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Posted: 2005-01-07
As I have studied the arcane arts, my encounters with many different methods of harnessing “magick” have intrigued me. With much trial, error, research, and general thought and pondering, I have devised several hypotheses on what “magick” is and how it works. Therefore, I am deciding to present you with my theories on what is called “magick”.
Definition: What is “Magick”?
“Magick” is the usage of one’s will which sets various energies into action to produce an effect in such a way that science cannot currently explain how it works. What we call “magick” now can become science in our future (e.g. alchemy became chemistry).
On Magick and Religion
Magick and religion are totally separate entities in theory. In practice they are often combined (i.e. prayer, wiccan type magicks). The religious overtones often assist a person into the right state of mind to put forth their will and therefore produce the desired results. You heard me right- Religion is merely a tool to help someone use magick, often without them realizing it. And many religions “demonize” magick even though they actually use it. If only they could recognize that they are in a way performing magick, maybe the current age of ignorance and hatred could end.
On Ritual and Magick
Ritual is often used in several magickal rites. From religious ceremonies to the rituals in the Lesser Key of Solomon, ritual in often intertwined into magick. However, this ritualistic methodology is merely a tool used to aid the mind with the usage of their will and the usage of energies necessary to perform magick. It is much like religion’s role in magick and often intertwined with it. Ritual is in reality not needed to do magick. It is merely a crutch; it can be used to help one walk, but it will hinder you when you need to run.
On Order and Chaos
To put it quite simply, order and chaos are the same. Within seemingly chaotic things, there is some sort of order (i.e the laws of physics applying to explosions and explosives which are capable of causing mass chaos). Conversely there is chaos within order (i.e. the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle). Order and chaos merely compliment one another in the greater scheme of things. Hell, they are basically the same thing looked at in a different way.
On “White” and “Black” Magick
People often label magick as “white magick” or “black magick”. It’s not the magick itself that “white” or “black” however. The whole “white/black” idea is merely “morality” interfering with the whole of magick. Science is neither “white science” nor “black science”; it just is science. Magick is a science, enough said there. The moral debates on science and magick can go on forever, and that is merely personal preference combined with what is taught. Magick can malevolent, benevolent, creative, destructive, or anything in between. IT IS NOT “black” or “white”; it just is.
On “Karma”
Karma is the concept that what you do comes back on you as some sort of cosmic law. This is bullshit. Karma is a concept that keeps people from letting loose with their magicks as some sort of “moral” control. “Good” does not necessarily bring “good”. “Bad” does not necessarily bring “bad”. “Good” and “bad” are irrelevant terms. There is however “cause and effect”. One can have bad stuff happen by helping people, and good stuff happen by being malevolent. That is not usually the case, but it can happen. Beneficial stuff tends to bring beneficial stuff however, and the converse is also likely. Chaos kicks in here again. One never knows what the future will exactly bring. Use logic here though. Don’t expect to go around killing and not eventually be killed by someone who had a problem with what was happening.
On Collective Will
Believe it or not, even the most nonmagickal person in the universe has some effect on the universe. There is something called collective will. People believe that something is, and if enough of them believe it to be real, it is. No matter how powerful of a will someone has, 6 billion weaker wills believing the contrary can overrule that one strong will.
On “Ripple Effect”
Some magickal traditions believe in the rule of three and similar rules. They basically state that whatever you do comes back “x” number of times. In reality those are merely primitive understandings of ripple effect. Ripple effect can be described as additional effects radiate out when anything is done. It is basically an extension of cause and effect. So magick is more of “watch where you aim” than “good brings good and bad brings bad”. Of course following rules such as the rule of three will tend reduce the negative effects that magick use and life in general can have.
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