Non-Wiccan magic for beginners

OK, let's start with the basics: what is magic?

[DISCLAIMER: The following is my own view! I encourage everyone to offer their own definitions.]

Magic is the art and science of deliberately applying consciousness to shape energy and thus affect the world. I emphasize "deliberately" because we do this subconsciously all the time. The placebo effect is a prime example of subconscious magic.

Now, there are two common methods of doing this: ritual "magick" and "direct" aka energy shaping. NK in turn raises an excellent point:

Nisou Kitsune said:

Magick is VERY unpredictable, and using straight magick can be pretty darn dangerous, hence the reasons traditions have restrictions in place. The restrictions are there mainly for your own safety.

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Energy shaping isn't exactly an stroll through the daisies, either. It's intense, and will shape you in turn.

I think it's safER than ritual because it affords superior control. Once you learn to perceive the energies, you can monitor the shaping as it takes form. You can tell if you're losing control and "kill" it before release.

I think I'll pause the lecture for questions and comments.

I'm having so much fun!

Nisou Kitsune said:

Agreed, blood magick is not for amateurs, and sometimes not even for experienced practitioners.

Personally, I would learn the restrictions that traditions teach and work within those bounds until you have some experience under your belt, and then you can move past those, but only after you know what you are doing.

However, the only way you will surely learn is to do it yourself. I would suggest not diving too deep in the pool just yet, because its hard to get out of that hole if something goes wrong.

Any more questions?

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May I ask what you mean by restrictions? Are you referring to safety/ ethical guidelines such as "no love spells," or recommending he start with ritual methods?

If the latter, please elaborate on your stance. I may speak with confidence, but I do not pretend to be the final authority, and if Antibush chooses to begin a magical practice, he should do so with as much information as possible.

(And I may want a One On One debate, if you're willing. )

Storm said:

May I ask what you mean by restrictions? Are you referring to safety/ ethical guidelines such as "no love spells," or recommending he start with ritual methods?

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Both. The safety/ethical guidelines are important, IMO, and everyone who practices magick should at least know them even if they dont practice them. Ritual methods, like ritual practices, are also good places to start because the circle itself is a safety measure so that nothing comes in or out unless the caster wants it to. Not to mention that the specific nature of ritual allows noobs to know whats going on, where to go next, and what is doing what.

Storm said:

If the latter, please elaborate on your stance. I may speak with confidence, but I do not pretend to be the final authority, and if Antibush chooses to begin a magical practice, he should do so with as much information as possible.

(And I may want a One On One debate, if you're willing. )

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Maybe I should explain that there is a difference (to me) from ritual and straight magick. Ritual magick is casting involving a circle, and straight magick doesnt have anything other than the person, no circle.

I love one on one debates! I am totally up for it.

Edit to add: Information is great, and the more he knows, the better prepared he is. However, I know that humans, and esp beginners, will look at the more experienced practitioners and tell them to something off before they go and do stuff by themselves. If he is going to do things on his own, he should be warned, but we shouldnt expect beginners to heed our advice. Lol trial by burning to the ground.

Storm & NK: Ritual Magic(k)

In case anyone's interested.

Storm said:

Storm & NK: Ritual Magic(k)

In case anyone's interested.

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already watching.

Antibush5, I would recommend giving Isaac Bonewitz' "Real Magic" a read. I won't say I like everything that is in the book, but his treatment of the "Laws of Magic" in particular is very interesting and useful if only for academic purposes. The book isn't specific to any one tradition of spellcraft either and can help give you a foundation for thinking about things.