Break The Powers Of A Spell

A Spell To Break The Powers Of A Spell

If you believe that a spell has been cast against you, place a large black
candle in a cauldron (or a large black bowl). The candle must be tall enough to
extend a few inched above the cauldron's rim. Affix the candle to the bottom of
the cauldron with warmed beeswax or the drippings of another black candle so
that it will not tip over.

Fill the cauldron to the rim with fresh water, without wetting the candle's
wick. An inch or two of the candle should remain above the water. Deep
breathe, meditate, clear your mind, and light the candle. Visualize the
suspected spell's power as residing within the candle's flame. Sit in quiet
contemplation of the candle and visualize the power flowing and growing with
the candle's flame (yes the power against you). As the candle burns down, its
flame will eventually sputter and go out as it contacts the water. As soon as
the flame has been extinguished by the water, the spell will be dispersed.

Break your visualization of the spell's power; see it explode into dust,
becoming impotent.

Pour the water into a hole in the ground, a lake or stream. Bury the candle.
It is done.

Suggested free e-books to read:

Anonymous - The Prayers Of The Elementals
Sheelagh Rouse - Grace The World Of Rampa

Stead Hallowing Spell Norse Tradition

This is a stead hallowing Spell in the Norse tradition.

.....
When Mostr's hairy Hrolf was led,
By mighty Thor, his Friend, Godspeed,
'Cross churning white-capped Ocean wide,
To Stafa's banks to Thorsa's side.
...
VingThor shewed Mostrarskegg the way,
Who Hymir's monstrous brood did slay,
Great Thor Who drove from Oeger's stead,
The Blasphemer Who fearful fled.
.....
T'was Thor by Grace and magic spell,
Led Hrolf to Holy Helgafell.
The godhi marked with burning brand,
The borders of his Godgiftland.
....
By Goddess-power and God's own might,
He hallowed thus the holy site,
That nought profane might e'er pollute,
Nor leet nor thing nor sacred Blot.
......
In manner like by Eordhe's Grace,
And Thor's hot power, I mark this place,
And in Thor's name, all bane and doubt,
By Magic Rune, I banish out.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
John Dee - Enochian Magic Spanish Translation
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition
Ross Arthur - English Old Norse Dictionary
The Troth - Welcome To The Troth Honoring The Northern Tradition

Some Thoughts On Ceremony And Ritual Magic

There is much confusion and substantial posturing on the subject of ritual magic. Sadly, there is also considerable ignorance and prejudice…not only from opponents such as fundamental religionists, by from proponents who have a personal vested interest, an axe to grind, a dogma, a favourite writer or teacher to praise. So into this tangled and heated maze, I intend to briefly venture. When I do so, I will try to avoid some of the standard explanations and dogmatic statements about “what magic is”, as you can find them repeated, often thoughtlessly copied from one another, in many books.

The simplest way to begin is to consider not what ritual and ceremony are today, but what they were in the ancestral cultures. Why so? Because much of our attitude toward magic, friendly or hostile, is conditioned by our living in a post-Christian modernist culture. If we can step aside, so to speak, and look for a moment at a collective consciousness untrammelled uninhibited and unconditioned by Christianity, we might gain some insights. The 19th century occultists, from whom 90% of contemporary literature on magic is derived, had difficulty making this step. They were either reverent towards the conditioned Judeo-Christian worldview despite their occultism, or they were in extreme (even childish) reaction against it. Today, in the 21st century, and as a result of their pioneering work, their suffering and genius in some cases, we are now less conditioned, and, hopefully, more aware that the world is very different to that of either religious or modernist propaganda.

Ceremony and Ritual in the past

Magical ceremonies were conducted in ancestral cultures for two primary purposes: to commune with and draw upon spiritual powers and presences, and to mediate and present such spiritual powers and presences to the community. The first purpose was, and still is, jealously absorbed by political religions. The second purpose is the historical origin of all theatre (including the modern film and television industry), but at a deeper level is the ultimate aim of true magical ritual.

Ideas such as “self-development”, “control of supernatural forces” and so-forth are materialistic and modern. All ancestral magic, be it formal and complex such as the ancient Mysteries of the classical or Egyptian civilisations, or the relatively simple folkloric magic of the ordinary people, was deeply involved in ideas such as participation, relationship, transformation through interaction, and, especially, with the resonance of spiritual forces out to the greater world. The now popular concepts of the isolated would-be-superman, who changes things according to his will, or the elite occult group that influences politics and money, came into shape in the 19th century, and have continued in various forms to this day. Most of these are either a) fiction, or b) egocentric wishful thinking.

What is a ritual?

A ritual is a pattern, comprising words, movement, sounds, and intentional content such as clothing, implements, and a wide range other factors. The two key concepts are pattern and intentional content. The most important consideration, however, is that this ritual pattern is shared between humans and other beings…humans and spiritual beings. You cannot have magic without the harmonious exchange between humanity and other orders of life. A ritual, a ceremony, is a special pattern that enables this exchange.

There are of course, two modes of magic, co-operative and coercive. In this article, we are discussing co-operative magic. Similar principles apply to both modes. However, I have never grasped the sense of a type of magic in which humans attempt to force powerful spiritual beings (more powerful than the human ritualists) to do their will. Does this not seem to be absurd…not to mention childish and illogical?

When is a ceremony not a ritual?

In some sense we could define any intentional gathering as a ritual or ceremony. But what distinguishes a magical ritual is that the intention always involves spiritual beings. They may be ancestors, faery races, gods or goddesses, trans-human beings compassionate to humanity, the spirits of the living creatures in nature (often rather loosely called totem animals), or conscious entities from remote metaphysical dimensions. If they, whoever they may be, are not part of our ritual, it is not magic. It is merely an empty ceremony.

A ritual and a ceremony are essentially the same thing. The ceremony is the outer form, while the ritual is the magical pattern-making. Hence the popular modern definition that “ceremonial magic” is the complex stuff with fat scripts, many implements and much arm-waving, while other forms of ritual are somehow more direct or simple. This is not true, of course, but is widely published. A very simple ceremony lasting a minute or two, such as placing an offering of wine upon a dedicated stone, can be a powerful and complex ritual involving humans, spirit beings, forces of nature, ancestral consciousness, stellar awareness! Do not be fooled by props…or propped by fools.

Magic for the future

Some years ago, during a famous interview, the late Robert Graves was challenged by a religious presenter, regarding Graves’ interpretation of myth and history. Graves responded that there are three ages or eras: first that of matriarchy, or of the collective past, then that of patriarchy or of the collective present, and, next, the age of magic. For Graves, the age of Magic was that which is about to come into being, as humanity evolves from the polarisations of female and male, and becomes androgyne. But he was also referring, more immediately, to contemporary liberation from religious stereotypes, and the increased opening of spiritual imagination and awareness. Being both a poet and a satirist, Graves then floored the smug presenter by saying (something like) “But you sir do not know the difference between magic and necromancy, so there is nothing further we can talk about”.

I doubt if anyone can improve upon Graves’ definition that Magic is always of the future. Through ritual and ceremony we create new interactions between the metaphysical and physical realms: this is how the future is generated. It is not a simplistic linear future, but a future of many potentials. Some of those potentials do not manifest, others do, though often in a surprising manner. Ritual Magic is very close, in practice, to the theories of quantum physics, in which consciousness affects outcome of any event or series of events.

And a last word of warning

Am I going to warn you about demonic influences or drugs and magic or moral issues of sexual spells? No…that is all puerile nonsense. But I would urge you to heed this warning: we are privileged. We are privileged to be able to practice magic, in any form. I am privileged to be able to write this article, you to read it. In most parts of the world, right now, this would be illegal. It may become illegal here. Therefore, and thus far, we enact our magic, our ceremonies, and our rituals not merely for ourselves, but from a place of privilege whereupon we stand, on behalf of others. For those others who cannot, who are not, allowed to do so. Do not let your privilege and freedom be eroded. Work magic for the sake of liberation through magic.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Aleister Crowley - The Initiated Interpretation Of Ceremonial Magic
Scott Cunningham - Cunninghams Encyclopedia Of Crystal Gem And Metal Magic
Walter Scott - Letters On Demonology And Witchcraft
Arthur Edward Waite - The Book Of Ceremonial Magic

Magical Theory And Tradition

Book: Magical Theory And Tradition by Marcus Cordey

The theories and principles of magic are as diverse as the theories and principles of science. Indeed, the two fields were once one and the same only to diverge into Natural Philosophy and Occult Philosophy in the later Middle Ages. But unlike science, there are no concrete laws of magic. After all, science deals with the known and tangible where magic deals with the unknown and intangible.

Herein is proposed one collection of such principles as they are believed to govern the nature of magic. These principles have been derived from those described by Isaac Bonewits in his book Real Magic, as well as The Golden Bough of the 19th century anthropologist Sir James George Frazer, but have been further simplified and organized to embody their meaning as clearly as possible. It should also be remembered that these rules are only meant to help guide and direct a
student of the Occult arts, and are most likely represent only the smallest fragment of the greater laws underlying the true nature of reality.

Download Marcus Cordey's eBook: Magical Theory And Tradition

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Anonymous - Magic And Wyrd
Robert Mathiesen - Magic In Slavia Orthodoxa The Written Tradition
Frater Fp - Sigils In Theory And Practice
Aleister Crowley - Magick In Theory And Practice
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition

Meaning Of Magic Groups For Me

Like many of my friends, I have concerns about the intellectual stagnation of the members of these groups, particularly in the occult and pagan communities with which I have the most acquaintance. They claim not to be dogmatic but their members share many unexamined assumptions which they defend with intense hostility when they are called into question, however politely or reasonably. Systems of belief are seductive. I am frightened they will seduce me and repelled when I see others who have been seduced. Looking back on my personal history I can remember times that I fell into rigid systematization and I am ashamed. It's very satisfying to have all the answers but it chokes off the potential for independent thought. Now I am determined to embrace my own ignorance and the intrinsic ambiguity of the world, without abandoning my quest for knowledge.

Groups are hard for me because of my idiosyncracies. People become hostile because of my heretical positions on issues that are close to their hearts. In addition, I find much of the ritual work in these groups is so poorly done that it enters the realm of the patently offensive, like superhero comics or situation comedies. Finally I have personal mental blocks about group membership that derive from my intellectual distance from other children in school and the utter divergence of my interests - mostly scientific at the time - from theirs. I do not expect to fit in and in some ways group integration is a very threatening unknown. I admit that I have been known to act out when I seem to be starting to integrate, which does not always make me the most pleasant company. It takes a lot for me to admit that I like to have a group of friends. Given all this, one would think that I would avoid groups altogether, and for years of my life I have. During the current decade (the 1990's) I have been closer, though. There have even been a few months of heavy involvement here and there. Why?

In brief I know of three reasons. One is educational. I learn about spirituality through contact with others. Topics of study include ritual practice, social dynamics and the role of belief. I learn about methods I would otherwise never encounter, or only read about. I am an O.T.O. member at the moment because it gives me an opportunity to observe and take part in rituals due to its relatively liberal admission policies; if not for that I might never have a chance to study initiation, which is so important to many people.

The second is social. While I might at times deny it, there is something compelling about fraternal dynamics, something more than hanging out with one's friends, even though it is also that. I do not understand this very well yet but I only have the opportunity to study it by belonging to a group. In addition, there is a great range of variation, and I sometimes meet wonderful people who share my unusual interests. I don't know where else I would meet such people.

I suppose I would lump the sexual in with the social. Almost all my girlfriends have had some occult or pagan involvement. Given my own degree of personal involvement and the general social prejudice against Occultism there might be problems otherwise. I don't know where else I would meet suitable partners. But perhaps this assumption reflects some insecurity in myself. I'm a pretty reasonable and accomodating person and could probably come to terms with any spiritual person, occult or otherwise.

Third and last there is the experiential aspect of spirituality in groups. This differs from solitary practice in many ways. In the past I hoped for some balance to my natural reclusiveness by matching solitary practice with group practice, but I have found over time this is based on something of a false distinction, and I no longer feel motivated by the idea of equilibration. This is only a quest for external redemption. So what is different and worthwhile about ritual in groups?

A good group ritual can transform the space more powerfully than most solitary rituals. Something about the group affirmation of the change of space brings in a whole new dimension that is only rarely attained in my private rituals. The energy is thick, hanging almost palpably in the air. This is a remarkable experience and often a very rewarding one. (I feel embarassed by admitting this, as if I should defend my solitary practice, which does transform space. Perhaps I err in saying that group ritual transforms space more, rather than differently.) A bad group ritual, though, can evoke revulsion and offense, whereas a bad solitary ritual is usually only disappointing. I don't have bad trips in solitary ritual or meditation, but I can leave a poorly-done group ritual absolutely furious. In any case, the range of ritual experiences is expanded in groups and so is my understanding as a participant-observer.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - You Forever
Nu Isis Working Group - Magical Scripts And Cipher Alphabets
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Melita Denning - Mysteria Magica Book V

Intellectual Exploration In Magic

I am motivated by a quest for knowledge, that is, by curiosity. I'm an intellectual type and I like to be able to formulate clear ideas about things. My spiritual experiences are very hard for me to understand. I don't even have a good concept of the scope of the subject. What is the spiritual? Is it a group of psychological faculties? Or an arbitrary semantic convention that conflates dissimilar phenomena? Is it a value judgment masquerading as an observational category? Or does it indicate some underlying psychological or metaphysical reality around which we revolve, whether we know it or not?

I can't answer these questions. They may not ultimately be answerable, because spirituality seems to take us outside the realm of reason. However, by doing ritual and meditation by myself and with others, and observing in a phenomenological mode - that is, accepting mental phenomena as real without regard to their accuracy or defensibility - I feel that I am getting closer to understanding parts of the continuum of spirituality. At least I am asking better questions than I used to. My curiosity about the spiritual has become a goal in its own right, whether or not this curiosity furthers my own spiritual development; the spirit has become a subject for psychology.

Largely as a result of my interest in spiritual experience, I have become interested in related subjects, such as the history of Occultism and the social dynamics of spiritual groups. I find that spiritual practice and group membership provide useful resources and observational opportunities to further these studies.

This is all very interesting, at least to me, but by itself it is only "the dogs of reason." There is more.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Phil Hine - Aspects Of Evocation
Phil Legard - An Approach To The Operation Of The Arbatel Of Magic
Melita Denning - The Foundations Of High Magick
Eliphas Levi - The Ritual Of Transcendental Magic
John Coughlin - Out Of The Shadows An Exploration Of Dark Paganism And Magick

Three Definitions Of Magick

Starhawk says, “Any viable religion developing today will inevitably be concerned with some form of magic, defined as “the art of changing consciousness at will.” magick has always been an element of WitchCraft, but in the Craft its techniques were practiced with a context of community and connection. They were means of ecstatic union with the Goddess Self - not ends in themselves. Fascination with the psychic - or the psychological - can be a dangerous sidetrack on any spiritual path. When inner visions become a way of escaping contact with others, we are better off simply watching television. When “expanded consciousness” does not deepen our bonds with people and with life, it is worse than useless: It is spiritual self-destruction.

If Goddess religion is not to become mindless idiocy, we must win clear of the tendency of magic to become superstition. Magic - and among its branches I include psychology as it purports to describe and change consciousness - is an art. Like other arts, its efficacy depends far more on who is practicing it than on what theory they base their practice. Egyptian tomb painting is organized on quite different structural principles that twentieth-century Surrealism - yet both schools produced powerful paintings. Balinese music has a different scale and rhythmic structure from Western music, but it is no less beautiful. The concepts of Freud, Jung, Melanie Klein, and Siberian shamanism cal all aid healing or perpetuate sickness, depending on how they are applied.

Magickal systems are highly elaborate metaphors, not truths. When we say “There are twelve signs in the Zodiac,” what we really mean is “we will view the infinite variety of human characteristics through this mental screen, because with it we can gain insights”; just as when we say” there are eight notes in the musical scale,” we mean that out of all the possible range and variations of sounds, we will focus on those that fall into these particular relationship, because by doing so we can make music. But when we forget that the signs are arbitrary groupings of stars, and start believing that there are large lions, scorpions, and crabs up in the sky, we are in trouble. The value of magic metaphors is that through them we identify ourselves and connect with larger forces; we partake of the elements, the cosmic process, the movements of the stars. But if we use them for glib explanations and cheap categorizations, they narrow the mind instead of expanding it and reduce experience to a set of formulas that separate us from each other and our own power. “ ( The Spiral Dance, Starhawk, p 192,, Harper & Row: New York, NY, 1979)

Amber K uses the words of many to define the subject. “Stewart Farrar puts it this way: “The stage-by-stage development of the entire human being is the whole aim of magic.” According to Weinstein, magick can help “get your entire life in harmony - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychically…. And what is the ultimate purpose of the work? To fulfill the self on an even higher level. To transform, uplift, and so fully develop the self that the whole Universe may benefit thereby.”

William G. Gray, another will-known occultist, says: “Magic is for growing up as Children of the Light. Sane, sound, healthy, and happy souls, living naturally and normally on levels of inner Life where we can be REAL people as contrasted with the poor shadow-selves we project at one another on Earth.”

Thus magick exists to expedite, guide and enhance change. wiccans might say it is the work of the God within: “Everything She touches, changes…”” In her book True Magick, Amber addresses the subject from a unique perspective. She sees all life and our endeavors as related to reclaiming a consciousness of our greater selves - the all-connected life form which we comprise as a whole. Only humans can make this journey. Perhaps because other life forms so effortlessly inhabit the whole without confusion, or perhaps because we, of all the creatures on Earth, have the capacity to analyze our selves. We have the capacity to change our thought processes, our behaviors and to make permanent change within and without our selves.

“We are part of All That Is. With magick we can experience existence from the perspective of the other parts, and know that we are One…Such a quest requires us to change, and magick is an effective tool for defining new goals and reaching for unknown limits and bring ourselves into new territory.

“Magick requires daring. It brings the “little death” [giving up oneself] which is part of rebirth. Not to change is to stagnate and die; but to willingly offer up the life we know, is to find a greater Life. To the conscious mind unaware of the immortal Spirit within, this kind of sacrifice, the loss of the isolated, little person-self. Seems terrifying indeed. Yet through it one regains the lost wholeness of the Greater Self, which is all of us, which is The God/dess.” (True Magick, Amber K, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 1990.)

Raymond Buckland is emphatic that magick in the wiccan religion is secondary to the practice of wicca as a religion. However, magick is a large part of the religion and the practice of WitchCraft. “In itself, magick is a practice. If all you want to do is work magick, then you don't need to become a Witch to do it. Anyone can do magick, or, at least can attempt to do it. such a person is a magician. ….. But what exactly, is “Magick”?… Aleister Crowley defined magick as “the art or science of causing change to occur in conformity with will”. In other words, making something happen that you want to happen. How do we make these things happen? By using the “power” (for want of a better word) that each of us has within. Sometimes we must supplement that power by calling on the gods, but for most things we can produce all that we need ourselves.” (Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Raymond Buckland, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 1989)

Books You Might Enjoy:

Will Herberg - The Writings Of Martin Buber
Israel Regardie - The Art And Meaning Of Magic
Aleister Crowley - Intro Magick
Benjamin Rowe - The Essential Skills Of Magick
Melita Denning - The Foundations Of High Magick

The Magic Pyramid

Of the Magician's Pyramid, the tip of the pyramid is the work performed and the power used, and the four corners of the base, the four sources of that power. They are, equally and in no order, Imagination, Will, Faith, and Secrecy.

Imagination (Air): You must be able not only to devise potent ways to achieve your aims, but also to visualise or feel the energies you are working with and the results of your efforts. You can only do what you can think of, but you can do anything you can think of. Allow yourself to daydream and develop your imagination. Make use of your wildest ideas, dreams and fantasies. As long as they remain under your control, the wilder, richer and more fantastic the better, but be careful not to lose touch with reality. There are many who have gone before you and have gone insane, and it might be best for you not to follow them if your mind is not strong enough. If you can sit for an hour with your mind blank, not thinking a single thought for that time, then your mind is strong enough, and if not, then you must practice.

Will (Fire): You must be focused and determined. Nothing must distract you or waive you from your aims, and so you must develop your will. You must be able to assert yourself, to dispense with any opposition and traverse any obstacle. In your mind, there must be nothing that can stop you. If you do not have the will, you do not have the way. Now, be warned that failure is devastating to the will, and sometimes it is better not to try at all than to try and fail, and have not the will to try again. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail, and you cannot afford to fail. Therefore, prepare. If you can hold your gaze on the centre of a candle flame for an hour, without looking away and maintaining your awareness the whole time, then your will is strong enough, and if not, then you must practice.

Faith (Earth): You must believe in yourself utterly and, if you call upon any talismans, amulets or deities in your work, you must believe in them utterly also. The slightest doubt, however deeply buried in the back of your mind, can still thwart your aims. He who does not believe in himself is his own greatest adversary. In the words of Paracelsus, "Through Faith the Imagination is invigorated and completed, for it really happens that every doubt mars its perfection..." Indeed, every doubt you hold will dent your will, and whether the dent be slight or great, you cannot afford the detriment to your will. It is for this reason that you must be able to depend completely upon the validity of your own words. Every time you tell a lie, break a promise, make a prediction that does not come true, or simply say something which is proved wrong, whether the fault is yours or not, it will dent your faith. For this reason you must say nothing that you cannot be totally certain is the truth, not of the past, the present, nor of the future.

Secrecy (Water): Knowledge is power, and to give knowledge, and therefore power, to someone who may then use it against you themselves, or pass it on to someone else who might, is folly. You should not reveal to anyone any more about yourself than you wish them to know. Guard also your knowledge of other things. Study and learn all that you can, and share it only if you are given something in exchange. The total power you have over those around you is the total of that which is relevant and which you know, and they do not. Never give in to vanity, and never feel that you have to prove yourself to anyone. Keep your tongue still and your ears sharp. Remember that those around you may, and probably will, be keeping many secrets themselves, as well as trying to learn yours, so always read between the lines, and never take anything that anyone says at face value.

If you are strong in Imagination, in Will, in Faith, and in Secrecy, then you are strong in magick. What you lack in any of these, you lack in magick. Not only must you be strong in each of these, but you must be strong in each of these equally, for any imbalance in these will unbalance your magick. You must keep your Imagination, Will, Faith, and Secrecy in balance. He who allows his imagination to reign becomes insane, he who allows his will to reign becomes megalomanic, he who allows his faith to reign becomes stagnant, and he who allows his secrecy to reign becomes paranoid. Whereas he who allows his imagination to suffer becomes brain-dead, he who allows his will to suffer becomes indifferent, he who allows his faith to suffer becomes inhibited, and he who allows his secrecy to suffer becomes ignorant. He who develops each of these in balance becomes powerful, he who neglects any one of these becomes nothing.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
Aninymous - The Angelical Alphabet
Solomonic Grimoires - The Magic Of Armadel
Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival

The Creative Process In Magick

Each of us creates every moment of his or her entire life by sending out thoughts, feelings, emotions, prayers or declarations into the Matrix, being the energy weavings of the universe. We can send out new thougths that might change the energy patterns, or repeat old thoughts that will (re)create more of the old energy forms, or we may be influenced by the ideas and emotions of others and help so reinforce their energy patterns. We are not only sending energy, at the same time we are receiving the energy of the thoughts and feelings of others. If their thoughts and feelings contain truth for us, we might incorporate that energy as 'our own', what means that your thoughts don't necessarily have to be your own thoughts!

To understand the creative process we need to understand the basics of it:

* The power of belief
The more you believe that what you think and feel is true, the more certainty you add to the energy you send out, and the bigger the change that it wil take form in the physical world. Also the more you think the universe will grant it you, the greater the certainty that you will receive it. Be thankful on beforehand, knowing that it is already existing and will appear in the physical world.

* The power of united souls
The more persons think, feel or pray the same thing, the bigger the amount of a certain energy capable of causing changes.

* The power of repetition.
The more often you think or feel the same thing, the more belief and certainty about it you raise in your mind, so the more powerful your sent out energy becomes. Choose the same thing over and over again.

* The power of clarity of mind.
Make sure that you know what to choose; that way you send out equal messages to the universe.

* The power of similarity
Like attracts like! You will attract that what you send out, so if your thoughts contain a lot of fear of disease for instance, you will attract disease as a magnet. If you send out thoughts of love and kindness, you will suddenly notice that unknown people smile at you and greet you.
* The power of the basic emotions love and fear. At the base of every thought or emotion (or behind the conscious thought/emotion) lies one of these two emotions.
If the basis is love, you will have ideas like: there is enough for everyone, I am good enough to ask this, the Universe will grant it me, I am thankful for life and its treasures... You will feel self-trust, self-love and self-confidence, inner peace and union with the All. A basic thought of love will add enormous power to your creative force. If the basis is fear, you will think things like: there is never enough, I won't get it, I don't deserve it, I am not good enough, I have not done enough, I will lose it again, what if it does not work?You will experience fears and worries, doubts and insecurities, and you regard yourself as separate from the infinite Source. A basic thought of fear will severely diminish your power to create.

* The power of taking responsibility.
If you take responsibility for your life than you can find the strength to make conscious changes in it. If everybody around you has done it, or fate, and you consider yourself a helpless victim, then how could you even believe that you could influence your own life in a positive way? Of course you are not personally responsible for big events like wars, earthquakes or tornadoes; these occurrences are often called upon by our group-consciousness. Also many personal issues are often created by more persons than just you. But you surely are responsible for your reactions on and decisions towards all events. Do you try to find a positive solution or do you sit down effortless in self-pity? (Discourage creates the same thing over and over).

* The power of attention.
What you give attention to will be realized. This means that the love you feel for the things you like to realize will attract them to you.
This also implies that suppression of 'bad' or 'ugly' parts of our personality only contributes to their existence. After all you have to put quite some energy in the denial of these characteristics by trying to think them away. It is much more beneficial to accept that we all have our 'good' and 'bad' qualities, and that we choose whether we want to live as a sinner or a saint. Observe 'the horrible you' without judging it, decide what kind of person you want to be, and?think and act in a new way. Mind torturers like fears, worries, anger and grief can disappear if you simply let them be, accept them without putting energy in it. The feelings you dare to confront without holding on can pass through you like clouds.

* The power of thought control.
If you notice yourself thinking something that you don't wish to think, simply consider how you want to think over that subject or person and? send out the new thought. It is like copying out a page on a computer!

* The power of not-accepting-no.
Declare your truth completely, friendly, but determined. If people argue about it simply agree that you can understand their point of view, but... repeat your truth firmly and friendly... until you get what you want. This is the famous technic of assertivity trainings known as the 'broken gramophone record'.

In fact the creative process is a big personally adapted mind-control program. You'd better control your own mind then having it done by others!




Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - Basic Techniques Of Sex Magick
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Aleister Crowley - Intro Magick

The Character Of Magick

I have a friend, her husband is morbidly obese through indulgent overeating. Whole roasts at night! She feels betrayed. My husband is unconscious in the hospital bed, as I sit here I feel incredibly alone and abandoned. I miss him, yet he is right there. A friend is divorcing. Her husband says she should trust him, even though his last two years are filled with an adulterous affair, a current romantic interest and games she cannot possibly unravel. The young magician says he wants love, but lurks around the house peering out windows after the love spell is complete. He becomes bitter because magic doesn't work either.

In Stephen Covey's book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People he provides a tool. Envision yourself at your own funeral. People come to speak of you. Your mate, your co-workers, your friends, your children. What would you want each of these people to say about you? Now, he says, look at your life. Are you living your life, are you interacting with these people in such a way that they can say that about you? If you want your wife or husband to say that you were supportive, creative, generous and understanding - have you been supportive? Creative? Generous? Understanding?

We are the sum of our behaviors and experience. Our actions throughout our lives define who we are and what our beliefs are. It matters not what we say, if our actions express another belief and personality. My friend's husband refuses to understand why his wife cannot, will not trust him. In the past year he has given his wife a sexually transmitted diseases, had an affair without protection, risking his life, her life and the future of their children. He may see himself as a good man, an honorable man - but there is no validity.

Robin lies in a hospital bed. I have my hand on his leg, yet I was alone. Why? Robin is my supporter, my counselor, my cohort in humor, my lover. This body is not my love. My love is the sum of all the actions he brings, all the support, his every word. I am alone, so alone, until he recovers and again offers me these things.

My girlfriend's partner isn't the man she signed on with either. He lost weight, became active to catch a woman, then went back to his old ways. When they met, he was active, average weight, involved in her pursuits. Now he is sedentary, loath to take a walk, protests his infirmity. She is right. He has abandoned her.

All of these people would be completely appalled by these portraits of betrayal. There is no question about good or bad persons. We are that which we have become, that which we have accrued, based on the sum of our express actions. The man who lies and has sex, is a liar and an adulterer. He has no rights to acceptance in our world. Yet, already, he is busy twisting things in his head so he can be self-righteous about abandoning his little girl and their newborn son. But there is no issue here with his honor, he has none.

The magician who has lit a candle and said the right words, never followed up with actions consistent with that stated goal. His actions say not, "Hey, I want love and am willing to be a partner." These actions state, "Hey, you come to me. I'm not going to change. If this isn't easy, I'm not going waste my time."

Recently a young girl wrote us and said her father was and elder in a Lutheran church, but she was pledged to the Goddess. Her question? She was scheduled for confirmation, should she go through with it?

I passed this question amongst the wiccan community. I was astonished to discover that almost every Pagan said, "Sure, why not?" It would save strife and avoid embarrassing her father. Folks thought I was so harsh to have told this child that if she lied, she would be a liar and that lie would shape her life. Now her actions are expedient, later it will become easy.

When you screw it up, lie, don't follow through commitments, it shapes your life, sets up the pattern for the future and defines you. There is a cultural myth that beliefs are important - not acts. Other sects insist, "Through your acts shall you be known." People have not been trained to examine their thoughts and actions for consistency with their values, commitments, and stated belief system. Those who follow the Old Gods and their magick must.

I tell those beginning in magic that they must look at the overall picture. If you cast your spell, but do not follow up with action consistent in the accomplishment of your goal, the magick is weakened and ineffective. If you cast your spell, using proper words, but have any conflict or doubt about those goals or words, the magick is weak and ineffective. When people tell me that so-and-so bad person is casting spells for harm, I rarely worry. Weak character will provide for poor follow-through and inconsistent internal messaging, and thus their magick is weak and ineffective.

For magick to truly work, for our world to be magickal, we must decide what we want it to look like, what we want us to look like, and then live the appropriate actions, and thoughts, to bring it into being. We must become who we are. If wiccans are not people of honorable and consistent character, then this magick we love so much is just a fantasy of illusion, a pretty game.

Live the Magick!

Books You Might Enjoy:

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Israel Regardie - The Art And Meaning Of Magic
Aleister Crowley - Magick
Amber K - The Basics Of Magick
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic

Difference Between Religion And Magick

The differentiating factor between religion and magick seems to be whether or not there was a specialist assigned the role as intercessor to the Gods or Elemental Energies. This is also one of the key issues in present day witchcraft - whether or not each person is a direct link to the energy and can meet their needs without assistance, or if we need those persons who have the time, talents, interest, etc. in being a full-time conduit between these energies and those who consider themselves as Pagans, Witches, Wiccans, etc.

While the jury is still out, the majority of Witches think it would be a travesty if we allowed any third party interpretation or mandatory access to that natural energy we are all heir to as humans and part of the interactive Sacred Play that is Gaia, our world and our spiritual world. Many early religions that began as a one-on-one link with the divine later came to a formal, procedurally bound, mockery of our Divine nature. The power in paganism is that we claim our power by right, and will never give or dilute it by channeling it through others. We are as much a mirror of the Gods, as they are a reflection of us.

The nature of deity is that we have created a personalized representation of those forces which are awe-inspiring and important to us, and given them characteristics and names so that we may refer to them amongst ourselves handily. Those outside this rich interactive style came to believe that these forces were indeed outside of us, and labeled them as transcendent, or other. As Luke was taught by Obi Wan and Yoda, there is a life-force which all beings naturally have. We are part of it, have need of it, and can learn to listen and use it. Only recently did we forget as a race, that it is our birthright and the nature of our being. Life, death, rebirth, creation, beauty - these are all a natural use of the energy so readily available.

Books You Might Enjoy:

William Butler Yeats - The Secret Rose And Rosa Alchemica
Henry Cornelius Agrippa - Occult Philosophy And Magick Book Iii
Peter De Abano - Heptameron Or Magical Elements
Parker Torrence - The Craft Grimoire Of Eclectic Magic

Animal Magic

A Circle fills the room with its special glow. Fragrant herbs perfume the air; candles light the night. And two small eyes glow up at you, knowing that they too are part of the magic.

People and animals have worked magic together in many ways, some of which were a part of everyday life. In agricultural lands, animals worked the magic of providing our survival through the winter. They provided food and materials used in all facets of the community.

Imagine a time before cars, trains and planes. People were somewhat bound to their homeland since walking cross-country seemed an endless journey. But then, on horseback, people could easily explore. Some say that the use of horses led to the major shifts in political and spiritual history, as one tribe invaded another with mounted soldiers, forever society and religion. For better or worse, horses changed the course of history.

Even in industrial times, we've worked with animals. You've heard the expression "a canary in a coal mine." Miners used canaries to detect problems with the air quality, oxygen level, and presence of invisible poison gas. Canaries were more sensitive to these threats and could alert the workers.

Magical animals are not unfamiliar to the myths of Old. For example, Odin used two ravens to fly around the world and report back all that they saw. Could this symbolic tale be rooted in a form of divination used at the time? In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was a symbol of eternal life. This lore is based on the way beetles rolled a ball of dung in which to lay their eggs. The idea of life from dung must surely relate to the eternal cycles of nature. Even the Christians assimilated symbols like the dove and the lamb. Animals as mythic symbols cross a wide variety of cultures.

In understanding these mythic animals, we must know the context in which they were viewed. For example, thousands of years from now, historians might not understand the exact emotions we attach to symbols when we say someone is a deer, or a jackass. Remember that next time you read the myths of Bast, or Cerberus, or even the American Eagle.

Today, most magical people think of familiars as their household pets, the little ones who provide joy, insight and companionship -- not to mention shed all over black clothing and robes! Animals in general are closer to nature than we are. They remember their instinctual ways easier than we do. Why limit this to pets? The animals around us in the field can share our magical moments? Did we encounter a gentle and curious deer along our first walk in the woods? Did geese fly overhead and squawk their applause for our lovemaking? How do these animal events speak to you? You can merely visualize your magical animal, like a totem guide or imaginary friend. (And you'll never need to pay for a vet!)

Whether in myth or reality, an animal's unique traits can teach us specific lessons in nature. Can we learn by watching an animal hunt? Protect its young? Weave webs? Float from one flower to another, tasting a mix of sweet nectars? Or nest and lay the fragile egg of new beginnings?

Don't limit your familiars to just animals. Why not a plant? Plants teach us about laying roots, growing wild, turning to face the light. Plants show us new ways to branch out, bear fruit -- or wither, fall and provide a subtle new start for others. Are we any different?

Why not have an object as a familiar? Are not all things in nature alive? Can an old gray boulder show us anything about weathering the tests of time? Can Granny's old wristwatch teach us about cycles?

Perhaps the most familiar idea comes when you know that you already hold all these special qualities within yourself. We too have animal ways, branch out like plants, and live the lessons of solid tangible form no differently than Granny's watch. Familiar means family, being One with another. Knowing you are One with all things makes everything seem quite familiar. And everything will look to you, knowing that it too is part of the magic.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Pansophic Freemasons - Masonic Symbolism
Melita Denning - Mysteria Magica Book V
Aristotle - Metaphysics

A New Type Of Money Magic

A young graduate opens a card from Aunt Betty; it contains a crisp green bill, along with congratulations and sincere wishes for success. Grandparents buy their new-born grandchild a Savings Bond, a gesture which will be stored away for decades before being "released" into that child's life. A loyal customer respects the hard work of a local business owner, and goes out of the way to buy THERE, instead of some other business owned by strangers. Money truly is magic.

Most money spells commonly involve a person's wish to RECEIVE money. But what about the opposite? Can you attach and focus magical energy within the money you SPEND, so that it can aid and bless others?

Let's suppose that money is not a tangible object; it is energy. magic often involves gathering, focusing and releasing energy to achieve a specific purpose. Is that any different than earning, saving, and then spending money? When you spend, you transmit a bit of energy in a certain direction. You decide where it goes, whether to Place A or to Place B, to Purpose A or to Purpose B. You create change -- and that can be magic!

Perhaps we instinctively are aware of the energy within the money we give to others. For example, it is common for local businesses to hang up the first few dollar bills they earn as "good luck" charms. Some bills even have personal handwritten notes penned with good wishes by the merchant's friends and supporters. But early forms of money weren't dollar bills. Early forms of money were metal coins. Today we have a special word for coins; we call them "change." Change? Like the way we change the world? What an interesting word for money! And the mathematical symbol for change? The Delta, a triangle, the same symbol we use today for the element Fire. Energy. Change. It is no accident that our language shows this relationship. Word histories often show how two things were once related.

While money ITSELF is nothing sacred, be aware of the energy you send when you spend. As you write out your monthly bills, use the energy within it to bless others. See the hard work you do for your wages as a way to raise energy to create positive change for yourself and those you support.

Even the "monthly ritual" of paying your bills can be magical. Your phone bill can be a way to bless the loved ones you call each month. Your mortgage or rent can be a house blessing. How else can you direct energy through money? Your taxes? Your charitable donations? Your savings or special nest egg? Look for your own personal ways to do this. You are limited only by your imagination.

Rather than spells to GET money, try using money magic as a blessing for others -- you may be quite surprised by what you receive in return!

Books You Might Enjoy:

Julian Wilde - Grimoire Of Chaos Magick
Arthur Edward Waite - The Book Of Ceremonial Magic
Arthur Edward Waite - Book Of Ceremonial Magic

The Four Directions Correspondences For Ritual And Magic

he Four Quarters in Circle Casting

It’s a common practice to call upon the energies of the four quarters in circle casting for ritual. Many of the modern aspects associated with each direction have been filtered through ceremonial magic. Other traditions borrow from native cultures and add a shamanic component with animal spirits as guardians of each quarter. The term Guardians of the Watchtowers is sometimes used to call the quarters and believed to be derived from the Enochian (Angelic) system of magic developed by John Dee in the 16th century.

orrespondence Systems

Various traditions and cultures have different correspondences for each direction that are to be used as a complete system. A person working with a group will undoubtedly be trained in that group’s style. But options aren’t limited for solitaries. Encyclopedic books of correspondences are helpful tools.

You can, however, develop your own system of correspondences that you relate strongly with as well as studying the systems of those who came before you. The purpose is to use these components in ritual to focus your mind on the working at hand.

What is presented here is a framework to build from based on systems that have worked for others over the centuries. Below are common correspondences related to each direction to help you connect with the energy you are calling on.
East - Direction of New Life

Season: Spring.

Element: Air.

Colors: Pastels, Yellow.

Tarot: Swords.

Other correspondences: Archangel Raphael, animals that herald in the spring such as the robin, waxing moon, creativity, inspiration, clarity of vision, youth. The eagle is a common totem for the east. Some traditions have the altar facing in this direction because it is the place of new beginnings and vision.

South - Direction of Passion

Season: Summer.

Element: Fire.

Colors: Reds and oranges.

Tarot: Wands.

Other correspondences: Archangel Michael, sun gods and love goddesses, fierce, fiery animals such as the lion, passion, sensuality, regeneration, the full moon, adults in their prime.
West - Direction of Intuition

Season: Autumn.

Element: Water.

Colors: Blues and purples.

Tarot: Cups.

Other correspondences: Archangel Gabriel, dark gods and goddesses, the otter or other watery creatures, dreams, intuition, emotions, the waning moon.

Pentacle in the North
Pentacle in the North
North - Direction of Mystery

Season: Winter.

Element: Earth.

Colors: Browns and black.

Tarot: Pentacles.

Other correspondences: Archangel Uriel, the bear, the ancestors and spirits, the dark moon, the divine mystery, stability, darkness, crones. Some traditions have their altar facing this direction because of its association with spirituality, and the occult.
Learn to Associate with Each Direction

Spend some meditation time with each direction getting to know what aspects are important to you in your area of the world. What plant life flourishes in the different seasons where you are? What animals seem more prevalent and what are their actions? What scents do you associate with each direction? For instance, I would place earthy musk scents in the north and flowery scents like lilac and lavender in the east.

You don't have to be in a rural environment to notice these things as the directions are based on spiritual concepts. Mythological creatures may come to your mind as guardians of each direction or to bring in energies you need to work with.

You may want to spend a period of time over days, weeks, or longer meditating on each direction before moving on to the next. However, in the process of casting a circle or in the middle of ritual, you very likely will be prompted by the spirit of the direction that needs your utmost attention.

Trust your intuition and write down or sketch everything that comes to you in these meditations even if it seems unimportant. This can prove invaluable to your personal practice and provide information in developing your own system of correspondences to use for years to come.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - The Initiated Interpretation Of Ceremonial Magic
Eliphas Levi - Transcendental Magic Part Ii The Ritual Of Transcendental Magic
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Eliphas Levi - The Doctrine Of Transcendental Magic

Moon Phase Magic

Each phase of the moon has its own special correspondences. From the Cold Moon of January through the warmth of summer's Blessing Moon, to the final Long Nights Moon in December, each month has distinct characteristics -- herbs, elements, gemstones and even trees associated with each phase of the moon.

Every full moon is surrounded by legends and lore of its own. Learn about the monthly full moons that emerge each year, and the magical correspondences for each.

Moon Phase Names in the Southern Hemisphere

If you live in the southern hemisphere, your moon phases will be different from the ones on traditional neo-Pagan calendars. Here's how you can calculate the name of the moon cycle if you live south of the Equator.

Cold Moon

The chill of January brings us the Cold Moon, which reminds us that winter still has a few more months to go. Also called the Wolf Moon, this is a time when our bodies are a bit sluggish, and we need to put some effort into magical workings.

Quickening Moon

February's Quickening Moon brings us a time reflection and quiet, and we can use this phase to make plans for our future, knowing that spring will soon be coming.

Storm Moon

March rolls in like a lion, and brings with it the Storm Moon. Despite the chill in the air, by the end of the month, the signs of spring and new life are on their way.
Wind Moon -- April's Magical Seed Moon
April starts off wild and wet, and by the time it's over, the air has been reduced to gentle breezes that carry seeds around the earth. Learn about April's Wind Moon, and the magic that goes along with it.

Flower Moon

In the merry month of May, the soil warms up enough that we can begin planting. In addition to our garden, we can work on nourishing our souls and hearts. Learn about May's Flower Moon and its fiery magical associations.

Strong Sun Moon

Summer is when we see the longest days of the year, so it's no surprise that June's lunar phase is called the Strong Sun Moon. Learn about the earthy magical connections of this moon cycle.

Blessing Moon

July's full moon is known as the blessing moon, and is associated with certain herbs, trees, and deities.

Corn Moon

August's Corn Moon brings about a time of harvesting and preparation for the coming winter.

Harvest Moon

In September, we celebrate the Harvest Moon. It's a time of hearth and home, as we prepare for the coming cold months of winter.

Blood Moon

October's Blood Moon brings with it cool, clear nights and the knowledge that winter is around the corner. It's also a time for spiritual growth, because it's when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest.

Mourning Moon

In November, the Mourning Moon is upon us, and we can use the energy of this moon phase to shed last year's baggage and celebrate new beginnings.

Long Nights Moon

December's cold brings us the Long Nights Moon, which is a good time to evaluate the ordeals and trials in our lives. If you're already made it through the darkness, share your good fortune with others.

For many Pagans and Wiccans, the cycles of the moon are important to magical workings. It's believed in some traditions that the waxing moon, the full moon, the waning moon and the new moon all have their own special magical properties, and so workings should be planned accordingly. If your tradition follows these guidelines -- or if you think you'd like to time your magic based upon the phase of the moon -- here are some tips on what sort of magic to perform during the various lunar stages:

The Waxing Moon

The waxing moon is the period during which the moon grows from dark to full. It takes approximately fourteen days for this to happen. In many magical traditions, people use this time of the moon to perform "positive" magic -- in other words, magic that draws things to you, or increases things. Some examples would include:

* A money spell
* A working to get a new job or home
* Bringing love into one's life
* Any magic related to increasing material items

The Full Moon

The full moon is the point at which we can see an entire side of the moon. For magical purposes, most wiccans and Pagans consider the full moon to include the day before and the day after a full moon, for a total of three days. If your tradition requires you to follow the phases of the moon for your magical workings, this is a good time to do rituals focused on personal growth and spiritual development. Some examples would include:

* Spells related to increasing your intuitive awareness
* Healing magic
* Rituals that connect you closely with deity, such as Drawing Down the Moon
* Any magic related to developing your magical skills

For many Wiccans and Pagans, this is also a time to celebrate with an Esbat ritual.

The New Moon

The new moon is sometimes tricky to work with because you can't always see it during this phase - it will appear as a very faint crescent of silver low on the horizon, if you can see it at all. For approximately three days during each lunar cycle, after the moon has waned, it goes dark before waxing again. In many magical traditions, this is considered a fallow time, in which one rests and rejuvenates before beginning more intense magical workings again. In other traditions, it's a time to do magic related to wish fulfillment. Some examples might include:

* Cleansing and purifying of the body and mind
* Rituals that designate sacred space
* Any magic related to inner harmony and peace

The Waning Moon

The waning moon is the period during which the moon goes from full to dark once again. Like the waxing moon phase, it lasts approximately two weeks. In many traditions of wicca and Paganism, this time of the month is used to do "baneful" magic -- that which sends away, gets rid of or destroys things you no longer wish to be burdened by. Some examples would include:

* Magic to eliminate negative or toxic people from your life
* Workings to smoothly end a relationship or job
* Rituals that banish bad habits
* Any magic related to reducing things, such as debt, illness, etc.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Marcus Bottomley - Nine Proven Magical Rites
Julian Wilde - Grimoire Of Chaos Magick

Magical Ethics

There's a saying among the contemporary pagan community that "black magic is whatever works, White Magic is anything else." This stems in part from a misconception that black equals bad, white equals good, and that there are no gray areas at all. However, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Let's look at the word black itself, and figure out why it connotates evil. A big part of that is thanks to pop culture -- after all, in popular shows like Charmed or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the good guys are the "white light" people. The bad guys are surrounded by darkness. Another part of the whole black = bad concept is because of people who can't let go of their Christian upbringing, in which those who are righteous are surrounded by the light of God, and those who are damned will dwell in darkness.

The problem with this logic is that darkness in and of itself doesn't have to be bad at all. After all, how beautiful is a quiet night out in the country, miles away from the lights of a city? Have you ever walked in the woods at midnight, embracing the comfort of the shadows? Darkness is what lies in the soil, below the earth, before a plant grows in the spring. It is the long nights of winter, when we are drawn into our homes to embrace our families and count our good fortune. It is the inside of the womb, warm and nurturing. Even the darkness of the grave, of death itself, may be seen as welcoming.

Once we accept that dark isn't all that bad, it's a lot easier to look at the concept of "black magic" vs. "white magic." Even if we replace the words "black" with "negative" and "white" with "positive", we're still in a bit of a pickle, and here's why: because it is the intent that matters as much as the action. In other words, if someone performs magic that others might see as "negative," but does it for what they believe is an honest and just reason, then is it really negative magic?

To do magic is to say that you want to bring about change in the Universe -- after all, if everything were perfect, there'd be no need for magic at all. Any magic capable of causing change is also magic that can harm, simply by its very nature. Magic isn't some Super Spooky Power that we have -- it's a tool we can use to precipitate changes. Any tool can be used for helping or harming -- if I have a hammer, I can use it to build a house. I can also use it to whack people in the head. It's not the hammer that's "negative", but what I choose to do with it.

Case in point: in the early nineties, a serial rapist was terrorizing the women of a coastal city in the Carolinas. His reported victims, over two years, numbered at least two dozen, including a teenage girl who later committed suicide. A group of witches got together one night, and did a working calling for this man to be stopped by the Universe. A couple of weeks later, the prime suspect -- who was later convicted -- led police on a high-speed chase and wrecked his car, nearly dying from his injuries. He has lived since then severely handicapped, but he never raped another woman.

Negative magic, or no?

There are people within the wiccan and Pagan community who feel that any magic that affects other people at all is unethical, and they have the right to not perform any magic on, against, or for others. However, there are an equal amount of people who believe that change brought about by magic is acceptable, just as change brought about by mundane methods is acceptable. Chances are, the two camps will never agree, but what you can do, as an individual, is respect the beliefs of those who may disagree with you, whichever side you may happen to fall on.

Look at magic as a way to improve your life. You can use it to bring love to you, to gain financial abundance, to eliminate problems from your life. You can use it as a method of growth and self-empowerment. It can be used to help you fulfill your dreams, desires and goals. Can you use magic to help other people? Sure -- if they ask you to. If they haven't asked -- or if they've specifically told you NOT to do anything on their behalf, then don't.

Ultimately, only you can decide which forms of magic fall into your personal system of ethics. If you feel a particular course of action is wrong, then avoid it. If you feel it is ethically acceptable, and you're willing to accept the results of your actions, then so be it.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Jarl Fossum - Seth In The Magical Texts
Margaret Alice Murray - God Of The Whitches
Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival

Learn Magic

Casting magic is something everyone has thought about at one time or another. And now make it easy to learn how.

What you need!

1. You must want to learn.
2. Decide if you want to learn white magic or dabble in the fine arts of black magic.
3. You must believe in Magic.

If you have those three things you are now ready to learn to cast magic! You will also need spells, but we supply those for you. So where to begin?

Follow these steps:

1. Read the FAQs - This will give you a good idea about the website and some general information about spell casting.
2. Read the Tips - These tips have been written after years of casting experience. They are also good at answering some basic questions many people have.
3. Select a Spell from our spell list. Follow the instructions and cast it. It is that simple.
4. Create a Membership in the website. Membership is free and allows you access to the forums, the chatter and more.
5. Join a Coven. You don't have to join a Coven, but if you do you will find people more willing to help you.

Did your spell not work? Don't worry, you are new and sometimes it takes a while before people really understand magic. But we are here to help you!

There are lots of ways to get help from us:

1. Read the forums - Or join the website as a member (100% free!) and post your problems in the forums yourself to get help.
2. Live Chat - Join in the conversation with us and ask your question online and get a real time answer.
3. Keep Practicing - Yup, just like everything else in life the more you practice something the better you become at it.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Aleister Crowley - Intro Magick
Aleister Crowley - Magick

How To Use White Magic For Good Luck

If you are having bad luck use a white magic technique for turning it around. During the process you can also assess the levels of positive and negative energy in your home. These techniques will also reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of evil spells.

Instructions

1.Choose the day and time. The following is most effective when carried out at 12pm on a Tuesday.
2.Fill glasses with water. Have at least one glass for each room of your house. Fill 3/4 full with tap water.
3.Create the mix. Add a teaspoon of sugar, a sprinkling of cinnamon, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley to each glass.
4.Set the glasses. Place one glass with the mixture in each room of your house.
5.Assess positivity and negativity. In homes with high positive energy, the parsley remains fresh. Wilting occurs quickly in homes with negative energy. In case of wilting remove parsley and replace with fresh sprig.
6.Remove the glasses. To notice positive change in your luck the glasses must remain in your home for at least a week. The longer you keep them the better your luck will be.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Louis Claude De Saint Martin - Theosophic Correspondence
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition
Solomonic Grimoires - The Magic Of Armadel
Roger Bacon - The Mirror Of Alchemy
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love

Protection And Reversal Magick A Witch Defense Manual

Book: Protection And Reversal Magick A Witch Defense Manual by Jason Miller

Jason Miller's Protection & Reversal Magick: A Witch's Defense Manual, is a fine book that I could recommend, without reservation, to anyone with an interest in magick and witchcraft that goes beyond the typical Wicca 101 books so prevalent in every chain bookstore in America. It dives head first into a topic that is almost never mentioned in so many books on witchcraft, and that is that there is some risk associated with magickal practice.

It's an all too common problem with many books on witchcraft to completely gloss over or sugar coat the idea that magick is real and can effect you negatively as well as positively in order to appeal to a wider audience.

Protection and Reversal Magick is a well done book, for both the novice or the experienced. The author's conversational tone (and occasional humor) is much appreciated. I found that even in just the reading of the book, the principles and ideas seemed to help and I like that the meditations or spells, if you prefer, can be done virtually anywhere at any time. Preferably, of course, you would prefer to be alone to concentrate, but in an emergency you gotta do what you gotta do...The Information on how to tell whether you are the recipient of a psychic attack is invaluable.

This book does not strip down or sugar coat its contents to appeal to the dabbling magician. That being said, it does book provides a practical, easy to understand, step by step guide to magical protection that can be put into use really by anyone with a desire to try. In other words it delivers exactly what it promises, the information you need to help you protect yourself from outside forces as well as conditions brought on by your own actions. It draws from a variety of sources without the all too common pit fall of "being eclectic for eclectic's sake". It also provides many new spells and ideas straight from the author's practice. Not only does this give you a great starting point from which to begin working from but also gives you a head start from which to do your own further research into the topics presented if you wanted to. In addition to being grounded in tried and true methods, this book is able to appeal to all readers by not being grounded in one tradition or religion and instead focusing on the craft and techniques of magick.

This book is an excellent guide to using protection magic. It helped me to obtain peace in my life. I always felt that hiddent forces were influencing me, making me angry and belligerent. Since I began using the practices outlined in the book I have become much more calm and relaxed. I recommend Protection and Reversal Magick to anyone dabbling in the magical realm.

Buy Jason Miller's book: Protection And Reversal Magick A Witch Defense Manual

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Egyptian Magic

Egyptian magic dates from the time when the predynastic and prehistoric dwellers in Egypt believed that the earth, and the underworld, and the air, and the sky were peopled with countless beings, visible and invisible, which were held to be friendly or unfriendly to man according as the operations of nature, which they were supposed to direct, were favourable or unfavourable to him. In -nature and attributes these beings were thought by primitive man to closely resemble himself and to possess all human passions, and emotions, and weaknesses, and defects; and the chief object of magic was to give man the pre-eminence over such beings. The favour of the beings who were placable and friendly to man might be obtained by means of gifts and offerings, but the cessation of hostilities on the part of those that were implacable and unfriendly could only be obtained by wheedling, and cajolery, and flattery, or by making use of an amulet, or secret name, or magical formula, or figure, or picture which had the effect of bringing to the aid of the mortal who possessed it the power of a being that was mightier than the foe who threatened to do evil to him.

The magic of most early nations aimed at causing the transference of power from a supernatural being to man, whereby he was to be enabled to obtain superhuman results and to become for a time as mighty as the original possessor of the power; but the object of Egyptian Magic was to endow man with the means of compelling both friendly and hostile powers, nay, at a later time, even God Himself, to do what he wished, whether the were willing or not. The belief in magic, the word being used in its best sense, is older in Egypt than the belief in God, and it is certain that a very large number of the Egyptian religious ceremonies, which were performed in later times as an integral part of a highly spiritual worship, had their origin in superstitious customs which date from a period when God, under any name or in any form, was unconceived in the minds of the Egyptians. Indeed it is probable that even the use of the sign which represents an axe, and which stands the hieroglyphic character both for God and "god," indicates that this weapon and. tool was employed in the performance of some ceremony connected with religious magic in prehistoric, or at any rate in predynastic times, when it in some mysterious way symbolized the presence of a supreme Power. But be this as it may, it is quite certain that magic and religion developed and flourished side by side in Egypt throughout all periods of her history, and that any investigation which we may make of the one necessarily includes an examination of the other.

From the religious books of ancient Egypt we learn that the power possessed by a priest or man who was skilled in the knowledge and working of magic was believed to be almost boundless. By pronouncing certain words or names of power in the proper manner and in the proper tone of voice he could heal the sick, and cast out the evil spirits which caused pain and suffering in those who were diseased, and restore the dead to life, and bestow upon the dead man the power to transform the corruptible into an incorruptible body, wherein the soul might live to all eternity. His words enabled human beings to assume divers forms at will, and to project their souls into animals and other creatures; and in obedience to his commands, inanimate figures and pictures became living beings and things which hastened to perform his behests. The powers of nature acknowledged his might, and wind and rain, storm and tempest, river and sea, and disease and death worked evil and ruin upon his foes, and upon the enemies of those who were provided with the knowledge of the words which he had wrested from the gods of heaven, and earth, and the underworld.

Inanimate nature likewise obeyed such words of power, and even the world itself came into existence through the utterance of a word by Thoth; by their means the earth could be rent asunder, and the waters forsaking their nature could be piled up in a heap, and even the sun's course in the heavens could be stayed by a word. No god, or spirit, or devil, or fiend, could resist words of power, and the Egyptians invoked their aid in the smallest as well as in the greatest events of their lives. To him that was versed in the lore contained in the books of the "double house of life" the future was as well known as the past, and neither time nor distance could limit the operations of his power; the mysteries of life and death were laid bare before him, and he could draw aside the veil which hid the secrets of fate and destiny from the knowledge of ordinary mortals.

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