Holy Daimon

by Frater Acher

Holy Daimon is the result of more than ten years of ritual and theoretical magical research, the book is comprised of three parts: History, Memory and Practice, providing a well-grounded introduction, as well as a practical path to creating communion with one’s holy daimon. Rather than drawing on Abramelin or Crowley’s Liber Samekh, Frater Acher returns to the source, analysing the daimon as it was experienced in three cultures, Chaldean, Zoroastrian and Ancient Greek. These give a necessary overview to contextualise the material that follows, and restores the daimon to its central place in the journey of attainment. Acher then gives a full account of his own personal communion with his holy daimon. As a magical record of a modern practitioner it is an important testimony for those embarking on the path, and a rare account given the secrecy within which most practitioners operate. In the third and final section of the work Acher gives his streamlined exercises for attaining communion with the daimon; culminating in a fully restored rite from the Greek Magical Papyri. Whilst the author's focus is on enabling hands-on magical work, the book is not a traditional grimoire or ‘grammar of magic,’ as the work is of deeply mystical nature.

Genres: Occult, Magic, Magick, Spirituality, Esoterica, Religion, History

192 pages, paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Frater Acher is the author of theomagica.com as well as a friend and collaborator of Quareia Magical Training. He holds an MA in Communications Science, Intercultural Communications and Psychology as well as certifications in Systemic Coaching and Gestalt Therapy. He has studied Western Ritual Magic in theory and practice at I.M.B.O.L.C. (magieausbildung.de) and has been actively involved in magic as a lone practitioner for more than twenty years. Frater Acher is a German national, and after several years of living abroad, he is now resident in Munich, Germany. Previous publications include 'Cyprian of Antioch: A Mage of Many Faces' (Quareia Press 2017) and 'Speculum Terræ' (Hadean Press 2018).

The Holy Daimon online project is a resource dedicated to research into, and the translation of ritual manuscripts from the 15th to 18th century with a focus on texts of daimonic theurgy.

Reviews

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - but I do have a bone to pick. First, allow me to discuss the things I love about this book. It is a fascinating guide on how to connect with your holy daimon. I love how the book is divided into three sections. The first section discusses what a holy daimon is from multiple different historical and cultural perspectives. The second section is where the author discusses his own personal gnosis - sharing personal journal entries of what he went through and experienced in order to connect to his holy daimon. The last section of the book discusses practical applications. I wish every book were structured this way. My biggest gripe - the bone I must pick - is that this book (along with many others) perpetuates this idea that we must suffer in order to achieve some sort of spiritual evolution. The experiences in this book were brought upon by (what some would consider) extreme measures and I don't necessarily agree that suffering and rigorous discipline is always the way to achieve communion and spiritual ascension. But, this is an issue I have with more books than just this one - so 5 stars it stays.

[Nik Maack · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this book was called "how to get in touch with your guardian angel," and the cover had on it a blonde chick with swan wings, you'd know what you're in for. This is kind of the manly version of that. It's not a guardian angel -- it's a holy daimon. That's TOTALLY DIFFERENT and how dare you suggest otherwise. The main difference appears to be that you have to torture yourself to get a holy daimon.

The book starts with an interesting description of some different ancient religions that maybe make reference to a holy daimon concept. This was by far the most interesting part of the book.

The second part of the book is a description of the author and what he underwent to contact his holy daimon. Suddenly, we are hearing about the author meditating and praying to Saturn. The planet, I guess. This is not entirely explained. He makes a coffin and climbs inside of it and visualizes decomposing into nothingness. This all goes on forever and at the end he is supposedly in touch with his holy daimon. That is never explained in any way. (What does it even mean? Who knows.) This part of the book is extremely boring, insane, and mostly unexplained.

If I had to guess, the author assumes you already have a lot of familiarity with magick and wicca and all of that. Because he leaps into this subject like we all know all about magic circles and charging amulets and whatever the hell else he did.

The third part of the book is exercises the author suggests for you to do so you can find your holy daimon. This included meditating in a closet, singing gibberish in the woods, calling down planets from the sky so they influence you, and other stupidity.

Eventually I gave up on the book because the whole thing seemed like made up nonsense and stupidity and I just didn't care.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed and informative guide on how to obtain communion with your holy daimon. If you are looking for a fairly useful and non dogmatic method of obtaining this communion, then I would recommend this book. Holy Daimon is well thought out and the exercises are extremely beneficial, just make sure that you make the time or have the time to follow the workings to their conclusions.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is acquainted with Frater Achers superbe blog "Theomagica" will know the clarity and humility of his voice. Even bits and pieces, insofar Acher once released a little pdf titled "Your everyday path to your HGA", which makes a nice compagnion-piece to this finbe manual here. Having always delievered texts of the highest quality, this one is no different. Acher uses clear, precise language without having the need of showing off verbose pretentiousness. Ecerything is structured to get the information as direct as possible to the reader.

Content-wise, this is a gem, too, and in different respects. The first part delves into the interesting history of the personal relationship of man with (a) spirit(s). This is the only part I really like to critizise: I just hope that the average reader gets that this is just a cursory view into a wide and vast field, which needs a lot of crosscultural studie which is in turn notoriously prone to misunderstandings and projections by the researcher. On the other hand, the historical treatment is rather just an appetizer and always second behind practice and the experience we get from it.
So here comes part two: Experience. Acher details his own experience with the rite he used to achive communion with his daimon. This is exactly what is needed and only most seldomly reproduced by occult authors. Because, fromw here else should I know, what he speaks about? What maybe to expect? What to think of a more or less randomly presented rite? Context is everything and transmission of personal experience - really the only experience there is with these mattes - is the most crucial aspect of context.
Lastly, the practice. Nothing much to say about it. Simple, really. Don't wait. Get it on.

[Jodie Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

But where there is danger, there grows also what saves.

Holy Daimon is not my first run-in with Acher, and certainly won't be my last.

Acher is a bit of a masochist when it comes to communing with his holy daimon, but I certainly don't think that this detracts from what is said. After all, communing with your HGA isn't an activity that you partake in on a quiet Sunday when you have nothing better to do. To quote Acher directly, Not even Alice got to visit the white rabbit without falling for a long time first.

Some have discussed their distaste for the personal accounts offered in the middle of the book, yet I found the process of reading Acher's chronicles incredibly fulfilling and deeply rewarding. You certainly wouldn't find me burying myself alive in a coffin, but I respect the method. I found that this book offered much food for thought even if you don't wish to commune with your HGA/Holy Daimon. Acher offers ample room for reflection and poses questions that, alone, could shift the focus of your practice entirely.

[Damiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Frater Acher’s Holy Daimon when looking for alternative perspectives on the ritual of Communion with one’s Holy Guardian Angel. I am forever grateful for finding it because my journey to contact with my Holy Daimon might have been a lot more difficult without it.
This book isn’t to get anyone and everyone to read this book. I honestly feel like those who are drawn to get as part of their own path towards communion with their Holy Daimon, it will with or without a review. This is mostly just me pointing out how this book helped me on my path.

First, as a polytheist, I began my work seeking out communion with my Holy Daimon because of my work for and devotion to Hermes. I initially studied the work of Crowley and Abramelin but neither were sitting well with me. I understood what I was reading and doing but…it wasn’t clicking. I just assumed I had a lot of work to do.

Then I started looking at what others were experiencing on the path. I picked up any journal, article, blog, book I could find – mostly to encourage myself. That was how I found Acher’s book.

The suggestion that the communion with the Holy Daimon (a term I liked much more than Holy Guardian Angel though I do agree with Crowley’s note that even a child, of the western world anyways, can understand that term) was something cross cultural and didn’t require adherence to a Christian-mysticism path…well I needed to read this.

It wasn’t just the relation to ancient Green or Zoroastrian beliefs that helped me – though they did make me more comfortable. It also wasn’t just Acher’s vulnerable sharing of his journals written during his ordeal and journey – though they touched my heart even as they made me worried about what I would face on my own path.

The things that helped me most in this book are a handful of lessons:

The Daimon is ready for communion. You have to work on yourself.
You will discover your own methods.
Joy is important despite all the tedious, arduous tasks laid out in most books on this topic.
The meditations in this book, especially that of the Orphic Egg, are powerful.
I was already sold on the book and the workings when lastly I read the final ritual for communion with the Holy Daimon. What made me laugh out loud was the connection between this ritual and Hermes.
“In the [Greek Magical Papyri], the above incantation is directed at Hermes as the highest god.”
I could now see the connection of this path with the God I am devoted to. I asked Him why not just direct me to this book or working rather than the long days struggling with the works of Crowley and the Golden Dawn and so on.
The answer? I wouldn’t have understood the context otherwise. Which was true.

A note that I wasn’t thrilled with, and its a small one and might have a reason behind it but it got on my nerves: using she/her when refering to his Damon rather than simply they. It was tedious in the intro and would have been easier to read if he simply used the singular pronoun they. Not a reason to blow the book off but as a pet peeve, I felt the need to write about it.

Working through this book worked for me as a polytheist with a lot of Saturnian energy in my chart especially in regard to Lot of Spirit/Holy Daimon’s placement. I don’t want to say it will work for everyone. I will say I recommend it highly if you are on this path and looking for another perspective.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and researched/experienced. A rare and balanced accounting of the author’s ritual work to contact his holy daimon, with a provided background of historical origins. The book assumes prior knowledge of ceremonial magic and the concept of the daimon, but provides full instructions for less ceremonially oriented practices for the reader to achieve their own communion.

[Thomas Pinneck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Daimon is a rare and profound contribution to the study and practice of working with one’s personal daimon, offering an in-depth exploration of this enigmatic figure from multiple cultural and historical perspectives. Frater Acher’s work is not a typical grimoire filled with instructions and rituals for the uninitiated to try; instead, it is a meticulously researched and deeply personal exploration of the daimon’s role in human spiritual development, enriched by years of practice and scholarly inquiry. This book is a masterful blend of history, experiential testimony, and practical guidance, making it essential reading for serious students of Western esotericism and theurgy.

Rather than rehashing more well-known works like the Abramelin Operation or Crowley’s Liber Samekh, Frater Acher traces the concept of the daimon back to its earliest cultural roots. The book opens with a historical analysis of how the daimon was understood and approached in three ancient cultures: Chaldean, Zoroastrian, and Ancient Greek. This scholarly groundwork sets the stage for the more experiential and practical sections that follow, allowing readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of the daimonic figure beyond the modern interpretations that have often reduced it to a mere spirit guide or tutelary deity.

The section on Chaldean theurgy is particularly enlightening, revealing how the concept of the daimon was intertwined with the complex cosmology and metaphysics of the Chaldean Oracles. In this context, the daimon is not just a guardian or intermediary but a critical component in the soul’s ascent through the celestial spheres. Frater Acher’s meticulous research into the Zoroastrian fravashi and the Greek daimon eudaimon further demonstrates that this figure has always existed at the intersection of the mortal and divine realms, embodying both individual destiny and cosmic order. By tracing these varied interpretations, Acher restores the daimon to its rightful place as a complex, multifaceted guide on the path to spiritual attainment.

The heart of Holy Daimon is Frater Acher’s own magical record—a candid and intimate account of his journey toward communion with his own daimon. This section stands out not only for its transparency but for its rarity; practitioners often keep such records private, and it is uncommon to find a modern practitioner willing to share the challenges, doubts, and breakthroughs of such a profound process. His descriptions of the subtle shifts in perception and the trials that accompany daimonic communion make for compelling reading, providing an honest look at the rewards and difficulties of serious magical practice. This record is not presented as a template to follow but as a testament to the depth of commitment required when walking such a path.

What makes Acher’s approach so compelling is his insistence on a return to the source. Instead of layering new interpretations on top of the old, he seeks to peel back centuries of syncretism and misunderstanding to uncover the essence of the daimonic relationship as it was originally conceived. This is not an easy task, as it involves navigating texts that are often fragmentary, contradictory, or heavily influenced by the religious and cultural biases of later commentators. Yet, Frater Acher manages to present a coherent picture that honors the daimon’s role as a guide, a guardian, and, ultimately, a co-participant in the soul’s journey toward wholeness and enlightenment.

The final section of Holy Daimon is dedicated to practical exercises for those who wish to pursue their own communion with the daimon. These practices are grounded in traditional sources but have been streamlined and adapted for modern practitioners. Acher’s focus is not on creating a rigid system but on providing the tools necessary for a living, breathing engagement with one’s own daimonic force. His inclusion of a restored rite from the Greek Magical Papyri is particularly intriguing, as it roots the work in an ancient lineage of theurgic practice while remaining accessible to contemporary readers.

Acher’s writing is as precise and thoughtful as his magical methodology. He avoids the pitfalls of sensationalism and dogma, instead offering a voice that is both scholarly and deeply reverent. His emphasis on the daimon’s mystical nature—rather than its role in conjuration or simple spellwork—positions the work as a text that is as much about inner transformation as it is about external results. This aligns Holy Daimon more closely with works of the Hermetic and Neoplatonic traditions, where the goal is not to command spirits but to become more attuned to the divine harmony that flows through all things.

It’s important to note that this book is not for casual readers. The language and concepts can be dense, particularly in the historical sections, and Acher assumes a certain familiarity with the basics of magical and mystical philosophy. For those who are willing to engage deeply with the material, however, the rewards are immense. Holy Daimon is not just a manual for ritual practice—it is a map for the soul’s journey through the liminal spaces between the mundane and the divine.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

As others have written, the history section is excellent but the first person narrative section is agonizing. I’d take a full-length of such historical content from Acher gladly!

Of course, Acher is basically torturing himself through the personal narrative portion of the book, so it’s not fun to read even if it’s interesting. I found he didn’t explain the rationale for his methodologies all too well, but did narrate the enactment of the methodologies well.

Make no mistake though, the austere Saturnian path he describes is but one path. There are many other paths, each persons path is their own, and all can draw some strength and inspiration from accounts such as Achers.

[Xzavier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the single most important texts for a solitary magician to own

Frater Acher is able to concentrate in one tome; information that many have only been able to glean from years of Lodge magic, or from picking up a variety of different resources. This is very likely the best manual currently available to guide you into the process of communication with the Holy Daimon; or Guardian Angel.

[Ahmad Hani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well written book, I read it in a few days time. I believe the explorations in to the many religious and philosophical strands of the Holy Daemon or HGA are especially beneficial to those like me not well versed in religious history.
While as his own experience was a delightful read as well.
I’m working with my Holy Daemon in prayer and meditation. Holy demon work is proven to be beneficial to the soul of anyone who is brave enough to connect with his or her spiritual side.

[Derek Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts one and two were excellent, part three was good but not as impressive as the first 2/3 of the book. Worth reading overall for anyone interested in the topic.

[dp · Rating 5 out of 5]

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Buen trabajo.

Pero... sólo la primera parte... lo demás mehhhh, fue una buena experiencia personal... para el autor I guess..., no para mi :(
Fue como un buen docu-journal de Discovery Channel de los 90's pero para "alinearte, descubrir, conjurar, revelar, hacer emerger, comulgar..." (o el vocablo que sea que le dió el autor) para estar, o que este contigo, tu el/ella, Daimon, eterno.

Este libro pareciera como el de un entusiasmadísimo ultra-nerd, especializado en "estas cosas" y con el tiempo suficiente para decir lo que actúa y actuar lo que dice. Me lo imagino como los hyper nerds de Harry Potter jugando Calabozos y Dragones (con el tema de H.P.) pero aquí con Saturno, EL Daimon Socrático, buenos fundamentos en logos, eros, thumos y nous (y más allá) pero en lugar de tener su cuarto decorado como el cuarto de Harry Potter - Howgrats el si "hizo algo más avanzado" compar un ataúd, pintar símbolos de Saturno, cosas demoniacas y/o sagradas de algunas culturas, y se metió en dicho ataúd, a dicha hora, después de quien sabe cuantos días... unos de ayuno, otros de no dormir, otros de rezos, otros de meditación... namas le faltó ganar en Tour de France, comerse 50 hot dogs, y colgarse del escroto por unos dos días para simbolizar su muerte, para lograr la comunión con su el/ella Daimon y muchos etc, etc, etc, pero bueno, el mismo dice que -lo logró-. Mejor hubiera ido a Perú por ayahuasca, a México por peyote, a Sonora por "el sapo"... hay tantas opciones mucho más directas que el mes de madre y media al que se sometió el pobrecito... bueno ya lo hizo y nos esta compartiendo de una buena manera sus conocimientos.

Después no sé por que, en una página del libro, me hizo hecharle un vistazo a The Book of Solomon’s Magick donde vienen toooooodos los demonios (no Daimons) que ayudaron a Salomón a construir su tempo... son de los que en la mitología/religión/ethos/sentido judeocristiano son los malos, malos, malos. Pero aquí se tratan como de un... algo distinto a "malo" son más bien "ayudantes" o algo así. Tal vez entendí mal, acerca de esto, pero si entendí bien o mal... de todas formas, después de leer toda la primera parte todo lo demás esta aburridísimo y te quedas, en cierto momento, con un WTF is this shit?

Yo quería leer algo mucho más profundo del Daimon Socrático exclusivamente desde un enfoque en psicología y termine leyendo este docu-journal de una persona "woke" pero de los 80's o 90's actuando en su "total libertad" el homo religiosus del que emerge, todo para encontrar sentido en esta existencia o un sentido más "uber-beyonder" o algo así... si no, no me explico para qué lo hace.

No sé por que, pero a este, en cualquier escuela de América Latina desde Argentina hasta México, le hubieran dicho "El Satánico" pero acá esto no da "cosa" ni nada, como en Europa o en algúnos lugares de Estados Unidos, acá es... "ah, que bueno, termina tus chingaderas y ya vámonos a chupar Vampirelo, no se te olvide una de tus pinches velas negras, la que no huele a oregano con cilantro, porque no tenemos encendedor para los cigarros... sólo está la estufa y no vamos a estar yendo-y-viniendo hasta la cocina para fumar".

Según mi criterio ya sea literario o si "quieres ver más allá del -velo- de esta realidad", "llevar a tu conciencia al máximo (o mínimo)", "ver otras realidades", "tener relación energética con todo incluidos seres orgánicos e inorgánicos" etc X 100... entonces, los chamanes Toltecas... no es por nada pero son buenos para esto.

Esto me hizo recordar acerca de las lokas en el Hinduismo.







LOVE RULES ALL!!!

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main ritual of this book involves swallowing the contents of a raw egg in order to contact your HGA. It's from the Greek Magical Papyri. You might get salmonella.

This book might be useful for people who are totally lost on the path of ceremonial magic. I am not a practitioner of ceremonial magic, so this book is not for me. It certainly does give me the impression, though, that ceremonial magic is the nerdiest and most pretentious branch of western esotericism. It mostly focuses on work with angels, demons, and the planets/spheres. The correspondence tables abound. And in the end, the information that you get from the angels, demons, and planets can all be found in the Buddhism without any of the hassle. I know who my HGA is, and it's whichever yidam I happen to be meditating on. They all have the same essence, which is emptiness.

That's not to say Buddhism requires no work, because that's not true. However, the work won't involve lying around in a coffin, swallowing raw eggs, or asking a planet why some kids are born disabled. It gets straight to the point, which is something that I appreciate. Even Traditional Witchcraft (not Wicca) will lead more directly to your true nature than ceremonial magic will. And that tradition focuses on all the cool stuff like entheogens and having sex with the devil on the Witches' Sabbath.

Anyway, that was a really long way of saying that this book is fine, but not my cup of tea. Just convert to Vajrayana Buddhism lol

[Rudá Floresta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Não tinha lido nada do Frater Acher antes, mas sabia que ele tinha um trabalho sério e reconhecido na comunidade.

O livro é incrível. Separado em 3 partes, Frater Acher da um embasamento histórico para o conceito de de um Daimon sagrado, muito além do que foi espalhado pelo Crowley no século passado, nos fornece a sua própria experiência com o seu Daimon e, por fim, extrai práticas que o leitor consegue fazer, independente do caminho mágico que segue.

Simplesmente maravilhoso, da vontade de ler o restante da trilogia que ele preparou.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing exploration of how to connect with your holy daimon or holy guardian angel or whatever other term you want to use in relation to this type of work. The author divides the book into three sections, a historical section, an excerpt of his journal, and then practical instructions for doing this work. I found it very helpful overall and it confirmed independently some details of my own work in similar directions. I highly recommend this book as an excellent example of both spirit work and doing one’s inner work.

[Gediminas Kanonenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, well-rounded journey through theory and practice of making contact with one's Daimon. The book is written in a way that's highly informative, yet easy to follow. All the literary sources listed. All in all, I had an amazing time and am waiting for the right moment to start practicing.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is overall a very good and detailed guide. I do have some concerns about the final ritual’s use of raw eggs that you are expected to consume twice a day for several weeks, but a lot of other aspects seem interesting.

[Adonay Quetzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal in every way

[Oakley C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well…I dont necessarily disbelieve his experiences but I do disbelieve his methods and especially his prescriptions…I know from experience…