Pagans & Magic (ritual, beliefs, spiritual, God, verse)

[Radio Frequency X]

As a pagan, I respect all superstitions and beliefs, though I do not necessarily believe in many of them. I am interested in what the pagans here at RF think is the relationship between magic and the supernatural/spiritual. Is magic simply a natural activity that affects the individual performing it, or is there a spiritual power(s) involved?

[kreeden]

Personally , I think that the " supernatural " is just the natural that science has yet to accept . So , to answer your question I would have to say yes , and yes .

[budamus]

I beleve that magic is using the raw energy of the universe for affects, Belefe in a god helps to focus this energy

[Unedited]

Originally Posted by kreeden

Personally , I think that the " supernatural " is just the natural that science has yet to accept . So , to answer your question I would have to say yes , and yes .

Ditto.

[Vigdisdotter]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

Is magic simply a natural activity that affects the individual performing it, or is there a spiritual power(s) involved?

Both. Magick is in everything. But not all magick is directed. In order to direct it then we get into the question of "spiritual power" aka....a trained will

[Mike182]

i think it depends entirely upon your definition of magic.

i will post more in depth in a bit, i need to get some food

[Fluffy]

I do not believe in the supernatural or spiritual. Magick is an entirely natural concept for me.

"it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" - Aleister Crowley

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

As a pagan, I respect all superstitions and beliefs, though I do not necessarily believe in many of them. I am interested in what the pagans here at RF think is the relationship between magic and the supernatural/spiritual. Is magic simply a natural activity that affects the individual performing it, or is there a spiritual power(s) involved?

one could look at magic as being the person utilising supernatural energies for an express purpose, for instance, i could raise energies and channel it into the express purpose of being alert during my next driving lesson, and for other road users to keep a respectful distance so as not to pressure me. this idea of magic does not explicitly involve a deity, though one could call upon the energies of deity x for the specific cause of a safe journey.

one could also look upon magic as being a form of prayer, i could use magic to present an issue to deity x, basically putting that issue in the hands of that deity, for them to do with as they will - this idea is dependant upon a deity, and the magic is a tool that you have available, but it is all for deity x's will.

some say magic is used in the creation of amulets and talismans, again this could use either of the above ideas of magic for the creation of said amulet/talisman, but the essence of the amulet/talisman is the same, in that it has a specific purpose. the purpose of one of my amulets is to shield from negative energies, and the issue of magic is almost irrelevant, because the amulet has a psychological affect on me, because i concentrate on it, and thus on not letting negativity affect me. (if that makes sense?)

i have only mentioned magic on its own, and it can relate to both nature, and the pagan deities, but magic is not necessarily linked to paganism, as magic is not the only way to appreciate nature, nor is it the only way to worship the pagan deities.

i hope i addressed your question, but if i can give further clarification of my view on this, please don't hesitate to ask

and obviously, you are free to disagree with my view, as i can only speak for myself, and not the general pagan population

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

As a pagan, I respect all superstitions and beliefs, though I do not necessarily believe in many of them. I am interested in what the pagans here at RF think is the relationship between magic and the supernatural/spiritual. Is magic simply a natural activity that affects the individual performing it, or is there a spiritual power(s) involved?

I have a question: what does it mean to "respect a superstition"?

[Shrimpy]

Originally Posted by Radio Frequency X

Is magic simply a natural activity that affects the individual performing it, or is there a spiritual power(s) involved?

I view magic as using the natural energies to carry out a specific action. This can be either with or without a deity, some magical workings require deity intervention and others can be carried out sufficeiently by the caster alone.

So in answer to your question... it's both.