After reading Part 1 of Magick 101 (if you haven’t yet, CLICK HERE to read Part 1), I hope you will have a better understanding of what magick isn’t and what you can gain from all that it is. For Part 2, it’s important to look at the principles that underlie the practice and how to put those to use in your own life.
If the word magick flows a little easier in your mind now, the word spell might once again trip you up. The images elicited by the word magick can be as innocent as parlor tricks and movie reels, but the word spell usually brings with it a more uneasy vision, as images of grotesque gothic witches with maleficent intent circling cauldrons come to mind. Christopher Penzak, in his book The Inner Temple of Witchcraft, writes, “…I describe a spell like a prayer. In many mainstream traditions, one prays to God for help, support, healing, or manifestation; in essence, to create change. A spell is a similar petition to the powers of the universe, but uses a different method to send the petition out into the universe.”
I think the above interpretation is a good place to start, but we can expand on it to add some clarity in a short period of time. In Part 1, I placed a lot of emphasis on the mind and its power to effect change within oneself and within the world at large. Much like a traditional prayer the petition is created in the mind and put out through meditative thought. We can increase the power of such petitions through well-crafted spells that allow us to focus that energy as it goes out into the world.
It is said that there are three things necessary for a successful spell; will, a clear intention, and a method to direct the inherent energies involved. Let’s take a look at each one individually.
Even though we talk much about the mind, Will comes from a deeper place; it comes from the heart and soul. Although I think most traditional forms of petitioning the universe or God come from a place of need and desire, however, I think by identifying and connecting with the source of that desire as well as understanding that only a strong will can accomplish great things, do we actually tap that source of power. We must check in with our heart and feel the deepest passion for what we seek to accomplish.
In a fleeting moment, we might get a glimpse of something we are absolutely sure we just have to have. Maybe that something is a car, a piece of jewelry, or maybe even a person. When we take the time to check in with ourselves, however, we realize that that diamond necklace doesn’t really add anything to our greater self, and that person who looks like a magazine model may not be the right one to bring us unconditional love for a lifetime. When we take the time to consult our hearts, we see a little more clearly. At the same time, when we look deep inside and see a raging fire burning, we can channel that passion, that desire toward our ultimate goal.
The second thing necessary for a successful spell is a clear intention. In the previous examples I used a person that has caught your eye. If that is something that sparks a desire within you, it is important to ask what you are truly wanting. Do you somehow have a need for that one person to be universally connected to you or is your true intention that of finding love and companionship. Often when we feel a wish or a spell has failed, it’s because we never truly had a clear intention of what we wanted and what the greatest good for all involved would be. If we continue to do spells to attract and connect with a specific person, the universe might block our efforts because such a union isn’t for the greatest good of ALL. On the other hand, the universe really does work in mysterious ways, and a spell cast to find love WILL work in the way that is best aligned with the energies involved.
Finally, we can raise the power of our will and intention with tools and methods of focusing our work. Many people who do magick turn to a source called the Kybalion. Published in 1908 by an anonymous writer or writers working under the title the Three Initiates, the Kybalion is a book that expounds on supposedly ancient Hermetic principles. Although there has been a lot of scholarly debate over who wrote the book, what or who it was actually based on, and how far back the principles can be traced, the reality is that the philosophies in the book are extremely relevant and powerful to many new age movements today.
I hope to devote an article to the Kybalion and its wisdom at a later time, but for the purposes of this writing, I think two principles are worthy of attention: The Principle of Correspondence and the Principal of Vibration.
The Principle of Correspondence is often referred to with the somewhat mysterious phrase, “as above so below; as below, so above.” That one simple phrase can have a lot of impact, however. In its most fundamental of meanings, it suggests that larger patterns and associations within the universe are related to, and identifiable with, smaller forms in the world. For thousands of years, we’ve looked to the stars to help us understand our Earthly world. In the stars we see patterns that seem to associate to life in a much smaller realm. We also know that the geometric form of the solar system mimics that of the atom. As above, so below. As in the grandness of the largest, so in the minuteness of the smallest.
Although much discussion can be given to this principle; in its simplest and most user-friendly sense, the principle allows us to use things that correspond to our petitions to help focus our energies. Within business, the arts, and even healing communities, great importance is put on color. Many studies have shown that colors have an impact on the way we feel and act. The associations we make with a manifestation of visible light are correspondences to much higher meanings. Symbols and images can work in much the same way. In fact, all of our senses can use the Principle of Correspondence. We might place a pinecone near our magickal work area to elicit a connection with nature and the material realm. We might listen to the wind to help us connect with thoughts.
The second principle, the Principle of Vibration, states that motion is inherent in every part and particle of the physical, mental, and spiritual world. Everything in our world resonates with a certain vibration, and we can tap into these vibrations as well as align with them to bring us more in tune with those things we seek in our lives. By changing our thought patterns and mental attitudes towards things like love, or well-being, we also change the vibrational level we connect with and thus “tune in” to those things we desire. Also, by using the first principle along with the second we can use correspondences to also achieve different levels of vibrational connection.
To some, these principles might seem like modern new-age buzz words but take a look at even mainstream religion and you will see that these principles have been in practice for generations. Why do Catholics light candles on an altar or burn incense if not for the vibrational qualities they evoke and the correspondences they tie to? Why are symbols everywhere within religious practice? Are these concepts any different from the practice of mindfulness in Eastern thought? Take a look at the business community and ask yourself why they spend millions of dollars on corporate colors, symbolic logos, and music and jingles that resonate with us. There are even some forms of businesses that go so far as to pipe scents of certain kinds into the air conditioning units to “attune” those in the establishment with the energies they want you to connect with. All of these principles are used to tap into your subtle energy centers and align you with their desires for you to feel closer to their beliefs or find connection with what they are selling. If it didn’t work, however, the practices would have never survived. Through magick, you can use these same principles to tap into the energies that are for your highest good and to align with your true needs and desires.
An in-depth look at the science of magick and the Hermetic principles as put forth in the Kybalion, is far beyond the scope of this writing, but there is a wealth of material available on the subject. The Victorian Society of Metaphysics & Magic also offers classes and workshops devoted to these mysteries as well. Check out the resources below to learn more.
In Part 3 we will finally look at the practical ways to practice magick in your own world. We hope you will continue to journey with us.
CLICK HERE for PART 3
©2016, 2021 Marcus Everett & The Victorian Society of Metaphysics & Magic