COMMENTS ON MODERN MAGICK


I must say that, although i have studied the occult (on and off I must confess) for the past 15 years, there is so much I did not understand. I find your book to be an excellent teaching medium, and it has opened my eyes to may things which I thought i knew. What i particularly like is the fact that, through your book, i now not only understand HOW to do something, but more importantly WHY i do something. Aspects of the Golden Dawn, which I always found complicated, are now quite clear, and I already feel a much calmer, spiritual person. My only regret is that I did not have this book years ago!
—DW (UK)


Thank you Donald for the book modern magick after a 4 year absence i have return to what has always been for me my path. i'm sure you don't know the full impact of your books but undoubtedly you have touched a lot of lives and created change beyond your imagination. thank you again —E.M.
I am
typing this message from Japan. I just want you to know that there is a fan in Japan, too. Your book, the Modern Magick, improved and helped my life tremendously. Thank you.
—Y.O.


First, I wanted to say thank you. I originally became interested in magick when I found The Golden Dawn by Regardie when I was a senior in high school. But I never really had success until years later when I found your book Modern Magick. I have since been practicing with it for the better part of 20 years now. I still reference it quite often. I just wanted to say thank you for producing a work that gives people the teacings necessary to truely learn magick. Second, I and several people I am friends with who have also worked though your book are formulating an order to help teach and promote magick. We all agree on using your book as the primary study material. I wanted to ask if you have any opinions or guidance on this. Again, thank you for everything you do and continue to do. I look forward to reading the new edition of Modern Magick. SW

I wanted to say, out if of the library of books I have assimilated over the years on the subject of Magick, Your's is the most well rounded, Informative and well written. Any person who has asked me if I could recommend one book on Magick, It is your work.
—BB

A friend of mine gave me a copy of your book, Modern Magick, and it has changed my life. Thank you for sharing so much useful information in one volume. I have recently also shared this book with my neighbor and have begun by teaching him the relaxation ritual and the LBRP, so I have an excuse to buy the new edition! Thanks again.
—GEP


Your book made it all the way to India. I choose Modern Magick to be the only book I took regarding the occult.
—MJ


I would like to thank you for writing Modern Magick. It changed my life forever and helped get me doing the Work. Your own work has been a big inspiration to me and I am proud to say that.
—MAAM

PUBLISHED REVIEW OF THE NEW EDITION:
http://facingnorth.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1154&Itemid=34
Facing North

Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts, Third Platinum Edition

Written by Donald Michael Kraig   
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Ceremonial magicians alert: the Mothership has landed again. This third edition of Don Michael Kraig’s massive tome offers a highly structured, progressive education in ritual magic that involves a great deal of discipline on the part of the would-be practitioner. The lessons are (more or less) transcripts of his classes on ceremonial magick, and this gives the writing a personal touch. There are absolutely NO secrets here – no blinds, confusing instructions in archaic language, or mysterious lists of ingredients with unknown modern equivalents. Kraig has made every effort to keep it real, but that isn’t the same as making it easy.
The book’s subtitle suggests that there are twelve lessons given here, and that’s a bit misleading. Each “lesson” is a chapter designed around a central concept and skill, supplemented with copious related information about tools, elements, mental conditioning and specific rituals. The first six lessons supply basic “outer order” working knowledge of rituals and the occult underpinnings that fuel them; the final six lessons go into deeper “inner order” aspects of ritual magick.
This is a conservative, gradual program that aims toward personal as well as magickal mastery. The skills given in each lessons are developed through daily ritual practice, and progress is tracked with a diary-journal for rituals, dreams, tarot readings and other experiences. Short-cuts are discouraged, and there are warnings about dangerous pitfalls along the way. There are anecdotes about magicians who strayed and ended up in the metaphysical gutter. Ethics, motivations and intentions are subjected to keen scrutiny, and they should be. Magick done badly or for the wrong reasons can have horrible consequences for the practitioner and innocent bystanders.Rituals are outlined and described in great detail. There are plenty of illustrations and diagrams to show exactly how to set up an altar, create magical tools, and perform the body stances used in the rituals. Each chapter ends with review questions and a bibliography suggesting texts to augment understanding of concepts and practices. The rituals are rooted in what Kraig calls the WASP Kabala (i.e., White Anglo-Saxon Protestant): a form of universalized Hebrew mysticism grafted to the core of Western magical systems during the Middle Ages. Much of this is based on the work of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, although Kraig’s version is much more digestible by modern readers.
The rituals are reliant on Hebrew letters, words and Kabalistic concepts. If the reader doesn’t feel a genuine connection to the Kabala, or is jarred by the ubiquitous Hebrew in the rituals, it is unlikely that much will be gained from this text. Kraig does suggest the possibility of experimenting with alternatives, but without an advanced grasp of an alternate metaphysical core, that suggestion is unrealistic.
The advanced lessons (7 through 12) tackle complex workings in ceremonial magick, including talismans, sex magick, astral projection, and evocation of spirits. The content for talismans and spirit evocations is derived from old grimoires and detailed procedures are given for performing the procedures. The section on talismans is disappointing. Kraig’s knowledge of geomancy and the astrological requirements for talisman construction is frankly inadequate, and the supplemental texts show why this is the case. In this specific area, Kraig is hindered by his adherence to sources dependent on the Kabala; most if not all medieval magicians were talented astrologers. Most readers won’t be impacted by this underwhelming lack, but there’s much more to the art of talismans than is given here. A subtle theme underlying the text is Kraig’s low expectations for ceremonial magicians to be multi-disciplinary. He cites the excuse that covens tend to have people who specialize in different areas so no one has to learn them all. Crowley and other notable magicians evinced a high level of expertise in multiple skill sets, and their heads didn’t explode. So it is possible (if not commonplace) to have more than a narrow grasp of ceremonial magick at one’s disposal.
The scope of this book is huge, and be warned – it is not a page turner. Reading this book requires patience, discipline and deep thought, especially if the reader is working through the lessons at the pace recommended by the author. This edition contains four forewords, prefaces to the second and third editions, the twelve lessons (chapters), five appendices that include a glossary and an annotated bibliography, an index and a partridge in a pear tree. Through generous formatting and its exhaustive content, the book is massive.
Modern Magick is a thorough investigation and explication of ceremonial magick, and is definitely not for wimps, slackers, or wanna-be’s with little preparation for effort at this level. The deep involvement in the occult and ceremonial magick outlined in these lessons requires dedication, mental and emotional stability, and rugged endurance.  Lessons and study groups are not always readily available, but for most people a support system would be helpful for continuity and discussion as milestones are reached. This book is recommended for readers with enough discipline and motivation to tackle the rigorous demands for self-development and daily practice outlined in the lessons.
~review by Elizabeth Hazel

Totally loved your book. It's falling apart, just a stack of loose pages. Fantastic! I introduced my three sons to the 'craft' when they were just teens - actually waited until they started asking questions and wanted to learn more. Consider your book one of our 'fundamentals'. thanks so much.
—N. J-s


Hello Mr Kraig, hope all is well. I just bought your book, Modern Magick… When I got it I was so excited because of all the hype on the internet. I must say I wasn't disappointed..the book is huge! (Not just in size) And it is written in a way that a person that isn't English first language can easily understand.
—K.O., South Africa


I've read Modern Magick cover to cover many times, so much so I've had to buy three copies, and always find it a great foundation to stand on when reading other works in that vein.
—T.T.


all I have to say is WOW, everyone really DOES need this new and improved Modern Magick!! I had no idea - it seems like a whole new book in a way haha! EXCELLENT work, wanted to let you know!!
—L.A.


I just wanted to write and tell you how useful Modern Magick is to me. I bought Modern Magick in February and already it is dog-eared and full of my notes. It's one of the few books that's constantly on my desk and I'm so grateful for the clear and concise prose. It's enabled me to really delve in and begin practising without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information in what are mostly quite intimidating books; though Modern Magick has demystified those weighty tomes for me and I'm reading them all now (not so intimidating!).

Thank you again

—S.O.


Thank you so much for writing the book 'Modern Magick'. It not only made me a better person but also made me able to understand any occult book!!!
—M

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