I quoted Lon Milo Duquette in my post, Pagan Idolatry: How To Do It And Why You Should and he came across the post and commented—turns out we both have Ganesh altars! Lon has been a substantial influence on my thinking and philosophy, so I immediately asked if he would grant an interview to Belief Systems & Other BS, and he graciously agreed. The interview is below, with my questions italicized.
Do I banish? Do I invoke? Do I evoke spirits? Yes
For those who don’t recognize the name, Lon Milo Duquette is among the most visible and eminent modern ceremonial magicians. He’s an authority on Aleister Crowley and his magical systems, a high ranking member of the Ordo Templi Orientis, and a prolific and exceptionally talented author who has published some of the very best and most accessible modern expositions of ancient magical systems such as Enochian and Goetic magick. His writing is marked by grace, humility, and humor, and authority based on extensive research and experience. That he is a member of the Illuminati seems obvious, though he has yet to admit as much in public.
The interview below contains a scoop—the subject and proposed name of Lon’s next book. Enjoy.
• What’s a typical day like for one of the world’s most visible magicians? Do you have a daily magickal practice?
Since I left my 9 to 5 job to become a full-time Lon back in 2003 there hasn’t been a typical day. One thing hasn’t changed, however, and that’s my daily preoccupation with affecting the magical miracle of keeping a roof over our heads and the medical insurance paid.
I travel a lot giving workshops, lectures all over the country and world. I am probably most magically disciplined when I’m on the road. I take full meditative advantage of the hours of unbroken silence as I stand in airport security lines and sit quietly at the gate area. My hotel room becomes my hermit’s cell, where the meager equipment necessary to maintain my life and comfort is neatly bundled into one bag.
Do I banish? Do I invoke? Do I evoke spirits? Yes. Even on the road I do these things, But after decades of performing pentagram and hexagram rituals, Star Rubies, Star Sapphires, etc. my personal banishings, invocations, and evocations have taken on extremely personal dimensions and might not (indeed, SHOULD not) be recognizable or understood by others.
At home a typical day starts between 3:00 and 3:30 AM. Before I get out of bed I do a general ‘getting-off-on-the-right-foot-personal banishing/invocation’ that would take me all day to describe …so I won’t. I then grab a cold bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator and shut myself in my office and start writing. I’m usually working on the next book, but I also have two or three other smaller projects –usually introductions or forewords to other people’s books, or lecture/workshop material that need attention. I’ll work on two or three chapters at the same time. I’ve found that when I get burned out on one train of thought I need only change the subject to feel completely refreshed and energized.
I try to write until around 8:00 AM. By then Constance has been up for awhile and brings me a cup of tea. I continue pecking on the book, but I also start checking my email and getting myself enmeshed in the objective reality of the day. I’ll take a walk around the neighborhood or the nearby parks before coming home to breakfast on the backyard patio. Constance has our tiny backyard garden teeming with flowers (and a few squash, green beans and tomatoes). The roses are insane! So are the humming birds.
We say ‘will’ (a Thelemic affirmation) before all our meals. We also try to recite ‘Resh’ in the morning, noon, sunset, and before retiring.
I stay in the office for most of the day. I get some serious work done, but I have to confess I spend far too much time farting around with my email….LIKE I’M DOING NOW! and working on scheduling my talks, etc. I have my guitar on a stand right behind my chair and I play it to unwind. I probably now play my guitar 2-3 hours a day… more when I have a gig that evening.
I try to catch a nap in the afternoon. Then I get up and take another walk before dinner (or, on nights I have a singing gig, a little snack). I try to get to bed around 11:00PM. Then the whole thing starts over again. Aren’t you sorry you asked?
• Is it reasonable to consider magick done to elevate or refine the self as being different from magick done to ‘get things’—that is, to get a better job, or a place to live, or a creative opportunity? If so, how do you strike a balance between the two?
“Elevating and refining the self” is the reason you do magick “to get things done”.
• Should have asked this first, probably, but: do you prefer ‘magick’ or ‘magic’?
I don’t care anymore. I use “Magick” when the audience as an understanding and appreciation of term, and “Magic” when the audience is so green that the “k” would be just one more bit of confusion, i.e., I title one book “The Magick of Aleister Crowley” and other, “The Key to Solomon’s Key – Secrets of Magic and Masonry”. I don’t however use the word “Magickal.” I don’t know why. It just bugs me.
• In My Life With The Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician
Glad you asked! I’ll write a lot more on both those subjects in my new book (should be out in 2010). It’s called (if the publisher allows) “Low Magick”. Until then, I’ll have to ask you to wait.
• How important a figure has Aleister Crowley been in your life?
Very important.
• I noticed you were on the faculty of Maybe Logic Academy: what do you teach, and were you close to Robert Anton Wilson?
I knew Bob, but I can’t honestly say we were real close. Our lodge presented him with our ‘annual’ Illuminati Award. Every year for a few years running the organizers of Pantheacon booked us to share the same hotel room. That was a kick.
So far I’ve taught four classes at Maybe Logic Academy – two each of “Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot” and “Initiation – The Western Magical Tradition”. I’m about to give new class on “Enochian Vision Magick.” Stay tuned!
• If an intelligent young person, interested in magick, asked you for three books to read, what would you suggest?
I have to be shameless and suggest three pairs of books:
Crowley’s Magick: Book 4, Liber Aba
Crowley’s The Book of Thoth
[Belief Systems & Other BS note: You'll also want the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck
Crowley’s The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King (Clavicula Salomonis Regis)
• Thank you very much.
You’re welcome.
Did you like this interview? You’ll love my books!
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