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High Magick: A Guide to the Spiritual Practices That Saved My Life on Death Row
“Magick is not a path for followers; it is a path for questioners, seekers, and anyone who has trouble settling for dogma and pre-formulated answers. Magick is for those who feel the desire to peel away the surface of reality and see what lies beneath. Like various persecuted forms of mysticism, magick promotes direct contact with the source of creation.”�Damien EcholsDiscover a Powerful Practice for Transforming Yourself and Your RealityAt age 18, Damien Echols was sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. “I spent my years in prison training to be a true magician,� he recalls. “I used magick—the practice of reshaping reality through our intention and will—to stave off incredible pain, despair, and isolation. But the most amazing feat of all that practice and study was to manifest my freedom.� With High Magick, this bestselling author shares his first teaching book on the powerful spiritual techniques that helped him survive and transcend his ordeal on death row.Though our culture has consigned “magic� to fiction, stage illusions, or superstitions about dark practices, the magick Damien learned is an ancient Western tradition equal the Eastern practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and yoga in its wisdom and transformative power. Here he brings you an engaging and highly accessible guide for bringing magick into your own life, � What is High Magick? Damien clears away the stigma and reveals the history and core teachings of this extraordinary art.� The Four-Fold Breath—a foundational meditation practice to train your mind and body to channel subtle energies.� The Middle Pillar—how to bring divine energy into the central channel of your body for empowerment and healing.� The Qabalistic Cross—a centering technique to help you stay balanced and protected regardless of circumstances.� The Lesser Rituals of the Pentagram—powerful practices for banishing negative energies and invoking energy to manifest your goals.� Working with angelic beings and other spiritual allies to support your practice.� Creating thoughtforms to assist you in your ongoing magickal development.� Guidance for overcoming your doubts, enhancing your visualization skills, creating talismans, practicing magick ethically, and much more.“Magick is a journey,� writes Damien. “It’s a continuously unfolding path that has no end. You can study and practice magick for the rest of your life and you will still never learn everything that it has to teach you.� If you’re ready to discover your untapped potential for co-creating your reality with the energy of the divine, then join this extraordinary teacher to begin your training in High Magick.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2018
681 people are currently reading
2,457 people want to read
About the author
Damien Echols
14books557followersDamien Wayne Echols, along with Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin, is one of the three men, known as the West Memphis Three, who were convicted in the killing of three eight-year-old boys Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore at Robin Hood Hills, West Memphis, Arkansas, on May 5, 1993.
Damien Echols was convicted of murder by a jury and sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was on death row under 23 hours per day lockdown at the Varner Supermax. On August 19, 2011, Echols, along with the two others collectively known at the West Memphis Three, were released from prison after their attorneys and the judge handling the upcoming retrial agreed to a deal. Under the terms of the Alford guilty plea, Echols and his co-defendents pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder while maintaining their innocence. DNA evidence failed to connect Echols or his co-defendents to the crime.
Damien Echols was convicted of murder by a jury and sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was on death row under 23 hours per day lockdown at the Varner Supermax. On August 19, 2011, Echols, along with the two others collectively known at the West Memphis Three, were released from prison after their attorneys and the judge handling the upcoming retrial agreed to a deal. Under the terms of the Alford guilty plea, Echols and his co-defendents pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder while maintaining their innocence. DNA evidence failed to connect Echols or his co-defendents to the crime.
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February 1, 2019
"Magick was out there in the world, and I could learn and practice it! That realization was like a bomb going off inside me. From that moment on, I pursued magick as if my life depended on it (and, in fact, later it did)." pg 11, ebook.
Damien Echols has penned a part-memoir/part-magic primer and, I believe, established himself as a new major voice in the Western Golden Dawn tradition. Many are familiar with Echols' life. He was sentenced to die for a crime he didn't commit. In High Magick, Echols shares the meditations and practices he used to keep his sanity and advance his spiritual development while behind bars.
It is a powerful book, not just because it is written in simple language and easy to understand, but because Echols is living proof that these techniques worked for him.
"Magick was the only thing in prison that gave my life purpose and kept me sane. Magick was the only thing I had to protect myself with. And that's what this book is about � the practices that kept me alive for nearly two decades on death row." pg 12
He shares some of the most basic practices like the Middle Pillar and Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and, beyond the simple instructions of it, he gives the theory behind them. That's helpful. Most of these kinds of books I've read don't bother to go into the why's. They're too obsessed with the "how".
"Every person on this earth is born with an entire universe of potential in them. Most people never cultivate the seeds of that potential, so the seeds go to waste and the people go through life wondering what went wrong, or blaming the world for everything that did go wrong. Magick waters those seeds to make that potential stir, grow, and flower." pg 16, ebook.
Echols avoids most "loaded" terms with an eye on appealing to every manner of reader. For example, he uses the term "energy" to describe the force behind the rituals he's describing. I've heard it called many things and that particular word is a good one, I think.
He makes no unfounded promises. He simply offers a way to experience something that worked for him.
"Magick is both an art and a science. Some techniques are known for providing specific effects, but results vary, as they say." pg 21, ebook.
An interesting side story: One of the librarians at my local library said "these types of books" (spiritual, nature-based, or "magic") have been in high demand lately. She said there's something of a renaissance going on in those who come to the library. They're looking for something. It's unique to each person, but she said libraries are purchasing more and more of this type of book in an effort to fill that need.
"My grandfather used to say, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." I think most of you are familiar with the phrase, or at least an axiom with a similar message. It's a curious way to remind ourselves that there's more than one path to a particular destination..." pg 112
If you're a reader looking for "this type of book", I hope you find the right fit for you. Echols' book should appeal to those looking for an introduction to the western occult tradition or simply the curious.
Damien Echols has penned a part-memoir/part-magic primer and, I believe, established himself as a new major voice in the Western Golden Dawn tradition. Many are familiar with Echols' life. He was sentenced to die for a crime he didn't commit. In High Magick, Echols shares the meditations and practices he used to keep his sanity and advance his spiritual development while behind bars.
It is a powerful book, not just because it is written in simple language and easy to understand, but because Echols is living proof that these techniques worked for him.
"Magick was the only thing in prison that gave my life purpose and kept me sane. Magick was the only thing I had to protect myself with. And that's what this book is about � the practices that kept me alive for nearly two decades on death row." pg 12
He shares some of the most basic practices like the Middle Pillar and Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and, beyond the simple instructions of it, he gives the theory behind them. That's helpful. Most of these kinds of books I've read don't bother to go into the why's. They're too obsessed with the "how".
"Every person on this earth is born with an entire universe of potential in them. Most people never cultivate the seeds of that potential, so the seeds go to waste and the people go through life wondering what went wrong, or blaming the world for everything that did go wrong. Magick waters those seeds to make that potential stir, grow, and flower." pg 16, ebook.
Echols avoids most "loaded" terms with an eye on appealing to every manner of reader. For example, he uses the term "energy" to describe the force behind the rituals he's describing. I've heard it called many things and that particular word is a good one, I think.
He makes no unfounded promises. He simply offers a way to experience something that worked for him.
"Magick is both an art and a science. Some techniques are known for providing specific effects, but results vary, as they say." pg 21, ebook.
An interesting side story: One of the librarians at my local library said "these types of books" (spiritual, nature-based, or "magic") have been in high demand lately. She said there's something of a renaissance going on in those who come to the library. They're looking for something. It's unique to each person, but she said libraries are purchasing more and more of this type of book in an effort to fill that need.
"My grandfather used to say, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." I think most of you are familiar with the phrase, or at least an axiom with a similar message. It's a curious way to remind ourselves that there's more than one path to a particular destination..." pg 112
If you're a reader looking for "this type of book", I hope you find the right fit for you. Echols' book should appeal to those looking for an introduction to the western occult tradition or simply the curious.
October 17, 2018
When I first took a deep dive into paganism, I read a little bit on whatever I could find. Admittedly, it wasn’t much. After trying to read a few Aleister Crowley books, I quickly determined that ceremonial magick wasn’t for me. The Abrahamic overtones and strict ceremonial structure didn’t jive with my free-spirited, earth momma, give-me-a-cottage-in-the-woods vibe. With that in mind, Damien Echols book High Magick does the impossible, it got me to appreciate the value and techniques of ceremonial magick.
Echols distinguishes between high magick and low magick by noting the intentions of the work, with high magick referring to the development of the self and soul and low magick referring to the use of energy and spellwork to influence the environment around the practitioner. However, the techniques given in the book seem most in line with ceremonial magick. Echols gives detailed steps in performing the works, complete with those same Abrahamic influences that I found so off-putting years ago.
But here’s where it got me; Damien Echols takes great care in presenting the idea of individualization. Rather than presenting the meditations as immutable, the author encourages individuality. Although he encourages exploration and embracing of angels and the like, this focus on individuality makes the spellwork presented more accessible to those who cringe at the thought of strict ceremony and masculine heavy soul work. I can easily take Echols� instruction and apply it to my personal practice and reap the benefits.
Knowing Echols personal history of wrongful imprisonment, I had hoped for more reflection on how magick helped him through that difficult time. While he does provide some anecdotes, it is brief and to the point. I think I was expecting more of a magickal memoir (for which I believe there is a dire need), it reads more like a Magick 101 with periodic personal anecdotes.
With this in mind, High Magick is a great introductory book and acts as a standout by imbuing a sense of personality and honesty that is often missing when we talk magick with each other.
Echols distinguishes between high magick and low magick by noting the intentions of the work, with high magick referring to the development of the self and soul and low magick referring to the use of energy and spellwork to influence the environment around the practitioner. However, the techniques given in the book seem most in line with ceremonial magick. Echols gives detailed steps in performing the works, complete with those same Abrahamic influences that I found so off-putting years ago.
But here’s where it got me; Damien Echols takes great care in presenting the idea of individualization. Rather than presenting the meditations as immutable, the author encourages individuality. Although he encourages exploration and embracing of angels and the like, this focus on individuality makes the spellwork presented more accessible to those who cringe at the thought of strict ceremony and masculine heavy soul work. I can easily take Echols� instruction and apply it to my personal practice and reap the benefits.
Knowing Echols personal history of wrongful imprisonment, I had hoped for more reflection on how magick helped him through that difficult time. While he does provide some anecdotes, it is brief and to the point. I think I was expecting more of a magickal memoir (for which I believe there is a dire need), it reads more like a Magick 101 with periodic personal anecdotes.
With this in mind, High Magick is a great introductory book and acts as a standout by imbuing a sense of personality and honesty that is often missing when we talk magick with each other.
March 26, 2019
The only reason I haven't given this a 5 star rating is because it didn't have a bibliography added to the end. Admittedly, Damien did drop a few names of occult authors that inspired him in the acknowledgments section but that's still not the same as a bibliography, which I find extremely important to add.
There's also nothing groundbreaking in the book. You won't find any "advanced" magick material within it's pages. The same rituals you'll see countless times in other tomes from Israel Regardie, Aleister Crowley, Donald Michael Kraig, etc. As one of the people below mentioned, this feels like footnotes to a DMK book. He does do you the favor though of making the rituals easy to understand and makes them comprehensible for those that walk different religious paths, even those of other pagan faiths. He also gives a few variants which I think were fun and interesting to such things as the "four-fold breath" like his 2 solar and 2 lunar and seasonal variants.
However, with all that being said, the book is quite inspiring and fresh! I mentioned on my Facebook review, that I believe he's to high magick, what Kali Muscle has done for body building. It might not be groundbreaking or revolutionary but it's extremely inspiring! You tell me of how many people you know that spent over 20 years on death row for a crime they didn't commit and came out of there as a success story to the new generation! He didn't come out broken and defeated, although, he's had to deal with traumatic difficulties because of his incarceration. But yes, he's a major inspiration and I find an ideal author to make ritual magick less of a bore, friendly, and easy to understand art and science to employ to manifesting one's will.
Looking very forward to see what Mr. Echols has in store for us in the future.
There's also nothing groundbreaking in the book. You won't find any "advanced" magick material within it's pages. The same rituals you'll see countless times in other tomes from Israel Regardie, Aleister Crowley, Donald Michael Kraig, etc. As one of the people below mentioned, this feels like footnotes to a DMK book. He does do you the favor though of making the rituals easy to understand and makes them comprehensible for those that walk different religious paths, even those of other pagan faiths. He also gives a few variants which I think were fun and interesting to such things as the "four-fold breath" like his 2 solar and 2 lunar and seasonal variants.
However, with all that being said, the book is quite inspiring and fresh! I mentioned on my Facebook review, that I believe he's to high magick, what Kali Muscle has done for body building. It might not be groundbreaking or revolutionary but it's extremely inspiring! You tell me of how many people you know that spent over 20 years on death row for a crime they didn't commit and came out of there as a success story to the new generation! He didn't come out broken and defeated, although, he's had to deal with traumatic difficulties because of his incarceration. But yes, he's a major inspiration and I find an ideal author to make ritual magick less of a bore, friendly, and easy to understand art and science to employ to manifesting one's will.
Looking very forward to see what Mr. Echols has in store for us in the future.
June 24, 2019
This is the best introduction to Ceremonial, or High Magick, that I have come across. The author's practice is rooted in the Golden Dawn version of magic, that was practiced at the turn of the 20th century in Great Britain by some of the best artistic minds of the era, such as the poet W.B. Yeats.
The Golden Dawn method can be quite complex; not only the rituals, but the props associated with them. It is to the author's credit that he presents the beginning forms (Middle Pillar, Lesser Banishing Ritual etc.) with the minimum amount of clutter and hubris. Mr. Echols was forced into doing things this way as he was incarcerated for nearly 20 years, so he streamlined and modernized the practices, without losing that which makes them so powerful in practice.
I like ceremonial magick but haven't been practicing the Golden Dawn variety as I found the practice too cumbersome. Echol's versions have changed my mind, and currently I have added his version of the Middle Pillar and Kabbalistic Cross to my own practice. I have also been experimenting with his fourfold-breath solar and lunar meditations. These meditations were new to me, and I am looking forward to spending more time with them.
I appreciate Mr. Echols' clarity of writing, as I find many books of this type to be poorly written and edited. Not so here. Many people who would pick up this book are already familiar with Mr. Echols' story, but may not know much about the magical practice that sustained him though the long years of incarceration. He is gifted in that he can make a sophisticated magical practice seem doable, and not at all scary. His writing is humorous and reassuring, and I think both beginners and more experienced practitioners might gain something worthwhile from this book.
Christians need not fear these practices (I sure don't) as Golden Dawn magick is rooted in Christian gnosticism and Jewish kabbalism. Those neo-pagans that disavow anything Christian will probably not be interested in this form of magic, but there are things to be gained from reading. I particularly like his take on meditation - he's not a fan of the form of mindfulness practice that is prevalent today.
I emphasize again that this book teaches a fundamental, foundational beginner's practice, but these practices are not simplistic. One can do them for a lifetime, and not exhaust their possibilities. I believe Mr. Echols is writing another book on his magical practices, and I am looking forward to it.
The Golden Dawn method can be quite complex; not only the rituals, but the props associated with them. It is to the author's credit that he presents the beginning forms (Middle Pillar, Lesser Banishing Ritual etc.) with the minimum amount of clutter and hubris. Mr. Echols was forced into doing things this way as he was incarcerated for nearly 20 years, so he streamlined and modernized the practices, without losing that which makes them so powerful in practice.
I like ceremonial magick but haven't been practicing the Golden Dawn variety as I found the practice too cumbersome. Echol's versions have changed my mind, and currently I have added his version of the Middle Pillar and Kabbalistic Cross to my own practice. I have also been experimenting with his fourfold-breath solar and lunar meditations. These meditations were new to me, and I am looking forward to spending more time with them.
I appreciate Mr. Echols' clarity of writing, as I find many books of this type to be poorly written and edited. Not so here. Many people who would pick up this book are already familiar with Mr. Echols' story, but may not know much about the magical practice that sustained him though the long years of incarceration. He is gifted in that he can make a sophisticated magical practice seem doable, and not at all scary. His writing is humorous and reassuring, and I think both beginners and more experienced practitioners might gain something worthwhile from this book.
Christians need not fear these practices (I sure don't) as Golden Dawn magick is rooted in Christian gnosticism and Jewish kabbalism. Those neo-pagans that disavow anything Christian will probably not be interested in this form of magic, but there are things to be gained from reading. I particularly like his take on meditation - he's not a fan of the form of mindfulness practice that is prevalent today.
I emphasize again that this book teaches a fundamental, foundational beginner's practice, but these practices are not simplistic. One can do them for a lifetime, and not exhaust their possibilities. I believe Mr. Echols is writing another book on his magical practices, and I am looking forward to it.
January 11, 2019
Not too many years ago and only after a very long, intense, and difficult struggle, I relinquished all my superstitions including belief in the existence of any form of spiritual or otherworldly realms, planes, or beings. So my initial intent, not long after listening to Echols's introductory chapters and getting into his detailed instructions on the practice and application of magick, was to quit listening, give up on the book, and rate it as a 1-star did not finish.
But that would not have been fair. In relinquishing my own belief, I determined never to disparage others for their beliefs, no matter how strange they may seem to me, as long as their beliefs seek to do no harm. Clearly, Echols's beliefs and the manner in which he practices magick seek not only to do no harm but actively to do good to and for others and to encourage nothing but love, respect, and care for all beings, our environment, and the world at large.
Echols has a very pleasant reading voice and style. He is intelligent and erudite, and there's no denying he believes passionately in what he's teaching as well as in the existence and efficacy of magick. If you are a spiritual seeker, you'll probably find High Magick interesting and intriguing. If you're already a believer in magick but haven't yet had much experience with it, you'll find this to be an accessible introduction to its history as well as a useful guide for some of its basic practices and applications.
But that would not have been fair. In relinquishing my own belief, I determined never to disparage others for their beliefs, no matter how strange they may seem to me, as long as their beliefs seek to do no harm. Clearly, Echols's beliefs and the manner in which he practices magick seek not only to do no harm but actively to do good to and for others and to encourage nothing but love, respect, and care for all beings, our environment, and the world at large.
Echols has a very pleasant reading voice and style. He is intelligent and erudite, and there's no denying he believes passionately in what he's teaching as well as in the existence and efficacy of magick. If you are a spiritual seeker, you'll probably find High Magick interesting and intriguing. If you're already a believer in magick but haven't yet had much experience with it, you'll find this to be an accessible introduction to its history as well as a useful guide for some of its basic practices and applications.
May 26, 2019
I won't give away any spoilers, but let me begin by saying this book was amazing. I have been a practicing witch for over 10 years and am familiar with every exercise Mr. Echols details in this book. High Magick is not a tradition that I have ever had much interest in, although I know plenty of people who practice it. However, after reading High Magick, I would like to learn more about High Magick and the Golden Dawn. But that's not why this book is so great.
Mr. Echols lays out the building blocks of energy work (magick) in understandable terms that anyone can hear. Although this is not a novel, the author is a gifted story teller and you see that in his visualization techniques as well as his somewhat conversational tone of writing. Even though the practices in this book are "basic" or things that many practioners teach new students, they are also the foundation for magick and something that should be done by even the most experienced witch as part of their spiritual routines. I routinely read Pagan and magick books similar to this, with exercises in them to try. Like many people, I almost never do those or never get around to doing them as there is always something else needing my attention. But the exercises in High Magick are so versatile and easy to do, that I have been practicing them since I began the book.
Mr. Echols lays out the building blocks of energy work (magick) in understandable terms that anyone can hear. Although this is not a novel, the author is a gifted story teller and you see that in his visualization techniques as well as his somewhat conversational tone of writing. Even though the practices in this book are "basic" or things that many practioners teach new students, they are also the foundation for magick and something that should be done by even the most experienced witch as part of their spiritual routines. I routinely read Pagan and magick books similar to this, with exercises in them to try. Like many people, I almost never do those or never get around to doing them as there is always something else needing my attention. But the exercises in High Magick are so versatile and easy to do, that I have been practicing them since I began the book.
March 21, 2023
I received this book, for free, in exchange for an honest review.
To start out with, I am interested in Magick but yet not a practitioner.
Therefore, I can't say whether he is accurately portraying Magick or if his versions of the techniques work.
I will say that this is one of the clearest of the Magick books I've read. He covers the standard practices and does a good job of explaining why one would do them. That being said, he seems a bit too woo woo for my Magick. There are talks of things like energy that put me off. Based on some of the authors comments I imagine that he too would be put off by woo woo material so perhaps I am misreading things. That being said, I've only read a couple of Magick books that managed to explain Magick in a way I found relatable.
Update:
On rereading I will say that there are also some nice meditation bits. I still prefer his book on ritual though
To start out with, I am interested in Magick but yet not a practitioner.
Therefore, I can't say whether he is accurately portraying Magick or if his versions of the techniques work.
I will say that this is one of the clearest of the Magick books I've read. He covers the standard practices and does a good job of explaining why one would do them. That being said, he seems a bit too woo woo for my Magick. There are talks of things like energy that put me off. Based on some of the authors comments I imagine that he too would be put off by woo woo material so perhaps I am misreading things. That being said, I've only read a couple of Magick books that managed to explain Magick in a way I found relatable.
Update:
On rereading I will say that there are also some nice meditation bits. I still prefer his book on ritual though
November 4, 2018
It looks pretty hardcore, but it’s not much different from the mind/body/spirit practices I read about every day. Also says some interesting stuff about the power in daily Christian rituals, which is surprising given his background, but also I think it’s nice to see how he reconciled all these different systems to survive death row.
March 22, 2019
I'd already read a lot on many of these rituals, so I skimmed some of those sections. I know the LBRP by heart for instance, though I might add an archangel above and below during the "invocation primer", as Damien does. There are definite insights and nuggets in this book, and the author has overcome SO MUCH personal adversity, it's a good sort of affirmative reading - for those going through hard times - that witchy - energetic - meditative practices can be PRACTICAL and in fact, at times, life-saving.
PS: I'm the poorest I've ever been in my adult life & I read a library copy. I think Mr. Echols would approve.
PS: I'm the poorest I've ever been in my adult life & I read a library copy. I think Mr. Echols would approve.
November 24, 2023
High Magick
By Damien Echols
Damein Echols was wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of three 8 year old boys in a Satanic ritual. For over twenty yers he languished in prison. Growing up in small town Arkansas , he had few options and parents who never saw beyond living from check to check. He had long hair an listened to heavy metal which made him an instant target. When he was accused of ritual murders he was not given a fair trial rather they wre just looking for way to lock him. In order to stay sane and ultimately get out out he relied on magick. As a youth he was drawn to magic and horror. He would go to the library and check out books.
In prison you do not have access to magical tools like athames or wands. One has to make do with the ultimate tool they have which is themselves. The author goes through the different kinds of magick. He spells out the difference between high and low magick, natural magic and ritual and non ritual magic. The focus of his work is box breathing. Box breathing has the practitioner work with breathing in to the count of four, holding the breath to the count of four, relesing he breath to the count of four and finally holding your breath again to the count of four. This is a spiritual exercsise unto itself. It also forms the basis for several other meditations as well. One aura strengthening exercise has the practitioner breath in energy and then exhale it out onto their aura, Another exercsie has the practitioner focus on different seasons during the different breathing cycles. there are lunar and solar meditations as well focusing on differnt solar and lunar phases in sync with breathing cycles.
the most important exercises he renders are the Lesser Pentagram banishing Ritual and the Middle pillar meditation. Both are based on ancient kabbalistic practices. Doing these alone for one year straight balances out the aura, cleans up the energy and can give one spiritual power similiar to being intitiated into the inner ring of the Golden Dawn. there are also some basic straight forward techniqes on raising enrgy and then programing it into a talisman or amulet.
The book is short an sweet and gets right to the point. While most book on Ceremonial Magick can be daunting this books strips it down to the bare bones so the practitioner can get working on it.
By Damien Echols
Damein Echols was wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of three 8 year old boys in a Satanic ritual. For over twenty yers he languished in prison. Growing up in small town Arkansas , he had few options and parents who never saw beyond living from check to check. He had long hair an listened to heavy metal which made him an instant target. When he was accused of ritual murders he was not given a fair trial rather they wre just looking for way to lock him. In order to stay sane and ultimately get out out he relied on magick. As a youth he was drawn to magic and horror. He would go to the library and check out books.
In prison you do not have access to magical tools like athames or wands. One has to make do with the ultimate tool they have which is themselves. The author goes through the different kinds of magick. He spells out the difference between high and low magick, natural magic and ritual and non ritual magic. The focus of his work is box breathing. Box breathing has the practitioner work with breathing in to the count of four, holding the breath to the count of four, relesing he breath to the count of four and finally holding your breath again to the count of four. This is a spiritual exercsise unto itself. It also forms the basis for several other meditations as well. One aura strengthening exercise has the practitioner breath in energy and then exhale it out onto their aura, Another exercsie has the practitioner focus on different seasons during the different breathing cycles. there are lunar and solar meditations as well focusing on differnt solar and lunar phases in sync with breathing cycles.
the most important exercises he renders are the Lesser Pentagram banishing Ritual and the Middle pillar meditation. Both are based on ancient kabbalistic practices. Doing these alone for one year straight balances out the aura, cleans up the energy and can give one spiritual power similiar to being intitiated into the inner ring of the Golden Dawn. there are also some basic straight forward techniqes on raising enrgy and then programing it into a talisman or amulet.
The book is short an sweet and gets right to the point. While most book on Ceremonial Magick can be daunting this books strips it down to the bare bones so the practitioner can get working on it.
October 26, 2022
Excellent. Damien is a good teacher, and, though it came from terrible circumstances, I love the DIY aspect his magic has. You can tell this dude travelled a lot, spiritually, to get where he is today.
My only quabble with this book is that I now have to buy it for the third time! I got the eBook at first, but felt that I really wanted to immerse in it, so then I bought the audiobook, and quickly realised I’d have to re-read this one and make a bunch of margin notes. Paperback copy, here I come!
My only quabble with this book is that I now have to buy it for the third time! I got the eBook at first, but felt that I really wanted to immerse in it, so then I bought the audiobook, and quickly realised I’d have to re-read this one and make a bunch of margin notes. Paperback copy, here I come!
Read
May 24, 2020More instructional than memoir, but I thought Echols was a clear writer and did a great narration!
December 17, 2021
I like to imagine that Echols is such a nice guy that I almost hate to write this review. I wanted so much to like it, but it was extremely disappointing. When I started reading this book, I originally made notes as I went from page to page about what I thought was good and what was bad about it, but there were so many things wrong with it that I gave up.
I'll simply state my main pet peeve about the book. Echols Magick (not "High Magick" or even "Golden Dawn Magic") relies too heavily on the Middle Pillar Exercise. The Middle Pillar Exercise was never a part of the original Golden Dawn. It was not even important in the Stella Matutina, the latter day offshoot of the Order after the major 1900 schism. It was nothing more than an outline of an idea that Robert Felkin had, a skeletal ritual that Israel Regardie changed into what it is well known as today. In reality, the modern day Middle Pillar Exercise is nothing but Regardie's baby, and even then much of his additions were inspired by Crowley's Equinox. Echols tells us that magick is not for followers, but stressing the importance of this trendy Qabalistic exercise says something else. Just because something is popular does not make it something more than what it is, and I never really thought it was important or necessary. But to explain why would require an essay too long for this review.
All of Echols' teachings on magick, and his rituals, are more his own versions than anything traditional. And that is fine. He can do it however it best may suit him. I just could not recommend this book, or his classes to any beginners, and even then, only to those who are already well versed in the subject matter and have years of experience, as well as good critical thinking skills.
That said, if it means anything at all, I wish Echols all the best. I have no animosity toward him as an individual human being.
I'll simply state my main pet peeve about the book. Echols Magick (not "High Magick" or even "Golden Dawn Magic") relies too heavily on the Middle Pillar Exercise. The Middle Pillar Exercise was never a part of the original Golden Dawn. It was not even important in the Stella Matutina, the latter day offshoot of the Order after the major 1900 schism. It was nothing more than an outline of an idea that Robert Felkin had, a skeletal ritual that Israel Regardie changed into what it is well known as today. In reality, the modern day Middle Pillar Exercise is nothing but Regardie's baby, and even then much of his additions were inspired by Crowley's Equinox. Echols tells us that magick is not for followers, but stressing the importance of this trendy Qabalistic exercise says something else. Just because something is popular does not make it something more than what it is, and I never really thought it was important or necessary. But to explain why would require an essay too long for this review.
All of Echols' teachings on magick, and his rituals, are more his own versions than anything traditional. And that is fine. He can do it however it best may suit him. I just could not recommend this book, or his classes to any beginners, and even then, only to those who are already well versed in the subject matter and have years of experience, as well as good critical thinking skills.
That said, if it means anything at all, I wish Echols all the best. I have no animosity toward him as an individual human being.
January 1, 2019
I've known who Damien was since he was on Death Row, I supported the campaign to get the three of them out and watched live as they were released from prison. I've read his other books and watched him, via social media, evolve over the years that he's been a free man and blossom.
I use Magick every day in my life, it's helped me through many things and so I knew when he announced this book was coming out that it would be something I would be very interested to read.
I've had some experience with Kabbalah and was taught most of the basic things in this book, but I was unfortunate to have a teacher who refused to give me answers to my questions about why certain things were said and done and how I was supposed to work with Archangels. Because of that I quickly lost interest in that area and turned my back on it. Damien has managed to answer almost all the questions I had as well as re-ignite my interest.
I especially love his point that we don't NEED materials to practise. He honed his craft in a prison cell on Death Row over many years without being able to get hold of any of the things some books & people tell us we absolutely MUST have.
This book is basic. It explains things very simply and is perfect for the beginner, although it's also a great book for those who have experience but need help understanding deeper meanings and gaining new challenges.
I use Magick every day in my life, it's helped me through many things and so I knew when he announced this book was coming out that it would be something I would be very interested to read.
I've had some experience with Kabbalah and was taught most of the basic things in this book, but I was unfortunate to have a teacher who refused to give me answers to my questions about why certain things were said and done and how I was supposed to work with Archangels. Because of that I quickly lost interest in that area and turned my back on it. Damien has managed to answer almost all the questions I had as well as re-ignite my interest.
I especially love his point that we don't NEED materials to practise. He honed his craft in a prison cell on Death Row over many years without being able to get hold of any of the things some books & people tell us we absolutely MUST have.
This book is basic. It explains things very simply and is perfect for the beginner, although it's also a great book for those who have experience but need help understanding deeper meanings and gaining new challenges.
November 25, 2020
I really appreciate how Damien broke everything down so that it can be understood easily. These are teachings I've had too short of an attention span to learn without simple explanations. This guy really gets it!
December 1, 2018
If you’ve already studied ceremonial/ritual magick, this isn’t a needed book for you. It seems to be for the absolute beginner, which is admittedly needed and appreciated. For me, I.T. felt like cliff notes to Modern Magick or other, thicker books, only with a lot omitted. Since this form of magiick worked for Echols on death row it is inspiring to read, as it affirms what we already knew. But if you already have a steady practice, you already know this stuff. It goes lightly over Golden Dawn, with instructions on the LBRP, middle pillar, breathwork, but it is truly a jumping off point. If you already know and practice ceremonial magick, you won’t need this book. Except for the cover...its pretty rad.
November 30, 2018
a lot of the feelings i have on this book are actually very personal, so i'm gonna keep this brief: i was leery about this because i'm not spiritual at all, but after reading almost home & life after death, i figured, if anyone could get me to connect to anything not on this plane, it would be damien echols, because i find his writing style and what he thinks about some things crazy relatable. and he. kinda did? shit's wild, man.
February 22, 2019
At the moment, ceremonial/Golden Dawn-style magic isn't my cup of tea at all - but my preferences aside, this book is fantastic. It's deceptively clear and structured by levels of complexity. This is a grimoire for true beginners - even those who have never even heard of magic - and I believe if practiced, it will set one down a path of development and positive transformation unimaginable to the untrained self.
February 23, 2019
Excellent for seekers of spirituality without dogma
Loved it. I found it a pleasure to read but also instructive. The meditations require nothing but a little disciple and a lot of imagination. A+ stuff.
Loved it. I found it a pleasure to read but also instructive. The meditations require nothing but a little disciple and a lot of imagination. A+ stuff.
September 18, 2021
This is the book I wished I had as a beginner in 1996. Echols does something I have only seen once before: he actually explains what the basic Golden Dawn rituals are supposed to do, in plain language. He also, in relaying his own experience, clued me in to why the Middle Pillar gives me such trouble at times.
I was also intrigued to see his passage on urban shamanism. While I differ with him over his belief that you can’t call wild nature in a city - the coyotes of San Francisco and the bears and mountain lions of California beg to differ - his work is very much parallels to my own in working with both neighborhood and city spirits.
I believe I have finally found the book that I can recommend to others with “start here!�
I was also intrigued to see his passage on urban shamanism. While I differ with him over his belief that you can’t call wild nature in a city - the coyotes of San Francisco and the bears and mountain lions of California beg to differ - his work is very much parallels to my own in working with both neighborhood and city spirits.
I believe I have finally found the book that I can recommend to others with “start here!�
August 31, 2022
I picked this book up not remembering that Damien Echols was one of the teenagers falsely accused of performing Satanic sacrifice on three boys in the West Memphis Three. As an outsider myself who loves metal music and magick, I can empathize so much with that case, knowing just how hard it can be to be misunderstood by certain communities. Echols experienced an extremely horrible example, nearly being sent to death row. This book wasn't so much a memoir as much as it was a practical magick guide with some of his life experiences mixed in, and he did a great job with the blending. It was fascinating reading about what he's been through and what kind of magickal practices helped saved him, and what he would recommend to others who have suffered. I think he's also good at writing with an engaging voice as well as explaining magical concepts in a manner that is easy to understand, though he did touch upon a lot of basics here. I am now very curious to read his other works.
December 26, 2021
Intriguing to say the least. Of course, I would probably brush this off as superstition or unnecessary complication and overly elaborate superstructure above the basic tenants of meditation and visualization, but this is coming from the man I highly respect. I mean, if somebody is walking the walk, that's him. And after reading, I must say it's really not too far gone from what I've already been doing with my decades in higher autogenic training. So I'll definitely give this a fair try in my own little laboratory.
October 11, 2020
Echols's story is what drew me to this book and it did not disappoint. This book teaches fundamental techniques of ceremonial magic and like with all books in this genre need to be worked to get the full benefit. Unfortunately no bibliography and some factual inaccuracies based on generalizations. But recommended as a starting point.
November 16, 2023
Un libro que ofrece lo que promete. Echols desgrana con paciencia y dedicación los pasos para completar las prácticas que le ayudaron a mantenerse cuerdo y sin perder la esperanza durante los años que pasó en el corredor de la muerte. Es un lujo poder leer y aprender de él.
Además, todos los rituales y prácticas descritas se acompañan de explicaciones instructivas sobre el por qué de ciertos términos, así como de una recomendación acerca tempos necesarios para progresar y dominar cada técnica.
Es una lectura cercana, humilde y directa que te hace sentir el profundo respeto que el autor siente por la magia y su deseo de compartirla con quienes pudieran necesitarla, sea para el día a día o en circunstanscias tan adversas como la suyas.
Además, todos los rituales y prácticas descritas se acompañan de explicaciones instructivas sobre el por qué de ciertos términos, así como de una recomendación acerca tempos necesarios para progresar y dominar cada técnica.
Es una lectura cercana, humilde y directa que te hace sentir el profundo respeto que el autor siente por la magia y su deseo de compartirla con quienes pudieran necesitarla, sea para el día a día o en circunstanscias tan adversas como la suyas.
August 4, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this... Pretty much read it all in one sitting...
Looking forward to recommending this to others, and seeing their reactions to it!
Only downside - no Bibliography!
Looking forward to recommending this to others, and seeing their reactions to it!
Only downside - no Bibliography!
August 31, 2020
Really good beginner’s book to Western esoteric ceremonial magick. This was the most accessible intro to a spiritual practice known for its strict gatekeeping. Inspiring & down to earth audiobook narration by author.
April 18, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. I've been a magical practitioner for years and use to working with energy but am getting more into the occult. I really appreciated the audio version of this book and Damien's pronunciation during the rituals. I look forward to bringing more of these exercises into my practice...
I have now bought more of Damien's books :D
I have now bought more of Damien's books :D
August 23, 2024
Even though this book doesn’t really address anything that I haven’t known or worked with for over twenty five years, Echols has a wonderful way of explaining things that I found myself learning something new anyway. He comes from a very unique perspective, having had the time to work and rework his magick constantly while falsly imprisoned and you can tell he has a genuine love, respect and belief in it. After reading this I found his YouTube channel and instantly subscribed. He has a knack for teaching and definitely has my attention.
January 31, 2020
[from my review for Haute Macabre]
You may know Damien Echols as one of the West Memphis Three—three men who were convicted as teenagers in 1994, of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. The case against them was circumstantial at best, and the prosecution pinned its case on the the fact that the three suspects were into the occult and heavy metal, and that murders were part of a satanic ritual (this was at the tail end of the country’s “satanic panic� period). The case became a bit of a cause celebre, and for more on the trial itself you can check out one of the numerous documentaries out there. Echols was sentenced to death, and then—after 20 years on death row—he was somewhat suddenly and surprisingly released.
In High Magick, Echols has created “a guide to the spiritual practices that saved my life on death row.� He means this quite literally, on two levels: for Echols attributes his ability to stay centered and survive the day-to-day brutality of the environment to these practices, and he also attributes his eventual freedom to the power of the practices as well. As someone who grew up in an ashram, exposed to chanting and meditation before I could even walk—and who started dabbling in occult and esoteric practices about 25 years ago—I am always curious to see how others organize and present these disciplines for general practice. I found Echols� book to be well-informed, lucidly accessible, and even unexpectedly funny at times.
Echols opens with a quick overview describing his own experience with magick, as well as defining what ‘it is and isn’t,� outlining its various usages for both theurgical and thaumaturgical ends. Part II opens with a chapter titled, “Why Spell Books Don’t Work,� in which he describes the power of intention and energy cultivated in the individual behind the spell—and the primacy of that over the spell itself. This really sets up the rest of the book, and lays the foundation for what I found especially poignant and valuable in High Magick overall—namely, Echols� street cred in mainstream culture as a goth / metal icon who is teaching serious fundamentals of ceremonial magick that go much deeper than the current zeitgeist of crystals, tarot, and astrology.
High Magick is a useful primer for anyone interested in learning some fundamental techniques for meditation, as well as for getting their feet wet with various traditions of ceremonial magick. Drawing from the Western Esoteric Tradition potpourri of Thelemic practices, Toaist techniques, and Kabbalistic structures, Echols lays out a variety of exercises to help individuals cultivate their attentive powers, and direct their intentions towards specific outcomes. Coming from Echols, and what he has survived, the efficacy of these exercises feels fairly credible from the outset. Even a veteran practitioner like myself found some of the content new and exciting. While the field of this material is vast, and I would encourage broader reading than Echols alone, I certainly recommend the book to anyone who’s interested in a progressive introduction to magick.
You may know Damien Echols as one of the West Memphis Three—three men who were convicted as teenagers in 1994, of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. The case against them was circumstantial at best, and the prosecution pinned its case on the the fact that the three suspects were into the occult and heavy metal, and that murders were part of a satanic ritual (this was at the tail end of the country’s “satanic panic� period). The case became a bit of a cause celebre, and for more on the trial itself you can check out one of the numerous documentaries out there. Echols was sentenced to death, and then—after 20 years on death row—he was somewhat suddenly and surprisingly released.
In High Magick, Echols has created “a guide to the spiritual practices that saved my life on death row.� He means this quite literally, on two levels: for Echols attributes his ability to stay centered and survive the day-to-day brutality of the environment to these practices, and he also attributes his eventual freedom to the power of the practices as well. As someone who grew up in an ashram, exposed to chanting and meditation before I could even walk—and who started dabbling in occult and esoteric practices about 25 years ago—I am always curious to see how others organize and present these disciplines for general practice. I found Echols� book to be well-informed, lucidly accessible, and even unexpectedly funny at times.
Echols opens with a quick overview describing his own experience with magick, as well as defining what ‘it is and isn’t,� outlining its various usages for both theurgical and thaumaturgical ends. Part II opens with a chapter titled, “Why Spell Books Don’t Work,� in which he describes the power of intention and energy cultivated in the individual behind the spell—and the primacy of that over the spell itself. This really sets up the rest of the book, and lays the foundation for what I found especially poignant and valuable in High Magick overall—namely, Echols� street cred in mainstream culture as a goth / metal icon who is teaching serious fundamentals of ceremonial magick that go much deeper than the current zeitgeist of crystals, tarot, and astrology.
High Magick is a useful primer for anyone interested in learning some fundamental techniques for meditation, as well as for getting their feet wet with various traditions of ceremonial magick. Drawing from the Western Esoteric Tradition potpourri of Thelemic practices, Toaist techniques, and Kabbalistic structures, Echols lays out a variety of exercises to help individuals cultivate their attentive powers, and direct their intentions towards specific outcomes. Coming from Echols, and what he has survived, the efficacy of these exercises feels fairly credible from the outset. Even a veteran practitioner like myself found some of the content new and exciting. While the field of this material is vast, and I would encourage broader reading than Echols alone, I certainly recommend the book to anyone who’s interested in a progressive introduction to magick.
May 22, 2019
I found this serendipitously, as I reignited my own practises. Having been inducted into the Mysteries when I was younger, I had allowed that side of myself to lapse into a pathetic imitation of Buddhism. So when I saw this by Echols, knowing that he, too, was entranced by Buddhist philosophy, I sat up and paid attention.
This book is for beginners. It is steeped in Wiccan practise. But I decided to let my biases sit beside me for a while.
Then, when I was thinking about the practises presented in this book, and resisting some of them for various reasons, I encountered a number of things all in the same day that talked about going out of your comfort zone to level up.
So I did what any self-respecting practitioner would do. I left my resistance at the door and participated. I’ve found my own growth as a practitioner reestablish and grow stronger even in just a week.
While there are sensible recommendations about staging your practice with some of the forms in this work, if you’re reading this with a lifetime of similar practice behind you, I suggest that you don’t need to stage it. Trust your own power and instinct and progress when you feel you can or want to. I’ve allowed myself to fall into lockstep with some of these ways, and have only benefited. And, as I say, my own practices have vastly improved as a result.
Some of Echols’s thinking about practices are interesting too. Such as the notion of not destroying abstract sigils, of developing your own written language form, and so on.
The powerful path of the mysteries isn’t something anybody can dictate. You take what works for you from wherever you find them, and you build your own Way. As a sensible, deeply practiced, well researched and argued tome, you will get a lot out of this work. It has a quality that many others simply don’t have, and is more practical and focused than almost any other that I’ve read.
Highly recommended.
This book is for beginners. It is steeped in Wiccan practise. But I decided to let my biases sit beside me for a while.
Then, when I was thinking about the practises presented in this book, and resisting some of them for various reasons, I encountered a number of things all in the same day that talked about going out of your comfort zone to level up.
So I did what any self-respecting practitioner would do. I left my resistance at the door and participated. I’ve found my own growth as a practitioner reestablish and grow stronger even in just a week.
While there are sensible recommendations about staging your practice with some of the forms in this work, if you’re reading this with a lifetime of similar practice behind you, I suggest that you don’t need to stage it. Trust your own power and instinct and progress when you feel you can or want to. I’ve allowed myself to fall into lockstep with some of these ways, and have only benefited. And, as I say, my own practices have vastly improved as a result.
Some of Echols’s thinking about practices are interesting too. Such as the notion of not destroying abstract sigils, of developing your own written language form, and so on.
The powerful path of the mysteries isn’t something anybody can dictate. You take what works for you from wherever you find them, and you build your own Way. As a sensible, deeply practiced, well researched and argued tome, you will get a lot out of this work. It has a quality that many others simply don’t have, and is more practical and focused than almost any other that I’ve read.
Highly recommended.
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