What is Magic(k) and Three Categories of Magic(k)

First and foremost, when the word magic (or magick) is used in themagick.space, it has nothing to do with the performance magic or sleight of hand card tricks. It is about what most people know today as “mind over matter” or in other words as defined in the Oxford English dictionary, magic is the power to influence events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. So, let’s explore what magic really is to see if the forces are really that mysterious or just a part the reality we are living.

Everyone has probably heard that everything is energy. If we accept this axiom, then it is safe to say that everything we do in life is related to interaction with a certain field of energy. This field may seem as something mysterious and supernatural, yet it is simply our reality. Magic on the other hand can be described as a practice that influences this energy field in various ways in order to achieve desired results or bring change by causing a certain experience. One of my favorite definitions of magic is – the ability of a person to create events that others may perceive to be accidental. So, where does the word magic itself comes from and what are other ways, we can define magic?

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia regarding the etymology of the word “magic”: The English words magic, mage and magician come from the Latin magus, through the Greek μάγος, which is from the Old Persian maguš. (magician). The Old Persian magu- is derived from the Proto-Indo-European *magh (be able). The Persian term may have led to the Old Sinitic *Mᵞag (mage or shaman). The Old Persian form seems to have permeated ancient Semitic languages as the Talmudic Hebrew magosh, the Aramaic amgusha (“magician”), and the Chaldean maghdim (“wisdom and philosophy”); from the first century BCE onwards, Syrian magusai gained notoriety as magicians and soothsayers.

Here are some more related ways that the word magic has been defined in the modern times:

According to scholar of religion Henrik Bogdan, “arguably the best known emic definition” of the term magic was provided by Crowley. Crowley—who favoured the spelling magick over magic to distinguish it from stage illusionism—was of the view that “Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will”. Crowley’s definition influenced that of subsequent magicians. Dion Fortune of the Fraternity of the Inner Light for instance stated that “Magic is the art of changing consciousness according to Will”. Gerald Gardner, the founder of Gardnerian Wicca, stated that magic was “attempting to cause the physically unusual”, while Anton LaVey, the founder of LaVeyan Satanism, described magic as “the change in situations or events in accordance with one’s will, which would, using normally acceptable methods, be unchangeable.” More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(supernatural)

Now that we know a little bit about what magic(k) means, let’s see if we can put magic into categories. When it comes to categorizing magic, the following 3 distinctions in magical practices come to mind. First, there is magic involving the use of personal power and directing the energy using own mind and body, then there is ritualistic magic that implements various tools (e.g. runes, tarot, crystals, herbs, etc.) and third category would be related to working with deities, spirits and beings that exist on the different levels of consciousness.

First category mainly concentrates on the use of personal energy and is probably the most popular one nowadays as it has been vastly promoted. For obvious reasons it does not use the word magic(k) and often referred to through the words like meditation, visualization techniques, energy self-healing, DNA activation, energy balancing, etc. It consists of, but not limited to, such practices as Transcendental meditation (and most other forms of meditation), Breathing Exercises, Chanting, Mudras, Mantras, Reiki (beginner levels), Qigong, Yoga (some exercises that help concentrate person’s mind in achieving certain goal or help clear the mind), Gene Keys as well as many other related method and teachings. The main idea of these “magical practices” is to aid a person improve their own energy flow so they can more comfortably fit into the everchanging energy field of our reality. It also often includes energy clearing practices through relaxation and calming and bringing your flow of thoughts to order. You really just need your mind to practice those “magical” methods. The long-term plan is for your “energy mass” to grow and allow you to create the reality you truly desire so you can realize your full potential.

The second category of “magical practices” often involves the use of outside forces, symbols as well as related objects/tools. It helps create a certain ritual or an atmosphere which reportedly improves concentration and energy flow than simply relying on the power of your mind. It is less popular and widely used category mainly because you do need to invest a lot of time and energy in order to really master those practices. A lot of knowledge in this category is also passed down through generations and kept in a secret, which makes it less accessible to the general public. It does require a lot more responsibility for your actions (and even thoughts) as some of the techniques/methods/rituals in this category are very powerful. Some of the practices in this category include Graphic Magic (runes, glyphs, magic alphabets, sigils, etc.), Numerology (certain practices with numbers), Divination methods (runes, Tarot, Ogham, I Ching, etc), Candle magic, Vodoo, Herbal magic, Cauldron magic, Spells and Enchantments, Mandalas, Singing bowls, Crystals, Elemental magic, Athame, Shamanic rituals, religious rituals as well other methods and techniques. A lot of these practices require a certain initiation, yet self-initiation is also possible if intent of a person is correct and universal rules are followed. They are not more powerful then the first category per se, they are just different. Yet, it is like you can view the world with just your eyes or use microscope or telescopes whenever needed. You can swim and dive in the water without any equipment, however having scuba diving gear does give you a different experience.

Third type of “magical practices” involves evocating, invocating or channeling a certain spirit, deity or a being from a different level of consciousness. In most cases these practices help receive just the information on what needs to be done in order to reach desired results. It is a rare case when the information also comes with the energy you need to achieve it (energy is something that you would need to create/provide yourself). In a certain way most religions, sects and cults are created using this form of magic. One of the most common ways of interaction with the field using this type of “magic practice” is probably a prayer – you are asking a higher being for guidance, help and support and return you often receive an insight on what should be your next step. In ritualistic practices when someone is invocating a deity it is advisable to also provide gifts or certain offerings which allegedly keeps the exchange of information for energy in balance (sacrifices are done mainly in black magic rituals). These practices are also very powerful and there are extensive guidelines that need to be followed if you want to be safe (e.g. summoning a certain spirit or entity can have dire consequences for the person who is doing it as well as for his or her descendants). Nevertheless, these practices help a person see a much bigger picture of our magical Universe and there is definitely a lot we still need to learn about the reality that we are living. When we strive for realizing our full potential through magical practices we grow and eventually will earn the right to be called a true magician (the one who is able) on a cosmic scale.

When choosing a magical practice, you have to realize that there is really no distinct or strict division between categories of magic as many practitioners use a combination of methods and approaches. Every case is unique, thus knowledge of several “magical” methods of influencing the energy field often helps reach effective and long-lasting results. Always make sure to use your intuition to see what methods resonate with you the most, so you can truly become a master magician in that field. More details on some of the techniques and practices you will find here at themagick.space. Feel free to share your own definition of magic, leave a comment that carries value below or start a separate related topic in the category.