Magick - Revision history

Omega at 01:48, 21 January 2022

2022-01-21T01:48:48Z

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	In the broadest sense, '''Magick''' is any act designed to cause intentional change. This term is often spelled with a terminal "k" to differentiate it from other practices, such as "stage magic". Magick is not capable of producing "miracles" or violating the physical laws of the universe (i.e. it cannot cause a solar eclipse), although "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" (Book 4). [[Aleister Crowley]] saw magick as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's [[True Will]]. Crowley describes this process:		In the broadest sense, '''Magick''' is any act designed to cause intentional change. This term is often spelled with a terminal "k" to differentiate it from other practices, such as "stage magic." Magick is not capable of producing "miracles" or violating the physical laws of the universe (i.e. it cannot cause a solar eclipse), although "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" (Book 4). [[Aleister Crowley]] saw magick as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's [[True Will]]. Crowley describes this process:

	:''One must find out for oneself, and make sure beyond doubt, "who" one is, "what" one is, "why" one is...Being thus conscious of the proper course to pursue, the next thing is to understand the conditions necessary to following it out. After that, one must eliminate from oneself every element alien or hostile to success, and develop those parts of oneself which are specially needed to control the aforesaid conditions.'' (Book 4)		:''One must find out for oneself, and make sure beyond doubt, "who" one is, "what" one is, "why" one is...Being thus conscious of the proper course to pursue, the next thing is to understand the conditions necessary to following it out. After that, one must eliminate from oneself every element alien or hostile to success, and develop those parts of oneself which are specially needed to control the aforesaid conditions.'' (Book 4)

Keter: Restored capitalization and punctuation in quotes to match source.

2007-02-24T08:57:09Z

Restored capitalization and punctuation in quotes to match source.

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:57, 24 February 2007
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	Crowley also provides us with some fundamental statements about the nature of magick (also from ''Book 4''):		Crowley also provides us with some fundamental statements about the nature of magick (also from ''Book 4''):
	*"~~Magick~~ is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will"		*"MAGICK is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will."
	*"Every intentional (~~Willed~~) act is a Magical ~~act~~."		*"Every intentional (willed) act is a Magical Act."
	*"Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action."		*"Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action."

Ash at 22:09, 3 November 2005

2005-11-03T22:09:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 3 November 2005
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	==See also==		==See also==
	*[[Magick in Theory & Practice]]		*[[Magick in Theory & Practice]]
			*[[Obeah and Wanga]]

	==References==		==References==

Frater C.U.G.: spell checked

2005-06-10T09:52:11Z

spell checked

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 10 June 2005
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	==Systems of magick==		==Systems of magick==

	Almost all cultures have developed some form of magic, although definitions and purposes have been highly variable. There is evidence of ~~sophiticated~~ systems of magic in many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Jews, and even Christians. The following list includes systems of magick that are relatively modern, even if they have their roots in ancient systems.		Almost all cultures have developed some form of magic, although definitions and purposes have been highly variable. There is evidence of sophisticated systems of magic in many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Jews, and even Christians. The following list includes systems of magick that are relatively modern, even if they have their roots in ancient systems.

	*[[Chaos magick]]		*[[Chaos magick]]
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	== History of Western European magic ==		== History of Western European magic ==
	=== Magical beliefs in Western Europe ===		=== Magical beliefs in Western Europe ===
	Belief in various magical practices has waxed and waned in European and Western history, under pressure from either ~~organised~~ monotheistic religions or from ~~scepticism~~ about the reality of magic, and the ascendancy of scientism. The time of the Emperor Julian of Rome, marked by a reaction against the influence of Christianity, saw a revival of magical practices associated with [[neo-Platonism]] under the guise of [[theurgy]].		Belief in various magical practices has waxed and waned in European and Western history, under pressure from either organized monotheistic religions or from skepticism about the reality of magic, and the ascendancy of scientism. The time of the Emperor Julian of Rome, marked by a reaction against the influence of Christianity, saw a revival of magical practices associated with [[neo-Platonism]] under the guise of [[theurgy]].

	=== In the Middle Ages ===		=== In the Middle Ages ===
	Mediæval authors, under the control of the Church, confined their magic to compilations of wonderlore and collections of spells. [[Albertus Magnus]] was credited, rightly or wrongly, with a number of such compilations. Specifically ~~Christianised~~ varieties of magic were devised at this period. During the early Middle Ages, the cult of [[relic]]s as objects not only of veneration but also of supernatural power arose. Miraculous tales were told of the power of relics of the saints to work [[miracle]]s, not only to heal the sick, but for purposes like swaying the outcome of a battle. The relics had become [[amulet]]s, and various churches strove to purchase scarce or valuable examples, hoping to become places of pilgrimage. As in any other economic ~~endeavour~~, demand gave rise to supply. Tales of the miracle-working relics of the saints were compiled later into quite popular collections like the ''[[Golden Legend]]'' of [[Jacobus de Voragine]] or the ''Dialogus miraculorum'' of [[Caesar of Heisterbach]].		Mediæval authors, under the control of the Church, confined their magic to compilations of wonderlore and collections of spells. [[Albertus Magnus]] was credited, rightly or wrongly, with a number of such compilations. Specifically Christianized varieties of magic were devised at this period. During the early Middle Ages, the cult of [[relic]]s as objects not only of veneration but also of supernatural power arose. Miraculous tales were told of the power of relics of the saints to work [[miracle]]s, not only to heal the sick, but for purposes like swaying the outcome of a battle. The relics had become [[amulet]]s, and various churches strove to purchase scarce or valuable examples, hoping to become places of pilgrimage. As in any other economic endeavor, demand gave rise to supply. Tales of the miracle-working relics of the saints were compiled later into quite popular collections like the ''[[Golden Legend]]'' of [[Jacobus de Voragine]] or the ''Dialogus miraculorum'' of [[Caesar of Heisterbach]].

	There were other, officially proscribed varieties of ~~Christianised~~ magic. The [[demonology]] and [[angel]]ology contained in the earliest [[grimoire]]s assume a life surrounded by Christian implements and sacred rituals. The underlying [[theology]] in these works of Christian demonology encourages the magician to fortify himself with fasting, [[prayer]]s, and [[sacrament]]s, so that by using the holy names of [[God]], he can use divine power to coerce [[demon]]s into appearing and serving his usually lustful or avaricious magical goals. Not surprisingly, the church disapproved of these rites; they are nonetheless ~~Christianised~~ for all that, and assume a theology of mechanical sacramentalism.		There were other, officially proscribed varieties of Christianized magic. The [[demonology]] and [[angel]]ology contained in the earliest [[grimoire]]s assume a life surrounded by Christian implements and sacred rituals. The underlying [[theology]] in these works of Christian demonology encourages the magician to fortify himself with fasting, [[prayer]]s, and [[sacrament]]s, so that by using the holy names of [[God]], he can use divine power to coerce [[demon]]s into appearing and serving his usually lustful or avaricious magical goals. Not surprisingly, the church disapproved of these rites; they are nonetheless Christianized for all that, and assume a theology of mechanical sacramentalism.

	=== Magic in the Renaissance ===		=== Magic in the Renaissance ===
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	=== Magic in the twentieth century ===		=== Magic in the twentieth century ===
	A further revival of interest in magic was heralded by the repeal, in England, of the last [[Witchcraft Act]] in 1951 EV. This was the cue for [[Gerald Gardner]], now ~~recognised~~ as the ''founder'' of [[Wicca]], to publish his first non-fiction book ''Witchcraft Today'', in which he claimed to reveal the existence of a [[witch]]-cult that dated back to pre-Christian Europe. Gardner's new religion combined magic and [[religion]] in a way that was later to cause people to question the Enlightenment's boundaries between the two subjects.		A further revival of interest in magic was heralded by the repeal, in England, of the last [[Witchcraft Act]] in 1951 EV. This was the cue for [[Gerald Gardner]], now recognized as the ''founder'' of [[Wicca]], to publish his first non-fiction book ''Witchcraft Today'', in which he claimed to reveal the existence of a [[witch]]-cult that dated back to pre-Christian Europe. Gardner's new religion combined magic and [[religion]] in a way that was later to cause people to question the Enlightenment's boundaries between the two subjects.

	Gardner's new religion, and many imitators, took off in the atmosphere of the 1960s and 1970s, when the counterculture of the hippies also spawned another period of renewed interest in magic, divination, and other occult practices. The various branches of [[neo-paganism]] and other new [[earth religion]]s that have sprung up in Gardner's wake tend to follow his lead in combining the practice of magic and religion. The trend was continued by some heirs to the counterculture; feminists led the way when some launched an independent revival of goddess worship. This brought them into contact with the Gardnerian tradition of magical religion, and deeply influenced that tradition in return.		Gardner's new religion, and many imitators, took off in the atmosphere of the 1960s and 1970s, when the counterculture of the hippies also spawned another period of renewed interest in magic, divination, and other occult practices. The various branches of [[neo-paganism]] and other new [[earth religion]]s that have sprung up in Gardner's wake tend to follow his lead in combining the practice of magic and religion. The trend was continued by some heirs to the counterculture; feminists led the way when some launched an independent revival of goddess worship. This brought them into contact with the Gardnerian tradition of magical religion, and deeply influenced that tradition in return.

Agathodaemon: typo

2005-05-25T20:56:50Z

typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:56, 25 May 2005
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	==Modern definitions==		==Modern definitions==

	In ''The Magick of Thelema,'' Lon Milo DuQuette expands on Crowley's definition of magick by saying that "conversely, any unwilled action is an unmagical act: reaching for a cigarette; ordering that fourth Martini; or any habitual or reactive behavior that overrides the momentum of one's life focus." He goes on to say that "magick also postulates a universal order—call it God, Nature, the Supreme Being, the Grand Architect of the Universe, the Tao, or just the-way-things-are. But the Magician knows that the pure Will of every man and every woman is already in perfect harmony with the divine Will; in fact they are one and the same. It is the Magician's Great Work to endeavor to remove the ~~obsticles~~ that hinder his or her perfect realization of that Will and then proceed to ~~exicute~~ it."		In ''The Magick of Thelema,'' Lon Milo DuQuette expands on Crowley's definition of magick by saying that "conversely, any unwilled action is an unmagical act: reaching for a cigarette; ordering that fourth Martini; or any habitual or reactive behavior that overrides the momentum of one's life focus." He goes on to say that "magick also postulates a universal order—call it God, Nature, the Supreme Being, the Grand Architect of the Universe, the Tao, or just the-way-things-are. But the Magician knows that the pure Will of every man and every woman is already in perfect harmony with the divine Will; in fact they are one and the same. It is the Magician's Great Work to endeavor to remove the obstacles that hinder his or her perfect realization of that Will and then proceed to execute it."

	==Magick as ritual==		==Magick as ritual==

Ash: template

2005-03-26T03:00:14Z

template

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:00, 26 March 2005
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			{{93}}
	In the broadest sense, '''Magick''' is any act designed to cause intentional change. This term is often spelled with a terminal "k" to differentiate it from other practices, such as "stage magic". Magick is not capable of producing "miracles" or violating the physical laws of the universe (i.e. it cannot cause a solar eclipse), although "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" (Book 4). [[Aleister Crowley]] saw magick as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's [[True Will]]. Crowley describes this process:		In the broadest sense, '''Magick''' is any act designed to cause intentional change. This term is often spelled with a terminal "k" to differentiate it from other practices, such as "stage magic". Magick is not capable of producing "miracles" or violating the physical laws of the universe (i.e. it cannot cause a solar eclipse), although "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" (Book 4). [[Aleister Crowley]] saw magick as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's [[True Will]]. Crowley describes this process:

Thiebes: /* References */

2005-03-03T11:36:31Z

References

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	*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.		*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
	*DuQuette, Lon Milo. (1993). ''The Magick of Thelema.'' York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.		*DuQuette, Lon Milo. (1993). ''The Magick of Thelema.'' York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
			*Wikipedia (2004). ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_%28paranormal%29 Magic (paranormal)].'' Retrieved March 3, 2005.

	[[Category:Systems]]		[[Category:Systems]]

Thiebes: /* History of Western Magick */

2005-03-03T11:34:39Z

History of Western Magick

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 *[[Voudon]]
-==History of Western Magick==
+== History of Western European magic ==
-''...Someone please write this...''
+=== In the Middle Ages ===
 ==See also==

Ash at 15:49, 29 January 2005

2005-01-29T15:49:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 29 January 2005
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	''...Someone please write this...''		''...Someone please write this...''

			==See also==
			*[[Magick in Theory & Practice]]

	==References==		==References==

	*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.		*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
	*DuQuette, Lon Milo. (1993). ''The Magick of Thelema.'' York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.		*DuQuette, Lon Milo. (1993). ''The Magick of Thelema.'' York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.

	[[Category:Systems]]		[[Category:Systems]]

Ash: lots of additions, but needs more...

2004-10-24T03:55:02Z

lots of additions, but needs more...

New page

In the broadest sense, '''Magick''' is any act designed to cause intentional change. This term is often spelled with a terminal "k" to differentiate it from other practices, such as "stage magic". Magick is not capable of producing "miracles" or violating the physical laws of the universe (i.e. it cannot cause a solar eclipse), although "it is theoretically possible to cause in any object any change of which that object is capable by nature" (Book 4). [[Aleister Crowley]] saw magick as the essential method for a person to reach true understanding of the self and to act according to one's [[True Will]]. Crowley describes this process:

:''One must find out for oneself, and make sure beyond doubt, "who" one is, "what" one is, "why" one is...Being thus conscious of the proper course to pursue, the next thing is to understand the conditions necessary to following it out. After that, one must eliminate from oneself every element alien or hostile to success, and develop those parts of oneself which are specially needed to control the aforesaid conditions.'' (Book 4)

Crowley also provides us with some fundamental statements about the nature of magick (also from ''Book 4''):
*"Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will"
*"Every intentional (Willed) act is a Magical act."
*"Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action."

For Crowley, the practice of magick—although it equally applies to mundane things, like balancing the checkbook—is essentially to be used for attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of one's [[Holy Guardian Angel]]. Since achieving this state with one's 'Silent Self' can be extremely arduous, magick can be used not only to reach that particular goal, but to clear the way for it as well. For example, if one needed a particular dwelling to perform the operation, one could use magick to obtain a suitable home. Crowley stated that magick that did not have one of these goals as its aim was 'Black Magick' and should be avoided.

==Traditional definitions==

King Solomon, in his ''Lesser Key'' of the Goetia, says:
:"Magic is the Highest, most Absolute, and most Divine Knowledge of Natural Philosophy, advanced in its works and wonderful operations by a right understanding of the inward and occult virtue of things; so that true Agents being applied to proper Patients, strange and admirable effects will thereby be produced. Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their skill, know how to anticipate an effect, the which to the vulgar shall seem to be a miracle."

==Modern definitions==

In ''The Magick of Thelema,'' Lon Milo DuQuette expands on Crowley's definition of magick by saying that "conversely, any unwilled action is an unmagical act: reaching for a cigarette; ordering that fourth Martini; or any habitual or reactive behavior that overrides the momentum of one's life focus." He goes on to say that "magick also postulates a universal order—call it God, Nature, the Supreme Being, the Grand Architect of the Universe, the Tao, or just the-way-things-are. But the Magician knows that the pure Will of every man and every woman is already in perfect harmony with the divine Will; in fact they are one and the same. It is the Magician's Great Work to endeavor to remove the obsticles that hinder his or her perfect realization of that Will and then proceed to exicute it."

==Magick as ritual==

Besides those willed acts that are of a mundane kind, such as balancing checkbooks, many instances of applied magick involve the use of [[ritual]]s. Most magical rituals involve work with non-human beings (generally gods, but also demons, spirits, saints, Loa, etc.) and/or achieving non-normal psychological states (such as trance). There are many different purposes for conducting a magical ritual, including:

*[[Initiation]]
*[[Banishing]]
*[[Consecration]]
*[[Devotion]]
*[[Celebratory ritual|Celebration]]
*[[Evocation]]
*[[Invocation]]
*[[Purification]]
*[[Visions|Vision seeking]]
*[[Practical magick|Practical purposes]]

==Systems of magick==

Almost all cultures have developed some form of magic, although definitions and purposes have been highly variable. There is evidence of sophiticated systems of magic in many ancient civilizations, including the Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Jews, and even Christians. The following list includes systems of magick that are relatively modern, even if they have their roots in ancient systems.

*[[Chaos magick]]
*[[Enochian magick]]
*[[Goetia|Goetic magick]]
*[[Ceremonial magick]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*[[Witchcraft]]
*[[Voudon]]

==History of Western Magick==

''...Someone please write this...''

==References==

*Crowley, Aleister. (1997). ''Magick: Book 4.'' 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
*DuQuette, Lon Milo. (1993). ''The Magick of Thelema.'' York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.

[[Category:Systems]]