What is magic?

[Terese]

I hope this is in the right DIR. I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it? I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales. Answering these questions will expand my worldview for the better!
I'm not interested in magic, just interested in the people that do.

 

[Kapalika]

I keep thinking on how to respond to this, and supernaturalists will differ on this but I kind of see it as mostly psychological and spiritual... it's kind of like a meta-art... but it's more than that.

I used to believe in supernaturalism so maybe back then I had a more straight forward answer. I just know I still use the same mechanisms, I just interpret the experience naturalistically as an expression of our minds and subjective realities.

It shapes and reshapes you, mentally and spiritually. It can be a great tool but also a great pitfall. Tinkering with the mind like that can be hazardous if you go in deep into certain things without knowing what you are doing (mostly black magic). I personally use magic in my own path to help me spiritually. Sometimes I am trying to get rid of something negative in my life (thoughts or habits) or maybe I just want to use some kind of emotion or desire and transmute it to help me transform part of myself.

I guess really for me I stopped seeing magic as something to manipulate the objective, physical world but still use it to manipulate the subjective, spiritual-mental world. This can work on other people too but I wouldn't do it in most cases unless the person asked. I can't really think of a lot of good examples to ever use magic on someone without their consent as that is basically abuse of sorts.

To me.. magic and the mystical experience are the same... in some forms of yoga they call them siddhis but to others they call them magical powers. In either case it's all the same to me and really both can be distractions.

To use it I normally utilize meditation and/or rituals... symbolic gestures and the like. Mantras too can do it for me if I am in the right state of mind and keep reciting a mantra. I've had forms of Devi speak to me most often as well as many lesser spirits. A few times Shiva showed me something, almost always when meditating though. It seems Devi only really comes to me through mantra or when outside on a new moon.

As well I find using yantras and mantras together can help me (at least percieve of) moving around energy as to how certain yantras seem to indicate certain truths... sometimes I can do this to realize another meaning of a compodent of a yantra or other symbol to help me learn a spiritual or personal truth.

I guess other people do stuff like presented in witchcraft books or neo-paganism, new religious movements ect. Lots of stuff with phrases, symbols and steps you take ect but then sometimes just what is commonly called "energy work" which seems very popular these days. I know a lot of people in real life who are practicing Reiki for example and I'd consider that magic, energy work to be specific (though I'd caution anyone to never use it as a replacement to real medicine). I could get more specific but the approach is really diverse and I'll leave it up to others to describe what their path does

Anyways that's the best answer I can give at the moment... I might have a better one later. Like I said, I think it's basically the same underlying mechanism in all religions, we just tend to have different takes on it. Even abrahamic prayer is, as relatively weak as it generally is, is still a form of magic in my opinion. Though if done with enough conviction/belief it can be just as powerful as something much more magic-y.

 

[allfoak]

Magick is the work of transmutation and transformation.
It is turning thoughts into things.

3 models of magic

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

I hope this is in the right DIR. I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it? I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales. Answering these questions will expand my worldview for the better!
I'm not interested in magic, just interested in the people that do.

Magic is defined by many people as many things.

To me personally this is because different people can claim or think they can do many things.

But one definition can cover all magical systems:

"Gleaning knowledge or producing change through an unverifiable means that is unexplainable by physics."

 

[Quintessence]

I hope this is in the right DIR.

For this topic, this DIR might work best. Keep in mind that debating isn't allowed in DIRs, so a thread title like "Magic: Real or Fake" might be seen as debate-promoting and not in keeping with the DIR philosophy.

I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it?

You'd have to ask each individual person who says that, because there are many different traditions. Personally, I do not use the term "magic," and use the term "spellcraft" instead. The word "magic" works far too hard in the English language, and I find it an imprecise term for what I wish to communicate. For me, spellcraft (what others call practicing "magic") refers to ritualistic actions which utilize esoteric methods to attain some particular goal or aim. Or to put it another way, it is a particular method and philosophy for making life changes.

I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales.

Magic is the stuff of fairy tales. The thing to keep in mind is that "magic" as used by practitioners does not refer to the magic depicted in fairy tales, dungeons and dragons, or hollywood movies. Nor does it refer to stage illusions and performances. Nor does it refer to the emotional experience of awe, wonder, and enchantment. As I said, "magic" works far too hard in the English language... I use the term spellcraft for that reason.

 

[Terese]

Magick is the work of transmutation and transformation.
It is turning thoughts into things.

3 models of magic

And how is that done? Turning thoughts into things?

 

[Terese]

For this topic, this DIR might work best. Keep in mind that debating isn't allowed in DIRs, so a thread title like "Magic: Real or Fake" might be seen as debate-promoting and not in keeping with the DIR philosophy.



You'd have to ask each individual person who says that, because there are many different traditions. Personally, I do not use the term "magic," and use the term "spellcraft" instead. The word "magic" works far too hard in the English language, and I find it an imprecise term for what I wish to communicate. For me, spellcraft (what others call practicing "magic") refers to ritualistic actions which utilize esoteric methods to attain some particular goal or aim. Or to put it another way, it is a particular method and philosophy for making life changes.



Magic is the stuff of fairy tales. The thing to keep in mind is that "magic" as used by practitioners does not refer to the magic depicted in fairy tales, dungeons and dragons, or hollywood movies. Nor does it refer to stage illusions and performances. Nor does it refer to the emotional experience of awe, wonder, and enchantment. As I said, "magic" works far too hard in the English language... I use the term spellcraft for that reason.

Changed title What exactly is the difference between the layman's idea of magic to Spellcraft? How do you practice it?

 

[Quintessence]

Changed title What exactly is the difference between the layman's idea of magic to Spellcraft? How do you practice it?

In general, I get the impression that non-practitioners tend to think of magic (aka, spellcraft) as... well... exactly what you said in the OP. In spite of magical practices being prevalent in all world religions that I'm aware of, it gets devalued and relegated to various mental trash bins of "things not worth pursuing and other assorted bologna." In the West, at least, that devaluation is largely cultural. Both Christian philosophies and Enlightenment philosophies devalue and dismiss the practices, a bias that also tainted academic disciplines like anthropology in their early days (and still do, to some extent).

As for what spellcraft/magic looks like and how it is practiced, that's not a simple question to answer given the diversity of forms. Asking this question is rather like asking "how do you practice religion" (to which the answer is a whole bunch of ways!). To give just a few examples, the art of meditation - of learning to change one's state of consciousness at will - can be considered a form of magic given it's an esoteric method for attaining a particular goal. Christian rituals like baptism or communion are magical in character, though not typically interpreted as such by their practitioners. Shamanic practices like "soul retrieval" to heal people are yet another example. Then there's New Age crystal healing. And stuff like making potions to drink to empower oneself towards a particular goal. And on, and on, and on.

 

[1137]

Magic is simply the ability to go against and manipulate mechanistic nature.

 

[Sutekh]

I hope this is in the right DIR. I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it? I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales. Answering these questions will expand my worldview for the better!
I'm not interested in magic, just interested in the people that do.

Magic the way I tend to practice is merely self liberation for my consciousness on the Left hand path. I do however practice magic at other times to simply fulfill a desire of which I tend to release from my body such as Compassion for myself and to alter a situation of which I tend to want to avoid. Magic as LaVey once stated is "the cause of change in situations or in events an accordance with ones will." In my own opinion magic is mainly about causing change internally and externally either way. I do however mainly believe that it causes more change internally than externally however I have been conducting my own experiments in a different approach. The way you practice magic is it requires study and discipline, I tend to view Magic as schoolwork in my own opinion. The things that you should be careful about performing magic is you have to be in control and not abuse it in anyway. That is the best I can explain to you about magic feel free to PM me if you would like to know more about the practice of magic.

 

[lovesong]

What exactly is magic?

The most basic definition I can give is this: magic is the manipulation of energy to create change.

There are many theories surrounding how and why magic works though, nobody really seems to agree there. One interpretation is that items used in magic carry little real meaning, it is the meaning that you put into them that matter, and therefore we can create magic by sheer force of will. Another interpretation, the one I subscribe to, is that all things have within them a unique energy, lets draw a metaphor by calling it a color. Because everything has its specific "color," if I want to mix a paint for my wall I have to use certain colors, so certain items. If I want my wall to be yellow I cannot use items that are red and blue no matter how much I desire them to make yellow, essentially the opposite of the first theory. Of course there are many more interpretations of magic but these are two that I run into often.

How do they practice it?

Magic is done in many different ways. A big part of how someone practices depends on their theory of magic, their belief in/use of gods, their goals, the traditions they draw from, and their own personal style. The unfortunate thing for many people who are just curious about magical practice is that a large portion of us don't discuss the specifics of our workings, or at least keep aspects of it secret. This leads to a lot of google-ing that inevitably ends in the curious person finding "Wiccan Witchcraft love spell magick" or something of that sort. True magic takes years of study and practice, it's something of an art that we devote ourselves to and really does not include cut and copy "witchcraft spells" that anyone with a spice rack can mix up to make fantastical fairytales come true. Personally, the best way to try to figure out what someone actually does in their practice is to ask specific questions such as "do you create a circle, if so, why?" "do you work with any gods?" "do you use tools? which ones?" and "how do you get in the mood before a ritual?" To get a more general feel of a person's practice, I would suggest asking more complex questions like "how do yo use candles?" "what does blood mean to you?" "if you had to assign a color to your practice, could you? why or why not? if so, what color would it be?" or anything else that can give you the feel for the type of thing they do.

Last note: I doubt you would ever do this, it's really more a general comment to anyone curious about magic, but never ask someone to "do a spell for you." In most cases this will just turn the person off and they won't be willing to answer any serious questions you have, instead tell the person you're interested in their practice and would appreciate if they could tell you a little more about it.

 

[Sutekh]

The most basic definition I can give is this: magic is the manipulation of energy to create change.

Last note: I doubt you would ever do this, it's really more a general comment to anyone curious about magic, but never ask someone to "do a spell for you." In most cases this will just turn the person off and they won't be willing to answer any serious questions you have, instead tell the person you're interested in their practice and would appreciate if they could tell you a little more about it.

I agree with your view on not to to do a spell or a magical act to a person on which they ask on your behalf. In my own viewpoint if a person recommends books based on magic or me to teach them magic I would give them some advice but I would merely tell the person to study or practice magic creatively on your own without asking someone to do a magical act for them. I would also simply tell a curious seeker on the occult that I cannot necessarily teach them magic but they should teach magic to themselves independently.

 

[Sutekh]

One of the other important things, is if you are getting involved in magic I would recommend books to read that would work for you, and to take notes on the rituals that would best suit you whether be it initiation etc. The things that I have always regretted was when I was new to the occult and that of magic I never took any notes on the books that I have read based on it. It has always been my deepest regrets.

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Magic has been defined as the art of producing changes in accordance with will. One can distinguish thaumaturgy - changing the world around you - with theurgy - changing yourself.

Rāja yoga would be a form of theurgy. In fact, most religions have some form of theurgy - even Islam (Dervishes) and Christianity (hesychasm).

Thaumaturgy is more common among monotheists and modern Neopagans, who have inherited it from the Christians. Generally, if you want a result in the material world that cannot be obtained by material means, you can always pray. Strict monotheists have the problem that they can't try another god if the first one won't help! As the pagan historian Ronald Hutton wrote

Strictly speaking, religion can do all of the work of magic [i.e. thaumaturgy], and the fact that humans have sought the latter in addition has been the result of modesty (not wanting to trouble deities), frustration (the deity has not responded), double insurance, pride and curiosity (the desire to work spiritual power directly), and considerations of convenience and expense.

 

[Terese]

Thank you for all your lovely answers!

 

[Onyx]

I do rituals on occasion, but only to achieve a psychological result. (I don't believe in "real" magic, but respect those that do.)

For example, one might create an "effigy" of some bothersome thing or person, and act out a drama culminating in the destruction of said thing. The various props used become more convincing in a dim candle-lit room, adding theatrical effect. Once the offensive thing is "destroyed" in the mind, the related emotions tend to dissipate and life goes on.

Another type of ritual can serve in detaching emotionally from abusive or controlling influences. Props and words are chosen which represent the polar opposite of the undesirable influence. This can be very effective in returning the sense of control to the individual, where it belongs in my view.

 

[Sutekh]

I do rituals on occasion, but only to achieve a psychological result. (I don't believe in "real" magic, but respect those that do.)

For example, one might create an "effigy" of some bothersome thing or person, and act out a drama culminating in the destruction of said thing. The various props used become more convincing in a dim candle-lit room, adding theatrical effect. Once the offensive thing is "destroyed" in the mind, the related emotions tend to dissipate and life goes on.

Another type of ritual can serve in detaching emotionally from abusive or controlling influences. Props and words are chosen which represent the polar opposite of the undesirable influence. This can be very effective in returning the sense of control to the individual, where it belongs in my view.

I am guessing you practice DR. LaVeys magical style of rituals, I practice his use of greater magic also. I do not however practice other psychodrama rituals as much, but I also tend to be creative in some of my rituals by adding some newer elements.

 

[Adramelek]

I hope this is in the right DIR. I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it? I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales. Answering these questions will expand my worldview for the better!
I'm not interested in magic, just interested in the people that do.

Magic/Magick is the Art of changing/altering the subjective universe in order to produce a similar or proportionate change in the objective universe in accordance with the Will.

Some of us practitioners recognize two forms of Magick; Greater Magick and Lesser Magick, the later is the influencing or manipulation of people or events in the everyday world in order to produce a desired reaction and/or result.

There is a three-fold process in the practice of Greater Magick:

I. Origination - all Magick originates within the mind. Abstract and subjective thought.

II. Manifestation - the refinement of the Will through Ritual Magic employed by the Magician to make his/her Will known.

III. Crystallization - the realization of the Magicians Will in a definite form within the fabric of the objective universe. Subjective thought becomes objective reality. Much like when a musician plays on a musical instrument the music he hears and has created in his mind.

Magic, quite simply, is the manifest expression of the mind and will.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I hope this is in the right DIR. I've heard many people in this forum that say they 'practice magic'. What exactly is magic? How do they practice it? I thought it was the stuff of fairy tales. Answering these questions will expand my worldview for the better!
I'm not interested in magic, just interested in the people that do.

Eh. Ima add my two cents for what its worth. It will be short, don't worry..

I agree with Quin about the word "magic." I only use magic when referring to magic tricks or movies and things of that nature. I also feel that way about the word "spell".

For me, magic is a form of prayer. It is what is behind what I do and who I communicate with (say, if I am talking with family). It's the blessings, etc that sometimes come from me and sometimes from family.

It's like, I am in a car. The car, wheel, are the tools. The motor is our soul/Spirit. The inertia making the car move is the magic. Driving the car is the ritual. The map maybe words of inspiration. The goal and motivation becomes the prayer (communication).

I don't know if I can define all that in one word. I just call it ritual and prayer. Magic is already implied within the ritual and prayer.

That's my view.

 

[Taylor Seraphim]

Magic/Magick is the Art of changing/altering the subjective universe in order to produce a similar or proportionate change in the objective universe in accordance with the Will.

Some of us practitioners recognize two forms of Magick; Greater Magick and Lesser Magick, the later is the influencing or manipulation of people and/or events in the everyday world in order to produce a desired result.

There is a three-fold process in the practice of Greater Magick:

I. Origination - all Magick originates from within the mind. Abstract and subjective thought.

II. Manifestation - the refinement of the Will through Ritual Magic employed by the Magician to make his/her Will known.

III. Crystallization - the realization of the Magicians Will in a definite form within the fabric of the objective universe. Subjective thought becomes objective reality. Much like when a musician plays on a musical instrument the music he hears and has created in his mind.

Magic, quite simply, is the manifest expression of the mind and will.

If I wanted to test magic's effectiveness how would I go about it?