"Black" Magic?

Question

In my particular faith in Paganism, Magic is neither black nor white. Your karmic retribution (or "three-fold-law") comes from your intent, not the "colour" of the magic you are performing. What are your views on "black" vs. "white" magic?

DISCLAIMER: This question is asked of Pagans/Wiccans/Witches etc. If your only comment is to say "It's all BS" or "It's all Satanist", please, save your energy. Thank you.

Answer 1

Magic is energy - it's the way you use it determines whether it could be labeled "black" or "white". I agree that whatever energy you put out there comes back - call it Karma, the Three-Fold Law or whatever, it's like ripples in a pond, they come back and bigger than the point of origin.

Someone asked if it works - its like prayer, sometimes the energy hits the mark, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on a lot of factors, including the focus of the caster and how much energy they manage to raise. I've found that negative energy rarely works as it was intended, thankfully.

Answer 2

Magic

Answer 3

I am also a pagan, and I, too, believe that magic is neither black nor white.
There are people who believe magic is by definition 'black' or 'evil' but I strongly disagree. As long as it's used for good, it isn't evil.

Magic can be compared to water. If the energy is water, it can be poured into a black or a white jar, and many shades of grey in between. The magic is still colourless, but the way in which it is used is 'white' or 'black'.

Answer 4

I agree magic has no color. The ethics of a spell is determined by the caster and purpose of the spell. Describing magic in terms of color tempts some people to think that they don't have to consider their actions so long as they work with "white magic" because they think the magic will somehow miraculously censor itself if ithe goal is harmful.

Answer 5

I don't mind labelling magicks by their colors. Black then means external magick, to do good for yourself. It doesn't mean "evil" at all. White then is internal magick designed specifically for the advancement of the soul in it's lives. (toward enlightenment, etc) Neither black nor white magick by my definition is evil. But, other people use different definitions.... I could call Green Magick magick that utilizes herbs and stuff. Red Magick would be like Pyromancy, utilizing the element of fire, flame etc... blue magick would be like skrying in a bowl of water, or throwing a coin into a well and making a wish... so, colors can be used to describe certain forms of magick, but don't use these as hard fast rules.

Answer 6

I agree. Magic has no color, only the intent.

From what I have seen, the only people that think magic has a color are usually laypersons (non-pagans) who have no reason to need/want to know, satanist wannabes, or fluffy bunnies.

Answer 7

Magick is a tool to help bring about change. It is neither good nor evil, it is the intent of those involved in it that determine if it is being used for good or ill.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 8

Magic, the force, the power, the energy has no moral thought.
It just *IS*. TAO is !
It is the heart that makes anything black or white.
The power is there.
You do what you will with it.
If you play nice, you get nice back.
If you play bad, you get burned.
Magic is only as pure as the heart that sends it.

Answer 9

I agree with you. It's typically only newbies and dabblers who still think that magic has color. I mean how can it? It's magic. It's not even visible on the physical plane.

Answer 10

I always thought it makes sense. If I were to go somewhere and be a jerk, that leaves either people seeing me be a jerk and getting in a foul mood over it, or if it were just one person I annoyed, I'm sure they would relate it to whomever they see next and my mood would resinate with them.

To me this sort of logic translates into everything from taking care of the Earth, economy, politics and relationships. At least, that's always been my take on it.