MAGIC
This is an important part of metaphysical lore. It is an ancient science, incomplete and a relic of Atlantean times, but still formidable in the right hands and continues to be practised toda , mostly in the various mystery schools which have persisted in secrecy under different names during persecution by the christian church, which in Europe led to a certain amount of attrition and fragmentation. In the East, however, and particular in Tibet the tradition of Ritual Magic was able to continue undisturbed for centuries. Let it be understood that we are not referring to that which is "Stage Magic", which is a form of illusion ingeniously contrived by the use of technology, stage craft, suggestibility, and sometimes allowed only by the limitations of the human eye. The "Magic" herein referred to is a system which utilises ancient knowledge and rituals to achieve higher states of consciousness, and can also use Divine Power for specific purposes. This power has always been since the inception of Polarity at the Dawn of Creation, and is not to be trifled with as its use is strictly governed by Karmic Law. Some of the various ways in which this can be used will be alluded to, in what must be a brief account owing to the vastness and esoteric complexity of the subject, and I must say, my very rudimentary knowledge.
( References will be given at the end of this section for serious readers)
The classification of methods is along the lines of the purity and altruistic intent of the operator(s), as against the absence of it . Usually , it is performed by groups trained in the tradition, it is a brave soul who undertakes to "go it alone". And so there are two kinds of magic "White "and "Black ", and in between degrees of "Gray". White Magic uses that particular energy which is Impersonal Love, and is only directly accessible by the Soul, this means that Soul Consciousness is really necessary in order to wield this power most effectively. This energy is under the control of advanced intelligences capable of manipulations commonly spoken of as miracles, but always within the confines of karmic law, and yet on occasion in order to mitigate conditions is often manipulated by personal sacrifice and accepting temporary limitation. Jesus is the classical example of this. For us lesser mortals we are restricted to performing those rituals and affirmations, reciting names of principalities and god-names, in a paraphanalia of vestments and amulets, etc. which constitute the performance of Ritual Magic.This is usually performed by groups well-versed in the routine, and with a modicum of secrecy and discretion, although there is a programme for individual and lone indulgence aimed at an early achievement of Self-Realisation.This is" The Ritual of Abramelin The Mage", and which was discovered and translated by a member of "The Golden Dawn". It describes in detail how to achieve the goal, referred to as "The Conversation With The Guardian Angel", which is regarded as the same as "The Solar Angel", "The Higher Consciousness" and "The Soul". Anyone older than forty was said to be too old to indulge in this safely, but this can be read in the context of ancient times. The candidate has to shave the head and retire in seclusion to a rural area in close vicinity to a grove of trees and a brook. A personal servant, of proven loyalty and an unflappable disposition, proficient in house-keeping committed to six months service is obligatory.The performance of the "marriage rite " is restricted to once a week. There follows a very rigorous six months regimen of spiritual exercises, prayers and meditation and regular and frequent rituals, accompanied by vocal exhortations and appeals to The Angel.The whole experience is described in a book written by a man who had the courage and endurance to complete the course. He had a very difficult time of it, and the book is a pocket sized paper-back called "The Sacred Magician" under the pen-name "Chevalier", and emphasises the danger and extreme trials of solitary experimentation in ritual magic .
White Magic is a form of Yoga to assist in Self-Realization, and if performed properly invokes a power which can be felt by those present. One aspect, of course, in some mystery schools is a social one of brotherhood and mutual assistance and most pronounced in one which is the most famous. This also applies to "The Wicca", an ancient celtic system involving herbal lore and "spells". It is usually the prerogative of women, and was originally a fertility rite invoking a lunar deity and recognising the importance of the "Earth Mother". In ancient times human sacrifice was required to ensure good harvests. A parallel theme can be applied to the "Druids", but they were more concerned with sun-worship. Witchcraft has seen a resurgence in recent years and openly accepted. In its pure form it is a good and beneficial force for the members and the Earth Itself.The subject of "Gaia"and our debt to the Logos of the Earth is very important in the Metaphysical Aspects of The New Age.
Regarding "Black Magic", the modus operandi is much the same as for white magic the difference being that of Intent, which is essentially for selfish purposes or calculated to do harm; satanic types of ritual of a revolting type are sometimes used. It so happens that the devic agencies employed to manipulate the powers invoked ,are not particular as to the purpose. The psychic centres amenable to activation by ritual magic are those situated above the diaphragm in white magic, and those below in the case of black magic .The black magician is a pawn of Adepts of Black Magic residing on the lower astral planes, and their aim is to become as one of them and prolong the sojourn there for thousands of years.Their role seems to be an integral part of the balance of chaos in the material world, which together with the astral is the battle ground of evolutionary endeavour.The study of "chaos" in scientific thought has become quite prominent in recent publications , and worthy of reference for the philosopher mathematician. It remains to say a little about "Gray Magic", the degree or shade of "grayness" is determined by the Quality of Intent, and an estimation of whether harm is involved.The intensity of projected thought can have devestating effect used by the concentrated trained mind.To this end peculiar methods of potentiating this are known to be used in certain cultures, and involves the making of dolls and images of those who are to be the target. This goes under the name of "Sympathetic Magic", which may only be an aid to the concentration of the operator and is definitely" black ".
It is a fact that Prayer is also a Form of Magic as it involves the Transfer of Energies. We are told that when performed diligently, passionately, and with concentrated entreaty, it is a potent method for healing and spiritual uplifting of the world .It is then part of White Magic, on the other hand prayers devoted to the death or misfortune of enemies and their leaders is Black Magic! This bodes ill for all those congregations and church ministers who have so indulged in times of war, according to Karmic Law. "Prayer Power" has been developed so that trained groups can invoke the energy and store it in radionic batteries to be released in times of catastrophic events, to mitigate or even avoid and postpone to a time better prepared to deal with them.The details of this metaphysical development is to be more freely discussed in the section on The New Age. Have you ever wondered why the San Andreas fault still holds ? And now, a few words on the "Magical Persona", when a ritual is to be performed a variety of regalia is selected according to the particular deity to be invoked, just as the catholic priest always dons that little scarf draped round the neck for every ceremony as the minimal requirement. The whole idea of this and other apparel is to identify with the divine power, so putting aside all personal feelings and becoming imbued with the "Magical Persona" as an Instrument of The God.The vestments,amulets and headgear are all for this purpose, to become so identified in the magician and in the minds of those participating in the ceremony, whether of Ritual Magic or the Mass.In some primitive societies this required the shaman to wear the skin of the sacrificed animal sacred to the tribe, and the Aztecs were said to have wrapped themselves in the skins of the sacrificed victims for the sake of such ritual identification and the dance. The dance was very important in ancient societies as part of their recognititon of the gods, sometimes accompanied by the liberal intake of wine which in the Dionysian cult was associated with Bacchus and the Sun.
Here is a list of a few books dealing with the subject of Magic,
"The Sacred Magician"( by Chevalier),
"A Treatise on White Magic" ( by Alice Bailey),
"Ritual Magic" (by E.M.Butler ),
"Techniques of High Magic"( by F.King & S.Skinner)pocket size paper-back
"The Golden Dawn"( by Israel Regardie, in 2 vols.)
"The Golden Bough"by Sir J.A.Frazer, now available condensed in a soft back, with illustrations of appropriate art forms.
A Tale of Magic
This was related to me many years ago by a man involved in the occult, and well-informed as to the "goings on " in that area. It concerned a man in the U.S. who was well established in the business world and was also a member of one of the mystery schools which indulged in ceremonial magic. He was in a state of dilemma involving an enemy who may have been a business rival, or something more sinister; anyway it was imperative that something was done about this, and it must have been pretty bad for him to resort to the measures which he employed. He decided that a criminal act was the only possible way out of his difficulty, and that the removal of his rival was absolutely necessary. In other words murder! To effect the perfect crime he had the bright idea of getting a demon to do his dirty work for him, thereby leaving no possible material evidence. He was sufficiently familiar with the routine of ritual magic to be capable of doing this, and duly raised the appropriate type of entity. Having enforced it into his service he lost no time in describing his reqirements in all the necessary detail and the demonic assassin lost no time in the elimination of his target. Now here is the crunch, after having done the deed the task of dismissing the demon had to be faced, and so the customary ceremonial was performed, and was completey ineffective and the newly released entity had found an occupation in the world very much to its liking, resulting in a sudden increase of unsolvable murders the source of which became apparent after certain procedures, so that he realised he had made.To his credit, he lost no time in seeking the help of his mystic brotherhood which was hastily convened and went through the required routine, and which was also fruitless. The situation was considered to be desperate enough to seek outside help, and eventually after considerable enquiries they located a man who was reputed to be up to the job. It turned out be an elderly magician living in Australia, who although in failing health, agreed to undertake the formidable task of making a reluctant demon relinquish its new found interest and return home. Everything which could be done to improve his health and vitality was done, and he was escorted to the U.S. where performed the operation. Unfortunately , this was only partly effective, the results of which are only too obvious through the excellent media coverage of today, that is if the great increase in violent and often motiveless homicides are to be so attributed. Who knows, I can only point out that this situation is quite different from fifty years ago ? *Ref.and compare under the heading"As above ,so below".