Donald Michael Kraig

Donald Michael Kraig (1951-2014) was an American author and practitioner focused on occult subjects and ceremonial magic. He authored six books, with "Modern Magick" being a prominent introduction to ceremonial magic published in 1988. Kraig also held editorial roles for "Fate Magazine" and Llewellyn Worldwide, his primary publisher.

His academic background included a philosophy degree from UCLA, and he pursued studies in public speaking and music. Kraig's occult journey involved initiations into Aridian Witchcraft and American Traditionalist Witchcraft. After extensive personal study, he began teaching various esoteric topics, including Kabbalah, Tarot, Magick, and Tantra, and was an initiated Tantric who led a lodge for an occult group. He was also a professional musician and a member of The Magic Castle.

Kraig dedicated over a decade to personal occult study and practice before sharing his knowledge. He taught courses on subjects such as Kabbalah, Tarot, Magick, the Lovecraft Mythos, Psychic Development, and Tantra in Southern California and at Neo-Pagan gatherings. His involvement in Tantra included being an initiated practitioner and leading a lodge for AMOOKOS, an occult organization blending Eastern and Western traditions. His published works reflect this breadth of knowledge, covering high magickal arts, erotic spirituality, and psychic phenomena.

Beyond his own writing, Kraig contributed significantly to the esoteric publishing world. He served as an editor for "Fate Magazine" and held editorial positions at Llewellyn Worldwide. For Llewellyn, he edited "The Llewellyn Journal" in 2001 and "Llewellyn's New Worlds" in 2003. His association with Llewellyn resulted in the publication of most of his major books, articles, and audio materials, solidifying his role as a key figure in disseminating occult knowledge through established channels.

Kraig's professional life extended beyond the occult. He was a professional musician, skilled as an organist, synthesist, keyboardist, theremin player, and singer. He also worked as a computer skills instructor at the University of Southern California. His engagement with the broader world of performance and illusion was marked by his membership in The Magic Castle, a prestigious club for magicians. Furthermore, he held professional certifications as a clinical hypnotherapist and a master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), demonstrating a diverse range of expertise.