Ogdoadic Magick - Magical Artisans at Work

`Magick is the production of desired effects, whether in the person of the magician or exterior to it, by means of a deliberate and specialuse of powers and faculties within the psyche.' - Denning & Phillips,The Magical Philosophy

'I am always greatly amused at the manner in which outsiders expect the mysterious adepts of the occult Orders to live their lives. They seem to think the bow is always bent... Is any one to pose with that bow bent for all his days and nights?' - Dion Fortune, Moon Magic

Ceremonial magick, also called high magick or ritual magick and often described as a Western form of yoga, is a spiritual discipline leadingto self-knowledge and growth. It provides a set of powerful tools that may beapplied alongside a person's own religious background, allowing greaterexplorations of the inner self and the worlds both around us and within. Magicians are artisans and a far cry from the dour, book-bound intellectuals we are often portrayed to be. No! We dance, sing, chant, paint and celebrate our magick as an art and a way of life. "Dreamers, shapers, singers and makers" all!

This site is a place where all manner of interesting things can and do happen from time to time. My name is Norman Kraft (Companion Alcor), author, lecturer, teacher and Adept of the Ogdoadic Tradition of the Order Aurum Solis. I am also the Leader of the Lapis Lazuli Circle, an Art Magick group of the Ogdoadic tradition. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, the Lapis Lazuli Circle is a small independent working of Ogdoadic artisans engaged primarily in individual work, pooling experiences and knowledge to assist one another in our quests. Lapis Lazuli was formally created (or recreated) during the tempus sementis of 2004. As stated in the founding document membership will never be "larger than can sit comfortably around a dinner table." Lapis Lazuli is not affiliated with any larger body, nor do we intend to do so. Membership is strictly by invitation only.

The Circle was founded in spirit and tribute to Ficino's Careggi Circle and, like his, is an on-going dialogue spanning magick, astrology, art, theology, platonic philosophy and esoteric medicine. The intended outcome of the Lapis Lazuli Circle is nothing more or less than a personal renaissance: we intend to stir the spirit to a divine inspiration, perhaps a divine madness, to spur the creation of art, poetry, literature, music, dreams and philosophy. We may succeed, we may not, but we will each find something in the process for the Work of the Hero's journey toward the True Self and True Will.

If you'd like to discuss my book, the Lapis Lazuli Circle or anything else Ogdoadic, send me an email and I'll get back to you (time permitting).