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History
 I.                  History of Magick
The practice of magick has been a significant part of all cultures. It was there, at the dawn of time when people lived in caves, it survived religious prosecution during the Middle Ages, and it is still here today, evolving, growing, blossoming. The thing is that magick is more than an art or a science. It is more than a way of life, even. It is a culture in and of itself. A collection of different cultures, to be precise. It has ties to all religions and philosophies. It's principles are derived from all the mystic traditions of the world. The story of magick is the story of the lives and histories, myths and legends, belonging to all the peoples of this planet. The history of magick is the soul of this world. Let’s look at old magickal traditions
Egyptian magick
Importance to Society
The civilisation of the ancient Egyptians was one of the magical centres of the ancient world and its thought has influenced occultists, alchemists and magicians though out the ages. Unlike religions of today the occult tradition of Egypt and the religious one were united. They believed the universe was created by magic that magic was even greater than there own Gods. It was regarded as totally real and efficacy was unchallenged.
Heka
Heka: Egyptian Ceremonial Magick
Heka is the general term for Egyptian magick. The rites listed below provide a core foundation in Egyptian ritual magick for the esoteric practitioner.Heka was a from of magic where the practitioner called on the gods/goddesses to provide him/her with the energy of either creation or from the deities themselves to preform an act. The doing of a spell was not the basis, but the actual words spoken and how it was spoken. 
This was not an apologetic movement , but a forceful act demanding action from the Deities. Normally Heka was used to heal the sick, to produce and to build, but it could also be used in a destructive way depending on what the practitioner wanted.
Types of rituals in Heka-
The Opening of the Mouth
The Gathering of Heka
The Dedication of the Temple
The Passion of Ast and Nebt-Het
Some of these rituals and recitations are revisions of spells from the Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead, and other sources, while the rest are original works inspired by my own needs and discoveries. These rituals are most effective and rewarding when performed as part of a serious and dedicated campaign of magickal development within the Egyptian magickal-religious system. To read more you will have to check out in our Temple of Isis group which focuses on Egyptian Magick and Myth
Heka was a from of magic where the practitioner called on the gods/goddesses to provide him/her with the energy of either creation or from the deities themselves to preform an act. The doing of a spell was not the basis, but the actual words spoken and how it was spoken.
This was not an apologetic movement , but a forceful act demanding action from the Deities. Normally Heka was used to heal the sick, to produce and to build, but it could also be used in a destructive way depending on what the practitioner wanted.
To read more, go to our Voodoo in the Cauldron group.
Voodoo
Voodoo (also Vodun, Vodou, or Vudu) is a religion of West African origin with many integrated magick practices. This art is similer to witchcraft in that it harnesses "energy currents" that run through the Earth; upon assitence of the Loas (gods) such energies may grant favours and abilities, when they are invoked.
An article on Haitian Voodoo
Author- Matt Ream                                                                                                
Dr. Houghton
Comp. Std. 270N
29 April, 2005
Haitian Voodoo: The Possession of the Spirits
Within the small third-world country of Haiti, poverty holds a powerful grip over the people. It is widely considered to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and for its people, survival is a daily struggle. Yet Haitians draw strength from Voodoo, the African-born religion in which many different spirits help guide a person through the physical journey of life. Within the realm of Voodoo, there is nearly no distinction between the spiritual and the physical worlds (“Origins of Voodoo”). Spirits are authentic and are everyday experiences for Haitians (“Haiti Makes Voodoo Official”). To a Voodoo believer, nothing happens by chance; there are neither accidents nor coincidences. Everything happens for a purpose, a purpose determined by the thousands of spirits that surround and guide each worshipper.
Anthropologists believe that Voodoo is somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 years old, originating among the Fon-Ewe tribes of West Africa (“Origins of Voodoo”). It was carried over to Haiti during the European colonization of the West and was strengthened through the transatlantic slave trade. African slaves who were brought to Haiti to serve the French colonists were forced to convert to Catholicism and forbidden to practice their native African religions, including Voodoo. The French tried to suppress this “pagan” religion, which they felt posed a threat to the colonial system (Guynup). Voodoo was consequently forced into secrecy. One attempt at keeping it alive involved the intricate weaving of Catholic aspects into their religious beliefs, which allowed them to continue to practice their religion by masking it in the guise of Christianity. After the Haitian Revolution in 1804 and the exodus of their French captors, Haitians were able to freely practice Voodoo without the fear of punishment, but elements of Catholicism still remained a very large and integral part of their religion. Today, Voodoo stands as an official religion in the country, a decision made in 2003 by the Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (“Haiti Makes Voodoo Official”).
Haitian Voodoo is an interesting blend, comprised of a strict monotheism mixed with the worship of many spirits (Caistor).  Haitians believe in one all-powerful deity, Bondieu, who is manifest in all and has reign over the entire universe, the spirits, and all of life. Under Bondieu, there are three general categories of spirits that Haitians believe control and direct the universe. Loa are spirits that embody the major forces of the universe. They control characteristics of nature such as the wilderness, the grave, and the fresh waters. There are hundreds of loa, each in dominion over a specific aspect of nature. In addition to loa, there are spirits that are not well understood and even somewhat mysterious; these spirits are sometimes referred to as the “twins,” because they represent the contradictory forces in nature, such as good and evil, happiness and sadness, health and illness. In this way, the twins are comparable to the Chinese yin and yang. It is believed that if they are honored, these spirits will give the worshipper the better side of these contradicting forces. The souls of dead family members constitute the final group of spirits. After death, these ancestors stay with their families and help them navigate through the trials of life. A Voodoo worshipper believes that when he dies, his soul will remain on earth to provide guidance to his family (Corbett).
Voodooists believe that it is important to honor and care for all of the spirits, as it is believed they become weak over time and depend on humans for nourishment. Rituals and sacrifices are used to rejuvenate them, and it is believed that the life force of a sacrificed animal will transfer to the spirit, in essence “feeding” it (Guynup). On an individual level, each household will set up one or more tables for their ancestors and honor them with candles, perfumes, foods, drinks, pictures, or other effects that please them (Rock). Bondieu and the spirits are also honored at ceremonies, where groups can congregate and worship. Houngans and/or mambos lead most of the Voodoo ceremonies. A tree or pole is central to the ceremony, and drumming and dancing almost always accompany the rituals (Corbett). These rituals are done to gratify Bondieu and the loas. An animal, such as a sanctified chicken is sacrificed in order to satisfy loas, which are sustained by the life energy that is released during the sacrifice (Corbett). During the ceremony, worshippers can be “mounted,” or possessed, by a loa. The loa will take complete control of the individual and will offer advice, give cures, and prophesy to the assembly (Rock). Possession is usually accompanied by frenzied dancing, and after some time has passed, the loa will release the exhausted individual.
There are two main types of Voodoo in Haiti, Rada and Petro (Corbett). In both types, believers hold a sort of mystical power. Rada is the most commonly practiced form, and focuses on spirits that are perceived to be “sweet,” or loving, as well as the spirits of the family ancestors. Rada Voodooists believe that when the loa are angry or displeased, these spirits will inflict illness on people.  For this reason, coupled with the poor sanitary conditions and rampant disease, one of the central facets of Voodoo is healing (Guynup). Houngans and mambos, which are Voodoo priests and priestesses, conduct many healing rituals, utilizing herbal remedies and spells, as well as the help of “sweet” loa.  In this way, Voodoo becomes more than just a religion; it becomes a culture, a common and valid way of life, and an answer to material and spiritual needs.
While the vast majority of Voodoo follows the “sweet” loa, some believers focus on the “bitter” loa, spirits that are ill tempered and demanding of their worshippers (“Religion in Haiti”); this is known as Petro Voodoo (Corbett). Petro believers wield a great amount of power, and practice sorcery and black magic. They are capable of such dangerous activities as casting death spells, writing curses, and creating zombies. Petro Voodooists are extremely rare.  In some estimates they account for less than five percent of all Voodoo worship (Corbett). However, they hold a very real power. Don and Karen Davis, missionaries who live near the Haitian city of Cap Haitien, have witnessed Petro Voodoo firsthand. The Davis’ cite times where Petro worshippers have created “death potions.” Petro worshippers will pour these concoctions into two wooden bowls, placing one on either side of the path where they believe their enemy will pass. When their enemies walk between these two bowls, some have been known to immediately die in that spot on the path, and others will become fatally ill.
Power is not limited strictly to the Petro believers; even in Rada Voodoo, houngans and mambos possess power, such as the ability to kill animal sacrifices by simply pointing loa fetishes at them. There is no known scientific reason for these occurrences, other than the sheer power of Voodoo. In an August 1995 article for National Geographic, journalist Carol Beckwith tells of the strange events that she witnessed while researching Voodoo for her story:
A woman splashed sand into her eyes, a man cut his belly with shards of glass but did not bleed, another swallowed fire. Nearby a believer, perhaps a yam farmer or fisherman, heated hand-wrought knives in crackling flames. Then another man brought one of the knives to his tongue. We cringed at the sight and were dumbfounded when, after several repetitions, his tongue had not even reddened. (Beckwith 111)
Participants of these rituals claim that the spirits protect them and would allow no harm to befall them.
To the Haitians, Voodoo is the true path, and fulfillment comes through service to the spirits. Some worshippers hold a fearful respect of the spirits, while others joyfully worship and love the spirits.  After death, Voodooists aspire to join the other spirits and help future generations.  But until that time comes, they persist in their struggle of poverty, somewhere in between the physical and spiritual realms, relying on Bondieu and the spirits to carry them through the day, through this life and into the next. This is the power that is Voodoo.
Other Magickal traditions, paths
Shamanism
Assyro-Babylonian
Egyptian
African Tribal mysticism
Voodoo Voudon Hoodoo
Australian mysticism
I-Ching
Yoga
Tibetian Mysticism
Zen Buddhism
Greco-Roman traditons (writings of philosophers on metaphysics: Aristotle, Pythagoras, Plato)
Norse traditon and Runes
Celtic tradition
Sufism
Gnosticism
Merkabah Mysticism (Jewish mystical tradition that pre-dates Kabbalah)
Medieval Kabbalah
Neoplatonism
Hermetics
Astrology
Alchemy
Freemasonry
Roscicrucianism
Enochian
Goetia
Thelema
Native American mysticism
Huna
Reiki
Wicca
Satanism
Chaos Magick
Necromancy
Onmyodo
O.T.O.

 





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  1. Magick or Magic?
Now one can use both, but is there a difference? I was taught some use magic, and others magick to differentiate between stage magic, and real magick. Stage magic is really trickery.

However another view of why some prefer to use magic, instead of ck at the end is;

The use of the spelling "magick" originated with Aleister Crowley and the Order of the Golden Dawn. They used the pseudo-archaic magick-with-a-k to mean ceremonial or high magick as opposed to practical magic. Someone has said” define the difference simply as “Magic is an attempt to imitate magick, by artificial means, as part of entertainment.” I like that personally. I use both, especially if writing fast. Most often I use ck  as I prefer it as well as knowing there is a difference techniqually,LOLS

According to Merriam’s Webster Dictionary;

Definition of MAGIC

1

a : the use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces

b : magic rites or incantations

2

a : an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source

b : something that seems to cast a spell : enchantment

3

: the art of producing illusions by sleight of hand

 See magic defined for English-language learners »

See magic defined for kids »

An Universal Etymological English Dictionary - 2nd Edition - N. Bailey - dated MDCCXXXI (1731)

The word *magick* shows up not less than 9 times in this book, cataloging different kinds of *magick*, including 2 definitions of *natural magick*, *divine magick*, *celestial magick*, *white magick*, *geodetick magick*, *superstitious magick*, and *mathematical magick*, all under the general heading of *magick*, which it claims is directly derived from the Greek word magikos. This is a reference book that a prolific writer like Crowley almost certainly had on his own shelf.

The bottom line here is that there is no way in hell we can persist in the delusion that Crowley invented the word *magick*.

It falls under the domain of archaic English, derived from Greek.

As such, the word *magickal* must certainly be allowed as the correct adjective form of the (public domain) word *magick*...

Want more confirmation? Check the Oxford Dictionary where the word *magick* is also included

  1. The Laws of Magick
.Excerpted from Authentic Thaumaturgy by P.E.I Bonewits

The Laws of Magic are not legislative laws, but, like those of physics or musical harmony, are actually fairly practical observations that have been accumulated over thousands of years. These laws describe the way magic seems to behave.



The LAW OF KNOWLEDGEThis is probably the most widely used law, and probably encompasses all the others in some way. The basis of this law is that understanding brings control. The more that is known about a subject, the easier it is to excercise control over it. Knowledge is power.

The LAW OF SELF-KNOWLEDGEAn obvious derivative of the LAW OF KNOWLEDGE, this law carries additional connotations, as a mage who does not have knowledge of himself does not have knowledge (and therefore control) of his own magic. This law is one of the reasons "evil" mages are very rare—a dedication to "evil for evil's sake" is usually due to a lack of introspection and awareness of oneself. It is difficult to do harm to others when you understand fully what that kind of harm would do to you. Know thyself.

The LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECTA simple scientific understanding—if exactly the same actions are done under exactly the same conditions, they will be associated with exactly the same results. Magicians have at least as much belief in cause and effect as modern physicists do, they just realize that a good ritual, like a good theatrical performance or a good bread recipe, isn't always predictable. In truth, a spell involves so many variables, that controlling or even understanding them all is impossible. The key to magical success is learning which variables are the most important, and how to keep them constant. Control over the variables is icing on the cake.

The LAW OF SYNCHRONICITYTwo or more events happening at the same time are likely to have more in common than the merely temporal. Very few events ever happen in isolation from other events. There is no such thing as a mere coincidence.

The LAW OF ASSOCIATIONIf any two pattern have elements in common, the patterns interact "through" those common elements, and control of one pattern facilitates control of the other(s) depending (among other factors) upon the number of common elements involved. This is a very important law, up there with the LAW OF KNOWLEDGE.

The LAW OF SIMILARITYHaving an accurate physical or mental representation of something facilitates control over it. This one is fairly obvious in its usage—having a model, picture, or other representation of your target (like a voodoo doll) gives you power to effect the target. Look alikes are alike.

The LAW OF CONTAGIONObjects or beings in physical contact with each other continue to interact after separation. Everyone you have ever touched has a magical link with you, though it is probably pretty weak unless the contact was intense and/or prolonged or repeated frequently. Magical power is contagious. Naturally, having a part of someone's body (nails, hair, spit, etc.) gives the best contagion link.

The LAW OF NAMESKnowing the complete and true name of an object, being, or process gives one complete control over it. This works because a name is a definition (yes, even "Harold", "Marie", "Kunte", and "Jasmine" were at one time) as well as a contagion link, and an association (if you call something the same name over and over, that name becomes associated with the thing). This also works, because knowing the complete and true name of something or someone means that you have achieved a complete understanding of its or their nature. This is why, in most pre-industrial cultures, people are given "secret names", as well as "public names", and why the sharing of a secret name is such an act of trust—because the secret name is considered to be very close to, if not identical with, the person's true name.

The LAW OF WORDS OF POWERThere exist certain words that are able to alter the internal and external realities of those uttering them, and the power may rest in the very sounds of the words as much as their meanings. Many of such words are names, though the meanings may have been lost or forgotten. Very many magical tools require words to be inscribed upon them and/or said over them during their construction and/or use.

The LAW OF PERSONIFICATIONAny phenomenon may be considered to be alive and to have a personality—that is, to "be" an entity or being. Anything can be a person. Most weather mages personify the winds and the clouds, for example, and thus find focussing their magic on the atmosphere much easier to do.

The LAW OF INVOCATIONIt is possible to establish internal communication with entities from either inside or outside oneself, said entities seeming to be inside of oneself during the communication process.

The LAW OF EVOCATIONIt is possible to establish external communication with entities from either inside or outside oneself, said entities seeming to be outside oneself during the communication process.

The LAW OF IDENTIFICATIONIt is possible through maximum association between elements of oneself and those of another being to actually become that being, to the point of sharing its knowledge and wielding its power. This is the law that controls most lengthy or permanent possession phenomena.

The LAW OF PERSONAL UNIVERSESEvery sentient being lives in and quite possibly creates a unique universe which can never be 100% identical to that lived in by another. So called "reality" is in fact a matter of consensus opinions. This law is nowhere near as obvious as the other laws in its applications, but if you can figure some out, you can use it.

The LAW OF INFINITE UNIVERSESThe total number of universes into which all possible combinations of existing phenomena could be organized is infinite. Anything is possible, though some things are more probable than others. You might consider this to refer to the "alternate probability worlds" of science fiction, but it also has a much wider application.

The LAW OF PRAGMATISMIf a pattern of belief or behavior enables a being to survive and to accomplish chosen goals, then that belief or behavior is "true" or "real" or "sensible". If it works, it's true. Another rather obscure law, but it does have some very useful applications.

The LAW OF TRUE FALSEHOODSIt is possible for a concept or act to violate the truth patterns of a given personal universe and still be "true", provided that it "works" in a specific situation. If it's a paradox, it's still probably true. This law is basically useless, except to justify use of the above three laws without screwing things up in your version of the real world.

The LAW OF SYNTHESISThe synthesis of two or more "opposing" patterns of data will produce a new pattern that will be truer than either of the first two were. That is, it will be applicable to more levels of reality, and this new pattern may not be a compromise, but may be something rather new indeed.

The LAW OF POLARITYAny pattern of data can be split into (at least) two "opposing" characteristics, and each will contain the essence of the other within itself.

The LAW OF OPPOSITESA sub-law of POLARITY. The "opposite" of a pattern contains information about that pattern, by providing information on what the pattern is not. Thus, control over a pattern's opposite (or close to it's opposite) facilitates control over the pattern itself. (Note that this one I alone take the blame for, as it is my own extension of POLARITY and SIMILARITY)

The LAW OF DYNAMIC BALANCETo survive, let alone to become powerful, one must keep every aspect of one's universe in a state of dynamic balance with every other aspect. Extremism is dangerous, as the extreme being becomes so associated with the extreme aspect, that they lose the ability to avoid that aspect at all. This is another reason "evil" mages are rare, as continuous association with pain or death will cause a mage pain or death, ending the mage's ability to continue actively with "evil". This is also why "good" mages, especially healers, tend to live a long time.

The LAW OF PERVERSITYSometimes known as Murphy's Law. If anything can go wrong, it will, and in the most annoying manner possible. Magical associations sometimes operate in the reverse of what was desired, and meaningful coincidences are just as likely to be unpleasant as pleasant. Even if nothing can go wrong, some element of the universe may change so that things will go wrong anyway. Whether we like it or not, the gods (or fates, or what have you) do have a sense of humor. Emotionally healthy mages have less problems with this law than others do, as the mage's own subconscious mind is probably a major perpetrator of this law.

The LAW OF UNITYEvery phenomena in existance is linked directly or indirectly to every other one, past, present, or future. Perceived seperations between phenomena are based on incomplete sensing and/or understanding.,