Rating: 
Summary: Adds depth & insight to Kraig / alternatives for neo-pagans
Review: While some may criticize this book for being outdated and unnecessary for the beginning adept, what they miss is the different perspective that Regardie brings to this work, that Donald Michael Kraig tends to gloss over. That is the connection of psychology and the workings of the mind to magic.While "Modern Magick" from Donald Michael Kraig is one of the very best ways for a student of esoterics to start out, by the time they hit the second or third chapter, and have practiced the Cross and Pentagram exercises a few weeks to at least to get the feel of it, they should then have this book in hand and ready to read, to fill in the blanks and provide a different perspective. To do so not only deepens the understanding of the work, and provides valuable insight, but Kraig even recommends doing so in "Modern Magick". While the differences in the two perspectives may be small and subtle, I think they're of tremendous inner value. For example, in the Cross, Kraig instructs to visualize a gleaming ball of light descending from heaven said to represent "Divine" energy, implying energy and representation of an outside source, while Regardie instructs that it should be viewed as a representation of your higher self, your higher genius, implying a more internal source. Are these two perspectives actually SAYING anything different, in reality, No. But from the standpoint of understanding the many aspects of the energies, and from the visualization standpoint, they could make all the difference in the world to the student starting out on his own. Use Kraig for a simple, easy to follow instruction, and Regardie for a deeper understanding and fine-tuning of the work. What the Cicero team brings to this work is almost two fold. Their notes and comments through Regardie's original text add tremendous value. Most certainly *read the endnotes with the content* to do otherwise will mean that you miss some things, especially when he gives his rendition of the Cross (right shoulder vs. left, etc). However "Part Two", the section written by the Ciceros, with the exception of one or two chapters, is pretty much fluff. Not necessarily bad fluff, but much that can be skipped, unless you're a life long wiccan or pagan looking to bring this work into your practice, and really can't expand your mind enough to work with the Hebrew and Archangel names in the rituals.. then by all means their Egyptian, Gaelic, Greek, and Shamanistic rituals versions should be tried. Overall, it's a valuable work, providing insight to information you may find elsewhere, but with a rather unique perspective.
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