magic

[jaspur]

How many here activly practice magic/spells?

[Theres]

magick occasionally... spells, rarely.

[Starfly]

magick occasionally... spells, rarely.

Ditto. I can also see though how one's answer to this question would also depend upon how they define the terms "magick" and "spells".

I suppose some people would call some of the magick I do spells, and then others would say that spells are magick, etc., etc.

I think I'm overanalyzing too much. One of the many side affects of not enough chocolate, I suppose. :lol:

[WillowSageheart]

*passes Starfly a fudge brownie*

I look at almost everything as magic. But I do practice magick and spells all the time. For anything major, I write whole rituals frequently. I have been lucky insofar that I have never had one backfire, and have seen evidence in everyone as working... not always as I had envisioned it to work, but getting the right response anyway.

[Starfly]

*passes Starfly a fudge brownie*

I look at almost everything as magic. But I do practice magick and spells all the time. For anything major, I write whole rituals frequently. I have been lucky insofar that I have never had one backfire, and have seen evidence in everyone as working... not always as I had envisioned it to work, but getting the right response anyway.

*sniff sniff... Sniff.. POUNCE! Munch, Munch, munch, munch, gulp*
That was a good brownie! Thank you! I needed that. :mmm:

I also have yet to have anything backfire on me *knock on wood* ;)

[Bef]

Spells are a no-go for me in my beggining stage. I practice forms of magick sometimes.

[Chanda]

I voted never. Dont know enough yet to do magic or spells activily...

[Bef]

Alot of things are considered magick.
Have you ever attempted to communicate with the dead?
Have you ever used "shielding"?
Just too commonly forggoten forms of magick.

[Chanda]

I suspect that unconsciously we all do magic now and them. The only thing I have tried to do consciously was to give energy to others. That's about it...

At this stage I am concentrating on tunning myself to the moods of mother nature. I would like to "see" and "feel" more... once that is acomplished maybe I'll try my hands at magic/spells.

[MammaStar]

There not always spells or rituals. I practice every day. From hoping my son stays protected while at camp, shielding my desk altar from prying eyes, to "good vibes" sent to friends. Magic has become just part of me.

[Chanda]

Maybe I need to have a think about my definition of magic... :)

[MammaStar]

What definition do you have now?

[Faery-Wings]

I voted sometimes- I practice magic mostly on a daily basis just by being me. But spells that I have planned and prepped for happen far less frequently than that.

[Chanda]

What definition do you have now?

I haven't really put a lot of thought into it or done much study. Roughly, I believe there is energy around us and that magic involves consciously reaching out and manipulating this energy to achieve a pre-defined goal. Ritual work and spells would be used to make it easier to achieve whatever frame of mind is required to manipulate the energy. I havent made up my mind about where a God/Goddess would fit into it or if contact is even necessary.

I also think that unconsciously most of us can do it... This is what makes some people be extraordinary at music, cooking, arts, etc. Or sometimes when we really want something to happen... But I dont call that magic cause it is not done consciously. To be honest I dont really know. :sadeyes: And now my head hurts. :)

[MammaStar]

awww I didn't want your head to hurt!!!!

*gentle pats on the head for chanda*

[Chanda]

Its OK, it is a good hurt... From stimulating thoughts :)

[Old Witch]

There not always spells or rituals. I practice every day. From hoping my son stays protected while at camp, shielding my desk altar from prying eyes, to "good vibes" sent to friends. Magic has become just part of me.

That's what I do, only I said sometimes........Oh and Welcome........

[SylverStar]

Yeah what everyone else said. hmmm.

I do spells occasionally I've never done a ritual
as for magick I'm now confused on the definition. :lol:
Yeah I guess thats all the time though. ie when making dinner, you are what you eat.

[Nyarlathotep]

As a psion, I rarely practice magic(k).

[lovepoet]

Every day in every day I am becoming more and more magickal.

[Bef]

There not always spells or rituals. I practice every day. From hoping my son stays protected while at camp, shielding my desk altar from prying eyes, to "good vibes" sent to friends. Magic has become just part of me.
Yeah. Thats what I was trying to say, We do magick conciously but sorta sub-conciously because it has became apart of our everyday lives.

[Flar's Freyja]

All the time for magick - our thoughts affect all of the energy around us, thereby producing some sort of change or result. I've learned to put magickal energy into just about everything I do, from driving to showering to cooking to cleaning. Any mundane task can be a ritual.

As for spells, not much time for that anymore, but I do love to take the time when it is available.

[jaspur]

thank you to all that have replied with information. As we said we are just begining.

I have noticed a couple of different spellings of the word magic, magick, etc. Could someone please explain them a little bit further.

[Flar's Freyja]

thank you to all that have replied with information. As we said we are just begining.

I have noticed a couple of different spellings of the word magic, magick, etc. Could someone please explain them a little bit further.

It's my understanding - and I'm very tired so I hope this makes sense - that the spellings differentiate Magick, influencing energy with intent from Magic, parlor tricks that magicians use, etc.

[Bef]

Jaspur... Magic, Magik and Magick are all considered correct spelling; Magic is the stereotypical magician, pulling rabbits from hats... So someone decided to ues the Elizebethan spelling of the word to differ the stereotype as such. Ill post this and then Ill go get a really really helpful quote from a book Ive got.

[Bef]

This is from: New Aeon Magick by Gerald Campo.
Aleister Crowley defines Magick as: "The Science and Art
of causing change to occur in conformity with Will".

Ambrose Bierce defines Magic as: "An art of converting
superstition into coin".

Notice the difference in the spelling.

[mol]

Thread moved to Magic & Rituals.

[Bef]

Yea, this thread certainly does belong where it is now... Anyway, I think this thread has been deepely messed wif, lol so many random direction changes. OH WELL... gotta love it really.... hmmm

[SylverStar]

I'm not positive about this but I also thought Crowely changed the spelling to Magick because of its numerological value.

[Ben Trismegistus]

I'm not positive about this but I also thought Crowely changed the spelling to Magick because of its numerological value.

I've heard that too -- both the numerological value thing, and that it was changed to differentiate "real" magic from "stage" magic.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes here, but my personal belief is that the "k" at the end of "magick" is simply an affectation. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as many of the trappings of our religion are affectations. I just find the extra K to be a bit silly, like "shoppe" or "olde" or "womyn".

But I really think that early 20th century pagans simply thought that the spelling "magick" looked cool.

[Rain Gnosis]

First, Crowley popularized the spelling because a) John Dee spelled it with a "k" b) he wanted to note that his magic was different from those in the Golden Dawn, who he claimed were inferior etc. and c) the numerological value and significance of "k".

Yes, some have claimed that this points out that their magic isn't stage magic. It is, however, somewhat like "olde" or "shoppe" such as Ben points out. The first problem with this convention is that it only comes across in writing (how often do you write to people about magic?). The second problem is that you shouldn't be discussing magic with anyone who doesn't know that you don't need stage magic in the first place - if you need to *write* to someone to say "this isn't stage magic I'm talking about" chances are they aren't someone you should be discussing magic with.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/magick/kreeeping-ooze/part01/

[Toad]

If you define magic as :

The Science and Art of causing change in conformity with Will.

Then I am a daily practitioner. =) As for spells...rarely.

[Ben Trismegistus]

First, Crowley popularized the spelling because a) John Dee spelled it with a "k"

Yes, but I'd just like to point out that John Dee lived in the 16th century, when nothing was spelled the same way twice. Look at the various ways Shakespeare spelled his own name.

[Rain Gnosis]

I would think the best way to check that is to study Dee's writings. Apparently Crowley considered himself Kelly reincarnated, and that's why he would've emulated the spelling.

[Pesha]

I practice magick in my daily life.....all life is magick. Spells yes I do spell crafting for certain needs of individuals in my healing work.

I am careful when ever I practice any form of magick.

BB

D'S...also known as....

[Armitage]

Along the lines of the other post, I don't do Formal Ritual much, but I do yank on Reality's threads when needed. :whatmewor
(offtopic: I LOVE some of these new Smileys!)

[Pan]

If you want to get all philosophical... everything you do is magick. :) So I picked "all the time" though I don't do spells, per se, all the time. ;)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I voted ALL THE TIME
and am attaching this thread that Freyja has posted in the MW BOS
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20658

Spells and Rituals are for special occasions.

[13thChylde]

I voted all the time, and spells occasionally. Thanks for posting that link, Witchy Cowgirl! I do some of those but have found a lot more daily practices.

[Wind_Rider]

I suspect that unconsciously we all do magic now and them. by Chanda

Well here is my take on it, everything we do, and everything we are is energy, being able to purposely move energy is Magick.

Since we move with purpose and intent in our day to day lives, including those exchanges of energy we don't think about ( such as breath) we are Magick in essence.

If you want to get all philosophical... everything you do is magick Loki Panwit
I couldnt agree more...

As for working magick, yes everyday, and that can also include a spell or two or three or four, a ritual... etc when I set aside specific time to devote to the art of Magick

[BlueFlame]

I voted sometimes, because there are lots of little things I do that are technicaly magical, but I just consider them a part of my everyday life as a Wiccan and Witch.

If we're talking about Spells (not ritual) then it would be hardly. Actualy about 4 times in 5 years. One of those was a group spell that I was dragged into :rolleyes: bad bad experience.... I won't go into detail but I'll just say that the leader of the spell was reading straight from Teen Witch...

[skycloud]

I have done many spells in the past, but I never do them anymore. Mainly because I don't really want the responsibility which comes from actively asking the universe for specific outcomes.

over time, I have realised that it's impossible for me to know in advance what I will need/want in the future, and part of me would rather 'wait and see' what happens rather than forcing the issue myself. (I love surprises- hehe)

[zakzekezedd]

I voted occasionally, since I do occasionally do spellwork. As to magic itself, I have a friend who while not Pagan puts it very well I think..if you believe positive things will happen for you, they will. IMHO if that isn't magic, I'm hard pressed to say what might be.

[Aidron]

I voted all the time, as everything is magick when you think about it. The very act of breathing is magick. Scientists cannot even properly label it an involuntary or voluntary action, it just 'is'.

All things have vibrational energy (scientifically this is explained by atoms and how they are forever in motion, even in solid objects such as a keyboard). This energy can be tuned into to fuel other manifestations. This example is very true in magick where tools of any sort are present or correspondences (even non-physical ones such as time).

The universe is built upon a foundation of magick in my eyes, and it is merely a matter of intentionally or unintentionally tapping into that makes the universe constantly re-arrange energy, matter, so forth and so on (destroying and creating, death and re-birth, etc.).

I personally perform magick whenever the need arises, or whenever I wish to. Like another poster pointed out, very common practices of magick (if you will) such as meditation are often forgotten about and the definition of magick only goes to include spells and rituals. I'm sure many people, like me, practice meditations daily.

I also do sacred breathing daily, rhythmic voice exercises, mental exercises which are often not technically considered meditations, altered state concious exercises, and well, the list is rather long. As for spells, quite often. Everything from finding those blasted car keys or my cell phone I am perpetually forgetting, to calling forth a cool breeze if I'm outside and sweating in this god/ddess forsaken nastiness known as 'humidity'.

[Iris]

For the purposes of this post, I'm going to limit my definition of 'magic' to spells and rituals, because otherwise we'll be here all day discussing the nature of magic and so on and so forth ad nauseum :lol:

I suppose I do 'proper' spells and rituals very rarely. By proper, I mean to exclude all the small "please let me get to the bus stop on time" 'spells' (although really these small things are just hopes, I'm not officially asking the God/ess to provide anything for me) and all the times I look at something in nature and say a brief thanks to the God and Goddess for its beauty.
Formalised spells and rituals are very rare things for me - in the first instance, because personally I prefer to do spells only when there is a real need to do them...and in the second instance, because I'm really not comfortable with the whole ceremonial element, so I don't like the type of rituals which are all "I ask thee, Lord and Lady, to oversee my magickal rites..." I just can't help feeling silly when I do that!

[Sequoia]

Prayers, often. Very very often. Rituals or spells? Hardly ever. Very rare occasions for me. I'm kind of starting all over from the beginning again, and learning the right way this time.

But I'm not much of a "spell a day", "spell for everything" kind of person, anyway. :)

[DanuMoonrunner]

I agree that everything I do, everyday is Magick. So yes I do magick all the time. As for spells and rituals, only when it's really needed. Most of the time, just positive thoughts and energies are enough. Usually done with a candle lit to push the thoughts forward.

[Rain Gnosis]

You know.. candle lighting is simple spellwork :D :D :)

[nomadicdragon]

I say sometimes. I'd practice more if I knew more pagans locally that I could work with.. I've practiced on my own for a few years, but I'd like to learn more from someone who has been practicing for a while..

[Seabhac]

I voted "sometimes" in the poll above because I'm not sure how to define/limit the things that I do.

Divination? Is it magic, or simply awareness/perception? I read the Tarot, but I don't normally consider it magic.

Energy work? I have a friend at work who is going through some heavy duty stuff. If I have the energy to spare, I'll throw her a bit, just to get her through. I also shield myself every day before I go into work or into large gatherings of people (empathy, whee) to keep myself stable. I don't quite consider it magic either.

Invoking my parking fu? Magic. Definitely magic. :D

I have done weather work twice in my life. Both times it worked, but only because I was more or less "asking nicely" in addition to the "throwing around energy". I would call that magic, but it's not something I would do unless the circumstances were extreme. You fiddle with Mother Nature, expect her to poke you in return.

I've been in rituals where there was energy directed for a specific purpose. One in particular comes to mind - and it was very magical. It's not the sort of thing I'm willing to share details about; it was very intense and very private. I've been in others where the energy simply flows through you and reconnects you with the self and the world around. I *think* I'd call that magic as well.

I can stop people's hiccups. But is that magical?

I can "speak" with spirits, gods, goddesses, trees and rocks, and I can "hear/feel" the energy of a person, place or thing (Noun!). Is that magical?

I don't know that I can limit my definition of magic to the whole "causing change" thing. There are too many layers to the worlds we see and the ones we don't see to limit ourselves that way....

Seabhac

[Emy]

I voted all the time since magick to me is something that I use all the time although I don't perform ritual magick all the time. I use spells whenever I have need for it, and it could be every day or once a month, it depends...

B*B

[banondraig]

i voted "hardly", since that's about how often i use spells. last time it worked, but in a fashion i didn't exactly have in mind. i think mostly i wasn't specific enough in my own mind about what i wanted, so i didn't exactly get it. so for now i'm focusing more on going with the flow, figuring out exactly what it is that i do want. as far as the "small things", that's something i am going to be working on more in the future, but up to now have not been.