What Is Magic?
Many people quote Aleister Crowley’s
definition: “Magick is the Science and
Art of causing Change to occur in
conformity with Will”. elaborates on
this definition with a number of
postulates and illustrations, which
serve to make his definition seem
almost scientific. However, it only
works if you wish to include
scratching your posterior because it
itches, or removing unwanted
mucous from your nostril as Magick.
As satisfying as these activities are, I
personally do not consider them
Magick. In fact, most of whatdefines
as “Magick” would simply be called
“doing something” by plain folks.This
definition makes Magick seem overly
effective because it includes all of the
obvious and proven methods of doing
anything.
So both Magic, (dropping the “k”), and
plain old “doing something” cause
Change to occur in conformity with
Will. However, Magic differs from
other ways of getting things done.
Specifically, it uses supernatural
means and methods - ways of doing
things that cannot be tested by
scientific methods. Magic uses the
forces of the Unseen World to
influence the Seen World. The spirit
world, demons and angels, the power
of roots, spells and incantations -
these are the tools of Magic.
I propose this much narrower
definition of Magic: “the use of
supernatural methods and materials
to accomplish goals”. This definition
includes most methods of hoodoo,
shamanism, sorcery, witchcraft and
so on but it does not include those of
biology, pharmacology or electrical
engineering. In fact, Magic does not
include any method that uses
accepted principles of cause and effect
either currently elucidated or testable
by the scientific method. Only the
supernatural qualifies.
Perhaps one reasonformulated his
definition as he did was because he
wanted to be able to point out obvious
examples of effective Magic.
Understandable, considering that
using our narrower definition it is
impossible to prove a single instance
of effective Magic ! In fact, if you had
just one bit of Magic that worked
reliably you could win the famous
Randi Prize, claim the $1,000,000
reward and gain global renown. But
wait a minute Rev. Jim – you wonder
– isn’t this the? Aren’t you a
Reverend, a Doctor of Divinity and a
Certified Practitioner of Hoodoo? Why
do you devote yourself to something
that doesn’t work?
Here is the thing - there is a very big
difference between “not proven to
work” and “doesn’t work”. Let’s go
back to last week’s sermon and the
difference between knowledge and
belief: knowledge can always be
proven false, while belief cannot be
proven false or true. Magic is the
method of belief. It is belief put into
action to gain results in both the Seen
and Unseen Worlds. As such, Magic
can neither be proven true nor false.
Magic is the method of divination, the
tarot and I-Ching, the spirit
communication and the séance. Magic
is the method of folk belief: the evil
eye that sours the cow’s milk, the
fertility rite that guarantees the
harvest, the water nymph that calls
the fisherman. Magic is the method of
superstition: the rabbit’s foot in the
pocket, the lucky lottery work out,
the mojo bag. Magic is the method of
religion: the transubstantiation of
wafers into the body of Christ, the
exorcism of demons and the
forgiveness of sins. Perhaps an even
more suitable definition of Magic is:
“belief put into action”.
So, like belief, Magic is way to work
with the uncertainties of the Unseen
World, a way to cope with cruel Fate,
a way to focus energy on creative
solutions to our daily problems. Many
practitioners of Magic will attest to the
benefits and positive results they
have gained from their practice.
Perhaps it makes a problem look
more manageable and allows a
solution to be devised. Or maybe the
focus outside the self provides a fresh
perspective. Sometimes just the
aesthetic experience of working with
potions and incense is so enjoyable it
lifts the spirit. And maybe sometimes,
just maybe, a miracle occurs.
This week’s message in a nutshell:
put your beliefs into practice!
Depending on what you believe, that
may mean conversing with your Holy
Guardian Angel, saving a soul
through prayer, or doing a honey jar
spell. Whatever it may be, have faith,
be open to results and most of all –
enjoy it. Become a Magician and work
with Unseen Forces! Anyone can do it,
too - how awesome is that?
Good Luck Always.