What do you think?
Rate this book
Special Topics in Tarot
Tarot & Magic
Perform life-changing magic with nothing more than your favorite Tarot deck. Tarot and Magic, the third book in Llewellyn's Special Topics in Tarot series of advanced and specialized Tarot techniques, shows you how. Straightforward and respectful of all spiritual paths, this guide teaches you how to create your own Tarot spells and rituals, and use the magical power of the cards as talismans. It reveals the secret connection between the Tarot and sex magic, and presents three methods for exploring this connection. You'll learn how to enter and work in the astral plane, using the Tarot as a map. You'll even rediscover the time-proven but little-known magic technique of dancing the Tarot, developed by respected magicians Denning and Phillips. Each chapter concludes with questions designed to trigger your own magical abilities. Your Tarot deck is a powerful magical tool--use it to create the changes you desire in your life.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Read
July 28, 2011Donald Michael Kraig is one of the premier occultists of his day. His knowledge and experience in magick is widely attested and many wil tout his praise. Mr. Kraig brings magick down to a practical and doable level. Of his several books I am curently reading "Tarot and Magic" While no one really knows where the Tarot originate from there are several speculations. They have been used in Italy since the 1500's for divination. Now we are realizing that they can be used for magical purposes. As the author goes through his discussion on Tarot cards he refers to 4 basic sets The Golden Dawn Tarot, Universal Tarot, Thoth Tarot and the Shadow Tarot.
The Basics of Magic
Magick is the ability to make changes in your life controlled by your will. There are couple of things one must keep in mind when dealing with Magic. First off for every magical actions there is a reaction. We do magic all the time but sometimes we negate our magic. Cast a spell for improved finances and bemoan all the bills you have to pay and how hard it is only serves to weaken your magick. To do magic you have to raise direct and manipulate magical energy. One very important rule is that what manifests on the physical plane must be first manifested on the Astral (mental plane). You should also cast a spell for what you realy want. If you want to buy a car do not do a spell for the money needed , rather do a spell for the car that you really want. Magical energy is simplyt that magical energy it is neutral. How it is defined depends on how it is used and for what outcome. One should alsways use magick for positive outcome even to negative situation. It is a science and an art performing magic. Magick will change you and posiively afect your energy field.
When you set up to do your ritual there are things you need to keep in mind. First consider the following charts.
This chart deals with colors
Black: evil, negativity confusion and discord. Burning the blackl candle rids evil influence
Gray if for cancellations and neutrality
White stands for purity and truth
Pink is honor and love.
Red is for strengths and courage
Yellow is attraction, persusions and charm
Greenish yellow is for sickness, cowardice nger and jealousy
Green is finance, fertility and luck
light blue is for tranquility, understanding, patience and health
Dark blue is for imopulsiveness, depression and travel
Purple is for tension, ambition, business
Brown is for hesitation and uncertainty
Colors matches to astrological signs
Aries-red, Gemini-Orange,Cancer-Amber,Leo-Greenishyellow,Virgo-Yellowish green, Libra Green, Scorpio-Greenish blue, Saggitarius- Blue, Capricorn -indigo, Aquarious-violet, Pisces -dark red.
Colrs as they relate to the days of the week.
Monday-white, Tuesday-Red, Wednesday -Orange,THursday- Blue,Friday-Green, Saturday Black and Sunday yellow.
Casting a spell is not diffuclt one can right them, use visualization, props whatever works for you. When doing love spells put the spell on your self not on another. One can use a poem that rhymes or does not rhyme in order to write a spell.
Astral projection the soul leaves the body. It happens every night supposedly when we dream. Some Occultist tell you it could be dangerous that you could cut the grey thread silver lining that connect the body to the soul. Astral projection is not as dangerous as it seems in fact it is quite safe. If anything dangerous happns you will just wake up....zap! Cutting the silver thread lining is very difficult to do...almost impossible. But why do it? You do it because wishes and wants that manifest on the astral realm materialize in the physical realm.
In order to astral project you realy have to want it. A deep burning desire! Visualizing is the key you have to see the stuff in your head. One thing you may want to do is build your self an Astral temple. This is your safwe haven while out of your body. Now the Astral world has several maps the best known one is the Kabbalistic tree of life. The tree of life is composed of way station or sephirot.
THe first step is getting prepared sit in a chair and relax. The second trhing you do is bansih your area from any negative influences. One way is to walk around with incense and make a statement thay you are purifying the area. Next you stand in the center of your circle and declare " It is my intention to astral project and contact my guardian angel. Sit back in your chair and enter a hypnogic state by taking in three deep beaths and leting them out. Next you visualize an exact double of your self and load in your information. When this is done you should se your self sitting in te chair go exploring and try to contact your guardian angel. Remember that you may meet all sorts of astral entities. Any advice they give you should be treated the same way as the advice from a stranger on the street....with a grain of salt.
THere is a variation of this using the tarot card. Mucha s was done before with the relaxation, the banishing and the creating of an imaginary body. THis time you will focus on a certain tarot card. As part of this you will see your self inside a card and you will walk along a path until you are blocked and can go no further. YOu need to know the password. THe password will be the name of of an angel and they are according to the Sephira 10) Sandalphon,9) Gabriel, 8) Michael, 7) Haniel , 6) Raphael, 5)Khamael and 4)Tzadkiel,3)Tzaphkiel, 2)Ratziel and finally 1) Metatron. Say the angels name in order to pass. THe first name you will be asked for wil be Gabriel.
The Sephirot correspond to different astrological influences:
9) pertains to the moon and safe journeys
8) Mercury which is success in writing , business and communication and divination.
7) Venus Beauty, love, pleasure and art
6) Sun Health, friendship and harmony
5)Mars hunting, conflict, energy and vitality
4) Jupiter specualtion wealth and gambling
3) Saturn , Elderly, ending, reincarnation
2)Radio Television film, ESP
1) Basic invention
Kabblistically there are four different worlds of being and theyu correspond to differnt symbol in the Tarot Spread
Plane world suit meaning
One Assiyah pentacle Action
Two Yetzira swords Formative world
3 Briya Cups Creative World
4 Azilot wands Archetypal world
I have finished reading the book. There is one chapter that talks about the "Tarot Dance" this used Tarot cards not only for divination but also as tools for personal change. My favorite was the two card reading. You want to change and you pull out a card from the deck. It could me any card let us say the fool. So you act like the fool. Carefree unobservant and maybe lacking in knowledge. You want to change for the better. The second card is the magician. He is confident, competent and in control. You sit in another chair and begin to act like him. This has an effect on your aura and personality.
The author has had experience with the Golden down has written instructions on how to do the Cabbalistic Cross and the lesser banishing ritual. Rather than go into details here I will let you read the book. Needless to say I find the Cabbalistic cross useful in anointing myself before I go out. The banishing ritual could be used prior to a spell or prayer session. Remember magick is constantly evolving and it is about using what works for you.
Amulets are best created on a waning moon and are used to keep negative things away. Talismans are best created during a waxing moon and are used for attracting positive things into our lives. There are two ways to consecrate or charge your amulet/talsiman. The first one derived from Wicca is forming your two hands into a triangle. In the space capture the image of the moon. Focus on it and then bring your triangle onto the Tarot card. You should raise your energy and direct it into the card. After the energy is transferred you clap your hand to seal the energy.
The second way is from the Golden Dawn system. Where in you step forward with your left foot and thrust both hands out in front of you palms down fingers straight. Put your hands over the object you wish to consecrate. When the energy is transferred close the ritual with a hand clap.
The final chapters focus on sex magick. That is a book I plan on reading at a later date. The basics of this are getting sexually aroused and focusing on your target or goal. There is also discussion of exploring the dark tree or the evil tree. The author makes note that this is not evil but in fact different and unexplored. I recommend this book very highly. Enjoy.
The Basics of Magic
Magick is the ability to make changes in your life controlled by your will. There are couple of things one must keep in mind when dealing with Magic. First off for every magical actions there is a reaction. We do magic all the time but sometimes we negate our magic. Cast a spell for improved finances and bemoan all the bills you have to pay and how hard it is only serves to weaken your magick. To do magic you have to raise direct and manipulate magical energy. One very important rule is that what manifests on the physical plane must be first manifested on the Astral (mental plane). You should also cast a spell for what you realy want. If you want to buy a car do not do a spell for the money needed , rather do a spell for the car that you really want. Magical energy is simplyt that magical energy it is neutral. How it is defined depends on how it is used and for what outcome. One should alsways use magick for positive outcome even to negative situation. It is a science and an art performing magic. Magick will change you and posiively afect your energy field.
When you set up to do your ritual there are things you need to keep in mind. First consider the following charts.
This chart deals with colors
Black: evil, negativity confusion and discord. Burning the blackl candle rids evil influence
Gray if for cancellations and neutrality
White stands for purity and truth
Pink is honor and love.
Red is for strengths and courage
Yellow is attraction, persusions and charm
Greenish yellow is for sickness, cowardice nger and jealousy
Green is finance, fertility and luck
light blue is for tranquility, understanding, patience and health
Dark blue is for imopulsiveness, depression and travel
Purple is for tension, ambition, business
Brown is for hesitation and uncertainty
Colors matches to astrological signs
Aries-red, Gemini-Orange,Cancer-Amber,Leo-Greenishyellow,Virgo-Yellowish green, Libra Green, Scorpio-Greenish blue, Saggitarius- Blue, Capricorn -indigo, Aquarious-violet, Pisces -dark red.
Colrs as they relate to the days of the week.
Monday-white, Tuesday-Red, Wednesday -Orange,THursday- Blue,Friday-Green, Saturday Black and Sunday yellow.
Casting a spell is not diffuclt one can right them, use visualization, props whatever works for you. When doing love spells put the spell on your self not on another. One can use a poem that rhymes or does not rhyme in order to write a spell.
Astral projection the soul leaves the body. It happens every night supposedly when we dream. Some Occultist tell you it could be dangerous that you could cut the grey thread silver lining that connect the body to the soul. Astral projection is not as dangerous as it seems in fact it is quite safe. If anything dangerous happns you will just wake up....zap! Cutting the silver thread lining is very difficult to do...almost impossible. But why do it? You do it because wishes and wants that manifest on the astral realm materialize in the physical realm.
In order to astral project you realy have to want it. A deep burning desire! Visualizing is the key you have to see the stuff in your head. One thing you may want to do is build your self an Astral temple. This is your safwe haven while out of your body. Now the Astral world has several maps the best known one is the Kabbalistic tree of life. The tree of life is composed of way station or sephirot.
THe first step is getting prepared sit in a chair and relax. The second trhing you do is bansih your area from any negative influences. One way is to walk around with incense and make a statement thay you are purifying the area. Next you stand in the center of your circle and declare " It is my intention to astral project and contact my guardian angel. Sit back in your chair and enter a hypnogic state by taking in three deep beaths and leting them out. Next you visualize an exact double of your self and load in your information. When this is done you should se your self sitting in te chair go exploring and try to contact your guardian angel. Remember that you may meet all sorts of astral entities. Any advice they give you should be treated the same way as the advice from a stranger on the street....with a grain of salt.
THere is a variation of this using the tarot card. Mucha s was done before with the relaxation, the banishing and the creating of an imaginary body. THis time you will focus on a certain tarot card. As part of this you will see your self inside a card and you will walk along a path until you are blocked and can go no further. YOu need to know the password. THe password will be the name of of an angel and they are according to the Sephira 10) Sandalphon,9) Gabriel, 8) Michael, 7) Haniel , 6) Raphael, 5)Khamael and 4)Tzadkiel,3)Tzaphkiel, 2)Ratziel and finally 1) Metatron. Say the angels name in order to pass. THe first name you will be asked for wil be Gabriel.
The Sephirot correspond to different astrological influences:
9) pertains to the moon and safe journeys
8) Mercury which is success in writing , business and communication and divination.
7) Venus Beauty, love, pleasure and art
6) Sun Health, friendship and harmony
5)Mars hunting, conflict, energy and vitality
4) Jupiter specualtion wealth and gambling
3) Saturn , Elderly, ending, reincarnation
2)Radio Television film, ESP
1) Basic invention
Kabblistically there are four different worlds of being and theyu correspond to differnt symbol in the Tarot Spread
Plane world suit meaning
One Assiyah pentacle Action
Two Yetzira swords Formative world
3 Briya Cups Creative World
4 Azilot wands Archetypal world
I have finished reading the book. There is one chapter that talks about the "Tarot Dance" this used Tarot cards not only for divination but also as tools for personal change. My favorite was the two card reading. You want to change and you pull out a card from the deck. It could me any card let us say the fool. So you act like the fool. Carefree unobservant and maybe lacking in knowledge. You want to change for the better. The second card is the magician. He is confident, competent and in control. You sit in another chair and begin to act like him. This has an effect on your aura and personality.
The author has had experience with the Golden down has written instructions on how to do the Cabbalistic Cross and the lesser banishing ritual. Rather than go into details here I will let you read the book. Needless to say I find the Cabbalistic cross useful in anointing myself before I go out. The banishing ritual could be used prior to a spell or prayer session. Remember magick is constantly evolving and it is about using what works for you.
Amulets are best created on a waning moon and are used to keep negative things away. Talismans are best created during a waxing moon and are used for attracting positive things into our lives. There are two ways to consecrate or charge your amulet/talsiman. The first one derived from Wicca is forming your two hands into a triangle. In the space capture the image of the moon. Focus on it and then bring your triangle onto the Tarot card. You should raise your energy and direct it into the card. After the energy is transferred you clap your hand to seal the energy.
The second way is from the Golden Dawn system. Where in you step forward with your left foot and thrust both hands out in front of you palms down fingers straight. Put your hands over the object you wish to consecrate. When the energy is transferred close the ritual with a hand clap.
The final chapters focus on sex magick. That is a book I plan on reading at a later date. The basics of this are getting sexually aroused and focusing on your target or goal. There is also discussion of exploring the dark tree or the evil tree. The author makes note that this is not evil but in fact different and unexplored. I recommend this book very highly. Enjoy.
July 29, 2015
Even given the fact that there is quite a bit here that I already knew (in some cases intuitively), this is still an invaluable addition to one's magic/Tarot library. The author's insights are well-learned and he shares them with an enthusiasm that is catching. What really makes the book is the author's openness to other ideas and interpretations the reader has that may contradict his own or that he simply had not hit upon. I do not doubt that I'll be referring to this book again.
March 14, 2024
I'm slightly biased since I was married to the author, Donald. However, in doing some research for a class I'm going to teach on the subject, I revisited his book. I love how he breaks down what magick is and isn't. Even his descriptions of the astral plane helps me describe it those who are new to the subject area.
This is slanted more towards Western Ritual Magick while much of today's more popular books are more generic witchcraft. It still offers a lot to learn.
This is slanted more towards Western Ritual Magick while much of today's more popular books are more generic witchcraft. It still offers a lot to learn.
April 21, 2024
"Tarocchi e magia" di Donald Michael Kraig è una guida straordinaria che offre un'esplorazione approfondita e rispettosa del legame tra i Tarocchi e la pratica magica. Con incantesimi, rituali e l'utilizzo delle carte come talismani, il libro si impegna a guidare i lettori nell'esploarre il potenziale magico dei Tarocchi in modo sicuro e profondo. Kraig si dimostra un autore eccezionale, e questa opera è davvero fantastica, offrendo una preziosa risorsa per coloro che desiderano approfondire la loro comprensione e pratica della magia con i Tarocchi.
Read
January 21, 2019read
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews