"Portable Magic" and "Tarot & Magic" by Donald Kraig

[EmpyreanKnight]

Does anybody else have these books by Donald Michael Kraig? I know almost nothing about magick - raw newbie here. I thought it might prove very beneficial if I explore how it can be applied to the Tarot. I have only scanned the books but I've never really read them.

 

To those who already work with magick, were these books helpful, and would you recommend them? Or do you have other books which you think are simply better, or more appropriate for beginners?

[EmpyreanKnight]

Btw I also have Kraig's Modern Magick, but again I haven't really read it yet.

 

Thanks to anyone who can provide insights!

[EmpyreanKnight]

Just curious - is anyone here into magick?

[Raggydoll]

I'm assuming you are talking about the more classically occult 'golden dawn' type of magick here? Or are you talking about practicing the craft in general? I am self taught eclectic and use very little props (or 'woo woo' ;D) For me, magic springs from the mind and I believe that you do not need (but you certainly still might like) lots of fancy tools or complicated rituals to manifest your powers.)

 

However, I want to make it clear that I do not judge or look down on people who uses elaborate rituals or has lots of beautifully crafted tools - I think it's just fabulous that every person is different and we should all do whatever we like and go with what works for us. My point is just that if you don't have the money or the option to get all the magical tools that you've read about, then you are still very much able to practice. Just go with your instincts and start on a basic level. (Reading up on the elements and how to do grounding techniques is certainly beneficial too). Inventiveness has a tendency to generate extra powerful energies, in my experiences.

[EmpyreanKnight]

I lean more towards the ritualistic magick, but like you, I respect other kinds too. I've barely begun my journey yet, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about them.

 

Have you read Kraig's books, Raggydoll? Which Tarot books that focus on its more magickal aspects do you like?

[Tanga]

Nope not read Kraig - and YES, I am into Magick (as you know  :-* ).

 

I've read "Portable Magic - Tarot is the only tool you need" by Donald Tyson.

Loved it!

It's what kickstarted my use of Tarot in ritual/spellwork years ago.

I'd recommend it  ;D

 

I'm attracted to ceremonial magick - but I like things to be simple, so ceremonial is too complicated for me.

Over the years - I have collected a plethora of tools. LOL. (been in a coven too - so tools... without saying really).

But as previously stated of course - one doesn't need them to practice  ;)

My favourites are, a stripy coloured wooden knitting needle for a wand, a brass Tibetan Kilaya for an Athame/ritual knife (cost me £16 when I bought it years ago - I doubt one would be that cheap nowadays), a shot glass with a bee on it (recycled glass) as my Chalice, and a small brass pentacle.

 

Can't recommend any Ceremonial magick books.

A good eclectic/progressive Wicca book is 'Magick without Peers' by Davind Rankine and Ariadne Rainbird. Numerous others - but this one is wonderfully eclectic in all the things it brings together in one place.

Last year I got Sasha Graham's 365 Tarot spells which I dip into now-and-again. (I really enjoyed her book 'Tarot Diva'). I usually just flip through and see what catches my eye.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Thank you for your recommendations, Tanga! I always learn something from your insights. I would check out the other books, but Portable Magic is now definitely on my reading list. I hope I can glean as much knowledge and inspiration from it as you did. :)

[Raggydoll]

Have you read Kraig's books, Raggydoll? Which Tarot books that focus on its more magickal aspects do you like?

 

I have not read his books (although I think I might look into them later). It's been a very long time since I read books on this topic so I am having a hard time coming up with some good recommendations.

 

When I work with cards in an intention setting/manifesting/magical kind of way then I usually try to channel the different archetypal energies and use that to enhance my regular practice. I would, for instance, choose the card (mostly majors for this) that represents the energies that I would like to channel/enhance. Then I meditate on that card and visualize me being in that card. I then try (if possible) to imitate the person in that card with my body and my expression. Magician or High Priestess would be two very good and easy examples for this - laying out props and having one arm up and one arm down (I might choose to hold an object that I wish to charge in the hand that's pointing down) for the magician, and then sitting on something solid - perhaps on a stone by the sea - holding a book that feels sacred and powerful (doesn't have to be a religious book or something that's been written by someone else - it might as well be my own journal/grimoire or an empty notebook that I wish to create something powerful with) and then trying to draw in her energy until I feel like I AM her.

 

Of course there are many other ways to work with tarot cards and magic, but this is the way that I've found to be most potent.

[EmpyreanKnight]

I have meditated on the images of the card/s whose meanings I wanted to manifest, but I have never thought of putting myself in the shoes of a card's protagonist and envisioning myself as part of his/her world. Thanks for suggesting this, Raggydoll, I'll surely try it. :)

[EmpyreanKnight]

Donald Tyson is set to release a new book this May. Tarot Magic: Ceremonial Magic Using Golden Dawn Correspondences references the Golden Dawn Magical Tarot by the Ciceros - one of my absolute favorite decks. I think this book would perfectly complement the deck's companion book, The New Golden Dawn Ritual Tarot. I can't wait for this!