one caveat: You can probably read this book several dozen times and get very little out of it. Or, you can follow his instructions, create your own rituals and be doing magic before you finish the second chapter. You'll have the same opportunity for the next seven chapters.

I've been creating spells, talismans and amulets for years. I've been pathworking and astral traveling for years. I've taught hundreds and hundreds of people how to do these things. I've learned a lot from this book and my next class will be using it as their textbook. That's how much I value Tarot & Magic by Donald Michael Kraig. I recommend it to you without any reservation whatsoever. Now I've got to do a divination to see if my planned talisman will have a positive effect or not. That's one of Don's suggestions I really, really like.

—John Gilbert
Tarot Institute

This is another fine tool from Donald Michael Kraig. The book centers on the topic of using tarot to cast spells and for pathworking and other magical activities. Like DMK's other books, particularly his excellent Modern Magick, the book is written in a clear style that makes complex ideas seem simple.

The book is aimed at readers who already have some experience with tarot. There is enough material here to help one learn to do divination, but it would be best if someone unfamiliar with tarot worked through an introductory tarot text first.

The book intends to bring readers up to the point where they can write their own magic as independent magicians. I look forward to trying the techniques in the book.

—Anon

Donald M. Kraig has written another book that makes theurgy accessible to all. Coming from the Golden Dawn system where the tarot has always been used for more than just readings, Kraig offers many techniques for using the tarot as part of spells, ceremonial magic and even sex magic. The hermetic system of magic is structured and complicated, but just as in his book Modern Magic: Eleven Lessons in the High Magical Arts, Kraig has once again made magic and the tarot practical and useful.

—O.

As someone who has never had much luck divining with the Tarot but loves the cards anyway, I am really pleased with this book. It has several ways to use the cards, with a minimum of paraphernalia for good results. The rituals are easy, quick and look to be very effective. I particularly like the ceremonial methods of using the cards in ritual. I am really looking forward to working with this book.

—Anon.

This book is awesomely written and easy to understand. It is for the more intermediate Tarot readers, but even beginners can use the practical wisdom within this book. I read the first two chapters and the foreword the day I received the book. I am anxious to put what is written into practice. Thanks, DMK and Mary Greer for all of your insight

—L.B.

You are a master! I am so grateful for you. I just finished your Tarot book and I am so overcome! For years, I have been looking to put the pieces together. You are amazing. Keep the books coming. THEY REALLY MATTER. THEY ARE MASTERFUL. Bless you.

—A.H.


You are a master..! I am so grateful for you. I just finished your tarot book and I am so overcome!  For years, I have been looking to put the pieces together.. You are amazing.. Keep the books coming.. THEY REALLY MATTER. THEY ARE MASTERFUL.. Bless you,