Customer Reviews:
 A Great Course for Learning Ceremonial Magick June 3, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
My current thought on this book is, "Why didn't I pick this up years ago?"
Learning about Ceremonial Magick has been rather difficult for me in previous years due to multiple factors. I came to it from a Wiccan and Pagan background, and at the time had a slight predjudice against anything Judeo-Christian. Even after that, however, I found solid information on the subject rather scattered and didn't know where to begin. What good, credible sources I did find were the type of authors from the early 1900's (like Crowley and Regardie) who felt it necessary to write in that "snooty scholar" style that leaves any ordinary person unable to comprehend even two sentences without going over it three times.
Donald Michael Kraig does not write like this. In fact, among books about Ceremonial Magick, his was a breath of fresh air to me. He writes in plain english and takes the time to explain some terms. Other terms he leaves to be understood as more text is read. This is understandable, and for me it's desirable, as I like to be left with a little bit of room to figure some details out. The 11-lesson format of this book makes it into a course of study on the topic. He states several times that his goal with this book was to allow the student to be able to pick up any book on these topics and essentially be able to grasp the concepts - or at least be able to follow. In this, he was a success. I had bought several books about High Magick before this one, most on specialized topics, and after reading through this book I've been re-reading the others right along with it. I could barely understand them before; I can understand them MUCH better now.
In addition, the exercises and rituals he provides are easy to follow. And following his eclectic bent, have substance without being weighted down and layered over with material that can easily be done without to the same effect. Best of all, Kraig himself has been practicing this stuff for over a decade (at LEAST), and so has the wisdom of experience to share. He knows what it's like to practice and study this stuff. He knows what kinds of experiences may crop up, and he knows how frustrating this path can be. He conveys this understanding to the student.
Now for some downsides to this course. First, there's one part where he later admits he purposely messed up to see if the student would catch it. Personally, I don't appreciate playing around like that (that's not one of the things I feel should be left to figure out). There are some other things that he presents differently when compared to other sourceworks on High Magick (like which color band on the Rainbow Wand to grasp when consecrating the elemental weapons). Lastly, there are certain things that I feel should have been better explained, although they were few and can be supplemented by checking out other sources.
All in all, if you're a beginner in Ceremonial Magick and want to know more from a comprehensive source, this is a fine book to pick up for just such a purpose!
There are much worse places to start. April 29, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is one of the only books you'll require to BEGIN your journey of fulfilling your Great Work. This book is a good primer to The Golden Dawn System in that it deals with the Kabalah, ritual magick, and some of the eastern traditions. I would also recommend one eventually reads "Initiation into Hermetics" by Franz Bardon, or instead read that book first. It is most fruitful to read one book at a time however, learning and making logical use of a single system rather than trying to interpret two theories at once, as this MAY lead to confusion and neither system will be as useful. If one PRACTICES the methods laid before them in these volumes they will indeed acquire the basic understanding needed to perform real magick. I would also say to the "just curious" that a great deal of magickal philosophy and their underlying theories can be learned by the dabbler, who intends only on reading but not practicing. Farewell, and may your truth find you.
Magick and GD Kabbalah with a little jewish feel in the intro April 16, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Amazing book, I recomend it to everyone looking for an almost balanced form of practical magick and kabbalah 'a la' Golden Dawn. I have practiced most of the rituals here and they rock with good results... It will put you in a trance of wanting to know more and more.
Difficult but mind expanding March 15, 2007
Even if you take a few steps into this arena, you will be changed forever. However, it is just like a computer, it is just a brick unless the user has some input. Consider it a guide book, but you still have to do the walking.
 A good source for reference March 11, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I'll admit, I'm not a fan of the Kaballah or the Golden Dawn, which is why I believe this book will appeal mostly to ceremonial magickians (magic with a "k"-as they like to put it).
It's no suprise that this book is heavy and thick. There's a lot of philosophy to weigh through. I had to skim through most of that because it was not my cup of tea. However, the true MEAT of the book is the introduction of The Lesser Banishing Ritual, The Hexagram Ritual, and the Middle Pillar Ritual all written in understandable and practical language. These rituals are powerful. And yes, I do use them.
In my opinion, some of the rituals could be shortened in length and don't need to be overly-complex. For example, the Opening by Watchtower can be a simple invocation to the Lords of the Quarters and does not need to take hours to perform as Kraig has you do it. I have always been about magic being and simple and effective; hence my more natural approach to magic.
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