While we have maintained things at the blog here, somewhat… it seems like a bit of everything has been down since we have been sick. We have done a new podcast though and we are taking the time to get things together though. We are ready to share our latest episode of Mage Against the Machine!
Summary of Our Most Recent Episode!
While we are working on this though, we did get the Youtube pag like go to our website!
In This Segment of Our Witchy Podcast:
The place of society on magick. This is a tough subject because, on one hand, magicians of all varieties all want to have their own path (to some extent) while covering topics such as independent witchcraft, the power of one vs the power of none, and the future of our transparent practices here on Mage Against the Machine.
How far can any of us get doing only solitary witchcraft?
That depends on you, and what you want out of your practice… now doesn’t it? Whether you are wanting to learn how to be a witch, need help with how to cast spells, or are a seasoned magick user and know where your path is right now, we are all on our own paths. Mage Against the Machine is always interested in carpooling for this purpose!
Magick When You’re Sick
We have been dealing with some covid illnesses and other sicknesses in the fam here at the Mage Against the Machine, and so there are some gaps in between posting. We are coming back from a 2-month unexpected break to take a crack at the reality of a transparent practice and to call out to those that want to make a difference. This time of year is tough, with the weather changing and with a limited amount of people working on the podcast. Plus, as some people know, I lost one of my dads, as I was beginning this podcast. I think that this has really caught up with me, especially as we sent him off on his watery journey over the summer. He was in the Navy, and well, with (again) Covid, it was hard to make arrangements.
Not all of this is said in the episode, but as I think about the overall description of what this Mage Against the Machine episode was about, I think this contributed a lot to the actual mindset of everything over the last few months.
Making the Most of Things
I do ask that everyone bear with me, as I find a groove again and wanted to reach out and let everyone know I was doing better. I have a plan moving forward, but the best-laid plans… well, we know how those go! So, in this episode, the focus is getting back on transparent practices, and really asking everyone to think about their own perspectives.
During this episode we provide some neat witchy facts and take a stab at science, truth, and relativity. Really, it is a bit of everything all rolled up into one quick(ish episode);
Magick and the Moon… And More
Also! News! YAY!
We have been working on the website a little – so it is kind of “a work in progress” at the moment. You can still see the general podcast pages, but a lot of the other details are lacking at the moment. It should be updated this month, and we will let you know when it is.
While we are working on this though, we did get the Youtube page up and have a new post there.
There, I said it. Granted, depending on whether or not is truth relative, this could be debated. For now, let’s not though. Give me a moment please, to get my thoughts together and then I will explain. Initially, what I mean by this is that people all have an idea of their beliefs or why them believe them.
Most people who believe in magick have some integral idea of how magick works. The better part of 20 years of my life has been spent talking to witches, mostly either pagan and Wiccan types or Golden Dawn and ceremonial magick type… just for clarity. I don’t know why it took me till this week, but I realized something this week.
I have officially decided that… on the topic of magick… you are doing it wrong. Simply by thinking that what we are doing inherently is right, then that leaves little room to think outside the box. That leaves no real way to force the mind to remain open, to look for the cosmic links out in the world or to see the impossible happenings. By doing magick right, it seems as though it is essentially against the concept of mastery in the first place and thereby, you are doing it wrong. That is my simple explanation
Truth is a Funny Thing, Especially to People of Faith
I said it. So, it must be true. Or, at least I think it is true. That is where it gets tricky. Because ultimately, the word “truth” has changed through the years and not everyone can agree on what the word actually means. Some say it is synonymous with fact. Other people say that it is something slightly different. Personally, I like the concept that truth is something with is accurate and factual to the person telling it. I tend to think of it as a anecdotal fact.
Sort of how a person will tell you that the bible is a truth, because for them it is. However, there is a lot there that thus far, can’t be proven… at least not empirically. That stuff, the substance that you can prove and verify… and that is repeatable (must not forget that part!) these are the facts.
A screen shot of Oxford Dictionary and the definition of truth. I found it odd that they didn’t choose just fact, as similar. Factuality and factualness, sure. Then again, gospel truth and genuineness is there as well. **This entry, for the record, did not make me feel better about the actual meaning and etymology of the word truth.**
Your Truth. My Truth. Truth to Truth.
If magick has taught us anything it is that one should not be shocked at the power of the mind. You really can change your mind, if you choose to. The trick, for those of you that say that you can’t, you may not be able to. I would challenge though, it is less that you can’t and more that you simply don’t know how. In any case, it may not be the greatest skill out there… like, technically I think that convincing of facts that never happened… that is one of those tale tale narcist sighs, isn’t it?
A discussion for next time: “When is the truth the truth and is there ever a time when gaslighting is psychologically acceptable?”
Ultimately, I am going through this because it occurred to me, after talking to a friend earlier, that it is sometimes easier to just go with it. I mean, I wasn’t joking when I said that I have spent the better part of 20 years talking to people about their practice and magick in general. My practice, my service to my local pagan community, and just a general curiosity or interest in the types of topics regarding practices, ritual, and the like.
There have been too many times that I can count, where i would actually get upset when someone would tell me something i did was wrong. Not for annoyance of being corrected. Rather, because it always comes with that tone. The tone where you know what is coming next… The tip or trick on how to do it right. Today, in that area… I think that i made a breakthrough and I wanted to share.
Everyone’s a Critic, Even Your Well-Meaning Friends
So, I was going to say that you were doing wrong in a podcast but well, the neighbors are mowing their lawn for the 3rd time this week. It is the end of July, over 100 degrees here, and they are mowing. At first it was frustrating, because who really likes to be inconvenienced by someone… anyone else, when they have a plan in mind for their day? Then, after a moment of breathing, I shook it off.
Later on in the day, a friend came over and I was telling her about my day about how I keep trying to plan to record but the noise… and sort of in the middle of it, I said (kind of under my breath and to myself), “When you fixate, you stagnate.”
“What did you just say?” my friend asked.
“When you fixate, you stagnate.” I repeated, but louder this time.
“You really shouldn’t be focusing on the negative if you want it to change. Vibrations don’t work that way.”
That’s what she said…
I paused, and just let it hang there. Vibrations work in a weird way… but I found there, in the moment, a sense of irony. Maybe irony isn’t the right word? I could feel the tension of silence building and the tail end of what my friend said echoed in my head. The words vibrated in my mind that vibrations didn’t work that way.
Who Knows How Magick Works?
The silence stayed a bit longer, and it was uncomfortable. Why must disagreeing come with so much tension? I don’t know about other people, for I am sure there are people out there that step on toes, establish their boundaries, or just say no when they don’t want to do something. I tend to try to be a people pleaser. My Sagittarian excess doesn’t always help that, but I try. Intellectually, I want to be right. I want to know the right way. I want to understand things better and then I want to dig more beyond that. Always keep learning.
Please Tell Me: “How Do Vibrations Work?”
That was what I wanted to say. I didn’t know. The silence went on for at least a few minutes and I found myself still not saying anything. As the silence grew longer, I found myself suddenly wondered if I was being rude. I walked to the kitchen, opened the fridge. I kind of moved things around, and then made some noise like I was figuring out what to grab. Finally, I decided to just break the ice.
“Do you want a drink?” I called out sheepishly.
I knew I sounded a little off. I didn’t get a response. That was weird. So, I poked my head back towards the living room. She wasn’t there. Turns out she had gone and took a moment to sneak to the bathroom. I will skip to the end, when she came back everything was fine. I had spent the last few minutes thinking about that one statement. She had been thinking about needing to pee. She didn’t mention it again. I am still up, past midnight thinking about it.
Magick is Essentially Controlling the Mind
I realize that perhaps I am fixating. Then it occurs to me that maybe my friend is right. I do tell myself my little mantras, but I do it as a reminder. If I were to say something happy and cheery, well… I’ve seen some shit. I can say that much. I know me pretty well too. I don’t listen to that kind of talk. Thus, I tend to talk to myself in a more stern voice to cut myself off and perk up. Essentially, I guess.. in reflection… I talk to myself like my mom talked to me when I was a kid.
We are the humanity, my friends….
Note to Self: Duality Sometimes is Not Your Friend
“The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice.”
Brian Herbert
Above is another little mantra that I tell myself on a somewhat regular occasion. It prompts me toward gratitude that I am able to learn and to continue seeking knowledge. I don’t know what age that I was when I realized that not everyone is interested in learning. Some people are truly only concerned with what they know. I have my own thoughts on how this works, but I don’t want to be that person. I enjoy being right. I like knowing things within certainty, for there are so few things that are certain. I, in turn, have a nasty habit of thinking the same for other people.
Is Truth Relative All of the Time?
If something is apparently untrue, and the evidence can be found to deny it, then I am going to look for that. When I learn a new fact, I generally challenge myself to verify the fact as an empirical based concept or is it something else. This kind of thinking leads me to have a tendency to jump to conclusions about things that people say, and at least at my age, I have learned how to quiet things down and not shout out dramatically, “LIES!”
The Complexity in the Simplicity of Humanity
Nevertheless, I tend to think that other people are the same way. I mean, that is pretty common right? We expect others to be like we are, or treat others how we want to be treated because we have an assumption that people are like us, and want something similar? Sometimes, there is a wholly alternative choice though. Seeing that alternative, or the many alternatives, requires me to stop and consider things in a different way.
A Shared Experience Does Not Guarantee a Shared Outcome
On one hand, we are all the same. We share a human experience. It is hard to remember sometimes that we all do this, same thing, differently. The shift in perspective from one to the next person, it is sometimes so slight that we don’t notice. Then, other times, it is drastic. When around like minded people, there is a sense of peace, harmony, and calm grace. At least, that is how it feels to me. Then, there are people that are abrasive to even share space with, without them saying a word or anything. I know this to be true. Yet, I always catch myself thinking my untrue assumptions.
Faith and Will are Not One in the Same
Realizing that my little self-talk from earlier is just what I was trained derailed me for a bit. Because, when I consider that I talk to myself a certain way because I was taught that a stern voice gets results, that there is no room in growth for weakness essentially, that is how I then became programmed to learn. Not everyone has this lesson.
I wouldn’t necessarily wish for everyone to have this lesson either…
I was raised by a very religious mom. I had a whole slew of parental figures, but the religious side of me, I would say I definitely get from her. She was happy being a Christian though, and don’t get me wrong… personally I am cool with Jesus. I am not a Christian though. That is a talk for a different time, but my point is that I learned, through my mother, that faith cannot be empirically proven. When a person believes is difficult to change, even with self-talk or mantras or anything else. To date, I have not figured a way to change faith. It is like, you can’t un-do seeing once your eyes have been opened.
Personal Truths About How Magick Works, or The World, Etc.
I see things as I do. Thus, I realize that my truths, the world as I know it. Some of the ways in which I am confident about my world include:
An unshakable belief in the divine or a higher power.
My understanding of how to control the energy my reach through will and intent.
My understanding that how magick works has been understood, then forgotten too many times in history.
The conceptualization of the world, both in the physical and astral realms.
My supernatural and/or occult experiences including practicing magick and dying.
Realizing and thus reminding myself that my perception is only one view point. (Gotta keep that ego in check!)
The world is not as it seems and that is okay.
These things that I know to be true generally remain this way until proven otherwise. Yes, they are truths, for me personally. My experiences and how I have interacted with the world, how the world has interacted with me, and a whole host of other things have influenced me to get where I am today.
That isn’t bragging. That is just a declaration of gratitude for being alive. I have been elsewhere, not here. I would like to not go back at the moment! Take that, death and dying. That is one of those things, like trauma as well. I guess it is a kind of trauma, but that still works with my point.
Redefining Knowledge and Mental Processing
I can know something to be true and I can realize that it is only possibly so for me. I am learning as I get older to not be offended by knowing less than a fraction of the knowledge. How could I and why should I? Why should any of is. First and foremost, our knowledge of this world is and it makes sense that it would be, anecdotal. This leads there to be a wealth of information, but much of that data doesn’t apply to everyone.
In the end, what is it that makes a truth?
For example, f I know that something works for me, I am not necessarily going to recommend it is a tip for other people. That was and still remains a hard lesson to learn. Somehow, it escaped me to think that this is one of those areas that are the same.
A Wise Man Once Said: “I Know Nothing.”
That wise man supposedly was Socrates. At least, as far as I know it was. Something about an oracle telling Socrates that he was the wisest, which perplexed him as he said that he knew nothing. Last season on the Mage Against the Machine podcast, I went into the philosophers of Ancient Greece some, and it gives more details. I linked to one of them, that one specifically talks about perception and what we all know to be true.
Socrates Fan Art- Rohanna Irene / RumDancer Art circa… 2018?
I mainly put it there for reference. I have been trying to be mindful of how thinking works, how my own brain functions and what I hold on to or retain versus what I end up ultimately forgetting. When I became more conscious of my process of thinking, of learning, and how I processed information, I began to notice trends and patterns.
For Me, Personal Challenges Make a Better Magickal Practice
If we are going to do something in this world, it should be done well and to the fullest extent of our capability. I firmly believe that life is too short to half-ass things. As you might imagine, this kind of mindset leads me to be somewhat of a perfectionist at times,. At the very least, it lends way to being too hard on myself. So, for me, and only for me, I have made my own sort of sets of rules. They work for me and at the same time I wouldn’t say they are all 100% health. But… they work.
Observations About Magick and Witchcraft Since January 2021
In the last 6 months, as I have been studying more and more about magick:
History
How to Be a Witch
The History of Famous Pagan Authors
The Correlation of Witchcraft and Other Traditions
Just take these for example. I was taught many of these things, the concepts, precepts, and general foundations… when I was just beginning it was before I was 20 years old. I have explained to some extent on here, that the world was different. There wasn’t an easy resource to just go and cite your work. I was taught also, early on, learning is a choice, but also a responsibility. To learn, first you must be willing. Then, you must apply yourself.
Skepticism About Being a Skeptic
So, generally when I used to go into learning, I went to a teacher of some sort. Be it for school or later college and pagan, metaphysical, and ceremonial magick training as well. Then, when I went to learn about community leadership and application of practices, I had the same mindset. I thought that they were the teacher, they had something to teach. Learn, first. Question later.
A lot more than I am willing or able to write here went into my agility to get out of myself enough to learn magick. It wasn’t my natural forte I can say that much. The learning curve was massive. I had to really dig down and fight hard not to question things. Not the right things, not like I was wanting to ask for proof back then. No, I was a good student. I knew to not waste a teachers time and ask pertinent questions.
Masters and High Magicians May Not Always Be Right… But they are Never Wrong!
I used to get really great grades in school. Mostly… This is because I didn’t question teachers. I wrote notes and kissed ass. I developed a belief, which I guess is still pretty ingrained in me to this day… Don’t break the rules until you know the rules well enough to make them.
I stand by this for sure. However the overall learning process kind of worked like… well, let me just make an image. That is easier.
This Sums Up My Learning Strategy
Confronting school was easy, so long as I just accepted that the teacher was right and I was there to learn.
Ultimately, I realize as an adult that this whole process is good for one thing… testing. I don’t feel bad about it, but I do realize that my own challenge is with critical thinking.
Why Can’t We All Know Things?
At the end of the day, I don’t think that being a black and white thinker is the end of the world. It isn’t for me, so why would it be for anyone.
And… with that I stop myself.
Being aware at the individual thoughts is a challenge, and one that I personally struggle with, especially since I owe it to myself to be honest, or at least as honest as I can with a few strangers on the internet that might read this. I promised a transparent process and I am trying to do this. One day, I will tell you about how I basically recorded myself for a year and then geeked out on my own mannerisms. Good times were had by all. That is, if all was none because all things also contain their opposites.
For now, the best I can say is that I learned something here. Maybe you already knew this lesson. That is okay too. In that case, thank you for letting me share.
Long Term Goal for Self Mastery – Moving Forward
This is the rub, that thing I have learned to force myself to do. When I realize something, I try to take it and do something with it. I try to test it, to see what can be stretched and worked. For, within any moment of actualization, realization or epiphone, I believe lies something greater. I noticed previously that the body will react, and go into motion. The brain, not so much. It will try, but I suppose that it is handling realization, rationalization, and then the processes of emotion that go along with being wrong and possibly that expectation that one should have known better.
In any case, to get out of the reactionary retract mode, that knee-jerk resistance for a lack of a better term, I instead think what can I learn from this moment right now. I try to set a goal to do something with it, almost right away. It makes life chaotic, changing direction more often that I am used to, but it also keeps me on my toes.
Considering the Take Away From Today
A goal, without a plan, is just a wish.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I know that I have been in a place where I said things had to be done a certain way when what I should have said was, “I am not comfortable doing it the way you are suggesting.” Of course, there is a slight difference if I am the one that is going into the situation as a learner myself… well a dedicated learner. All teachers should learn something from their student and vice versa. It’s a two-way street, yes…
I Will Apply to My Learning Practice, Until Samhain 10/31/2021
Wouldn’t the song, “Everybody Hurts” have been cooler if it were, “Everybody Sucks?” Come on REM. Do it for the people!
Now, before ending this here… I want to clarify the beginning. I hope the meaning of my post rang through. I tend to do these as free writes and make art as I go. It’s a process. (Thank you for coming along with me, all of you reading <3)
I will continue to try to keep my mindset that whenever I am learning something that the person doesn’t know anything. I am going to write my intention down a bit better when I get to the 29th day in the moon cycle and write my intention then. I will do my best to share that ritual if I can.
Intention Outline Coming Soon
The bare bones of what I am going to add to my regular routine is going to be outlined. I usually do outlines of my intentions. Right now, I would like to have it done by the full moon. Since the moon is waning, it should be a good time to be swirling down into myself.
References for Further Reading
What to Do, Scientifically, When Everyone is Wrong – A surprisingly good read from Forbes.com of all places. That was unexpected! However, the author goes through the findings of the heliocentric world, which at the time was difficult to prove. It details the information that was needed to force the acceptance of the heliocentric model, and essentially the process of how the geocentric model of the world was challenged. A good read for anyone contemplating flat earth stuff or just scientific reasoning and the like!
Hail and Welcome! In this episode, we are discussing the mentality of magick and explaining the modern practice of magick. The different faiths and thoughts about magick over the years have led the spiritual landscape to be what it is, filled with doubt, insecurity, and in some cases, fear. It wasn’t always the case though. For thousands of years, as we look back in the historical records, we can see where society lived in tandem with magick and witchcraft practices.
In our last episode, we discussed how there were cuneiform scripts and other ancient languages written down by scribes, detailing the interwoven magick as it was accepted. People didn’t go around burning each other in witch trials. There haven’t been any cases where someone lost their children for being a witch that we can tell either. Bending the natural energies of the environment with conscious will and direction kind of just seemed to be a thing.
Misconceptions About Magick
In the modern era, there seem to be more rules, stipulations, and assumptions about magick. Namely that certain kinds of traditions are supposed to be a certain way. There are false histories. There are untrue stereotypes. It all adds up to convoluting a very simple practice. Sure, athames and wands can help to direct the energy and align with intent. But, they aren’t needed. Humans have what they need to practice magick, inherently within them. The ability isn’t evil. In fact, we would argue that it is a little different from prayer.
We have gone through a variety of traditions and what we continue to see is a simple way to practice. We see the base requirements and then discuss them in this podcast. Furthermore, we describe what is needed to be determined magick and how technically plenty of people are practicing every day, sometimes without meaning. Finally, we try to pinpoint some of the best practices for practicing magick.
Listen In For More Detail
Of course, we touch on what magick isn’t and what not to do as well.
And look, it is all summed up in less than an hour. Progress!
Blessed be! Make sure to leave us some feedback and let us know what you think! 🙂
— This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app —
Hybrid Courses and Correspondence Lessons Coming Soon
It has been a busy week, with the full moon and plotting the upcoming support resources for next season. Surprisingly, the introduction on YouTube is also now active! A few years ago, Rohanna did start doing the lecture portion of the Intro to Wicca on YouTube, but because there were active in-person classes, continuing the recordings meant doing double work.
Progress in New Format for Pagan Classes
With all of the changes, it took a while to get content to present via video. The good news is that headway has been made in this department. With that being said, it finally was time to get a new channel together and should be on a routine posting schedule will be posted soon.
Update: YouTube Introduction Uploaded
Since Covid and Quarantine changed the dynamics of in-person mentoring, a change to coursework was inevitable. Of course, this also meant reorganizing the content of classes. This process led to the development of the Mage Against the Machine podcast.
As the Podcast has developed, it brought with it loads of research and a deeper understanding of occult history. While the YouTube channel has been a thing for a while, there wasn’t enough time to get it up and running. It is pleasant to announce, there was a bit of downtime over the weekend and the intro for YouTube was finally loaded. This means, moving forward that discussions that could be bolstered by video cam now be put on there.
Rohanna Irene Talks Paganism, the Occult, and the Future on YouTube
The introduction on YouTube was pretty standard. It’s short, about 15 minutes long. Mainly, in the spirit of “doing things right”, it was put there to introduce topics on the show and to explain the more casual nature of presentation.
Talking about tarot and ritual should be much easier with a visual accompaniment in the long run too!
Previous MAtM Topics Will Be Loaded Next
Previous topics, fromElemental Correspondences to The Timeline of Magickwill be put on the YouTube for Rohanna Irene. There doesn’t seem to be a point to have one just for Mage Against the Machine. There is a definite learning curve as to how to utilize all the platforms and technology. It is coming together though!
Don’t Miss Out On the Pagan and Occult Topics That Interest You Most
Be sure to like and subscribe the first upload on YouTube channel. You can check it out by following the link here.
If there are any topics that you would like visual direction with as well, please request it here. This will help to make sure the podcast and the YouTube channel is doing the most good!
In the mean time, a big thanks to everyone so far that has helped to develop the direction of Mage Against the Machine!
In this episode, we are discussing the mentality of magick and explaining the modern practice of magick. The different faiths and thoughts about magick over the years have led the spiritual landscape to be what it is, filled with doubt, insecurity, and in some cases, fear. It wasn’t always the case though. For thousands of years, as we look back in the historical records, we can see where society lived in tandem with magick and witchcraft practices. In our last episode, we discussed how there were cuneiform scripts and other ancient languages written down by scribes, detailing the interwoven magick as it was accepted. People didn’t go around burning each other in witch trials. There haven’t been any cases where someone lost their children for being a witch that we can tell either. Bending the natural energies of the environment with conscious will and direction kind of just seemed to be a thing.
In the modern era, there seem to be more rules, stipulations, and assumptions about magick. Namely that certain kinds of traditions are supposed to be a certain way. There are false histories. There are untrue stereotypes. It all adds up to convoluting a very simple practice. Sure, athames and wands can help to direct the energy and align with intent. But, they aren’t needed. Humans have what they need to practice magick, inherently within them. The ability isn’t evil. In fact, we would argue that it is a little different from prayer.
We have gone through a variety of traditions and what we continue to see is a simple way to practice. We see the base requirements and then discuss them in this podcast. Furthermore, we describe what is needed to be determined magick and how technically plenty of people are practicing every day, sometimes without meaning. Finally, we try to pinpoint some of the best practices for practicing magick.
Of course, we touch on what magick isn’t and what not to do as well.
And look, it is all summed up in less than an hour. Progress!
Blessed be! Make sure to leave us some feedback and let us know what you think! 🙂 — This episode is sponsored by ·
Hail and Welcome! You’re listening to Mage Against the Machine, a Podcast, for lovers of the occult, magick, religion, philosophy…. where we aim to cast light into the darkness, confirm truths of the divine, whatever else comes to mind!
With that being said…
I am Your Hostess, Rohanna Irene. Thank you all for joining me on this journey, to discover hidden truths amidst the long lineage of magick, mystery, and all things occult.
There has been much talk, over the years.
The Science AND Art of causing change to occur, within the conformity of one’s will. – A. Crowley
I must make MAGICK the essential factor in the life of ALL. In presenting this book to the world, I must then explain and justify my position by formulating a definition of MAGICK and setting forth its main principles in such a way that ALL may understand instantly that their souls, their lives, in every relation with every other human being and every circumstance, depend upon MAGICK and the right comprehension and right application thereof.
Also A. Crowley
Mindset, Perspective, and Magick
Below is the “transcripts”. I tend to write this out before and it is a close script, though it is certainly not word for word, Please let me know if you have any corrections or suggestions to add.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
We are back in action and rolling things out for season two, and one of the things I’ve been trying to talk about on this podcast is the actual act of magick. We sort of began to describe magick in our blog, there is an article entitled “What is Magick?” This gave a brief introduction, simply to solidify the perspective of what we, well me… Rohanna… and when writings and whatnot pertain to magick whether on the Mage Against the Machine podcast, blog, or website.
The Camps of People: On Faith and Belief in Religion, Magick and Spiritual Concepts
A lot of what I’ve found recently, is that there seems to be this almost like… a 2 camp mentality when it comes to believing in the concept of magick or witchcraft. There is no denying, since human history, we have some record of people having a belief in the supernatural world… that is, until recently. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am sure there have always been skeptics. However, it definitely seems like religion and spirituality have had a hold on humanity for the bulk of the time.
It used to be thought that society forced the hand of people and this is where religion came from. However, there is modern findings… or, well, findings in the last 30 or so years, namely with the digging at Gobekli Tepe that gives a different sort of picture.
Belief is Dictated by Many Factors and Results in Differing Perspectives
Depending on what you are taught to believe and what faith system, values, and even cultural guidelines a person is raised with, this is going to influence on how they see the world. For some people, it will ultimately restrict them from being able to see beyond what they are taught.
Ultimately, it makes sense that if we go back in history, to a time when there was a near totalitarian belief in something beyond human powers… let’s take the Gods. And one generation believed in the Gods as a whole. Then, the next generation would and so on and so on. It would take time or a catastrophic act, most likely, to change the direction of thought. This fits with what we are seeing thus far in the archaeological record and what seems to mesh with psychology.
Variances of Perspective Make it Harder to Learn and Restrict Growth
Perspectives obviously change from generation to generation, but in the past it seemed that this was not the case in such a stark perspective. There was the odd man generation that would make a leap. This was usually in conjunction though, with an environmental change, when facing trauma that effected massive amounts of people at large, or an advancement in understanding of the world.
Identifying the Root of Changes is Difficult
It is so hard to understand what is understood because of culture, where our information and knowledge comes from, and why is it that we are the way we are. It is like, as a species we understand that we are individuals, but we can’t comprehend that we are also the same. We are both intelligent and intuitive, while being close-minded and lacking perspective of the past and future.
The Challenges for Humanity to Retain Growth
Our brain works to propel us forward, but many of the traits that the brain has… such as how it receives and processes information, these same actions inherently cause us to become close minded or to deny information. Sifting through history, there is a trend of repeating patterns. Humans advance, stagnate and then devolve. It also seems that for the better part of history, humanity doesn’t remember what it has already been presented with.
It makes for a hard road towards enlightenment. Sometimes I am amazed that we evolved to where we are at all.
Then again, other times, I think we have likely been here before… but I digress.
The First Camp of Thinkers: The Non-Believers
For starters, on one end, well technically… I guess it’s three… Because on one hand, you have those that don’t believe at all. They think that anything concerning that which can’t be proven to them, it isn’t a thing. At best, they think that people are misguided and at best, they look at those of us that have faith in something more as ridiculous.
Of course, this is at the far end of the spectrum, the types that believe that there is death, darkness, and nothing at the end. They usually scoff at people of other religions as much as they do the concepts of magick or spirituality. Whether they think religion as a whole is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo, or they are the more faithful types, but their religious view doesn’t allow for certain kinds of actions … such as spells, sorcery, dream reading, astrology or these kinds of things… these are the doubters to the magickal world.
The Second Camp: The Believers
Then when you look at the other camp of people that do believe, they come in a wide range as well. These people believe in something, beyond humanity. For them, it may be prayer, it may be superstition, it may be the beliefs of their own religion and finally it may be a person who is responsible for their power and follow some sort of pagan philosophy, practicing magick, witchcraft and the like. Even in this camp, there is its own divide with one side generally tending to believe in an energy of something beyond humanity. Then, there are the people that believe that they can harness this power. This is where most of us that believe in the occult, magick, and the like lie.
Third Camp: The Deniers
Finally, then there is that third camp and… uh… they may believe or not believe in magick as a power. More specifically these people tend to believe in that there is something, it may be magick, it may be witchcraft, it may be demons. They deny the power of humanity and seem to refer to anything that which is supernatural as having to do with deities or a power beyond the average person.
Alteration of Assumptions: Ancient Civilizations, to Antiquity, to the Modern Era
The presumption of power that was attainable by man has long been discussed and placed out into society to dwell on. That which the people in a society believe is only possible so long as a bulk of the people in a society can believe it. I have a hard time discerning when this kind of thought was taken over by the elite, the rich, and those in power. Was it always this way or is this a new invention? It seems that over the course of history, man realized that he could gaslight the shit out of his fellow man. He could send him into psychosis or into a fit or worry, followed by rage and remorse. This isn’t a certain man, but a certain kind of man. This kind of man would prey son others emotions and eventually they became considered a hazard for anyone to not wear a mask.
The same way that the boy in my son’s school forces me to feel insecure at their house, with babies and family members that I don’t know, I am nervous around people’s kids. This is especially true ofr kids that I don’t know. At the same time, IN have that maternal nurture gene, to some degree. I want to help. However, I don’t think that I can help everyone. I can scream from the rooftops that magick is real and for people to mind their actions. But, ultimately, I don’t think anyone is listening.
Man Has Long Been a Skeptic of the Ultimate Powers of Magick and Witchcraft
They have their own faiths and then they still have this in their mindset that magic and witchcraft is some sort of evil pact, or people being misguided by some dark force, maybe even tricked. In some cases, they simply deny that man has the power of greatness.
As was seen in Ancient Greece, with belief in the Gods. The Gods had their own powers their own will and they directed fate for humanity. They dictated many of the trials that man went through and their power was beyond that of a mortal. People that showed extraordinary gifts or strengths were said to be direct lineage of the Gods, known as demi-gods or half-gods. It was only now and then did a truly epic person get credit for their own actions.
Greatness Was Considered a Gift For the Gods, or Of the Gods
Many of the ancient faiths put the power of greatness, beyond humanity. They also though, understood that humanity still had a power of their own. I know that in my years of practicing magick and witchcraft I have been asked by some of the most confusing people. People with degrees and who seem to know how the empirical world works. Then they ask about worshipping the devil.
Modern Deniers of Magick
Modern people in Western civilizations tend to give credence to the power those gifted by the Gods. While it isn’t unheard of to hear of people referring to something as a miracle, it is far more likely to hear them relating magick or certain unexplainable testaments of man as a bad thing. In fact, we can see through history that there has been a trend to have a balanced belief, where the supernatural could be good or bad…. With people agreeing that witchcraft or magick was real… than not.
Focusing on Evil is a New Kind of Concept
The thought of relating magick to evil seems to be kind of archaic. To be perfectly honest that crowd really kind of confuses me, because like we’ve come a really long way since having the thoughts about demons controlling people or the devil being the cause of bad thoughts and actions. Then I think about it again. I mean, last week we talked about the shift in witch hunts being not till around 1200 AD… and largely influenced by the Catholic church. I guess technically, it hasn’t been that long that people have thought like this…. Not in the scheme of things.
Magick is For Everyone and You are All Witches
The reason I went through all of the previous was to present the quandary that I am facign right now in my own mind. I mean, if Crowley gives us the definition that he does, but people are also going around and practicing magick and they are not knowing it, simply as a by product of being a human being, and also a conscious entity, then how can that be?
Is Magick Evil?
I can’t tell anyone whether or not magick is inherently evil. I certainly cannot tell someone to willingly go against their own personal beliefs. However, I personally find it hard to label magick as one thing or the other, about as much as I find it possible to deny that magick exists. The only thing that I can think of is that people are still stuck largely on the misconceptions of magick. Maybe tying the actions of witches to some preconceived stereotype that they have? Maybe it is a matter that we aren’t on the same page of what magick is or what it entails? I might be overthinking this, but, that is probably a good thing… since I am doing a podcast on this kind of thing.
With that in mind, it’s a good time to get everyone on the same page. Then, I definitely want to talk about whether you like it or not… you are practicing magick… for better or worse, every day. More than that, I want to discuss what you may be doing right, what you could be doing wrong, and what you could be doing differently.
Magick: Defined
The Science AND Art of causing change to occur, within the conformity of one’s will. – A. Crowley
I keep using this definition because it seems pretty succinct and doesn’t allow for a lot of gray fantastical areas regarding magick. It doesn’t fall into line with witches riding broom sticks or green faces, it doesn’t make it sound like anyone is in league with satan. Rather, it is a straight forward definition.
And with this definition, it also lends to the reality of what magick is. It also tells us what it isn’t.
Much like the quote by Eckhart Tolle “All problems are illusions of the mind.” Crowley leaves us with the understanding that magick is simply a conformity to what is desired in the mind. Other quotes that he has left us with on magick tells us that part of the secret sauce for practicing is intent. However, really, this is just truly wanting something and the desire with the will or drive to attain it in the mind. Before anything is gotten, it is all in the mind. If there is a plan of action, a way to get this thing, thenit might not be much of a problem. However, in the case where there isn’t a plan of action or a knowledge on how to attain something it can be more trying.
Powering Reality with Our Mind
What many people forget is that by aligning the mind with will, then things can come into being. Sometimes this is simply focusing thought and action and getting it the old fashioned way. However, more and more, as we study psychology, we are seeing that there is also something to alignment and future thought. There is something to controlling the mind and making it behave, so to speak.
If magick is all in the mind and it is that which is conforming to will, then technically isn’t everyone doing that magick thing like all the time? Every day, with every thought, with every desire backed by will… they are all similar things at different stages. Essentially as long as we are conscious then we are making things happen. As long as we are making things happen through thought and will, then we are practicing magick.
Creation with Consciousness
The one hold up with the concept of doing magick all the time is that there are times then when we are doing this without thought consciously. IT always seems to me that this can be troublesome. Because what about things that we think about that we don’t want all the way? What about those things that we think we want and we are super emotional about it when we think we want it. We crave it. This is like when a person is going through a bout of self-loathing depression…. Which is more common than one might think… or is that just for me? Nah… I think that is probably just about everyone, or at least a good portion of people.
While people aren’t likely capable of controlling all their thoughts all the time, there is a few things that can be done to take control back and monitor the mind for those magick making ways.
The first step is to activate deep desires intentionally in a conscious setting. This allows for a place with intent for them to be worked on. Meditation is good for the mind to clear it and to help stop the flood gates, it is also good for bringing things to the forefront.
Your Speech is Your Responsibility
Altering speech can be a difficult task, especially if you are used to just saying whatever comes to mind. Even more so if you have a bad habit of saying negative things to yourself. However, I promise you if you work on this area of your mind’s process and this one area alone, you are going to see results.
So, take a moment and consider how you talk to yourself. Listen to the words that you tell yourself and what you say to yourself.
Negative self-talk effects us in a number of ways. The first is the most obvious that it brings us down. Telling yourself that you’re shit, that you’re not enough, that you’re better off dead, or whatever you tell yourself is no way to treat a you. I know, it isn’t easy and for some it is harder than others. However, I also know, since I have been there that talking down to yourself and breaking yourself down is one of the meanest things that you can do to yourself. There is no way to defend yourself or to have someone come back up to your defense. It is just you, and you, being mean to you. That is a surefire way to destroy the self and make it super weak sauce.
For this reason it is paramount to get your thoughts under control.
Beyond that you need to get your words in check as well.
Taking Responsibility for Your Craft
We don’t have the answers yet, but the mind seems to be a tuner of sorts, it sets our will and intent outward and vibrates outward attracting back what we are wanting. When we centralize our thoughts and take care with what words they turn into, more specifically, how we are using our words, then we are on the right path.
The pen is mightier than the sword, or so they say. I can’t argue that at all. Words, as formulated ideas and concepts, can do far more damage than a man-made weapon. Does this mean that you can cast a fireball at your enemy and literally light their house on fire? No, probably not. It does mean that you can get where you need to go, get the life you want, and have your desires fulfilled. First you have to reconcile your own self and then you have to take action.
Magick vs. Magical Thinking
I have seen people get the two terms “magical thinking” and magick (or even “magickal thinking” confused. To clarify here we are talking about making things happen in our lives, we are talking about, in an ideal world, the transmutation of the self. This is the heart of the great work. It is work. It requires effort. It is worth it.
But how does it work?
We all only can guess, but I think that there are concepts out in the world that have it right, they just have a part of the puzzle.
Magical thinking is the furthest from what we are all trying to do. Whether we call ourselves a witch, practice black magick, or lean towards the light and only want to better ourselves and our surroundings. Each of these examples are people that want to do something.
Magick Requires Action to Work
Magical thinking is essentially not doing anything. It is not what we want to be a part of. It is not what we are inherently a part of in our natural setting. Rather, it is the outcome of wishing or wanting, but not acting and not intending. IT is the act of hoping for something, but putting enough oomph behind it to manifest. There is no way to take magical thinking to the next level or to transmutation the good vibrations of say, manifesting, in order to turn into more directed rewards.
Action Powers the Direction of Magick
While one can commit acts of magick simply by letting their mind wander, by breaking down themselves or the world around them with negative self talk or doubt, or even by dreaming about something and then thinking intently. I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of anecdotal evidence. Granted, I am not going to win an anecdotal evidence, it still works for keeping my belief structure and faith strong.
That being said, intently thinking, aligning vibrations and willing something into happening requires action. Magical thinking does not. This is the best example of why some people, I think, are successful and some are not. It shows what happens when only thought, passing thoughts or thoughts without purpose are put out in the world. It is akin to hoping to win the lottery but never purchasing a ticket. It is a directionless dream without any bite, and no way to snap into reality.
Make That Magick Work For You
Inherently you are the one that control you, and you need to control you to be able to attain anything through magickal gains. There are rules to being able to attain the results you want. Unfortunately, some people can’t see this in the end. There are those people that will always be focused elsewhere, that will deny or ignore their inherent connection to this supernatural process. Maybe one day, when science explains it and people can understand more of it then it will be able to be utilized more. I personally wish that I could help more people to tap into this source. It isn’t an easy task, retraining the brain. However, I can say that it is helpful for aligning the world in some fashion towards a better version of what it is.
Welcome all! We are now officially back in action! With this in mind, get ready to jump right in and make some headway into deciphering more of the mysteries of ancient times. Our first season 2 episode takes on questions regarding the foundations of what has come to be known, in present day, as magick or witchcraft.
Discerning Mythos from Magick
Humans have followed the phases of the moon, literally, forever… but why???
Some of the oldest empirical evidence regarding supernatural activity and celestial inclusion of knowledge is seen in the relations between the daily world and the heavens.
Many ancient temples or other centers for community doubled as trading posts, meeting halls, and other societal practices.
Trends in Social, Spiritual and Religious Significance
Working with the natural energies is the base of magick and witchcraft. These energies appear to be considered as fluid. They can be relative to practices with all kinds of significance.
However, values and importance can change over time. Locations are a great example. This is often because they can reflect more than just a building or project.
Learning Lore Through Local Buildings and Gathering Posts
Important cultural locations often were built to mirror important details in the heavens. Additionally, in many areas through ancient civilizations, there are statues, fountains or other physical tributes were included to suggest importance.
They also acted as large correlation points, or sometimes as a life size representation. Modern historians cannot say for sure that all people believed in the same concepts.
Ziggurats: Mesopotamia’s Mapped Magick
Ziggurats are typically common buildings that became more complex and marked in Mesopotamian culture over the years. They usually were created towards city center. They held special correspondences for the city Godhead. It makes sense that, in time, they reflected the magical mindset of the area, as much as social or economic culture!
These buildings acted as temples for ritual and spiritual guidance. They also captured public interest, at times allowing for economic centers or communal rallying points.
Temples gave a place for people, but not always a purpose. Rituals of all kinds, not just the sources of magick and witchcraft, could be found within ziggurats in Mesopotamia!
Building Babel: Babylon and the Magick of Communication?
It has even been supposed that the Tower of Babel was quite possibly one of these structures!
By studying ancient temples, and then the other important buildings that had similar statuses in a civilization, there is a trend. Certain locations tend to build power and importance over time.
Magick Made Into More?
The source or root can be external or internal. Essentially, be it a combination of inherent willpower or a force that requires intent and direction, for much of human history it has been widely accepted that magick is real and tangible.
Depending on a persons focus, there is a process at work on all actions of magick and witchcraft. Collective actions and common cultural significance can certainly increase the importance of a location. However, typically the buildings and locations seem to correlate as much to a culture, as it does to a collective experience.
As knowledge of practical ritual habits and corresponding details increase, so too does the potential power.
Moving Beyond Labeling and Defining Magick
Magickal influences and influxes through the ages. This should be a simple topic? I mean ,we should know where our craft comes from, right? Modern witchcraft, magick, and pagan religions all have an important place in human history. Understanding the why and the how, I feel, is important, to understand the why and the other mechanics.
The How and Why of Witchcraft
However, with this in mind, before we get too far into it all… It is nice to be back and writing. It has felt so dull and boring doing nothing of the sort the last while. I worked long and hard on the podcast, the opener for season 2, last night. It is coming together, but there is so much magick in our history!
A magickal altar is a common tool for practicing all varieties of the craft.
It found it was quite interesting watching the transitions of terminologies as I have been working on our initial timeline of magick and witchcraft. For the longest time, the inherent practices of spells, curses, prayers, effigies, and the like, academically and historically speaking… magick is a common description.
Of course, as we talked about in our article last season, magic was spelled with a c… but it was still that energy and defined by this word. It isn’t until after the creation of the HRE (Holy Roman Empire) that we begin to see Christian, lo… Catholic commentary on sorcery and witchgcraft. Somehow this natural elemen of power moves to something sinister and something that is to be feared.
The Less Wilderness, the More Timid We Become?
It has been the longest of breaks! I feel that weakness in my body. I am sore from laziness and my brain moves slowly. Though, I am waking up. I realize this process, as I am discovering the historical process of how this happened to faith and magick. Maybe, just maybe I am simply connecting dots that aren’t there? I don’t think so though….
I am not going to lie, doing the podcast for this season starter was a doozy! I ended up with an idea, I wanted to track the timeline of magick in Western Culture. I feel that the Wiccan and general pagan books were kind of misleading from the 90s to present. I think that they gave the idea that there has been a statuesque practice that is recognized and practiced since the dawn of time. However, we can see as we go through this that it is so not true.
From Magick to Witchcraft… Sorcery to Satan
Witchcraft and magick definitely do have a long history interwoven with humanity. However, the locations, cultures and societal contributions that have brought us the modern magickal traditions, including Wicca, ceremonial magick, fraternal orders, and yes, even chaos magick…. The thoughts we have as a current civilization about magick and even our rituals and practices, they all come from somewhere. I don’t know, maybe it is just me… but understanding the history of these contributions seems kind of vital.
Those that do not learn from the past [history] are doomed to repeat it!
Sir Winston Churchhill
I have heard it said before that learning from the past is a good idea and I tend to take magick, divination, and all things of this nature in a serious light. Call me old-fashioned. Call me out dated. Just don’t call me under prepared. I was taught to respect the nature of magick, to wield spells as one would a weapon. It is hard to unlearn these trends.
Etymology and Alterations of Magick
The Wheel of the Year is a good example of simplification of “ancient” pagan practices. ** Don’t be fooled! It isn’t that old!
I feel like we have witnessed a huge jump in understanding or the evolution of thought and consciousness, but because we were so busy trying to control things perhaps we missed it. The timeline, to present, only a few seem to have it out there in a full thought. It was really difficult tracking magick, the practices, rituals and general concept socially. It reminds me of the old adage of failing to learn from history.
One of the things that intrigued me the most about everything has been the way in which magickal power is so… disregarded. This bothers me and simply doesn’t sit right.
Considering the Source and Seriousness of Magickal Practices
The best way I had to tackle this issue that I have been having was to seek out where exactly this mindset began to take hold. For, much of humanity, there was reverence for nature and the natural power of the earth and conscious begins. That we had will and that we could cast it upon the world around us, seemed to be more than a mere accident.
Working Backwards Through Witchcraft
Scott Cunningham wrote in his Guide to a Solitary Practitioner that the magick of witches has been around since Shamans. It isn’t that it isn’t true, it is that it is vague that bothers me so. I look back at the history as I was taught it, and I feel kind of cheated. I feel like I went too long seeking something other than the source. I imagine this is how many people feel when they seek balance or piece from a religion or practice that is incomplete.
I love the olden authors. I was a fan of Raven Grimasi because I was a dianic from the beginning. I felt a kinship with Scott Cunningham as I began to learn and I loved reading the creation of Starhawk. However, the more I dig, the more I realize that there is a deeper, richer, and more virile magickal history. I don’t think they had the facts, as they didn’t have access to information as we do in the technological era as we do now. I don’t blame them for working with what they knew to be true.
Seeking Sorcery and Magick in the Purest Form
We can only wonder how much modern Egypt truly reflects the grandeur of ancient times!
For the furthest back of ancient religions, we see an important status of the cosmic balance and truth, with the Goddess of Ma’at in older Egyptian myth. This balance was represented as a deity. However, so was the power that made it work. The scales reacting to something, is how it seems.
Egyptians promoted the power of magick through understanding the god Thoth, but recognized it in a brute force kind of raw energy through Heka. This was considered the God of magic, magick in it’s true form, as a primordial power. We have written scripts detailing his importance and the vitality of the energy.
Reflecting on the Direction of Magick and Seeking Historical References
The Season 2 Opener should be posted shortly, but I thought I would at least put some thoughts out there. I feel like I have been digging in some area that I shouldn’t. Like I am opening a can of worms best left closed. I don’t feel like I am doing anything dumb or dangerous, not that kind of warning. However, perhaps there was a reason this was all shut up and not talked about? There is a reason that the history of magick and witchcraft is so disjointed? Each traditions has it’s own history and it’s own path.
However, if it all comes from the same source… does it really matter? Is one really better or different from the other? I don’t think it will make a huge difference on the scheme of greater magickal practices… but at the very least there is going to be a change in my own perception.
A Coven is Always Preferred
Magick is best with a few, rather than solo. This can be family, a coven, or friends supporting each other.
I have long said that magick is best done in a small group, and rarely at it’s height of success when practiced solo. People need each other and our reference comes from our social ties with others. We cannot diagnose ourselves any more than we can trust our own experiences without reference and context. Other people being involved in the process provide this needed aspect of practice that allows for the great work to truly be great.
Imagine John Dee doing his scrying solo? It would have been harder to verify as a whole, juding the enochian language. It would have been difficult to believe that this much power and intellect lied in one man. However, with the corroboration of his methods, we see a deeper meaningful result in the angelic script that was deciphered. This is because the unbelievable with able to be tested beyond the greatness of simply one man. The message was easier to decipher with multiple perspectives.
Let Us Dig Up the Skeletons of the Dead Arts
I have said that this whole process was a project of me simply trying to verify, understand, and hold accountable, the story of magick many authors have done similar tasks, but I find that not always in the simplest of terms. They also do the digging gone their own
Special Thank You to Support for Season 2
I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of you that have taken a part so far. You are the only reason we are able to do this, and personally… that I am able to do this. I am grateful for the opportunity to dig through the past and clarify. There has been quite a bit of support, socially, which is cool. People are slowly beginning to speak up, ask questions, and get involved. It is a unique and humbling experience.
Additionally, to the two supporters I have had with me since nearly the beginning, tossing some coin to support this crazy ride. Thank you as well.
Final Word on the Timeline of Magick
So far, the timeline is shaping up nicely. I have left out some major additions, as I would like to add them as we dig into them. For now, I can say that we have broken the information up into smaller parts. I have a tendency to just talk… and talk. I find this fascinating. Thankfully, I do have some editing help to hold me back. That being said, expect this first episode to be super long!
We are doing our best to break up the sections into chunks that are easily digestible and i don’t expect anyone to just sit down and listen to it in entirety. We go back to Pre-Sumerian and Pre-Babylonian tablets to find proof of magick and the magickal mindset. We then go to Babylon, to Egypt, make notations through classical antiquity. From there, we discuss the influence of Christianity, touch on the Jewish mysticism influence, and begin to see where the paths diverge. We look at the sects of Christianity, the secret fraternal orders and the kickback that happens from the Inquisition. That isn’t even the whole of it. It is a brough history indeed and only a work that has hust begun!
Thank You for Your Patience!
See, I definitively bit of more than I had initially planned. That being said, it has been an interesting look at the topic in a way that was new to me. Hopefully, you all get as much out of the work as I have! I believe the timeline should be posted in a rudimentary form in a day or two.
I can’t wait to share and then to move forward and add to it! As soon as it is up, I will make sure to update on here.
Mage Against the Machine 