Sheila Hall has been studying the Tarot for
16 years. She has just received her CTM certification and is currently
working towards her CTI. Sheila is an ATA mentor, reading on both the
Free Tarot and Free Reading Networks, and also serves on the ATA
Education Committee. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and two
sons.
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Tarot & Magic is a book in Llewellyn's Special Topics In Tarot series.
This informative guide teaches the aspects of combining Tarot and magic
together to make positive changes in life that we so desire. In this book,
Kraig uses four different decks, and illustrations are included from three
of them throughout the book. The illustrations used are from:
"The Golden Dawn Magical Tarot" by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero
"The Universal Tarot" by Roberto De Angelis
"The Thoth Tarot" by Aleister Crowley
The fourth deck is The Shadow Tarot by Linda Falorio. The illustrations of
this deck are in the last chapter only. The author provides an explanation
as to why he chose these decks. Although these decks are mentioned, the
important thing is to work with a deck in which the symbology speaks to
you.
Tarot and magic each can stand alone as self-empowering spiritual tools,
but the strength felt when the two are combined is amazing. Working spells
and rituals creates such a magical feeling. The sacredness that can be
felt is very spiritual, much like being taken to another plane of
existence that is far away from the stresses and doldrums of daily life.
The author discusses the importance of candles and color. He provides a
list of color associations, associations for the astrological signs, and
for the days of the week. He also guides you through dressing a candle
with oil. Merely lighting a candle can have some effect, but strength can
be added to your spell when you dress a candle. |
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Kraig
explains about the preparations that need to be taken care of before
rituals are worked. An example of an alter layout is provided as a guide
for where the tools can be placed. He goes into the basics of Astral
Projection, and pathworking. Pathworking allows you to reach other levels
of the astral plane. The author discusses Kabbalistic pathworking, which
is travelling on the paths of the Tree of Life. He offers a step-by-step
quide and diagrams that can be used as maps. The maps allow you to see the
placements of the cards. Kraig's comforting guidance and reassurances can
explain away the fears that some people may have about astral projecting.
His explanations answer some of the most common questions about this
subject.
The chapter on Dancing the Tarot is informative and provides Tarotists
with an additional way to enhance magical energy. He works with the
concepts from a book that is out of print, entitled Llewellyn Practical
Guide to the Magick of the Tarot by Melita Denning and Osborne
Phillips. Dancing the Tarot helps you to take a deeper approach to the
guiding message the cards are relaying by acting out movements. Whether
reading for yourself, or others, you get a sense of empowerment when the
reading is finished.
The author includes a chapter on working Tarot cards as talismans. He
explains the difference between talismans, amulets, and seals or sigils,
and how strength can be added to talismans that have been charged, or
imbued with magical energy. Today, talismans are viewed as an object that
will bring a physical thing, while an amulet is used as a protective
device to keep energies or qualities away. He provides a ritual to charge
talismans, and gives suggestive examples of what cards can be used for
certain purposes. He also includes examples on two methods of charging
talismans.
The chapter on Tarot and Ceremonial Magic discusses vibrations, a form of
energy. Kraig also includes explanations and correspondences for each
Sephira on the Tree of Life. He provides steps for a banishing ritual
which can be performed before and after working magic. I found the section
in which he discusses raising and manipulating energy and the "cone of
power" interesting. The author provides ideas on preparing for rituals
with limited preparation, for those who may not be in a position to spend
money on tools to work with, or who may not desire to work magic with
elaborate objects.
Tarot and Sex Magic is the chapter where you can discover methods of
working magic on a more intimate level. Sex Magic is the sensual way to
generate and direct energy when performing a ritual. The section on Tarot
Ecstasy provides a way to work with the Tarot to spice up the sex life.
The author provides correspondences for the Major Arcana cards and how the
cards can provide intimate ideas to explore. And, you don't have to use
just the Majors to get ideas, as long as the Minor Arcana you chose to use
has pictorial images.
When
people are in relationships for a length of time, sexual interests can
become dulled and decline. People may not feel the excitement or be drawn
to each other like when they first met. Other people may have a fear of
opening up and try new things. Married couples with children can have it
even tougher. Tarot Ecstasy is a way to bring a playful excitement back
into sex.
The last chapter, before a concluding section, where the "Shadow Tarot"
cards are illustrated, touches on working with the shadow aspects of
ourselves, the Tree of Life, and the "Tree of K'lipoht (also spelled
Qlipoth)," which some believe is just below the Tree of Life, much like a
mirror image. We try to focus on the good or positive aspects in
ourselves, others, and situations that occur in life. Rarely do we want to
look at or face the negative side. It can be dark and scary.
Much
like Kraig, I feel that to truly understand and appreciate the positive or
light side, the negative or dark side must also be understood. Discovering
the shadow part of ourselves through our work with the Tarot is something
that has recently come more out into the open, even though Tarotists have
faced this in readings for a long time, when they examine attitudes and
behaviors that can be creating obstacles or blockages. Even though this
subject is touched on, the chapter includes interesting food for thought
and references for further study.
The end of each chapter provides questions and exercises to work. The
questions can help you explore your personal thoughts or beliefs about the
information you just read. The exercises get you started with simple steps
in working magic. I believe this approach can help to set things in our
minds and spirits, and show those who are beginning to find an interest in
Tarot and magic a place to start.
I must admit this is the first book I have read by Donald Michael Kraig.
Some of his other books are "Magical Diary," "Modern Magick," and "Modern
Sex Magick." He writes in a comfortable style that is easy to understand.
He also takes the time to explain what he is writing about. The book isn't
just filled with spells. Rituals, and some variations of the rituals are
included, and each one is clearly explained. The book also includes
diagrams. Mostly, the book provides the foundation from which to build
your magical work upon. I am going to have check out his other books, now.
After reading this book, I realize that I have left magic out of my life
for a very long time. I have worked a few rituals beyond a cleansing or
purification of my deck. I have felt the strength of energy when I have
worked those few rituals. I do remember how working rituals felt like a
magical escape. It was a place beyond daily life that felt magical,
special, and very spiritual. I live in a society, as I'm sure that most
do, where magick is considered evil, or of the Devil. The people who read
Tarot cards or work magic keep everything under such a hush, that you
would never know they do anything. My wish would be that the Shadow Tarot
by Linda Falorio be easily available.
For those who do believe that magic is wicked or evil, reading this book
can show you differently. "Tarot & Magic" provides basic information about
working magic in a positive light. It shows how magic can provide you, and
those you read for self-empowerment. When clients walk away from a
reading, they want to take with them something. Be it a feeling, a plan of
action, knowledge, or something else. "Tarot & Magic" can show you
additional ways to give them something to take with them. We can go
through life feeling like victims of circumstance, or we can gain some
control over the circumstances. How we accept and react to these
circumstances plays a very important role in how the situations evolve.
In this book, the author provides us with the information of how to work
Tarot and magic together to gain some control and make positive changes
for ourselves. He doesn't tell us what to do, but provides information we
can use as a springboard to create our own spells and work our own magic.
I like that. I have always believed that the rituals or spells we
personalize and create for ourselves feel stronger than following someone
else's work. "Tarot & Magic" is a guide that is packed with information
showing how the two combined can help us make great changes in our life.
The is also an active book to work through, and can be referred to often.
Now, off to create some magic...
Donald Michael Kraig's
Tarot &
Magic is published by Llewellyn, ISBN ISBN: 0-7387-0185-8. |
