More about Magick

As I mentioned on the page about this blog, magick is a ritualistic practice in which the operator (magus) invokes energies (cosmic, or spiritual) and employs his own psychoenergy and directs it towards a purpose (by ritual, by faith, by intention, by vibration: vocalization of prayers). 

Magick is the art of manipulating reality under will, intensifying the probabilities. There may be other different and more pompous definitions, such as those of Hermetic or Thelemic Orders, but they will only be saying the same with more refined words.

Sometimes I write magick or magickal instead of "magic", the "K" serves to differentiate witchcraft (real magic) from illusionism. In occult grimoires and occult circles they always refer to magic as magick. IN Kemet (ancient egypt) magick was Heka.

We commonly hear about black, white, gray, or red magic (love, sex), however these are just concepts, magic is one, if it is directed to evil it is called “black” or left hand path (LHP), if it is directed towards good is white magick, they are just denominations.

There are hundreds of magick systems and dozens of new styles appear every year, from vampyric, draconian magick, astral magick, cybermagick, chaos magick among more. Some mages mix concepts from different systems into one, fusing ritual practices and beliefs. We can practice magick on the physical plane (with ritual tools), mental or astral plane (using visualizations, mantras, intention) and so on.

Magick is a world, with millions of followers and practitioners worldwide, it is normal for individuals to create new systems and methods, magick evolves over the years. New information, energies and egregores are added to the Noosphere.

The four arcana (secrets) of the Magus are: Audere, velle, nescere, tacere. That means to dare, to will, to know and to keep silent.

Audere (to dare); have intention and well-defined objectives. Audacity, venturing, associated with the water element.

Velle (to will); want to practice magick, decide without hesitation. Have inner strength, fire element.

Nescere (to know); Have knowledge about magic, ingredients, moon phases, finally master the subject. Knowledge is associated with the air element.

Tacere (to keep silent); keep secret, do not reveal to others that you did a magick, as they may wish for your failure, avoid external influences and dispersion of the energies, associated with the earth element.

They are also called the 4 fundamentals of magick or the pyramid of the witch.

Vampyrism:

It is written with "y" instead of "i" to distinguish vampirism from films and folklore (supernatural beings who drink blood) from vampyric occultism. Some Vampyres are practitioners of the occult and are dedicated to psychic development, forming clans or covens, like any other occult group. There are hundreds of associations and organizations worldwide, some I identify who practice the ancient Italian witchcraft Stregheria. There are several books on the subject (not all are serious, some are fiction). One of the most respected and knowledgeable authors is Michael W. Ford.

Draconian Magik, or Dragon Magick:

Do dragons really exist? Maybe not. However, they exist in mythology and in the collective unconscious, in Eastern legends, Aztecs, Maian and others, over millennia. Most likely there are dragons but in astral form, energetic beings on a different dimensional plane, this is what Dragon Magick believes in, and the practitioner seeks communion with these entities, to obtain power or wisdom. Others believe that the Dragon is an archetype for our higher self.

Mythology is full of dragons, we have Ouroboros, the goddess Tiamat of the Sumerians, Poimandres the dragon of wisdom that appeared to Hermes Trimegistus, Japanese Tatsu dragon, the Egyptians had the Sobek god with a crocodile head, among others. These legends were possibly inspired by dinosaurs, recently we have stories of reptilian extraterrestrials, very popular after the David Icke books. One thing that this, and other authors, did not realize is that extraterrestrials may not even have this aspect physically, but they only project this holographic image in our minds, spiritual entities can do the same, assume the form of a dragon but as a simple distortion of our perceptions.

Draconian magick has similarities with Wiccan witchcraft, it has an altar, the four elements, candles, incense, a cauldron, a cup, a pentacle. Having the Babylonian Goddess (Tiamat) and her consort (Apsu), there is a ruling dragon for each direction and element.

Offer incense to the dragons daily, as they are associated with the element of fire, and sing and meditate with them. There are still few sources of information on this branch of magic, blogs and websites in English reflect the personal vision of its authors. This magick can be composed of personal adaptations of those who practice it.

Afro Brazilian Magick:

Umbanda is a religion that African slaves reportedly took to Brazil, then mixing African rites of Candomblé and others, with some religious syncretism Umbanda was formed. The magical part of Umbanda (rituals, spells) can be defined as Afro Brazilian magick. Whoever practices magic more focused to the left hand path, and worship Eshús, will be practicing Quimbanda. There are several books, one of the first that I read and recommend is “Sarava! Afro-Brazilian Magick” by Carol L. Dow.

Chaos Magick:

The concept of Chaos Magick is relatively recent, originating in West Yorkshire, England, in the 70s of the 20th century. Influenced by the Thelemic practices of Aleister Crowley and Austin Osman Spare, it is one of the modern trends in the occult. Chaos Magick is characterized by the use of both traditional techniques, based on already existing eastern and western mystical systems, and new ones, developed by the magician himself. Among the latter, it should be noted the Austin Spare secrecy method, creating magickal sigils, other methods consist of creating egregores (thought forms, servitor) that are autonomous psychoenergetic entities.

The name Chaos, and consequently the star of chaos, was extracted from a Carroll novel: Michael Moorcock's "Elric of Melniboné - The Sage From the end of time".

Chaos Magick arises as a general resistance to any kind of hierarchy, dogma or doctrine, so it is assumed as philosophy instead of magick system.

Chaoism is a paradigm or worldview that considers that it exists, and has always existed; a plaque in the misshapen form that contains everything in its latent form, called Chaos. This would be the “real” and intangible universe from which one or more physical universes are formed, this reminds me of Quantum Physics and quantum realism which states that; our universe and reality emerge from an invisible quantum world (or quantum void).

The main motto of Chaos Magick is: Nothing is true, everything is permitted - attributed to Hassan i Sabbah - The Old Man of the Mountain, the Hashishins Order of leader who imposed the its power in the Middle medieval East, influencing the Templars, and consequently the contemporary orders of magic that inspired them.

A well-known name is that of Peter Carroll. Carroll's 1987 book, Liber Null & Psychonaut, is considered one of the works that define the magical movement of chaos. Carroll was co-founder of the loosely organized group called Illuminates of Thanateros (I.O.T). The name Thanateros derives from "Thanatos" (god of death) and "Eros" (god of sex).
Thanatos (from the Greek θάνατος, that is Thánatos, personification of "death").

Shamanism:

Shamanism is a term generically used in reference to ethnomedical, magical, religious (animistic, primitive), and philosophical (metaphysical) practices, involving healing, trance, transmutation and contact between bodies and spirits of other shamans. There are different ways of calling Shamanism, anthropologists themselves do not reach consensus.

It has been practiced for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, and even in primitive times each people had a priest (shaman, pajé, healer) who performed shamanic rituals to attract luck and protection during the hunts, there are cave paintings that show this. The shaman is considered to have a deep knowledge of human nature, both physically and spiritually, he can reach altered states of consciousness through dances, drumming, mantras (chanting) and smoking psychoactive herbs. He is a great connoisseur of herbs and medicinal cures.

The word "shaman" probably derives from the term "Saman" in Tungusic (from the Tungues) Evenki language of Siberia, meaning "One who knows".

The term "shamanism" was first applied by Western anthropologists as outside observers of the ancient religion of the Turks and Mongols. In Brazil there is Shamanism inherited from Brazilian indigenous peoples. In the Tupi language, the shaman was called Pajé, a venerated priest and was considered an authority, even after death the bones of the Pajé's skeleton were venerated and believed to be carriers of luck and protection.

Pajelança is a set of rituals practiced by Pajés, for example in the Amazon, the process involves cures, exorcisms, and other diverse acts. The secrets of these rituals are kept secret, but they say that there are rituals of Pajelança for good (physical and mental cures, of people of the tribe) and Pajelança for evil (revenge, defense and attack against rival tribes, etc.).

The ritual is performed only by experienced shamans (Pajés), who master three factors, having mental strength, synchrony of elements (invoking forces of the elements through mantra chants, ecstasy, shaking the maracá) and auxiliary spiritual agents (it can involve beings from others dimensions, guides, and spirits of other discarnate shamans).

Santería:

Santeria (literally, paths of the saints - preferred terms among practitioners include Lukumi and Regla de Ocha). Is a set of related religious systems that fuses Catholic beliefs (syncretism) with the traditional Yoruba religion, practiced by slaves and their descendants in Cuba, in Brazil, in Puerto Rico, in the Dominican Republic, in Panama and in centers of Latin American population in the United States such as Florida, New York, and California.

“Santeria” means the “ways of the saints”, the practitioners are Santeros. It has similarities with Candomblé.

Santería has the basic characteristics and traditions of an ancient religion practiced among the Yoruba in Nigeria. When the Yoruba were taken to the Caribbean islands as slaves between the 1770s and 1840s, they took this religion with them.

Ancestors are held in high esteem in Santeria. The god is referred to as Olorun, or the “owner of heaven” and Olodumaré. This cult generally, like Candomblé and Quimbanda, involves animal sacrifice and black magic.


Palo mayombe:
Palo or Las Reglas de Congo (the rules of Congo) are groups of closely related denominations, of Bantu origin, developed in Cuba by slaves from Central Africa. Other names associated with the different branches of this religion include: Palo Monte, Palo Mayombe, Brillumba and Kimbisa.
“Palo” simply means: “Trees.” Palo's religion descends from ancient African belief, in which the world is inhabited by spirits, and the name refers to the sacred trees in which the spirits inhabit. Another theory indicates that it was due to the use of carved wooden statues.
There was syncretism and a mixture of cults, then Kimbiza emerged, which means crossed. Kimbiza is the mixed way of practicing this religion.
In the Bantu universe, God is known as Nsambi or Nsambia. The spirits worshiped in the Palo are the Mpungos (equivalent to the Orishas). Each Mpungo controls a certain aspect or domain of life and nature.

Palero practitioner:
Palero is also called “Tata” (Papa) or “Yaya” (Mama) if he is a woman.

The temple of worship is called a Munanso, or house.

Different practices:

Conjure:

Formulas or magickal expressions that, when pronounced, allow to obtain results of what is asked for. Summon the assistance of something supernatural.

They also serve to ward off demons or evil spirits.

Filters and potions:

Magick formula of preparing an enchanted drink under certain rituals, to induce loving feelings to those who drink it.

Herbs and plants with magical and aphrodisiac properties can be used, praying and lighting candles, depending on the ritual.

Evocation and Invocation:

Both terms are derived from the Latin "vocare" (to summon), however there are differences.

To invoke is to call inward, that is, the magus invokes the energies of a certain entity or archetype to cause changes in his psyche, to incorporate aspects of a divinity into his personality, or to assist in a ritual.

To evoke is to call the presence of the entity requesting that it manifest itself in a tangible way in front of you, or that it shows signs of its presence (example: practice of Goetia).

Another example is the Ouija board, if the ring or planchette moves is an external manifestation of the entity.

Magick powders:

To begin, I must tell you that magick powders that are sold already prepared in sachets in esoteric shops, have little or no power assimilated. There are no guarantees that they contain real herbs or have been ritualized.

It is best to make your own powders. They can be made with dried herbs, or roots like mandrake, reduced to powder in a pestle, and other ingredients such as seeds, hair strands, etc. can be added in addition to herbs.

The powders can be used for various purposes, from protection (spreading the dust in your home, in an establishment or business) powders for love (put in the clothes of the loved one, inside a shoe, etc.), or revenge.

Sometimes you can anoint a candle with oil and then sprinkle with magic powder, put powder on a person's photo, etc.

Magick bottles:

Another name; witches' bottles. Basically they are bottles in which we put magic ingredients (herbs, roots, oils, needles or nails) to create a magic totem, an object of power with a contained magic field. Bury close to home, or keep indoors for protection.

Although today there are bottle spells for everything, including health, opening paths, love or money.

This practice of magick bottles is used in several magical cultures, as in vodú, candomblé, santería.
Read: Magick bottle for love.  Magick bottle for Protection.

Footprint magick:

It can also be called crossing or foot-track magick.

Method used sometimes in voodoo, consists of putting a magic powder in the place where the target person will pass, or in the trail of his footprints on the sand floor, etc.

You can also collect sand from that person's footprints and use it in a ritual, or put graveyard sand on the person's shoe, etc.

To bring harmony to the couple, take sand from the footprint of the two of you, place it in a vase and add more soil, plant a marigold and take good care of it.

Counterspells:

As the name says, they are spells with the purpose of protecting us and disrupt hexes (macumbas, witchcraft, enchantments) made against us.

Herbal bath or Spiritual bath:

It is a bath with herbs, plants or coarse salt, through a ritual or certain prayers can purify our aura and protect us, clean up accumulated dense energies, among more. There are also baths for health, business and others for love attraction.

Patuá; Lucky sachet:

It is a kind of amulet, usually a sachet of fabric (linen, or velvet, or wool) in which a crystal, herbs, amulet, a paper with a prayer, the tiny image of a saint, finally put something in it protection.

In vodú an identical practice is the juju bags or mojo bags, the term mojo was attributed to West Africa with the word "JuJu", which means "Fetish", or "Sacred Objects". In the case of following an Umbanda or Candomblé ritual, the fabric used must be the color corresponding to an Orishá, sometimes leather is used to make the bag.


Knot magick
In occultism they usually write magic with "k" at the end to differentiate royal witchcraft from stage magic, Aleister Crowley at Thelema and also Wicca practitioners popularized the word magic (magick) with "k".
There are some spells of gypsy magic and Afro-Brazilian sympathies that use knots on a string, to "tie" or tie someone else's life.
What counts is the intention and visualization while knotting.
An old custom to keep lovers from the husband or wife away was to take the person's underwear (panties), tie 3 knots and place it under the mattress (on the side where you sleep).

This practice is ancient and is said to have been practiced in ancient Egypt. Any type of string would do, in traditions of some cults they would bless or ritualize the string with consecrated water and prayers, then they would use that string around their waist.

Synonyms for Hex, black magick:

Hex, sorcery, enchantment, bewitchment, charm, evil eye, curse, spell, evil work.

In Brazilian and European Portuguese: Macumba, mandinga, sortilégio, encantamento, bruxedo, malefício, maldição, coisa-feita, olho gordo, mau-olhado, trabalho, cajuçara, salgação, amarração (black magic for love, sex).

In Spanish: Magía negra, agorería, encantamiento, maldición, hechicería, salación, hechizo, embrujo, sortilegio, envidia (mal de ojo), amarres.

A magical day is measured starting at sunrise and ending at sunset. Each sunrise and sunset period is divided into twelve equal parts, resulting in a (roughly) 24-hour day. Depending on your location relative to the equator, the planetary hours you calculate in your area may be longer or shorter than conventional hours.

Magick Hours

The first hour of the day is always that of the planet the day represents. The hours then repeat infinitely in the following order: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon.
The first, eighth, fifteen and twenty second hours are called power hours. These are the hours in which the seven-planet cycle repeats. Notice that the cycle resets after the twenty fourth hour with the power hour of the subsequent day.

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