12-30-2014, 05:16 PM
So what would you like to discuss? I am familiar with many aspects of ceremonial magic, is there a particular element you would like to open up?
My "view" on the subject is that magic is an applied philosophy and that almost every spiritual system in the world has some magical elements (even if it isn't included in their concepts, the principles are there). Aleister Crowley was the one who promulgamated the idea that magic is a change of consciousness at will, which is a definition I could probably agree with, as well as your own definition which fits well with the way Ra describes it as accessing the Unmanifest Being.
Magic, however, has been given many uses over the years. The work of Hermetic Kabalah and similar systems have the focus of self-transformation, of transcendence to become "more than human". Other systems of magic are focused more on relationships with the gods/spirits or manipulating the gods/spirits to achieve the will of the magician (Like Voodoo). Then there are healing systems of magic as well. Some claim that "true magic" is only the work of directly working with the etheric body. Others are more about communion with nature and aiding its forces. Pretty much all of them are rooted in some form of Shamanism, Priestcraft or Witchcraft.
My own definition of magic is a little different I think as I do see magic as a technique by which one can cause changes in consciousness at will, but I would take it a step further to say magic is actually a way of living with active consciousness. Consciousness is always changing, constantly, magic enables us to become aware of that constantly changing state and to begin to direct the flow of its changes. I don't think magic "causes" change, I think it merely allows us to direct the change that is already happening. Thus magic, to me, is a way of living consciously.
My "view" on the subject is that magic is an applied philosophy and that almost every spiritual system in the world has some magical elements (even if it isn't included in their concepts, the principles are there). Aleister Crowley was the one who promulgamated the idea that magic is a change of consciousness at will, which is a definition I could probably agree with, as well as your own definition which fits well with the way Ra describes it as accessing the Unmanifest Being.
Magic, however, has been given many uses over the years. The work of Hermetic Kabalah and similar systems have the focus of self-transformation, of transcendence to become "more than human". Other systems of magic are focused more on relationships with the gods/spirits or manipulating the gods/spirits to achieve the will of the magician (Like Voodoo). Then there are healing systems of magic as well. Some claim that "true magic" is only the work of directly working with the etheric body. Others are more about communion with nature and aiding its forces. Pretty much all of them are rooted in some form of Shamanism, Priestcraft or Witchcraft.
My own definition of magic is a little different I think as I do see magic as a technique by which one can cause changes in consciousness at will, but I would take it a step further to say magic is actually a way of living with active consciousness. Consciousness is always changing, constantly, magic enables us to become aware of that constantly changing state and to begin to direct the flow of its changes. I don't think magic "causes" change, I think it merely allows us to direct the change that is already happening. Thus magic, to me, is a way of living consciously.
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