Magic or Magick is the process of causing change to energies through the use of your will.
Aleister Crowley added the K from “Kabbalah” to differentiate the real magick from the sleight of hand and stage tricks.
Magick is the guidance and control of energy to a desired destination or goal. We can manipulate that energy and make changes to occur.
Magic is a general term which has many different branches and areas.
Some of the branches of Magick are Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Healing, Shamanism, Elemental Magic, Sympathetic Magic and many others.
Witchcraft is an area of Magick which is generally based on Spell casting.
The word magic comes from either the Greek word megus which means “great” in science, or from the Greek word magein meaning the science and religion of Zoroaster.
Numerous definition of magic has been offered by many but a precise description escapes us.
Though systems of magic exist; some are quite complex. Magic remains an individualistic experience. Every person who practices magic sees it in a different way.
Magic is neutral and amoral. It can be used for good, evil or ambiguous purposes, depending on the intent of the practitioner.
There are so many forms and definitions of magic so I am going to skip most of them and give you the definition of magic for Witchcraft.
Witchcraft magic contains elements of folk magic, ceremonial magic and sex magic.
The Witch works within a magical circle and uses four primary tools, which correspond to the elements; the athame-for fire, the pentacle-for earth, the chalice- for water and the wand-for air.
The Witch invokes the forces of nature, the elements and the element spirits that rule the elements and appeal to the goddess and horned god. Most Witches believe strongly in working only for good purposes. The Witch uses colour, scents, sound, movement, symbols and visual images in rituals to create their magic.
Gardner states eight ways to create the powers of magic.
- Meditation or concentration.
- Chants, spells and invocations.
- Trance or astral projection
- Incense, wine and drugs
- Dancing
- Blood control with the use of cords
- Scourging
- The Great Rite.
For Pagans and Witches, magic is a part of everyday life. The world itself is magical.
Not all pagans and Witches practice the same type of magic, some prefer ceremonial magic, others prefer folk magic and still others prefer eco-magic.
Eco-magic based on natural earth energies and the resident “spirits of the land”
Magic is to be used for growth and betterment.
