| WITCHCRAFT AND MAGICK |
| THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RITUAL MAGICK, HIGH (CEREMONIAL) MAGICK AND LOW (NATURAL) MAGICK. |
| WHAT IS BLACK, WHITE, AND GREY MAGICK? |
| We often hear about the different forms of Magick, listed under varying names, and here I attempt to list and explain the differences between a basic few. Firstly, why I spell 'Magick' with a 'K' at the end: Most practioners of Witchcraft use this spelling to differentiate the type of magic we do to from the magical tricks of stage magicians. We don't perform tricks, how we practise our Craft is not an illusion- it is how we use our energies, the power of nature, and the forces around us to change our consciousness, and hopefully improve our own lives and the lives of others. Magick is the power of the mind in causing effectual difference to the world around us. More so than this...it is natural energies, will, intent and desire- using all of these to enforce a result. Such responsibility is not to be taken lightly. Much thought must always go before using Magick, and preparation is essential. Think on this...even the best intentions may have disastrous results. You could want a change in your life circumstances, and use your Magick to ask for an improved relationship. But what if you weren't specific enough, not thought enough on what it was you wanted exactly- and so did not prepare? Your relationship could end. The next relationship could be better on the outside- but if you loved your previous partner, it would all be a complete disaster! So, preparation and being careful is of the utmost importance. This is a good example of how 'positive' (or reinforcing magick/spells) and 'negative' magick (destroying magick/spells) can be easily confused. Not all positive magick is good, and reversed...not all negative magick is bad or evil. To further explain this:- positive magickal workings, such as reinforcing a persons ability to hate someone, or take up a bad habit is not good, it is evil. On the contrary:- using negative magick to lower (or destroy) a persons ability to cause harm is using the negative for good purposes. This of course is a very simplified view. |
| Magick itself isn't black, white, or grey. Magick is simply what it is. It is the intent of the person using the magick that molds it into becoming effectual as 'good' or 'bad', etc. Categorising each magickal use as being white or black (or somewhere in between) is difficult. Some magickal practises can go awry, bad things may happen to one person due to not enough forethought...does this make the magick 'black'? Good intent, nomatter how strong, may not make up for causing harm to another. The way in which you practise is entirely up to the individual- it is what you think you can accept morally and judgementally for yourself. As with all witchcraft, there is no right or wrong- it is whatever makes you most comfortable. |
| Witchcraft is the 'umbrella' term for all magickal workings. Whether you use white magick, black magick or something else...it is all part of the Craft. Each subcategory of white, black or grey, also can be subjected to being classified under other directories: Ritual Magick, Natural Magick, or Ceremonial Magick. |
| WHITE MAGICK Sometimes referred to as 'right hand magick', white magick is catergorised (in general) as magickal workings used for the benefit of others. It is non-manipulative, and is not performed without the permission of whomever is involved. Healing and working towards finding the good within is all white magick, as is helping others with no dangerous or harmful side effects. White magick is concerned with peace and love, good luck and happiness- though not manipulating others to achieve the desired results. It does well to note here that White Magick is not often used for personal gain- it is used to benefit others; either individuals or groups- it is said to be magick used unselfishly. Consideration on the effects are taken very seriously. |
| POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE MAGICK AND SPELLS |
| BLACK MAGICK Sometimes referred to as 'left hand magick', is using energies to create a situation to benefit the practitioner This includes bending another persons will, causing confusion in others. Black Magick is usually self-concerning- in other words it is used by the individual, FOR the individual- for personal gain, whether that be emotional or physical gain- it is said to be used selfishly.It can be said that Black Magick works against the natural order of the universe- it bends the forces and energies against the natural way- forcing choas and misunderstanding. All Magickal workings have consequences other than the desired results...there are side effects to consider. Whereas the usage of white magick has naturally beneficial side effects, the opposite can be said for black Magick, and side effects may be dire indeed. Whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, it should be always considered that Magick can be dangerous either way. |
| GREY MAGICK Sometimes referred to as 'middle' or 'middle path' magick, it is basically the use of negative energy for good purpose. For instance...using a love or money spell to help another in dire need. Grey magick is performed with the hope for good intended results. Sometimes grey magick is the the use of both black and white magick- a practioner of the Craft who uses both aspects of magick (black and white) to achieve desired results. Some people within the Craft use grey Magick, as they personally believe that this balances the natural order of things...it balances Karma. |
| Something to consider here: When standing in the light (I refer to white magick here as Light as an analogy) we can see our shadows- we accept that there is both light and darkness, and strive to create a balance. We turn our faces toward the light so the shadows are at our backs- not interfering with our purposes. In the dark, there is no light to be seen...there is only darkness. One in the dark will not see the balance needed between the light and dark. Others may say that only when we are stood in the dark will we notice any light...but it must be said that in the dark there is no light, only deeper darkness within the shadows. There is no light within the darkness, because the dark absorbs the light, it does not embrace it. It may be said that those who only practise Black Magick fail to embrace both the light and Dark, and so are not in balance and harmony with nature and the forces around them. |
| CEREMONIAL (OR 'HIGH') MAGICK High Magick was once called so because it was the practise of those who were 'above' farmers and labourers...those people whose station in life determined that they had much more time on their hands. However, it is generally more accepted in modern times to use the term 'high' or 'ceremonial' magick to describe the magickal workings that use specific rituals and guidlines. The rituals are intricate, and have to follow exact rules and definitions. The people involved in the ceremonies of High Magick call upon entities (and sometimes demons) to do their bidding and will. The guidelines of the ceremonies and rituals may not be deviated from nor changed, as this may cause severe problems. It may also be noted that this genre of Magickal workings requires a group of people, and is not practised solitary. Magickal spaces are used to confine the Ceremonial Magick- such as the triple circle. Many practitioners of this Magick use it to connect to the Divine, for enlightenment, and often use complex astrological and numerical charts... the rituals are elaborate and take much time to perform. It has been known for practitioners to use animal sacrifice within the boundaries of ceremonial Magick..but much less so in modern times. This is a very disciplined form of Magick. |
| NATURAL (OR 'LOW') MAGICK Once so called because it was the practise of those who worked and lived in the 'lowlands'...people such as farmers who worked long hours during the day, and had little time to perform elaborate and complicated rituals and ceremonies. Nowadays, Natural Magick has its roots firmly placed in those days- using natural objects during the workings. This less formal genre of practise takes less time and does not need a magickal space or structure to achieve the desired results. Sometimes referred to as 'folk' magick, it seems to have a much more common sense approach to magickal workings. The practitioners of this use feathers, stones, gems,herbs, wood, the seasons of the year and moon phases, coupled with their own forces and energies to create and perform a spell. The desired results of such magickal workings can be mundane and simple as well as more spiritual and mental. Any parts of animals used for the Magick are not procurred by sacrifice, but are things that can be found- such as feathers or bones that are visible on the surface of the ground. The pratise of Natural Magick perserveres to achieve harmony with nature, rather than connecting to the Divine, and is often called 'the Magick of the Wiccans and Witches'. Visualisation and chanting (incantations or spells) is used in this form of Magick also. |
| RITUAL MAGICK Ritual Magick could be said to be the halfway point between Ceremonial and Natural Magickal workings. It uses astrological alignments, colour correspondences, as well as moon phases and elements to achieve desired results. Singing and dancing are often used to help raise the energies, as well as drumming and trance-like states. Visualisation and incantations are used by the practitioner much the same as the Natural Magick practitioner, though elemental and astrological influences are taken into consideration. It may be performed by either individuals, or groups... as it is not as elaborate as Ceremonial Magick, though more complicated than Natural Magick. Because of the lesser complexities, it is not used for enlightment, but may be used to achieve mundane and spiritual results much the same as Natural Magick. This genre of Magick can be classed within the same specifications as Ceremonial Magick- both are considered 'high' Magick, though as I have already stated, it does seem to be a meeting of both Ceremonial and Natural Magick. |
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