I find it odd that, amid this new millennium’s spiritual revival and self-growth renaissance, relatively few people are interested in or even informed about magic. When I say “magic” I’m referring to the true arcane art in its historical and traditional context. Think Persian Magi, Celtic Druid, Egyptian Priestess, etc. and we’ll be on the same page. These and other people from past cultures practiced a variety of mystic and metaphysical arts that allowed them to alter (or protect) the world about them and the people within that world, including themselves. I admit the contents of this art need a little updating for the post-modern context of our world, and that has largely already been done by authors and teachers of the past 100 or so years.
Before you balk and call nonsense, you should at least hear me out. Many years ago when first presented with the notion of using magic as a means for bettering myself, I think I said “bullshit” right out loud. It was next politely pointed out to me that I apparently believed I could play-pretend I was a giant magnet, capable of attracting to myself, through space and time, whatever I desired. Furthermore, came the inquiry: Didn’t I also think by vividly seeing some circumstance in the privacy of my mind, I could somehow and perhaps “magically” convert that visual into an objective reality? I had to admit either magic was sounding more reasonable, or I was beginning to look like a buffoon; I preferred the former over the latter and became an attentive listener.
What is an Act of Magic, After All?
The magician, through his or her means and methods, essentially seeks to change reality in a way more suited to what he or she desires. Magical operations work to make the intentions of the magic-user, called the will in the trade lingo of magic, a reality. The only real difference between formal traditions of magic and the standardized methods of a new-age, spiritual, self-helper, type person are the vastly superior models, skill sets, and procedures these arcane traditions employ.
That last statement was heavily nuanced. On the surface there are numerous differences and distinctions between formal magical practice and just sort of freestyling a so-called spiritual approach to self-improvement.
Isn’t Magic Part of a Religion, and Thereby Somewhat Dogmatic?
Notice I keep saying “formal”, and this does imply some structure and specifications. All right I’ll just blurt it out: magic involves that “R word” many a purple-haired, starry-eyed, rockhounds abhor; it involves rules, even treatises if I’m brutally honest.
Magical philosophy begins with a rather complex and complete view of reality. This theory or theorem as it may be called, covers in depth the nature of the human being as a system of material and energetic synergy, part of and in harmony with a greater, or universal energy matrix which is itself alive and intelligent.
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