jaimethepooh
05-12-2004, 05:15 AM
http://www.avalonweaver.com/Magic.htm (new site)
How High Magic Works
Before anything can be manifested on the physical plane it needs to have first been manifested in thought on another plane. Magic therefore involves developing a relationship with those other planes, through visualisation, expanding consciousness into the other planes and bringing back the necessary material for the original thought to manifest on the physical. That is magic. The thought form, however, may have come from some materialistic or egotistic desire that serves no deep purpose other than self-gratification. On the other hand, the thought form may not have been projected from the lower self, but from the Higher Self, or even from spiritual entities outside of the Self. If working with such forces the work then becomes what is commonly known as high magic and is most readily achievable through working 'between the Worlds' in a situation that is necessarily ritualistic.
There are many forms of magic, and none more valid than any other. To ensure that any sort ofmagic truly works it is necessary to be self-disciplined and put in a great deal of work through daily meditation and practice. Anyone who thinks they can simply buy a book of spells and expect them to work effectively without having trained themselves to concentrate, focus and visualise, as well as have a strong personal understanding of the astral, elemental and spiritual dimensions is likely to be extremely disappointed. Magic, whether it be ritual or folk magic, works on the physical plane as well as the other dimensions.
Utilising a herb for instance will use the physical elements of the herb, but used in conjunction with a healing visualisation of any depth, starts working on the astral, elemental and spiritual planes as well through both the practitioner and the various correspondences of the herb used. To what degree this healing is successful depends on how adept the practitioner is, the clarity or sincerity of the visualisation and the appropriate herb. A healing application such as this may well fall under the categories of herbalism or folk magic, or more accurately a combination of the two. Ritual magic works in much the same way although a more formal and thorough approach is applied.
Many people fear magic because they do not understand it, or how it works. It can appear frightening because it works with forces that are unseen or hidden from the uninitiated. Occult means 'hidden' and it is not until that which is hidden is understood and recognised that the magician can manipulate these unseen forces. The Wiccan saying 'in perfect love and perfect trust' refers to more than the initiate's feelings towards the High Priestess, High Priest, and others that they may work with. The initiated need to overcome fear of the previously unknown and open themselves up to the greater realities and all that is possible within that greater reality.
To understand how magic works it is necessary to build an understanding of the planes of existence that exist beyond that which is experienced by the five physical human sense; first to experience it with the relational side of the brain, then to rationalise it into the conscious. The Higher Self is reached through the sub-conscious and a thorough and sound relationship with the Higher Self can only be achieved through self-development, balancing oneself with the elements within, delving deep into the inner realms with a certain degree of objectivity and making the necessary adjustments. One of the reasons a Wiccan should work under the guidance of elders is that those elders should not only be thoroughly experienced, but they are also in a much better place to be objective about your development.
Ritual magic is worked 'between the worlds'. One is working both on the physical plane and beyond on the astral, elemental planes and spiritual planes. The circle that is cast creates a space that is between these planes of existence.
Working a ritual through ceremony helps to focus the mind and all the senses on the work at hand. Through it you will be creating a thought form, or entity, that will build according to the energy put into it. Additional energy will be put into the invocation if you are working with others who share similar values to you and who work with similar symbolism.
In order to focus ones mind on the work at hand, thorough preparation can do a great deal to help. First of all consider exactly what it is you aim to achieve. Consider the moral aspects of the work you intend to do.
You also need to consider whether the work you are doing, if it is for oneself, is for a real need and not simply some form of materialistic or egotistical gratification. The maxim I work to in such situations is NEED not GREED. If you work continually for materialistic or egotistical gratification you are merely falling into the trap that so many fall into, that of pandering to a glamour, and have failed to fully connect with ones divine will. The magic may at first appear to have some effect, but one will find that the three-fold law pays back in some particularly vicious ways. The spirits do not respond well to those who work for greed.
The next thing to consider is how you are going to focus on your objective. The more symbology you use within the ritual, the easier you will find it to focus your attention on the work, and the easier you will find it to work between the planes. Use a table of correspondences to help you incorporate items appropriate to the work you are undertaking.
There are many items that can be used within the ritual (see also chapter on tools of the craft). An appropriate mixture of coloured candles, herbal mixtures or incense, crystals, ritual tools, poppets, talismen must be carefully considered and pre-prepared. By appropriate mixture I mean not only the herbs and crystals, etc, that correspond most closely to the work at hand, but also introducing within the work the four elements. By using tools that appeal to all of your physical senses you strengthen the ability to focus and concentrate on the work you have undertaken. Music can also be useful on occasion.
Your work needs to conducted within a fully cast and consecrated Circle with all the normal preparations, such as bathing and cleansing all the tools you intend to use.
Remember to clear the Circle properly at the end of your work and banish all excess energies through grounding.
How High Magic Works
Before anything can be manifested on the physical plane it needs to have first been manifested in thought on another plane. Magic therefore involves developing a relationship with those other planes, through visualisation, expanding consciousness into the other planes and bringing back the necessary material for the original thought to manifest on the physical. That is magic. The thought form, however, may have come from some materialistic or egotistic desire that serves no deep purpose other than self-gratification. On the other hand, the thought form may not have been projected from the lower self, but from the Higher Self, or even from spiritual entities outside of the Self. If working with such forces the work then becomes what is commonly known as high magic and is most readily achievable through working 'between the Worlds' in a situation that is necessarily ritualistic.
There are many forms of magic, and none more valid than any other. To ensure that any sort ofmagic truly works it is necessary to be self-disciplined and put in a great deal of work through daily meditation and practice. Anyone who thinks they can simply buy a book of spells and expect them to work effectively without having trained themselves to concentrate, focus and visualise, as well as have a strong personal understanding of the astral, elemental and spiritual dimensions is likely to be extremely disappointed. Magic, whether it be ritual or folk magic, works on the physical plane as well as the other dimensions.
Utilising a herb for instance will use the physical elements of the herb, but used in conjunction with a healing visualisation of any depth, starts working on the astral, elemental and spiritual planes as well through both the practitioner and the various correspondences of the herb used. To what degree this healing is successful depends on how adept the practitioner is, the clarity or sincerity of the visualisation and the appropriate herb. A healing application such as this may well fall under the categories of herbalism or folk magic, or more accurately a combination of the two. Ritual magic works in much the same way although a more formal and thorough approach is applied.
Many people fear magic because they do not understand it, or how it works. It can appear frightening because it works with forces that are unseen or hidden from the uninitiated. Occult means 'hidden' and it is not until that which is hidden is understood and recognised that the magician can manipulate these unseen forces. The Wiccan saying 'in perfect love and perfect trust' refers to more than the initiate's feelings towards the High Priestess, High Priest, and others that they may work with. The initiated need to overcome fear of the previously unknown and open themselves up to the greater realities and all that is possible within that greater reality.
To understand how magic works it is necessary to build an understanding of the planes of existence that exist beyond that which is experienced by the five physical human sense; first to experience it with the relational side of the brain, then to rationalise it into the conscious. The Higher Self is reached through the sub-conscious and a thorough and sound relationship with the Higher Self can only be achieved through self-development, balancing oneself with the elements within, delving deep into the inner realms with a certain degree of objectivity and making the necessary adjustments. One of the reasons a Wiccan should work under the guidance of elders is that those elders should not only be thoroughly experienced, but they are also in a much better place to be objective about your development.
Ritual magic is worked 'between the worlds'. One is working both on the physical plane and beyond on the astral, elemental planes and spiritual planes. The circle that is cast creates a space that is between these planes of existence.
Working a ritual through ceremony helps to focus the mind and all the senses on the work at hand. Through it you will be creating a thought form, or entity, that will build according to the energy put into it. Additional energy will be put into the invocation if you are working with others who share similar values to you and who work with similar symbolism.
In order to focus ones mind on the work at hand, thorough preparation can do a great deal to help. First of all consider exactly what it is you aim to achieve. Consider the moral aspects of the work you intend to do.
You also need to consider whether the work you are doing, if it is for oneself, is for a real need and not simply some form of materialistic or egotistical gratification. The maxim I work to in such situations is NEED not GREED. If you work continually for materialistic or egotistical gratification you are merely falling into the trap that so many fall into, that of pandering to a glamour, and have failed to fully connect with ones divine will. The magic may at first appear to have some effect, but one will find that the three-fold law pays back in some particularly vicious ways. The spirits do not respond well to those who work for greed.
The next thing to consider is how you are going to focus on your objective. The more symbology you use within the ritual, the easier you will find it to focus your attention on the work, and the easier you will find it to work between the planes. Use a table of correspondences to help you incorporate items appropriate to the work you are undertaking.
There are many items that can be used within the ritual (see also chapter on tools of the craft). An appropriate mixture of coloured candles, herbal mixtures or incense, crystals, ritual tools, poppets, talismen must be carefully considered and pre-prepared. By appropriate mixture I mean not only the herbs and crystals, etc, that correspond most closely to the work at hand, but also introducing within the work the four elements. By using tools that appeal to all of your physical senses you strengthen the ability to focus and concentrate on the work you have undertaken. Music can also be useful on occasion.
Your work needs to conducted within a fully cast and consecrated Circle with all the normal preparations, such as bathing and cleansing all the tools you intend to use.
Remember to clear the Circle properly at the end of your work and banish all excess energies through grounding.