WHO IS DONALD MICHAEL KRAIG?
Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, Don’s father died when he was five and his mother had a nervous breakdown. After her recovery, the main focus of his early life was one conservative Judaism, which to him meant be good to others, attend religious services and everything else will turn out okay. Just before his Bar Mitzvah, however, one of the Rabbis at his temple demonstrated to Don some of the techniques of Judaism which were more mystical in nature. Thus began a search for the inner truths of life that has lasted over the rest of his life.
During that time Don was admitted to UCLA before graduating high school, then went on to receive a B.A. in philosophy from that university. During his time at UCLA he studied film, public speaking, and wrote for the school newspaper, The Daily Bruin. Don also taught sleight-of-hand through UCLA’s “Experimental College” and became a member of Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, a private club for magicians. He studied music at UCLA as well as at Santa Monica College and UCSD. He received a fellowship to USC where he achieved a certificate in multimedia, 3D graphics and animation and web design following which he went on to work for major computer software companies and teach computers at USC. He has performed musically at major venues in Southern California and, playing keyboards in rock bands, has opened for such diverse acts as Elton John and Great White. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2000, Don had a near-death experience. This has lead him to the study of hypnotherapy. He is currently a certified as a clinical hypnotherapist by the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH), the Association for Integrative Psychology (AIP), and the National Guild of Hypnotists. He is certified to teach hypnosis by the ABH and is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through the AIP.
Don received the title of Certified Tarot Master after a period of intense study through The Associated Readers Of Tarot, a not-for-profit, international, educational organization that has now ceased to operate. Later he was awarded the honorary rank of Certified Tarot Grandmaster by the American Tarot Association. He has read for thousands of people both privately and at “psychic faires” across the U.S. Don was the Editor-in-Chief of The Llewellyn New Times (now renamed New Worlds) for three years and FATE magazine, America’s longest-established magazine (over 50 years) that covers the paranormal for another three years. He has been the editor for Llewellyn’s on-line journal, found at www.llewellynjournal.com. He has contributed numerous articles for several magazines and has been interviewed many times on television and radio, both locally and internationally. He even had a radio show, “The FATE Magazine Radio Hour.”
Paranormal phenomena has always been part of Don’s life. When he was seven, his mother took him and his older brother to Las Vegas. At that time the city was not “family friendly,” and she sat him, totally bored, where she could safely watch him as she played the nickel slot machines. He begged to “play,” but she said he couldn’t as it was against the law. “Then I'll play by myself!” he announced. He walked over to a cigarette vending machine and pulled down the coin return lever matching what he had seen his mother do on the slots. Everyone was amused as $1.35 came out tumbling out. They ignored the obvious question: How did he know that machine would pay out money? Was it mere coincidence or something else?
Years later, he vacationed again in Las Vegas with one of the members of a band he played in. His friend, Fred, had one dollar chip left and wanted to play roulette. He bet on “red,” but Don told him that it was a bad bet, paying only two-to-one, and recommended betting on a column where the odds were three-to-one. Fred asked which column he should put it on. Don rested his hand on the table and said, “The first column.” Fred placed the bet and won. He asked Don what he should do and Don again rested his hand on the table. After a moment, he said, “Move it to the middle column.” He did, and he won again. Fred asked what to do a third time, and once again, Don rested his hand on the table. “Leave it there,” he said, after a moment. The middle column won again. Fred now had almost $65 in chips, but Don felt something new. He looked around and saw a crowd gathering, including police. Fred was underage, so Don grabbed the chips and said, “Let's go!”
Don has acquired a library of over 5,000 books, magazines, journals, and manuscripts, both common and rare, that deal with metaphysics, the occult and related subjects. He has been a member of several metaphysical and magical organizations. After ten years of personal study and practice he began to teach classes in the Southern California area on such topics as Kabalah, Tantra, Tarot, magick, psychic development, psychic self-defence and Wicca. Over the next ten years he refined his teaching style. He took his most popular classes, expanded on them and refined them into what has become Modern Magick, the first step-by-step coursebook in ceremonial magick. Almost 600 pages in length, the book is arranged into 11 time-tested lessons. It explains such subjects as magick, Kabalah, Tarot, Tantra, talismans, reincarnation, sex magick, the evocation of spirits, pathworking and much more in a clear, easy-to-understand and easy-to-use manner. As a result, it has become the most popular book of its kind, a virtual classic, having sold over 150,000 copies. He has continued to teach classes and workshops all across the U.S. and in Europe.
Don first began writing fiction when he was ten years old. The students in his class were asked to write a fiction story. Most wrote a page or two. Don wrote twelve pages of science fiction with an O. Henry-like twist at the end. Although his personal drive to write fiction focused primarily on the science fiction and fantasy genre, he eventually decided to combine his fiction skills with his occult interests. The result is his first novel, The Resurrection Murders, an exciting tale of what real magic is like and its use by a small, brave group of warriors to stop a serial killer and much worse in modern day Hollywood.
A SELECTION OF SOME OF THE PUBLISHED WORKS OF DONALD MICHAEL KRAIG
Tarot and Magic — How to use the Tarot cards using a wide variety of magical techniques and systems, with a focus on practicality and self-empowerment.
Modern Magick — The most popular how-to book on High Magick ever. Over 150,000 sold. Clearly explains ceremonial magick in an easy to understand, step-by-step fashion.
Modern Sex Magick — The real secrets of how to use the power of sex and sexuality to unleash incredible magical forces. A completely new paradigm for the secrets of erotic spirituality!
Using Modern Magick — An audio cassette tape to accompany Modern Magick. Don composed and performed the music on this tape.
The Magical Diary — No matter what magical or spiritual tradition(s) you follow, this is the best way to keep a record of all your practices and rituals.
The Truth About Psychic Powers — A guide to various psychic abilities and how they can be developed. Also describes how to avoid fakes and frauds.
The Truth About the Evocation of Spirits — How to perform this powerful magical rite along with information on banishings, the magick mirror, etc.
Ecstasy Through Tantra — (By Dr. Jon Mumford. Don wrote the chapter entitled “A Tantric Weekend.”) Describes how to take all of the aspects of Tantra and use them over a weekend to enhance your relationship with another person.
The Rabbi’s Tarot, Planetary Magic, Graeco-Egyptian Magick, The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy, — Don contributed a foreword or preface to each of these books by other authors.
Magical States of Consciousness — Don composed and performed all of the music and sounds for these eight tapes.
The Golden Dawn Journal — Don has contributed articles for several volumes in this highly-respected series.
FATE Magazine — Don was the Editor-in-Chief of FATE magazine for three years and wrote numerous articles for it.
How to Avoid Psychic Fraud — A guide to various psychic abilities and psychic frauds to help seekers avoid being cheated.
The Bent Key — Published under a pseudonym. Intended for sleight-of-hand magicians.
The Background of the Story
The Plot
The Characters
A Sample from the Book
What People are Saying about The Resurrection Murders
How to Get a Copy
Other Books by the Author