Pagan Information Question #12. What is Magick?

Question

You'll notice that I've spelled it Magick as opposed to magic (stage show illusion). Do you believe that it's an essential part of being a Witch or any other type of Pagan? Do YOU use it in your practice? If so, why? If not, why not? If you DO use magick, do you rely on your own energies or do you call on the non-mundane world for it's applications?

My beliefs are that I prefer to use mundane approaches coupled with meditation to effect the changes I need. In over 35 years of being a Witch I have only had to actually use magick on three occasions. In all 3 cases it was 100% successful. If I need to use Magick, then I pull out ALL the stops and invoke all the relevant spirits to assist me in the spellworking. Because I consider Magick to be the 30 megaton warhead, used only after all other avenues have been attempted, I feel that if that much power is needed then use it ALL., and make my impact count for all its worth.

BB, Raji the Green Witch

Tarba, to answer your questions, Yes, it CAN boomerang which is why many witches use it as only the form of LAST option. The spell lasts for as long as is necessary to accomplish the goal. And lastly, NO, the forces out there are infinitely more powerful than the pwoer that can be mustered up by ON or even a small group of experienced witches. For that to happen EVERYONE would have to be a Witch and cast the spells at the same time. By everyone, I mean the entire population of the universe. That's a highly unlikely event.

By the Way, I have been getting your e-mails but your settings don't allow me to respond to you directly.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 1

Magick is in all living things, it is of us and of the Universe at the same time. It is both on the Macro level and the Micro level at the same time. It is the effective change in accordance to ones will, when no other solution will work.

Magick should never be confused with magic, the later being parlor tricks and illusions.

I do use Magick, however I use it sparingly to use it for every situation would only be overkill and would most likely have unintended effects on me or society. I use it because I believe that it gives me a closer connection to everyone and everything.

May Athena grant you all the wisdom you seek.

Goddess Bless.
Blessed Be.

Answer 2

For Wicca (though some would disagree) the basic tenet of the religion is to have an understanding of your will, responsibility thereof, and how that helps you to know yourself, the world, and your place in it all.

Magic* is the expression of the will/responsibility. To understand yourself along the Wiccan path, the practice of magic is essential.

Now, I totally agree that you never use it in replacement of mundane efforts - quite the contrary, magic as a form of universal promise that you will then go out and do all that you are supposed to in the mundane world, or that you have already done all that you can.

It is not something that needs to be used often, and some folks are better than others at it, but it is a skill to develop.

The first thing a spell changes is the outlook of the caster.

*I use the spelling "magic" because the extraneous "k" at the end was added by Crowley so that his usage of the word magick would better fit into the numberology he was working with. I have no good or ill will toward the spelling, just find it extraneous.

Answer 3

Great questions! I think the belief in magick is an essential part of being a witch. However, one does not have to perform magick in order to believe in it. I usually do a small spell at every Sabbat, in accordance with the holiday. I make it part of my ritual, and its usually very selfless. I like magick, but I try every mundane possibility first. For example, I wouldn't do a spell for a job and then not activity search for one or do a health spell instead of consulting a doctor. When I was a teen first starting out in Wicca, I was all about the spells, but now that I'm 29, I've matured and realized that magick is only a small part of my religion, and not even my favorite part!

Answer 4

Hi, I don't label myself as "pagan" or anything, though in the past I used that term to describe myself.
I don't think using magick has to be an important part of being pagan, just my opinion.
My attitude about magick use has not been constant. I used it pretty frequently for minor to major reasons when I identified myself as a "witch."
Then my attitude went against using it, because I saw someone abuse it rather badly...against me. I felt that way too many people use magick for selfish reasons and misuse it, so I rejected it.
Ironically, in having to deal with this person, I went back to using magick, pulling out all all the stops. This has been the best choice I could have made. So, I no longer "look down" on it. I feel happy to be back in the fray now.
I do think it is more spiritual to use it for unselfish reasons though. Just because someone uses magick, it does not mean they are actually spiritual in the least.
Also, I always make sure I ask the Higher Spirit's approval and/or involve It in the work.

Answer 5

Usually I use my own will and energy, maybe with a little boost from various crystals. I have tried candle spells before, and on occasion use runes as well. I honestly haven't done it very often, don't really see the need. For some people it becomes an addiction, I have an addictive personality so I try to limit my use. All things in moderation is for the best. Now, is it really necessary, I'd say not always, but it can be a useful tool in some cases. I do agree with the meditation part you mentioned. Well, there's my opinion.

Edit: Frau hunter, Asatru and Celtic are considered magical European traditions, how ever the working of spells isn't necessary for worship. :-)

Answer 6

It is not an easy task at all to do this. It takes years of study (actually I would say it is more like a lifetime of learning) and dedication to learn Wicca. If you want to learn basics, pick up a book(s) and read it. I started in a similar way back when I was a teenager.. I started researching every religion I could find and then came across Wicca, and when I started reading all about it, I wanted to know more.. and more.. and I kept studying everything about it. That was 14 years ago. Anyone can come on here and tell you "its a nature based pagan religion that celebrates the cycles of the moon and earth, and the god and goddess" but you will learn so much more by just reading a book on the subject.

Answer 7

When I was into paganism, I would do magick very seldom, usually on holidays with my coven and that was usually pretty general - healing to the earth, balance, etc.

My personal magick usually consisted of working a candle spell for wisdom, insight, courage, and sometimes a healing.

I guess that's one reason I wasn't surprised when I was drawn to Asatru. Magick isn't a major part of Asatru. There are those that use the runes in magickal uses, or do rituals but not often. Personal experience, it seems like in the general pagan community here - meeting was for doing magick, and we would fit it to the moon or the holiday. It almost felt like we HAD to do something magickal every time. In Asatru - I've seen magickal workings about 5 times in 14 years.

To me - magick is directing energy to a predestined end - usually your will. Crowley was right on that.

Answer 8

MM
I do not think magick is "essential" in any way. I do use it my self but I look at it in more of a focused energy, some get the same results from intense meditation. Depending on what my spell is for I usually use my own energies to power spell; however there have been a few occasions when I have as you said "called out all the stops." On one occasion my little sister at the time 11 and my oldest son at the time 6 had been outside at my moms, my sister was trying to teach my son to ride his bike. A car hit my sister as she was running beside my son and she got hurt badly trying to keep Zack from getting hurt as well. They are fine now my sister is now 18 and my son is going on 13.

I hope that helps

BB

Answer 9

No magic is not essential to being a pagan. Asatru practice pretty little of it in general and I practice none at all. I've seen more magic at a Catholic mass then I have a blot. I don't use magic because there is no need for me to. It doesn't fit in with my practices. I suppose I rely on my energies....I dunno. When I need help I go to the ancestors. When I need guidance and answers I go to the gods. Thier energies are "called" more then mine I suppose. I know Asatru who practice magic, but still it's not much or often or in the way that many pagans practice it.

Answer 10

I personally do not use Magick in my religious practice as I do not believe it is an essential part.

I DO use prayer, meditation and action to effect the changes in me and the world that I see as needed. It is my belief that the Gods help those who help themselves.

This is actually very similar to the mystical branch of Christianity in which I was raised......