Is there a difference between Magick and Sorcery?

[~*Ginger*~]

I realize I may be asking this question to late since I'm gonna be gone for awhile, but i would like to ask...

Is there a difference between Magick and Sorcery?
What would the differences be?
:hmmmmm:

[Rain Gnosis]

Sorcery is generally only used in the context of roleplaying games and fantasy stories, and as such tends to refer more to that kind of magic (ie. poisoning people, curses, dragons, unicorns, etc.).

In general, I feel magic refers to the art and science of causing change in conformity with will using methods not currently understood by mainstream scientific methods. Generally magic can be classified as thaumaturgy (low magic) and theurgy (high magic) - that is, magic that focuses on the material and physical plane (love spells, prosperity spells, etc.) and magic meant to reunite the magician with God. Most people are familiar with thaumaturgy in the form of witchcraft - which is generally considered magic centering around herbs, candles, moon phases, and so on.

There is an overlap, and many people don't bother classifying at all. While I would say sorcery might lean more towards high magic and thus the term might be close to magician or ceremonialist, terms such as wizard and sorceror are generally only used in the context mentioned above (ie. fantasy stuff). Therefore I'd use the term magician or witch, not sorceror or wizard. Another term is mage, however it strikes me as a short form of "magician" and another one that is too entrenched in fantasy novels and RPG's to be used normally. When it is used seriously it tends to mean someone who manipulates energies directly - not using tools and herbs, etc., but still for means that fall into thaumaturgy. In general I'd offer the friendly suggestion to use terms like magician, ceremonialist, or witch, etc. rather then mage, sorceror, or wizard, because the latter tend to make people confused about whether you're serious or just roleplaying.

[~*Ginger*~]

Well then, those links I found while searching begin to make sense...

I thought so....

So the players call themselves sorcerers...
And the serious call themselves witches...

[Rae ShadowWolf]

Rain is correct, just thought I would touch on some things...

Sorcery - Magic used by Sorcerors (Those who are born with Magic, unlike Wizards who had to train and study).

Magician - One who uses Elemental Magic (Fire, Ice, Wind and Earth).

[Rain Gnosis]

Magician - One who uses Elemental Magic (Fire, Ice, Wind and Earth).

Just a point of interest - most ceremonialists will call themselves magicians because of high magic but do not necessarily work with elemental magic at all (many work with JHVH for instance, or unnamed Divine energy, but don't work with elements).

[Rae ShadowWolf]

I was referring only to the RolePlay/Fantasy meaning.

[Rain Gnosis]

I was referring only to the RolePlay/Fantasy meaning.

Ah ha, I wondered if that was it! My apologies. That makes more sense now.

[Rae ShadowWolf]

Ah ha, I wondered if that was it! My apologies. That makes more sense now.

No apology needed. *smiles*

I roleplay all the time, I just thought I would shed a little more light on the subject. =)