The practice of Magick

What is Magick?

When one hears the word "Magick", more often or not parlour tricks or Harry Potter comes to mind, when a Witch, or Pagan, hears the word "Magick", they hear beauty, they see an art, a craft, a way to weave change to bring our desires out into the world.

Why is it spelled with a "K"?

A good question I have been asked over the years is "Why is Magick spelled with a 'K', why isn't it spelled 'Magic'", this choice comes down to the Witch, the "K" is simply to denote the difference between stage tricks and the act of weaving change and building a relationship with different energies. How does it work?

The commonly agreed answer is that the universe is both active and receptive, the universe is reflective and yet affirming, when we enact gestures, vocalise sounds, visualise outcomes and truly will and believe that our actions will produce a consequence - then they more often than not do - this is a combination of personal power, technique and the supporting energies of nature you have chosen to partner with.

What is required to make it work?

Many factors come into play but I do love "The Witches Pyramid", which is a simplifying image to explain what we need to do for it to work - we need to be inspired and have the will (Fire), to know how to, or visualise it (Air), to feel the daring emotions to bring change (Water), to keep silent about particular workings (Earth) and finally to go, or to do the working (Spirit).

What do we need to practice magick?

The first step to performing magick is preparation and that comes in the form of cleansing your energy "or vibe" that you have carried or given off through the recent times. This can be done by burning a candle with a chant or prayer, applying cleansing oils to your body (Wrists), you can burn herbs such as Sage to purify the space you will cast from. Now after preparing, this is where it becomes very individual - you often require a, or some, tools that correspond to your desires, this can be candles, herbs, oils, a cauldron, paper, pen, twine, any item that will be a part of your unique casting. All I advise is whether you write your own magick or use those of others, try and be economical and green with your choice of supplies. Sustainability honours nature.

The most important thing we need is "Faith", both in ourselves and in the correspondences or universe.

Do you need to be special to do magick?

You do not need to be special to do magick, any and all people can, and do practice magick, more often than not it is done very unconsciously. Deep within the human psyche is our emotional needs, our emotional wounds, our deepest views of ourselves that determine self-esteem and personal power for example. When we consciously practice magick it is much more powerful because we choose to consciously practice magick to bring forth change, for instance we ally with the magickal qualities of herbs, planets, colours and so on. To practice unconsciously is merely an emotional projection out to the universe and hopefully not to terrible a reflection.

Are Witches just "Different"?

Given a lack of context, it is not a very helpful question. Are Witches different? On the whole - no, we are people, we work, we laugh, we cry, we eat, we sleep, we enjoy time in nature. Are Witches different? By comparison - possibly yes, we honour nature, some of us offer devotions to the old Gods, we partner with the energies of creation to produce desired outcomes - beneficial, neutral or admittedly, malignant - this depends on the individual, we typically walk with a green step and see animals as equals, not lesser beings to take dominion over.

In the spirit of illuminating others, may see you forever see the magick in yourself, in others in animals and in nature.

Blessed Be XxX