Magic What and Why

## Magic

Magic(k) is a broad topic. There are many paths towards growth and many styles of practice. There is a difference between having a different style, however, and simply practicing badly.

Just like with any art/skill/sport if you practice badly you will not get the results you want and can often Injure yourself or others. This isn't to say experimentation and intelligent risks aren't welcome or valuable experiences, simply that having no Real understanding of something only opens yourself to harm that could have been prevented with research and care. The idea that belief is all that matters is a falsehood. Belief isn't enough and there's a good reason why belief isn't enough. Magick is... Difficult. It's essentially a lot of toying with one's consciousness and the results can be also difficult to ascribe to anything other then random chance/coincidence. But when coincidence stacks up and happens on the regular, you start to see patterns you can repeat.

I believe that much of it is quantum, as I also believe our consciousness to be quantum related. Especially considering observation of quantum events has noticeable effects on said event, to me that gives (likely anecdotal) evidence that thought influences reality. Considering one of the corners of my concept includes the idea that consciousness is essentially the stuff of the universe (call it quantum energy, or similar) literally made flesh, it follows through.

Most of it is psychological, intended to trigger changes and events within the self for positive growth. Even many "curses" involve doing things that plant a seed into somebody else's mind and allows their mind to essentially ruin them (not all, just many).

However, there IS another portion to this. There appear to be consciousnesses outside of the individual human condition (I've had limited experience with these, but enough) and there is definitely more to what we can sense/feel then the 5 senses. In fact one of the most important things to using magick properly is the channeling/manipulation of personal and environmental energies (which is a crude way to put it, but language isn't... Efficient for concepts). This can be taught. Which I've done, successfully I might add, a number of times including with a few more militant individuals here.

## What is magic?

There are countless explanations for this. Some will venture into the spiritual or religious, others will be a bit more detached. Ultimately you are free to believe as you will, though presented is my perspective.

In my experience, Magic is the act of inflicting one's will upon reality/self. Regardless of purpose, regardless of morality, this Action and the energy/power that it takes to complete it, these to me are the definition of Magic. The power you channel, the will you carry, and the reason for your act. You need to have these in order with yourself for your arts to carry weight.

So, if magic is the action of inflicting your will on reality itself, then why can that be done? Why does that work? How can any small human being influence all that IS?

## Why does magic work?

The answer is much less and more complex at first glance then you may expect. The reason is manifold, but comes from the same source. Consciousness and its purpose is one of humanity's greatest mysteries, yet it only remains so due to the majority of people being unwilling to delve into the depths of it. Many people will avoid introspection and deliberate thought like it's painful.

Consciousness allows us to interact with the Universe with our choices and deliberate actions. We are, as conscious beings, essentially distilled fragments of the Universe itself. Pieces cut off from the whole, so the entire can have an experience as a small living thing. We are conscious so we may experience and because of our origins and souls, our thoughts are connected to reality itself. This is why quantum experiments results change by observation, our thoughts influence quantum/reality because they are innately entangled together the moment we begin to observe them. Changing the perspective of consciousness until one can see above or below where one dwells.

In other words, we are living pieces of the universe. So our energies, by right, have the capability to interact with it. Gain its authority and channel its power.

This is what it is to cast magic. To become a power, a Universe to yourself. This is why in many traditions a circle is drawn for the practitioner to be in for most practices; circles represent you as a separate Universe, the circle is your sovereign palace in a way. Within your temple, within your circle, You are the divine power that rules absolutely. That is the purpose of a circle, to be the microcosm and macrocosm and have them unified within your will.

## Why Belief Isn't Enough

This is the part that irritates me greatly. Hollywood has been feeding people lies for generations now about magic, because it's easy to sell fantasy when people think that's all it can be.

There are several factors that go into magic being successful and "Belief" isn't one of them.

-Desire

-Will

-Power/energy

Desire for the outcome. If you have a deep seated need for something to happen, you will pursue it with a determination that cannot be matched. If you kinda sorta want something, it'll take its own sweet time to arrive. The drive you possess, even obsessive drives, can be harnessed and put to work pulling things and events towards you.

The things we want do manifest and the more energy we can amass and refine within ourselves, the more these "coincidences" occur. Without desire for the occurrence, you're missing an important piece.

Will is far more important then belief could ever be. A belief can be incorrect and a belief can be broken. Will can be broken, but it cannot be false once you understand yourself. Will can be defined, in this context, as being in tune with what you really want for yourself as well as the force that pulls you if desire is the push.

Power is exactly that. The actual vital force that magic is. It flows through us all, because we are part of reality. We are a part of the universe, a little sliver cut off to live its own life.

Belief doesn't channel power. Action channels power. Magic is an act and an action. If you sit and believe that you are drawing energy, nothing occurs. If you visualize tendrils sinking into the earth, feel your consciousness start at the feet and slip downwards into the ground, then feel yourself drawing the energy up and exchanging it... Well. That's action, isn't it?

Belief is PASSIVE. That is why it is worthless to magic, compared to these three things.

Magic is ACTIVE.

## Magic and Emotions

Emotions are just as valid a source of energy as anything. They can be a bit... Rough... To work with at times, but putting one's self into a specific emotional alignment can easily increase energy or impact a working.

In particular, the more you can summon dark emotion the easier causing harm is and the inverse is true for undoing harm (Since not everyone can muster truly black hate or selflessness, harm and healing isn't always easy for everyone despite being the same coin).

Focusing on any emotional state can also be a good way to release anxiety or amp yourself up, losing yourself in emotional meditation can also be a good way to work through any problems you've got ect.

Mastering one's emotional state is a useful piece of magical practice with many benefits. In truth, every emotion and emotional reaction is a choice, even if made in the slightest of moments. Getting a good handle on that as well truly lets things open up as you become harder to shake and far more grounded in necessity and action over decision and inaction.

Emotions can be grounded as well, or even... Cycled back into the flow (It's called spinal breathing, where you focus on the spine and energy flowing into and up/down it as you inhale/exhale. It's one of the few ways I can cool down when my Kundalini energy is flowing. One of the side effects of Kunda work is an increase in body heat, which is at times utterly unpleasant).

## Magic and Healing

The only issue with trying to heal is the less you know about anatomy and your energy/healing energies, the less effective it is. Like throwing a bucket versus using a squirt gun, precision is less wasteful. (WORK IN PROGRESS).

(All of this is form Ashiok)