A good magical practice is built on a structure which means either a system or at least a method. It's not my plan to push my personal structure on anyone but I describe the bones of it here so anyone with an interest can see where I am coming from with the content I publish.
Paradigm: There are Many Worlds
In my worldview this world is but one of many. I believe, as the many-worlds interpretation from physics suggests, that many alternate "timelines" exist and the our possible choices are all playing out somewhere in parallel realities. I believe physicists may use the term "alternate universes" here.
To this worldview I add the Five Planes Paradigm, which is essentially a model of reality that involve three non=physical realms and one proto-physical realm existing alongside our familiar material universe. This gives me a structure for visualization and conceptualization of how magical forces operate and the process from initiation of a magical act to the manifestation of a magical effect.
This is one of many potential paradigms. I list it here for the sake of thoroughness and transparency
Modes and Methods
My core operating system was built as an action template; a set of options for engaging with the magic and a string of methods that are my go-to procedures for operating magic. These are not the only modes and methods I utilize but they are the most frequently used in my case.
Three Treasures - Modalities
Three treasures worth seeking and preserving, these are the three modalities I most often use to contact and initiate magic.
- Psychism
- Natural Magic
- Sorcery
Psychism or Mysticism
Psychism refers to the exercise of inherent psychic abilities I believe all humans are equipped with. There may be instances of person who is born without certain psychic traits, just as someone may be born blind or without fingers; under typical circumstances I believe we all have basic inborn psychic capabilities.
I believe our physical bodies, psychological structures, and personal energetic matrices (chakras, energy meridians, aura, etc.) all contribute to our basic psychic traits. The base psychic abilities can be described as psychic awareness and psychic assertion.
Psychic awareness includes ESP in any form; taking in visual, audio, other sensory, or just intuited information from the environment or another mind whether in your locale or at a distance. Psychic assertion is using your psychic faculties to influence, project, or contact other minds or energies; suggestion, psychokinesis, astral projection etc.
The nature of this first modality as applied to magic is primarily holding an intention while reaching out, either through a chakra, with a pointing finger, or simply by visualization to connect with magical forces. Once contact is made the goal is to direct the magic to the fulfillment of your objective, though perhaps raising additional energy or combining more than one magical current is first desirable.
This kind of action is likely a part of all magical operating. The key in this context is that most or all of the work is done in this way, with the mind and intent, driven by the will; very few if any tools or props are used if the mode is to be called psychism or mysticism.
Mysticism is an interchange word here because part of mysticism is contacting subtle, non-physical, or spiritual energy. Other terms that work here are volitional magic and noetic magic, meaning magic of the will or magic of the mind.
A question may be asked: Since I insist that psychic ability and magic are different (and I do ) how can I call this mode here described magic?
Because it deals with and handles magical forces and energies, whereas psychic work alone deal with only the native psychic energy of the user. If you make psychic contact with the elemental plane of fire the work becomes magical, for example.
Natural Magic
Usually in magical vernacular "natural magic" is either used to describe some kind of green magic or part of folk magic involving nature and objects therein. More aptly applied, "natural magic" is a category of method opposite from "ritual magic"; in this case it isn't concerned with the type of ingredients. but instead indicates freestyle techniques instead of ritual movements and refers to a specific method wherein articles and items of correspondence are gathered and focused to create a charged field of specific intention.
As my Second Treasure to be sought and kept, Natural Magic ignores the first use above because it isn't worth itemizing and would include but not be limited to the second use identified in the previous paragraph. This mode is all about finding the switches and currents in the world around me and directing and channeling those towards my magical ends.
In this context I may well use a ritual format. Or maybe not. The point is the magical forces I engage with are contained in the world around me and accessible to any practiced magician who will reach for them.
Sorcery
The Third Treasure worthy of pursuit and safekeeping is the practice of communicating with (usually) unseen, named intelligences to either contract or compel their aid in my magical endeavors. Think angels, demons, elemental spirits, the departed, and so on and you will be in the right ballpark.
I don't think more needs to be said to qualify this one. It is what it is and I just spelled that out.
Four Pillars - Methodology
These are my go-to methods, often combined in a single operation but each capable of use alone as a standing operation. If you only skim the subheadings below you should know the names chosen for each method are not exclusively or literally definitive; the names capture the essential intent and movement but can be deceptive if taken literally.
Meditation
By this I do not mean the practice of no-minded breathing we use to start the day or clear the mind, although that work certainly can be part of the action. This method, as one of my pillars, refers to a focus and entrainment of the mind and then a direction of that state onto a task.
This could look like visualization or sensory immersion, astral projection, or concentration on an elemental energy to attune and unite with it. The effort need not only involve the mind (though it can if one prefers) and wands, candles, and all else can come into play here.
The operative distinction for this method is laser-focus and epic entrainment of the mind and will to a task or end. This is often the initial phase of an operation.
Communication
This could mean communicating with a spirit, but also might be making intentional contact with a force and then directing it. Whether or not the recipient of my effort is an entity that can communicate back, this method is all about touching an energy and then moving it in my desired direction.
Here too any number of tools and components may come into play. The point is to connect and direct.
Incantation
The blessed word play and the power in what I say. Chanting and incanting, spinning prose. Poetic or chaotic depending on how the wind blows. I may speak my mind or I may find words unexpected newly detected or even into me projected by an angel or guide close by my side.
The point is uncomplicated and plainly I've stated. It's charging with magic the things I say; Verba Maea Potestate!
Illustration
Sigils, symbols, Runes, anything to be drawn with magical intention can be a stand-alone magical act or a potent part of a larger operation. Methods of drawing that treat the pen or marker as a wand and the blank page as infinite potential are my preferred use-cases.
These methods are well combined, for instance a potent spell before a drawn symbol or vice versa.
In the spirit of "ion" I'll add, these four methods can be preceded by inspiration and finished with reconciliation.
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