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Gray-Spirit > BLOG ARCHIVE

Types of Magick

Posted by: Tanoro - January 05, 2007

Introduction
Now that you have chosen to take the plunge and begin your life in pursuit of spirituality, you must decide what sort of magick you will use in your pursuit. Magick, in all its various forms, came from all over the world and there are literally hundreds of different forms of magick. Some types of magick can even be subcategorized. Magick and the occult is a topic which can't possibly be learned in its entirety within several lifetimes, much less one.

The Sight or the Power

Firstly, before I get into just what many of the different types of magick are, I want to point out two primary categories within the occult that can be applied to all others: Divination and Spellcraft. Divination is the ability to extend your conventional senses and see the truth in all things of our world. Divination, a passive practice, does not influence or change our world in any way. It is merely the ability to see it more clearly. Spellcrafting is the ability to manipulate and influence the various forces of our world in order to manipulate the world itself. Spellcrafting is active and is used to alter our world toward our fortune. No matter what type of magick you practice or where you learned it, you will always fall into one of these two categories: the ability to see our world or the ability to change it. Divination is covered most thoroughly elsewhere. I will be covering mainly the various types of spellcrafting here.

My Will or Yours

Magick comes in two primary types: ritual magick and psynergy magick. The functions of each type of magick can be relatively the same depending on how the spells are cast. However, the classification of the two types depends mostly on where the energy for each spell is drawn from. Ritual magick is used to draw magickal energy from outside sources (i.e. deities, spirits, familiars, etc.). Deities have limitless power that can be tapped simply by asking in ritual. You don't have direct control over the effects of the spell, therefore you don't know when, how, or even IF the effects will take place, how long they will last, or how effective they will be. You can minimize this issue by expanding your knowledge of ritual magick and becoming more familiar with your power sources and how to ask them for favors.

Psynergy is an abbreviation for "psychic energy." Psynergy magick depends almost entirely on the caster's own power and will using the caster's own energy. The caster determines exactly when the spell starts and stops, how the effects take place, and the strength of the effect. This is a highly advanced form of magick that takes years of constant study and practice in order to get even small levels of success. Psynergy magick, when mastered, not only provides greater control over your spell, but the spell's effects are instantaneous and continue to work so long as you have the power to maintain it. Telekinesis and all of its subcategories are part of psynergy magick. The Eastern practices of Chi, Ki, and chakra control are also psynergy.

Ritual Magick:
1. Uses energy from one or more external sources (spirits, deities, elementals, etc.)
2. Does not require constant focus or concentration to maintain effects
3. Is simpler for novice casters and can be practiced within weeks if properly trained
4. External energy sources have majority control over the spell's effects, not the caster
5. Utilizes magickal regalia and/or items to augment the ceremony (candles, cups, etc.)
6. Spells last from minutes to hours and/or daily routines
7. Effects start from days or months following the spell
8. Effects are long-term, lasting from days to months following their activation
9. Effects are often subtle or indirect

Psynergy (Psychic Energy):
1. Uses caster’s energy (chakra, chi, ki, telekinesis, etc.)
2. Requires extreme focus and concentration to maintain effects
3. Is highly advanced magick that takes years of practice to master
4. Utilizes only self and/or worn regalia to augment power (pre-made talismans, wand, charms, etc.)
5. Spells and effects are completely within the caster’s control
6. Spells last seconds to minutes typically or until the caster wants to or must stop
7. Effect activates as soon as the caster gathers the power for it
8. Effects are short-term, lasting until the caster stops providing energy
9. Strength of effects depend entirely on how much power is provided

Types of Ritual Magick

Ritual magick has many categories, depending on where in the world you are and what tradition you practice (i.e. Witchcraft, Herbology, Heraldry, Shamanism, Voodoo, etc.). Many of these completely different traditional practices have the ability to perform spells which have similar effects to spells of other traditions. Witchcraft is the common term which refers to Western ritual arts, rooted in ancient European arts, that include ceremonial magick for love, money, luck, protection, and almost anything else you could possibly want. In recent years, practitioners in Witchcraft have scattered to various different denominations, including Wicca, Paganism, and countless others. Many users of Witchcraft believe that the Earth itself is divine and should be respected as such. Spells are done ceremoniously by asking the Earth spirit, which is called many names, for what is needed in the spell.

Herbology, as used in the occult, is the ability and knowledge to gather, mix, and process herbs and plants into many wondrous elixirs, potions, and mixtures of great power. In recent decades, occult Herbology, also called "Herbalism," has come to also be known as "kitchen witchery" as well. Kitchen witches are very reverent of the Earth which provides their power through plants and water. They show respect for every plant from whom they take their materials. They are not above speaking to plants and having the ability to hear them in return. "Wildcrafting" is the act of ceremoniously and respectfully taking materials from a living plant which was grown in the wild. They are capable of gazing at a plant and telling if the plant is sick or unwilling to provide a sample for magickal workings. Kitchen witches are capable of producing mixtures which can be spread around an area for protection, ingested to help romance or luck, or even used in spells for other types of magick.

Heraldry, also known as "Symbology," is a special form of magick which stems from knowledge and use of special symbols and magickal writings. A Heraldist is one who practices Heraldry and are well-trained in the recognition and use of symbols of great power. Heraldists recognize and appreciate that symbols are all around us everyday and most are play a great role in who and what we are. You are seeing nothing more than patterns of less than 30 symbols as you read this article. You may take the all too familiar feeling for granted, but the symbols you see as you read this article are increasing your knowledge and wisdom, thus increasing your power with every word. This is merely a small example of the power of Heraldry. Heraldists typically draw symbols of power for talismans, make sigils, draw symbols on walls and doors for protection, and even have them tattooed on their bodies for permanent effects. They also draw such symbols on the bodies of the sick in order to help heal them. With these examples, you begin to see how Heraldry works, what is it for, and how it is similar to other forms of magick despite its obvious differences.

Shamanism is a Native American form of spiritual practice which involves direct contact and work with spirits. Native American Shaman were everything to the tribes for whom they worked. They were doctors, priests, advisors, psychiatrists, and much more. Shaman are typically healers, but they also use trances and mental clarity to contact spirit helpers, guides, and totem animals to use their knowledge and powers for the good of their people. They too had their methods of healing, protection, and nearly anything else you could ever need.

For one very interesting point to make, all traditions of Christianity even have their own forms of magick, despite their anti-magick position. Christian prayer is, by definition and procedure, a universal spell that is used in Christianity for everything the user needs from God. Christian prayer can be done anywhere and for anything and is either elaborate or simple. Unlike most other traditions, Christians believe that the effectiveness is based on your faith in God.

Conclusion

There are naturally many more forms of magick, most of which beyond my knowledge or understanding. Sometimes, if may take days, weeks, or years to look at every form of magick and decide on one. However, most traditions are so liberal that there are some who practice many forms of magick in order to broaden their practice into a more universal position. I, for one, practice primarily Witchcraft. However, I also have books and knowledge of various kinetic sciences, Heraldry, and a little Herbology in my repertoire. This works into a very solid practice as I now have Witchcraft rituals complete with fresh herbs, powerful symbols, and the mental benefit of being able to concentrate harder and easier.