Modern Magick Review
I’ve been receiving lots of wonderful feedback on the new edition of Modern Magick. I’m grateful for all feedback.
I’d like to mention one review that appeared in one of my favorite e-zines, “Hermetic Virtues.” It appears in their latest issue (Volume 4 #4) along with articles on Westcott’s previously unpublished versions of the Enochian Tablets by Sandra Tabatha Cicero, an article by Nick Farrell called “There is No Part of Me Which is Not Part of the Gods,” as well as several other articles. I highly recommend all the issues of this informative and beautiful journal. Informed occultists might order back issues and get a subscription for future issues.
In his review of Modern Magick, Samuel Scarborough writes:
When I started getting into Ceremonial Magic in the early 1990’s there were very few “good” books on ceremonial magic to be found. I started working with some of the basics like Regardie’s The Golden Dawn, Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy, and Barrett’s The Magus, among others, but I seemed to be missing pieces of the puzzle I was trying to learn. Things like the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram I grasped and practiced daily, but my ritual work progressed slowly beyond that, and then I stumbled upon a copy of Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts by Donald Michael Kraig. To say that things took a dramatic turn after reading and working through that book would be an understatement.
Over the years I have heard many similar stories to my own fledgling journey into magic…
And he concludes:
The earlier editions of Modern Magick have been a great influence on a whole generation of magicians seeking instruction in the arts of high magic. This new edition will be an influence on another generation of students seeking to learn ceremonial magic! Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts will take its place amongst the luminaries of ceremonial magic like Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy or even The Greater Key of Solomon. Here is a book that every student, regardless of whether they are just starting out or have been practicing for 20 years, should have, read, study, and work with as they are sure to learn something about the Art and Science of Magic as well as themselves as they work through the lessons and material as presented by a master teacher.
Well…uh…golly gee! I thank Mr. Scarborough very much for his very generous and extremely kind words. I just hope that people will find my book useful on their spiritual and magickal paths. I am very honored to add that the first printing is about 85% sold and, I hope, it will be going into a second printing soon. This edition came out during the darkest time of the economic recession, and I am deeply grateful to all those who decided that it was worth it. I certainly believe it is.
One of my goals for this year is to finish another book on a somewhat surprisingly different topic (although I have hinted about it to many people). I’ll be talking about it more in the coming months. I hope Llewellyn will consider publishing it, although it seems to cross between two areas, Eastern and Western traditions. Again, thanks to everyone for their support.
Mr. Kraig,
I thank you for the kind words about the review of “Modern Magick” form Hermetic Virtues, and I want you to know that I sincerely meant everything that I wrote. This book will likely be one of those that goes on to help train another generation of magicians (and hopefully more than just one generation).
I realize that you do not need to told this, but keep up the Great Work (in all its various meanings).
In LVX,
Samuel
Mr. Kraig,
I wanted to thank you for writing such a wonderful book. It has changed my life. For years I dabbled with magick, but after reading and following the instructions in your book things have begun to change for me. It is so well written, laid out in an easy to follow manner, and your explanations and insights are brilliant.
Because of this epic work, I have gone from being the “armchair occultist” to a full blown, “Practicing Magician”. So, thank you sir, for such a wonderful masterpiece.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Mr. Kraig,
Thanks for such a great book. I had the earlier edition many years ago and began working with it then. I had since then put more energy in to working in the eastern tradition and have since become a teacher in that tradition. I wanted to get back into the Western tradition that I had started out in, and in reading and practicing many things from Crowley, Regardie, the Ciceros, DuQuette, etc. I found myself looking at the new version of this book. I like it much more than the first. Its large size, the updated information, and the illustrations are all superb. I find myself using this new edition along with Self Initiation to the Golden Dawn. They both work great together when following the lesson plans. I don’t have plans to “initiate” into the G.:D.: tradition, and feel your book does not require that. You have done a great job in making High Magick available to many!
I would be one of the ones very interested in your publication of Tantric practices. Please make it available soon!
If you practice thelema magick, golden dawn magick, chaos magic, kahuna magic, voodoo magic or other magic you must own Modern Magick book. There you will find very important advices for your practice. But what is more…the book acts like a hope for life, for your life situations, like new door, in short the book acts like a life talisman. Are you with me here. Good Luck with the book.