What is Magick?

A definition of magick is in order. We reject that of Webster's dictionary: magick as "the use of means (as charms, spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces." Here are some other definitions - by magickians:

"Magic is the science of the control of the secret forces of nature." - SL MacGregor Mathers, Order of the Golden Dawn

"Magic is a comprehensive knowledge of all nature." - Francis Barrett

"Magick is the Art and Science of causing changes to occur in conformity with will." - Aleister Crowley

"Magic is the art of effecting changes in consciousness at will." - William Butler

"The work of magic involves transformation, and the first transformation is the shift of perception." - Marion Weinstein

So we can see that magick involves using natural forces to effect willed change, often changes in our own perceptions or consciousness. But what is the goal?

What Magick Is For

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 well-known occultist, says: "Magic is for growing up as Children of 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 Goddess within: "Everything She touches, changes ..."

It seems a peculiarly human process, as far as we know. Other creatures can change their environments, but only sentient, self-aware beings can change themselves. Perhaps the cetaceans attempt this too - one day we may explore the spiritual path and magickal traditions of the dolphins and whales.

Change ourselves? But to what? To a fuller range of possibilities, a broader spectrum of spirit. Not change to something else, but to something more. First learn to know ourselves, then we expand, stretch our hearts and minds and souls, and explore and develop new territories within ourselves.

We are part of All That Is. With magick we can experience existence from the perspective of other parts, and know that we are One. We can experience at-one-ment with the immanent Source.

Perhaps this is the goal of all spiritual paths: to reconnect with the Source, to bridge the chasm of illusion which makes us feel separate and alone, to come Home.

But the quest requires us to change, and magick is an effective tool for this. The scary part is this: we can't know who we are changing into until we actually experience the change. By then it's too late for second thoughts. We cannot change back - we can only keep changing, or wither.

Magick is not an array of tricks or stage illusions. The "k" at the end of the word serves to distinguish it from the "magic" of nightclub acts. It is not for show.

Magick is not supernatural. As Janet and Stewart Farrar, prominent Irish Witches and Craft teachers, point out, "Magic(k) does not break the laws of Nature; when it appears to do so, that is because it is obeying laws that the observer has not yet understood."

Magick is not the medieval art of summoning "demons" to do one's will. Though it is possible to establish communication with beings on other planes of relity, trying to coerce them into service is both unethical and dangerous.

Magick is not based on a pact with "the Devil." Most magickians, including Wiccan priest/esses, do not believe in Satan and would certainly have no dealings with such an entity if he did exist.

Magick is not a good way to get revenge on enemies or force a former lover to return to you. Indeed, there is no "good" way to return to you. Indeed, there is no "good" way to accomplish such nasty and immature things; but the penalties for misusing magick can be far greter than the consequences of these actions on the material plane.

Magick is not available only to a few talented individuals born with special gifts. It can be learned and mastered to a great degree by anyone with self-discipline and persistence.

Magick does not reside in ritual tools - amulets, magickal swords, etc. - unless and until they are charged by a magickian. The skill and power lie always in the person, not in the tool.

Magick does not generally result in spectacular "special effects" on the material plane: strange entities materializing, showers of gold falling from the sky, locked doors bursting asunder, etc., etc. Dramatic physical effects are possible and occasionally occur; but most magick aims at internal growth, where results are harder to see. Even magick for material-plane ends tends to manifest in more or less quiet, gradual, natural ways.