One of the major attractions to Witchcraft, for the beginner, is often the practice of Magic. Just as there are many misconceptions about Witchcraft, there are also many concerning the art of Magic (or Magic itself). True magic is the ability to bring about the manifesta- tion of personal (or Group) desire. This is accomplished by ones ability to collect, focus, and direct enough "raw" energy with which to create the desired manifestation. There are many different ways of working magic, and many different aspects of magic.
Basically speak- ing, however, most types of magic will fall into one of two methods, and these are called "raised" or "drawn". Raised energy, is that which emanates from the body and/or mental sphere, of the person. Drawn energy is that which is attracted in from other Realms by ritual means. This includes workings which involve gods and/or spirits. Magic may also fall into the realms of "black magic" which is negative, and "white magic" which is positive. There is also a type referred to as "Gray Magic" which is a blend of the two. Witches understand the laws of Nature and of Karma, and therefore do not practice black magic. It is an old Teaching that the type of energy which we send out, will come back upon us "times three". So there is a need for clear thinking when it comes to employing a work of Magic.
Many people think that Magic has no basis in scientific fact. This is not correct, for there are physical reasons why magic does indeed "work". These reasons are based upon energy fields and various currents existing around the Earth. Energy currents are caused by the rotation of the Earth, and the gravitational forces of the Sun and the Moon, and other celestial bodies. The actual spinning of the Earth creates electrical magnetic currents within our bound Atmosphere. As the Earth moves around the Sun, stress is created on the earth by the sun's gravity. This stress causes vibrational currents in our atmosphere as well. Positive cur- rents flow from east to west across our planet. There are also seas- onal tides which are based on fluctuations of the electrical magnetic current around the earth, in accordance with the position of the Sun and the Earth. Positive (electrical) Tides flow from late March to late September. Negative (magnetic) Tides flow from late September to late March. The Religious Festivals of The Old Religion mark the peak times of each of these Currents.
Generally we can say that Magic is really a matter of Vibrational cause and effect. Essentially, we "disturb" the bound Ether of our Planet, and certain things result. It is the art of Magic to "impreg- nate" the Ether with our formed desires, and then to direct them to manifest. The major difference is whether the ripple is sent out or brought down. Magic which deals with the invocations of spirits and/or deities incorporates the vibrations theory, as a catalyst. The forces behind Magic are real, being both natural and supernatural. It is the art of getting these forces to work for you, and not against you, that is the Art of Magic.
Ritual magic works on the basis of attracting sympathetic energies by means of words (which are vibrations, as addressed in note #1), gestures, and dramatic portrayals; the theory being that the combination of these factors directed by the personal or group "Will", and boosted by the need/desire, will attract sympathetic energies which will cause a "ripple" in the necessary Plane, resulting in Manifestation. Everything which is now a physically created object, was once only a concept.
For example, the computer that you are using to access this note, was once merely a visualized image in someone's mind. They had to mentally "form the thought" which was to become your computer. Once visualized, they could then proceed to take the steps necessary to cause their "Thought-form" to become a physical object. This is essentially the formula for Magic. The tools and clothing (or lack thereof) used in a ritual setting, serve to trigger or stimulate the participants so that the necessary energies can be raised. The tools which are used in a ritual also act as extensions of the ritual- ist's "Will Power" and Mental/Psychic abilities. Everything placed into a magical operation, serves to gradually induce a change in Consciousness, within the person, or persons, involved in its perfor- mance. Candles, robes, chanting, and the actual setting up of the altar & casting of the circle, all contribute to this evolution of Consciousness, from mundane to magical.
This is also one of the reas- ons for choosing a "Craft" name. This allows a person to become some- thing a bit beyond who they usually are. Plain ol' Suzie Q. may not be able to perform magic, but once within the ritual circle, Ladyhawke certainly can...
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