Practical Magic for Everyone
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Easy steps to get you started on your way to practicing magic.
You've heard the old cliche pondering why all psychics and witches don't win the lottery. If they are so psychic and magical, why aren't they rich? If you've been a student of magic, you know the answer to that can be complex. Magic actually is quite simple in theory, but theories need to be put into practice in order to be tested.
Magical Will
The famous occultist and magician, Aleister Crowley, stated "Magic is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.". Simple right? We will something and it happens. Not quite.
One problem is that many of us have been raised in a culture that tells us our will is different or beneath the will of God. Therefore, who are we to impose our will on the world around us? There are also many every day distractions and expectations that others place on us. We tend to let ourselves be overcome by what others say is good for us.
One problem is that many of us have been raised in a culture that tells us our will is different or beneath the will of God. Therefore, who are we to impose our will on the world around us? There are also many every day distractions and expectations that others place on us. We tend to let ourselves be overcome by what others say is good for us.
Basics of Magical Practice
Below are five practical steps to magical work for the aspiring magician. Practical does not necessarily mean simple. However, practicing these techniques will help you clear away some of the obstacles keeping you from doing your will. I am using the example of doing magic to attract a new job.- Set a realistic goal. I know this may seem boring, but this is especially important for those new to magic. Say the job you want is something that is completely out of your skill range. You could be setting yourself up for failure and attracting disbelief in your own magical ability. At this point, it is best to think of magic as that nudge you need in the right direction instead of the only avenue open to achieve your goal.
- Develop relaxation skills. Many ignore this step, but you will need to be able to still your mind and body in order to perform the rest of the magical work. Meditation, yoga, and visualization are all good techniques. In fact, visualization may be easier to begin with than meditation. It is difficult to get to a completely blank state of mind for a sustained period of time that meditation reaches for. Taking a few deep breaths, closing your eyes, and visualizing yourself in your favorite spot relaxing such as near a lake or in the woods is a good place to start.
- Concentrate on your goal. This is where your visualization and meditation practice is invaluable. Think of that job you want in as much detail as you can. Include specifics such as the location, the money you wish to make, daily tasks you will be performing, etc. The goal here is to build energy around your desire.
A simple concentration technique to practice before you even attempt magic is to stare at an object such as a candle flame as long as you can. Thoughts will enter your mind. Don't try to force them away. Gently push them out of the corner of your mind and refocus your attention on the object. - Release the energy. One method you can use to do this is to place the energy you have raised into a ball of light and send it off into universe or earth. If you are performing magic in a ritual space, then you can release this energy to the deities you are working with trusting them to use it properly. It is important to let go of what is called the lust of result. This is one of the biggest obstacles many magicians face. If you continue to obsess about your goal after this step, then you haven't truly released the energy to do your will.
- Take action. This is another step that is sometimes forgotten. The most practical way to go after the goal you want is to take real world steps in getting it. In the case of the example, apply for the job and follow up with the prospective employer
Keep a journal of your experiments and results. This way you can eliminate techniques that don't work for you and make notes of what you would like to try in the future.
Learn to Focus
While tools aren't needed for magic, they are a helpful way to train your mind that you are entering sacred space when you do magic.
One of the most popular tools used for focusing our will is the candle flame. You can stare at the flame while affirming your goal either silently or aloud.
You can even write a symbol in black on white paper and focus on that. A former Craft teacher of mine just had his students draw a large black dot on white paper and had them start focusing for one minute. Move upward in one minute increments until you reach 10-20 minutes doing your best to gently keep thoughts from invading your mind.
Magic - Not Just for Witchy People
As you can see, none of these steps are necessarily Pagan or use any of the stereotypical witchy tools associated with magic. In fact, techniques such as creative visualization are used by people the world over to obtain their goals. Pagans use ritual and tools to aid in visualization. By all means, cast a circle, use herbal and color correspondences, and ritual to help you concentrate on the goal at hand. Part of the beauty of magic is that it is universal. It can be designed to our tastes and applied within or without a belief system.
Books to Learn Magical Techniques
Magic Supplies
When you want to add magical tools to your practice.
Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram
While pomp and circumstance isn't a requirement for magic, ritual gets us in the space to perform magic. The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is a traditional beginning and ending ritual for magicians. See different techniques for the LBRP on YouTube.
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Learn More About the LBRP and Paganism
More Magical Links
- Aleister Crowley Quotes on Magic and Will
- My Suite 101 article with a few gems from AC himself.
- Witchcraft Basics: Binding and Poppet Magic
- Learn simple techniques for binding magic which is used to stop someone from doing you or others harm.
- Psychic Shielding: Techniques for Psychic Self-Defense
- Psychic self-defense is used to protect against intentional and unintentional psychic attack. Presented here are some psychic shielding techniques.
- Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Spirit: Five Elements of Magic and Ritual
- The five elements of fire, water, air, earth, and spirit are used by pagans and occultists in magic and ritual to represent the forces of nature. Learn the symbols and some correspondences of these elements.
What are your best practical magic techniques?
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ArdenBaird
Oct 17, 2010 @ 4:28 pm | delete
- A nice, straightforward lens. I lean towards kitchen witchery but I've really let it slide.
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PJ_Deneen
Oct 6, 2009 @ 8:32 am | in reply to Heather426 | delete
- Thank you Heather. I felt the same way about your lenses. There so much good stuff here at Squidoo. I look forward to reading more of your work.
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Heather426
Oct 4, 2009 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- Love it! you have many lenses I am interested in so will have to take some time to visit some of them...5*
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Suzie-Shine
Jul 3, 2009 @ 12:00 pm | delete
- Very interesting. I believe in magic so that was an interesting read - thanks.
Suzie
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Snozzle
Dec 19, 2008 @ 10:43 am | delete
- Hi! Thanks for the welcome on the forum.
Magic - of course it works! But it depends on what you consider as magic.
I believe in visualisation and that we are able to create our own world. What we say, think and do are important.
For non believers it's good to try out small stuff, such as visualising (or asking for) a car parking space - it works.
Good luck with Squidoo and magic.
Mike.
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by PJ_Deneen
PJ_Deneen
Hello, I'm P.J. (Trish) Deneen. I work at home doing medical transcription and freelance writing.
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