Mind over Magick: The Psychology of Ritual Magick

by Richard Kaczynski

• Draws on peer-reviewed research in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, such as real-time brain imaging, to examine the effects of mystical states and magical practice

• Shows how being “in the zone,” as described by athletes and performers, is consistent with the ritualist’s state of mind when working magic

• Suggests rituals and routines to strengthen one’s practice of magic, witchcraft, meditation, and yoga with empirically proven tools

By looking through the lens of psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and real-time brain imaging, Mind over Magick shows how and why ritual magical practice can produce profound experiences with tangible benefits.

The author draws on a wealth of peer-reviewed research to shed new light on magic. He uses the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, in which subjects role-played as prisoners and guards, to reveal the power of magical vestments and personas and the effects they have on ritual practitioners. The author shows how being “in the zone,” as described by athletes and performers, is consistent with the ritualist’s state of mind when working magic. He also reveals what neurological processes are involved when one encounters and works with spirits. Rituals are suggested to strengthen one’s practice of magic, witchcraft, meditation, and yoga with empirically proven tools for optimal results. Readers can apply the scientific method to critically evaluate their own spiritual praxis and determine what works best for them. Solitary practitioners and group participants alike will learn what happens, both on a psychological and neurological level, when they enter sacred spaces and use ritual implements as well as enter deep meditative states. The author also details the importance of initiation as a rite of passage and transformative method of instruction.

With this book, readers can approach the art of practicing magic as a science in order to hone a more effective and empirically grounded practice.

Genres: Magick

352 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Richard Kaczynski is an American writer, musician, research scientist, and lecturer in the fields of social psychology, metaphysical beliefs and new religious movements. He is known for his biography Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley (North Atlantic Books, 2010), acclaimed by the Times Literary Supplement as "the major biography to date" of the Edwardian enfant terrible, and regarded by the Norwegian daily Aftenposten as the best biography of Crowley.

He has lectured internationally since 1990, and over the years his writing has appeared in magazines ranging from High Times to the Lovecraftian role-playing journal Different Worlds. He has also appeared on television in the documentaries Secrets of the Occult and Aleister Crowley: The Beast 666.

Kaczynski has also played keyboards for the progressive rock bands House of Usher, Page, and Celestial Serenity.

Dr. Kaczynski earned his Ph.D. in social psychology, with a minor in measurement and statistics, in 1993 with a dissertation on metaphysical beliefs and experiences among occult practitioners in New Religious Movements. He works professionally as a research scientist and biostatistician on studies ranging from clinical trials of psychiatric medications to program evaluation of compensated work therapy.

Reviews

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book questions magic by the use of science like psychology and neurological theory. The mind is powerful and can lead to belief. The book does not use science to prove magic exists. The author shows how
the mind actually works when presented with various human experiences or practices. There were serval experiences that shows the key is discernment between belief of patterns vs coincidences.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good comparison of psychological research to magical practices.