Black and white magic

[Polarbear]

Is there such thing and what is the distinction?

[Iti oj]

eh not really but it can be useful when comparing just say angelic magic vs lhp magic. to me magic is like an oil slick techno colored in the sun

[Father Heathen]

I imagine if magic existed, magic would simply be magic. You can use electricity to power a defibrillator or to power a parrilla, but there isn't what you would call black electricity or white electricity.

Edit: I hope no one minds me posting in this DIR.

[Cassiopia]

I think the difference is rather subjective. It can depend on motives and methods. I use both. Some people regard black magic as evil, and I guess it can be but it doesn't have to be. I have always regarded magic as magic and was always prepared to use whatever was necessary long before I became a Satanist. I'd say that black magic is generally more self serving and sometimes employs methods or entities which some people consider taboo.

[Polarbear]

Thanks!

[Shyanekh]

Originally Posted by Father Heathen

I imagine if magic existed, magic would simply be magic. You can use electricity to power a defibrillator or to power a parrilla, but there isn't what you would call black electricity or white electricity.

Edit: I hope no one minds me posting in this DIR.

That's a pretty good analogy

If somebody wants to break down magic into colours/types they're more than welcome to do so, but their categories will always be subjective. Usually people categorize magic in accordance with intent and aesthetic (Red magic for sex, white magic for healing and so on).

For me personally magic is just magic. It's that hard to define grey area between the psychological and the supernatural.

[Quintessence]

I mostly agree with what Shyanekh said; such categories represent a map of the territory. People can draw their maps as they see fit, so there are varying opinions depending on who you ask about it. Generally speaking, I've noticed that actual practitioners of spellcraft don't tend to believe in categorizing it as "black" or "white" but that outsiders often do because that is what is portrayed in popular culture. There are exceptions to this on both ends.

[Gjallarhorn]

Originally Posted by Polarbear

Is there such thing and what is the distinction?

White typically means intent to avoid harm was present. Black typically means intent to induce harm was present.

All in all, not a very clear distinction, as I could easily desire to harm you in order to avoid further harm to you (tough love).

[Quintessence]

The harm distinction is a terrible one for other reasons. Everything we do causes harm to something. It may not be harm to something we value, but destruction is destruction. Hell, who knows how many microbial life forms I'm slaughtering just by sitting here and breathing.

[Polarbear]

Note that he said intent to harm, not harm itself as the distinction.