Unlocking the Keys to Magic: In-depth Interviews with Long Term Practitioners of Franz Bardon’s System

This book contains insightful interviews with a diverse group of Franz Bardon practitioners who generously share their wisdom and experiences applying his teachings. Their approaches may differ, yet they all succeeded in advancing through Bardon’s three-step system, demonstrating that there are many paths to mastery.

Several years have passed since these interviews were first published on the early Students of Franz Bardon blog. We have updated and clarified the questions, condensed many lengthy community submissions, and reconnected with interviewees to incorporate additional perspectives and information – including details on their teachings and opportunities to learn from them.

This collection serves as both an introduction to Franz Bardon’s Hermetic system and a reminder that different approaches can still lead to success. Within these pages, you will discover:

• Diverse techniques for unlocking the transformative power within Bardon’s practices.
• Varied insights from individuals who apply Bardon’s principles in their own lives.
• Valuable guidance on visualization, spiritual entities, personal deity work, healing, and more.

The interviewees featured represent a breadth of experience and expertise, from the community both well-known members to more private individuals. For each, we provide key details on their background, teachings, and publications to contextualize their insights.

Whether you are a committed student of Franz Bardon’s work with several years already invested or if you are just starting to investigate Franz Bardon’s writings then this book is equally suitable. It shows you what a dedicated practitioner can achieve when practice is prioritized over theory and debate.

• Their practices of Initiation Into Hermetics and how its techniques catalyzed profound changes.
• Applying The Practice of Magical Evocation to establish spiritual allies that guide their path.
• How techniques from The Key to the True Qabbalah grounded them in a stable spiritual foundation.
  
  Their firsthand experiences illuminate the power of Franz Bardon’s system – though practical – to radically transform one’s life from within. By learning from these varied yet complementary accounts, you’ll discover many ways to unlock the secret magic within.

Meet the Insightful Practitioners Featured in this Book

This compilation features interviews with accomplished individuals on both well-known and more private paths within the Franz Bardon community.

Those interviewed generously share their wisdom and lessons learned from practicing Bardon’s magical system. Their diverse yet complementary perspectives demonstrate that many paths can lead to mastery of Bardon’s teachings.

Below we introduce the insightful practitioners featured, providing links to examples of their work to contextualize their firsthand advice within these pages:

• André Consciencia: An accomplished practitioner for over two decades. He operates his own neo-shamanic group and has studied multiple magical systems. He is a prolific author on themes connecting Paracelsus, Hermetics, and ritual performance.
• Chris: Co-hosts the ‘Knowledge & Conversation’ podcast and studies the Buddha’s teachings, paying attention to similarities rather than just differences across vehicles.
• Yogic Engineering: Maintains a results-focused blog chronicling decades of yogic and meditative practice, including extensive experience in road-testing practices in non-traditional circumstances.
• Scott Turner: Lives with his family in Chile where he teaches visual effects classes while working on commercials while practicing magic and meditation.
• Bob Smith: Founded ‘Sixty Skills’ to transform traditional yogic instruction, distilling key techniques from major spiritual systems over 30 years while traveling the globe.
• Ray del Sole: Works as a psychotherapist in Germany while operating Sura Academy to accompany seekers on the spiritual path, informed by his study of Hermetics.
• Sifu Mark Rasmus: A lifelong martial artist who combines his expertise in that field with Hermetics to teach and create holistic masters.
• Wayne: A practitioner for over four decades who integrates meditative practices with his expertise in Wing Chun martial arts and energy work.
• Michael Lamb: A Kabbalistic Alchemist with decades of formal study on topics spanning Hermetics, sound, vibration, astrology, and more.