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I have mentioned, in passing, that I have an interest in magik (not magic, which so often refers to those Paul Daniels boxes that kids get for christmas), among other things. It’s not that I believe there are people going around with pointy hats and long wands (outside of a Harry Potter convention, that is) but that magik exists in everyday life, but we are unable or unwilling to see it.
My theory is based on the writings and experiences of many people, both in natural and chemically altered states. Though most of my knowledge comes from the natural area of this experience, it is also important to examine the thoughts and experiences of others such as Timothy Leary, who is probably one of the best known (if most challenged) of these, along with Philip K Dick, who is seeing a popular resurgence at the moment. They were the purveyors of a world different to ours, yet at the same time one that held the same space as the very earth we walk on. My own experience is that there is some force out there which we cannot explain. It is not a being, like God, that governs lives or makes decisions, but a tool which we can all use, and this is what is commonly used as magik.
Of course, the theory of an energy being utilised as some form of magik has long been used in Shamen and Witches rites and there are many sects and breakoff pagan religions dedicated to this. Why religion? Well, when you discuss the power of the universe, it almost always comes down to the question of who or what is responsible for creating it, thus religions are formed from the basis of this. I personally think that you can have magik as part of the universe without bringing religion in to the fray, it’s simply a hidden part of nature. A ‘Spell’ is not some great flashy light that can transform you into a pig, or something equally bizarre, but simply an energy harnessed from the earth.
“A spell is a focus of energy, manipulated and cast for a specific intent or purpose. Focused by energy, intent, sometimes tools or other supports, such as elixirs or potions. But always conducted through a ritual or ceremony. Not all people cast spells in a spiritual context, these people practice Spellcraft instead of Witchcraft or some other form of religious expression. Many who do combine magik with religion, often combine the practice of spell casting with their chosen divine being.” Springwolf (1997)
Still, if you are inclined to believe in such things, its also useful to heed the wisdom these people have discovered through the years as well, if only for the safety measures. Most magik is governed by some sort of law, mainly that what you use comes back at you in varying ways. That way, if you use magik for evil intent then this will come back at you (usually thought to be threefold, or sometimes more).
The belief is similar to a form of Karma, that you get what you give, or more accurately, you get triple what you give. Why 3? Well, this is due to the self being split in 3 parts: Body, Mind and Spirit (or soul in some cases). When you create or conduct a spell, you use all three of these parts. Why is this important to remember? If you create a spell from evil intent then when the spell is cast it will be 3 fold returned. With this in mind, a set of rules has been developed over a long period of time. These are basic guidelines to the use of magik: All actions should be of positive intent, conduct a spell or rite with happiness, love and kindness, hold respect for all living things and accept the responsibility for your actions. It is also important not to cast a spell or rite to force someone into following your will or desire for the same reasons.
Now, just to put the record straight, I’m not in a cult, or part of a Wicca movement, but I just got interested in the whole idea behind Magik after reading up on it at university. I’m only just beginning to grasp the subject, it takes years of study to understand even the smallest amount and a grounding in the history is just as important. The important thing is that there are things out there than we can’t explain, and more things in this world than we really know about.
My theory is based on the writings and experiences of many people, both in natural and chemically altered states. Though most of my knowledge comes from the natural area of this experience, it is also important to examine the thoughts and experiences of others such as Timothy Leary, who is probably one of the best known (if most challenged) of these, along with Philip K Dick, who is seeing a popular resurgence at the moment. They were the purveyors of a world different to ours, yet at the same time one that held the same space as the very earth we walk on. My own experience is that there is some force out there which we cannot explain. It is not a being, like God, that governs lives or makes decisions, but a tool which we can all use, and this is what is commonly used as magik.
Of course, the theory of an energy being utilised as some form of magik has long been used in Shamen and Witches rites and there are many sects and breakoff pagan religions dedicated to this. Why religion? Well, when you discuss the power of the universe, it almost always comes down to the question of who or what is responsible for creating it, thus religions are formed from the basis of this. I personally think that you can have magik as part of the universe without bringing religion in to the fray, it’s simply a hidden part of nature. A ‘Spell’ is not some great flashy light that can transform you into a pig, or something equally bizarre, but simply an energy harnessed from the earth.
“A spell is a focus of energy, manipulated and cast for a specific intent or purpose. Focused by energy, intent, sometimes tools or other supports, such as elixirs or potions. But always conducted through a ritual or ceremony. Not all people cast spells in a spiritual context, these people practice Spellcraft instead of Witchcraft or some other form of religious expression. Many who do combine magik with religion, often combine the practice of spell casting with their chosen divine being.” Springwolf (1997)
Still, if you are inclined to believe in such things, its also useful to heed the wisdom these people have discovered through the years as well, if only for the safety measures. Most magik is governed by some sort of law, mainly that what you use comes back at you in varying ways. That way, if you use magik for evil intent then this will come back at you (usually thought to be threefold, or sometimes more).
The belief is similar to a form of Karma, that you get what you give, or more accurately, you get triple what you give. Why 3? Well, this is due to the self being split in 3 parts: Body, Mind and Spirit (or soul in some cases). When you create or conduct a spell, you use all three of these parts. Why is this important to remember? If you create a spell from evil intent then when the spell is cast it will be 3 fold returned. With this in mind, a set of rules has been developed over a long period of time. These are basic guidelines to the use of magik: All actions should be of positive intent, conduct a spell or rite with happiness, love and kindness, hold respect for all living things and accept the responsibility for your actions. It is also important not to cast a spell or rite to force someone into following your will or desire for the same reasons.
Now, just to put the record straight, I’m not in a cult, or part of a Wicca movement, but I just got interested in the whole idea behind Magik after reading up on it at university. I’m only just beginning to grasp the subject, it takes years of study to understand even the smallest amount and a grounding in the history is just as important. The important thing is that there are things out there than we can’t explain, and more things in this world than we really know about.
Crowley explored every tradition of magick - from mysticism to black magic - and merged them to create his own system, the A.A (based loosely on the magical system of the Golden Dawn & Freemasonry).
He believed that a practioner of the magical arts should have his head in the heavens and his feet in the hells - in other words, he shouldn't be limited by fear.
There's no doubt that he was eccentric (to put it mildly), and that his magick took him in many dark directions, but his massive magickal system was/is all about uncovering one's True Will - "Do What Thou Wilt Is The Whole Of The Law" - and to achieve this you have to move through many arduous mystical & magickal grades, which as a whole is called the 'Great Work'. Once you establish what your True Will IS, you have no choice but to follow it.
I'm not a follower of Crowley or anything, I just think a lot of the superficial stuff written about him is misleading. His main book "Magick" is a well-respected work.
He believed that a practioner of the magical arts should have his head in the heavens and his feet in the hells - in other words, he shouldn't be limited by fear.
There's no doubt that he was eccentric (to put it mildly), and that his magick took him in many dark directions, but his massive magickal system was/is all about uncovering one's True Will - "Do What Thou Wilt Is The Whole Of The Law" - and to achieve this you have to move through many arduous mystical & magickal grades, which as a whole is called the 'Great Work'. Once you establish what your True Will IS, you have no choice but to follow it.
I'm not a follower of Crowley or anything, I just think a lot of the superficial stuff written about him is misleading. His main book "Magick" is a well-respected work.
Yeah, I reckon that magic is just linked to something that science will eventually explain, and yes, Crowley was....."insane" for want of a better word....
~~Belldandy~~
~~Belldandy~~
Nomad Soul wrote:
> I've read quite a lot of books on Magick (or magik) - Aleister
> Crowley, Peter J Carrol, etc.
>
> Crowley and his followers (for many years to come) subverted all the magical teachings and texts to form something more akin to Satanism. Because Witches and Celts do not believe in Satan, they are not worshiping a devil, but Crowley went out of his way to include these features in his own mixed up form of what he believed was magik. This included beastiality and many weird acts that seemed to be there more for his own depraved mind than anything else.
> I've read quite a lot of books on Magick (or magik) - Aleister
> Crowley, Peter J Carrol, etc.
>
> Crowley and his followers (for many years to come) subverted all the magical teachings and texts to form something more akin to Satanism. Because Witches and Celts do not believe in Satan, they are not worshiping a devil, but Crowley went out of his way to include these features in his own mixed up form of what he believed was magik. This included beastiality and many weird acts that seemed to be there more for his own depraved mind than anything else.
Yes, Wicca is a pretty new religion, but it takes most of the old Witchcraft teachings, some of which have been around for a lot longer than other religions.
Still, as I mentioned earlier, I don't really subscribe to the religious side of these things, but believe that it is in all of us, from the power of the Earth, that we have some sort of power not yet 'discovered' scientifically.
Still, as I mentioned earlier, I don't really subscribe to the religious side of these things, but believe that it is in all of us, from the power of the Earth, that we have some sort of power not yet 'discovered' scientifically.
I tend to think the whole magic thing at the moment is a little bit flawed because the resurgence of modern Wicca, or whatever it's calling itself, tends to date back to the 60's - 80's with people like Gerald Gardener (may have the spelling wrong there), plus the whole Crowley thing intertwines with it, along with the self help people and the teen goth trend at the moment. You've also got people like brit author Fiona Horne thrwoing out books which have the whole witch thing as a feminist movement, and a ton of other people jumping on the bandwagon.
In short, if there is magic out there, you probably won't find it in a majority of the books you see in WH Smith.
Incidentally pb, Ronald Hutton's Triumpth Of The Moon is a great book chronicling the historical past of Witchcraft, using historical evidence, and Witch, Wicce, Mother Goose by R.W.Thurston is another good one, lastly Mark Oxbrow's Halloween shows how the holiday has been changed by various parties for their own uses.
And before anyone starts, I've only ever been interested in reading about Witchcraft and how it came about, the Witchhunts e.t.c and old beleifs in magic, not in actually practicing it ! Yes, I probably did watch too many X Files......
~~Belldandy~~
In short, if there is magic out there, you probably won't find it in a majority of the books you see in WH Smith.
Incidentally pb, Ronald Hutton's Triumpth Of The Moon is a great book chronicling the historical past of Witchcraft, using historical evidence, and Witch, Wicce, Mother Goose by R.W.Thurston is another good one, lastly Mark Oxbrow's Halloween shows how the holiday has been changed by various parties for their own uses.
And before anyone starts, I've only ever been interested in reading about Witchcraft and how it came about, the Witchhunts e.t.c and old beleifs in magic, not in actually practicing it ! Yes, I probably did watch too many X Files......
~~Belldandy~~
It's a kind of magik...
One dream
One something
One pride
One goal
One golden blast... of what should be.
Completely wrong lyrics probably, nice Queen reference in the title.
One dream
One something
One pride
One goal
One golden blast... of what should be.
Completely wrong lyrics probably, nice Queen reference in the title.
Nomad Soul wrote:
> I've read quite a lot of books on Magick (or magik) - Aleister
> Crowley, Peter J Carrol, etc.
Crowley. Ahh, the self-styled Beast 666, and so-called "wickedest man in the world".
I have a book by him. The Book of the Law I think it's called.
> I've read quite a lot of books on Magick (or magik) - Aleister
> Crowley, Peter J Carrol, etc.
Crowley. Ahh, the self-styled Beast 666, and so-called "wickedest man in the world".
I have a book by him. The Book of the Law I think it's called.
I've read quite a lot of books on Magick (or magik) - Aleister Crowley, Peter J Carrol, etc.
The way I understand it is it's all about condensing your conscious mind (your 'will') to a single-point via various means - usually elaborate rituals or sex, although it can be achieved in many ways, such as fear, sense deprevation, etc.
In the moment of this single-pointed awareness, the practioner is supposed to focus their will totally on their desire.
In many ways, prayer and the power of prayer can be classed as a form of magick.... although I'm sure most Christians would dispute this.
The way I understand it is it's all about condensing your conscious mind (your 'will') to a single-point via various means - usually elaborate rituals or sex, although it can be achieved in many ways, such as fear, sense deprevation, etc.
In the moment of this single-pointed awareness, the practioner is supposed to focus their will totally on their desire.
In many ways, prayer and the power of prayer can be classed as a form of magick.... although I'm sure most Christians would dispute this.
I have mentioned, in passing, that I have an interest in magik (not magic, which so often refers to those Paul Daniels boxes that kids get for christmas), among other things. It’s not that I believe there are people going around with pointy hats and long wands (outside of a Harry Potter convention, that is) but that magik exists in everyday life, but we are unable or unwilling to see it.
My theory is based on the writings and experiences of many people, both in natural and chemically altered states. Though most of my knowledge comes from the natural area of this experience, it is also important to examine the thoughts and experiences of others such as Timothy Leary, who is probably one of the best known (if most challenged) of these, along with Philip K Dick, who is seeing a popular resurgence at the moment. They were the purveyors of a world different to ours, yet at the same time one that held the same space as the very earth we walk on. My own experience is that there is some force out there which we cannot explain. It is not a being, like God, that governs lives or makes decisions, but a tool which we can all use, and this is what is commonly used as magik.
Of course, the theory of an energy being utilised as some form of magik has long been used in Shamen and Witches rites and there are many sects and breakoff pagan religions dedicated to this. Why religion? Well, when you discuss the power of the universe, it almost always comes down to the question of who or what is responsible for creating it, thus religions are formed from the basis of this. I personally think that you can have magik as part of the universe without bringing religion in to the fray, it’s simply a hidden part of nature. A ‘Spell’ is not some great flashy light that can transform you into a pig, or something equally bizarre, but simply an energy harnessed from the earth.
“A spell is a focus of energy, manipulated and cast for a specific intent or purpose. Focused by energy, intent, sometimes tools or other supports, such as elixirs or potions. But always conducted through a ritual or ceremony. Not all people cast spells in a spiritual context, these people practice Spellcraft instead of Witchcraft or some other form of religious expression. Many who do combine magik with religion, often combine the practice of spell casting with their chosen divine being.” Springwolf (1997)
Still, if you are inclined to believe in such things, its also useful to heed the wisdom these people have discovered through the years as well, if only for the safety measures. Most magik is governed by some sort of law, mainly that what you use comes back at you in varying ways. That way, if you use magik for evil intent then this will come back at you (usually thought to be threefold, or sometimes more).
The belief is similar to a form of Karma, that you get what you give, or more accurately, you get triple what you give. Why 3? Well, this is due to the self being split in 3 parts: Body, Mind and Spirit (or soul in some cases). When you create or conduct a spell, you use all three of these parts. Why is this important to remember? If you create a spell from evil intent then when the spell is cast it will be 3 fold returned. With this in mind, a set of rules has been developed over a long period of time. These are basic guidelines to the use of magik: All actions should be of positive intent, conduct a spell or rite with happiness, love and kindness, hold respect for all living things and accept the responsibility for your actions. It is also important not to cast a spell or rite to force someone into following your will or desire for the same reasons.
Now, just to put the record straight, I’m not in a cult, or part of a Wicca movement, but I just got interested in the whole idea behind Magik after reading up on it at university. I’m only just beginning to grasp the subject, it takes years of study to understand even the smallest amount and a grounding in the history is just as important. The important thing is that there are things out there than we can’t explain, and more things in this world than we really know about.
My theory is based on the writings and experiences of many people, both in natural and chemically altered states. Though most of my knowledge comes from the natural area of this experience, it is also important to examine the thoughts and experiences of others such as Timothy Leary, who is probably one of the best known (if most challenged) of these, along with Philip K Dick, who is seeing a popular resurgence at the moment. They were the purveyors of a world different to ours, yet at the same time one that held the same space as the very earth we walk on. My own experience is that there is some force out there which we cannot explain. It is not a being, like God, that governs lives or makes decisions, but a tool which we can all use, and this is what is commonly used as magik.
Of course, the theory of an energy being utilised as some form of magik has long been used in Shamen and Witches rites and there are many sects and breakoff pagan religions dedicated to this. Why religion? Well, when you discuss the power of the universe, it almost always comes down to the question of who or what is responsible for creating it, thus religions are formed from the basis of this. I personally think that you can have magik as part of the universe without bringing religion in to the fray, it’s simply a hidden part of nature. A ‘Spell’ is not some great flashy light that can transform you into a pig, or something equally bizarre, but simply an energy harnessed from the earth.
“A spell is a focus of energy, manipulated and cast for a specific intent or purpose. Focused by energy, intent, sometimes tools or other supports, such as elixirs or potions. But always conducted through a ritual or ceremony. Not all people cast spells in a spiritual context, these people practice Spellcraft instead of Witchcraft or some other form of religious expression. Many who do combine magik with religion, often combine the practice of spell casting with their chosen divine being.” Springwolf (1997)
Still, if you are inclined to believe in such things, its also useful to heed the wisdom these people have discovered through the years as well, if only for the safety measures. Most magik is governed by some sort of law, mainly that what you use comes back at you in varying ways. That way, if you use magik for evil intent then this will come back at you (usually thought to be threefold, or sometimes more).
The belief is similar to a form of Karma, that you get what you give, or more accurately, you get triple what you give. Why 3? Well, this is due to the self being split in 3 parts: Body, Mind and Spirit (or soul in some cases). When you create or conduct a spell, you use all three of these parts. Why is this important to remember? If you create a spell from evil intent then when the spell is cast it will be 3 fold returned. With this in mind, a set of rules has been developed over a long period of time. These are basic guidelines to the use of magik: All actions should be of positive intent, conduct a spell or rite with happiness, love and kindness, hold respect for all living things and accept the responsibility for your actions. It is also important not to cast a spell or rite to force someone into following your will or desire for the same reasons.
Now, just to put the record straight, I’m not in a cult, or part of a Wicca movement, but I just got interested in the whole idea behind Magik after reading up on it at university. I’m only just beginning to grasp the subject, it takes years of study to understand even the smallest amount and a grounding in the history is just as important. The important thing is that there are things out there than we can’t explain, and more things in this world than we really know about.