Magick 1 -- Why Magick
The ability to think seems to set us apart from other creatures. And although
we are concerned with living in the physical world, we are mental beings. The
fact is we are thinking all the time. We plan, we brood, we get depressed or
elated -- all of it is thought. But the universe is mental too, and if we could
control our thinking we would see magnificent results in the everyday world.
Many systems have been developed over the ages to help us control our
thoughts. A great amount of dogma too has been kicked around in an attempt to
make us into better people. Magick (the occult kind, spelled with a 'k') is one
of the oldest and most general of these systems. Magick is the study and
application of psychic forces. It uses mental training, concentration, and a
system of symbols to program the mind. The purpose of magick is to alter the
self and the environment according to the will.
Most of the magick we see today comes to us from ancient Egypt and Chaldea.
The Chinese, Hindus, and Tibetans developed their own unique types of magick.
Western magick was locked up by the Egyptian priests for thousands of years and
then supressed by the rise of Christianity. It was not until medieval Europe
that magical knowledge was rediscovered by the alchemists and Cabalists. Only
during the past hundred years or so has western culture been open minded enough
to permit widespread investigation of the subject. Only since the start of the
twentieth century has science shown much interest in it al all.
Parapsychology and Psychic Phenomena
Through parapsychology, we are gaining insights into the hidden nature of
man. Parapsychology is a branch of psychology which studies psychic phenomena.
It remains something of a frontier, even today. Perhaps one reason for this is
that psychic phenomena are somewhat inconsistent. Nevertheless, there is
strong evidence from numerous cases and experiments in support of psychic
phenomena. Somehow, under the right conditions, the mind can directly affect
the environment.
We may theorize that the human mind and body broadcasts a kind of psychic
energy or force, much like a radio station. Kirlian photography, temperature
effects, cloud chamber tests, and other experiments tend to support this
theory. Although the exact nature of this psychic force is subtle and unknown,
it is undoubtedly the energy behind all psychic phenomena and magick. However,
it is not a radio wave, since it behaves somewhat differently. The psychic
force is too weak to be measured directly (at least so far as we know).
Everyone has some psychic ability. There are numerous types of psychic
phenomena. Parapsychology separates them into two groups: ESP and PK...
Examples of ESP
ESP, the abreviation for extra sensory perception, means the reception of
information through paranormal means (ie. not regular physical senses of sight,
sound, touch, smell, or taste). In theory, this is accomplished by receiving
psychic force from outside the body. Here are some examples of ESP:
- Clairvoyance, or Remote Viewing -- the ability to sense or 'see'
(non-physically) distant objects, places, and people.Individuals who see
ghosts and spirits are probably clairvoyant.
- Clairaudience, or remote hearing -- the 'hearing' of paranormal information.
- Astral Projection (OOBE) or Traveling Clairvoyance -- Full experience at a
remote location while the physical body sleeps.
- Psychometry -- the reading of information by the touch of physical objects.
- Telepathic receiver -- the ability to directly receive thought
(communication) at a distance, with no physical connection to the sender.
There are many everyday examples of this, in which we think something just
as anotherperson is about to say it. This is an easy one to test for through
experiment. Very dramatic cases of telepathy have been recorded; there is
often an emotional element in such cases.
- A 'channel' or medium, as in a seance, who is in direct communication with a
'spirit' or entity.
- Experience with a Ouija board, pendulum, or automatic writing.
- Precognition -- to forsee the future. Again, highly emotional events are the
ones most likely to be 'tuned in'.
- Retrocognition -- knowledge of the past, by paranormal means.
Examples of PK
PK, the abreviation for psychokinesis, is the active or sending side of
psychic phenomena. The theory here is that psychic force is sent out from the
individual. Examples of PK include:
- Telepathic sender -- the transmitter in the telepathy just discussed.
- Psychokinesis (or telekinesis) proper -- the ability to move objects by
means of psychic force.
- Somewhat along the same lines are poltergeist (noisy ghost) phenomena in
which objects move of their own accord or noises are heard. There is always
a human agent involved -- frequently a teenage girl -- who appears to be the
source of psychic energy.
- Psychic healing -- the ability to heal various illnesses and infirmities.
There are many documented cases of this. Usually it involves a healer and a
subject, although there are recent cases invloving cancer patients learning
to heal themselves.
- Teleportation, apportation, and levitation. Some occultists feel a magician
producing PK effects is simply a channel for universal energy. Others think
the force originates some way directly within the magician.
The Subconscious
Postulated by Freud and others, the concept of the subconscious mind is an
important one. Basicly, this is the idea that part of the mind normally
operates below or outside of ordinary consciousness and awareness. Dreams and
hypnosis are examples of this. Also subconscious are the many automatic
functions of the physical body such as respiration and digestion.
Why Do Magick?
Magick encompasses many things -- science and art, philosophy and
metaphysics, psychology and comparative religion. Magick is an adventure at the
borderlands of the unknown. It can fit the pieces of the puzzel of life into a
meaningful whole.
Magick is fun and interesting. Use magick to help raise consciousness
without drugs. Gain new experiences. Fantacy can come alive through magick.
Psychic phenomena can be controlled and be fun and helpful.
Magick is beneficial. It can help you to have excellent health, and bring
you good luck. With magick life runs smoothly; life is good. Also use magick
for personality improvement, to control bad habits and to develop new
motivations.
Magick is powerful. Never underestimate the tremendous power of magick. Use
magick to alter events and to achieve your goals. Exert an influence over
people and phenomena. But power for its own sake is self defeating. The power
which magick can give you should not be your primary reason for studying it.
Magick and Witchcraft
A number of other occult disciplines are prevalent today besides magick.
There are many cults and sects which profess their own views, but there are
really few differences between them. One popular area in the occult today is
witchcraft. This is far removed from the cliche of devil worship. Real
witchcraft is a nature religion (pagan). Witchcraft has much in common with
magick.
Alchemy also has much in common with magick. It's heritage comes from the
middle ages. Alchemy fathered chemistry and the physical sciences. But the
avowed purpose of alchemy, turning lead into gold, is too limiting to be called
magick. Sometimes the goal of alchemy is interpreted in another way, as the
transformation of man into a spiritual being.
Then there are the numerous modern day seers or 'pychics', as they like to be
called, who operate within their own somewhat unique systems. Although many of
these people are deluded frauds, some are very powerful occultists indeed.
Of course, everything I have said here is a generalization. Magick,
witchcraft, alchemy, or any occult field are complex subjects. Suffice it to
say that magick includes them all (it is eclectic). For magick is undoubtedly a
philosophy which has, as the late Aleister Crowley wrote, "The method of
science -- the aim of religion."
Review Questions
- Define magick.
- Define ESP and PK. Give examples.
- What is the subconsicous?
Book List
- Hal N. Banks, An Introduction to Psychic Studies.
- Annie Besant, Thought Power.
- Michael H. Brown, PK, A Report on the Power of Psychokinesis.
- Richard Cavendish, The Black Arts.
- Alexandira David-Neel, Magic and Mystery in Tibet.
- Raynor C. Johnson, The Imprisoned Splendour.
- Janet Lee Mitchell, "Is Anything Out There?", Fate magazine, May 1988.
- Ostrander and Shroeder, Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain.
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