The mechanics of magic and ritual

[patch]

This is something that I always think about. People get spells online and look at correspondence charts etc.
But do people really understand the mechanics of the spell they are doing? WHY do they burn that green candle in that money spell?

Do you think understanding the mechanics of each key aspect of a spell is important?
Without understading, do you think a spell is just words?
Do you think writing spells yourself leads to a better understanding of the mechanics?

I do think the mechanics are important. People blindly look at charts and things and say things like 'oh...this stone is associated with healing', but do people know WHY?
I have no problem with using spells from others, but I think spells written by oneself can be beneficial, because you understand the intent of the spell, the psycological process you went through to write it etc.

[thought_on_a_wind]

I'm re-writng this because I feel I did not answer the questions posed in a direct manner... here goes

But do people really understand the mechanics of the spell they are doing?

Some claim to, others do but wouldn't let you know it. Others are so used to doing the spellwork that it has turned into something they've forgotten.

WHY do they burn that green candle in that money spell?

That is a good question... I know a decent amount of magickal folk who would very easily spout off recipe's and not entertain me with such an inquiry.

Do you think understanding the mechanics of each key aspect of a spell is important?

For the psyche, yes, for the effects? Depends... colors are rather up for translation, there are many spells I've tried and altered the color scheme, or simply didn't care about because they didn't agree with me, or there was already a sufficient amount of will involved that didn't need the sub-conscious reminder. Whereas, stones, and other naturally occuring materials that have unique properties all their own leave less for translation, and need be understood that much more. Tools are variable, I've heard the wand described as a good substitute for the athame, and also heard it described as a completely different item. I think it helps one align with their path if they actively remember the components of their spells... it can lead to a well understood underlying principle.

Do you think writing spells yourself leads to a better understanding of the mechanics?

This one I believe depends on what type of learner you are. A linear/Auditory or Visual learner would most likely thrive from a curiculum, in opposition a non-linear/Physical learner would thrive more from hand's-on experience, and would need the freedom to figure everything from the basic concept to the faintest or nuances (in my opinion, this is the type of learner that would thrive the most from creating their own spells).

[Toby Stimpson]

I do think that understanding a spell, just like worship OR ritual is important. But in understanding the mechanics behind it... I also think it's important to understand why in some places similar correspondences will be different.

For example take colour associations. Lets for the sake of it and example make up an association:

Yellow in the Hello tribe is used to represent sky. While in the Goodbye tribe, it's used to represent water. Now if someone was constructing a ritual and just saw that yellow represented earth but was mixing associations from both tribes... it could be disasterous. Understanding why certain colours represent certain things to certaing roups can lead one to understanding where the power behind that certain association lies. becasue I certainly think that sometiems conflicting associations do not necessarily mean one is right and one is wrong. it depends on the context and visualization of that association.

So back to our tribes, lets say that the reason that yellow represents Sky in one tribe is becasue their Great God Frodo Baggins came down from the sky to them wearing a yellow sash. After that yellow represented Frodo Baggins and the sky he came from.

While in the Goodbye tribe, the reason yellow represents water is because they believe that the golden moon rises out of the primordial ocean into the night sky, and also because gold (which is yellow) can be found in small chunks in the river bed. Thats why yellow represents water to the Goodbye tribe.

Depending on the centext of the correspondent and what other corresponding symbols you're using in the ritual... the corresponding symbol will draw power from whatever God or element perceived by the one doing the ritual. Sop say a hello tribe ritual's colouring of a pole in yellow as a totem, that totem will draw power from the God Frodo baggins.

Understanding that will help maximize the power of your ritual. If that makes sense

[patch]

@toby- That makes perfect sense, and I agree! Thanks for posting!

[Kailen]

Energy + Intent = Spell

[RainInanna]

Correspondences work due to the principle of vibration (see: Kybalion). Pre-existing spells as those found in books have existing correspondences that have been shown to work because they vibrate in tandem with the intention. Such correspondences are like archetypes and symbols - keys that access energies through collective unconscious. Thus given proper spellcasting techniques pre-existing spells can be used effectively, since the vibrations are already conducive. One needs the spellcasting techniques - one doesn't need to use their own correspondences if the existing ones are not contrary to their beliefs (in other words, if I subconsciously link red with love rather than green, no amount of green will help me get to love energy. on the other hand, if I'm not particular and haven't already associated a colour, green could work just fine).

That said, using items with personal connection offer another level of connection to the vibrations between the item and the desired energy. Then the symbols are not just from the collective unconscious but the personal unconscious. These are often more effective because of that - they engage that unconscious and through it the Sacred/higher self. The psychological is manipulated to access desired results.

On another level some claim that things can be intertwined on the quantum level. Thus green in the colour spectrum being somehow connected to the prosperity energy behind money. An ancient example is found in metu netjer - magical words as used in Ancient Egypt. The idea being the words themselves were keystones to energy on another level.

[RainInanna]

It's worth pointing out I think intention and personal psychology has to be in line - for example, if you think my previous post was "new age crap" then that thinking won't work for you. I'm beginning to think magical theory is just itself a key to magic - that is, that we choose a theory and when we can accept it on all levels it works. In the end though, it simply works, and we're all just tangled up in the theory/tools. YMMV. I'm just rambling now :)

[RainInanna]

Incidentally if you're interested in examining correspondences in more depth try Crowley's 777. It's available freely online so far as I know, and is a tome including exhaustive correspondence lists. Beginning Pagans could save themselves a ton of money on spellbooks by learning proper spellcasting techniques and then going to 777. The Frost's also discuss magical theory at length in their Magical Handbook. And of course, the Kybalion is definitely worthwhile reading here.

[Xander67]

Rain, thank you so much for your posts.. :) I was just about to cross quote portions of mine from another thread but you pretty much covered everything I was going to add lol..

I agree, The Crowley books are a good resource, Liber 777, Liber Aba, etc...

also if anyone is interested in the philosopical side of Magic and a glance at the broad scope of it as a faculty of mind, I reccomend Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy. :thumbsup:

[Greybird]

I occasionally do something out of a book, but I can tell you without hesitation that I wouldn't even consider doing something I hadn't written myself if I didn't know what every word, symbol, and item involved represented.

That's like cooking in a strange kitchen with unlabeled ingredients, not all of which are guaranteed to be food, then eating the result.

[Terra Mater]

Do you think understanding the mechanics of each key aspect of a spell is important?
I think that understanding the mechanics of the spell is integral to the effectiveness of the spell. I think the Karate Kid "wax-on,wax off" routine demonstrates it best. Without knowing why he was really sanding the deck, painting the fence, waxing the deck, he was learning the basic movements but could not use them effectively until he was given the "why".

Without understanding, do you think a spell is just words?
Not if the will of the person is strong enough. I have seen people with no understanding of "why" their spell must contain the ingredients and routines it does still effect working results from their magic. However, I have never known anyone whose magical ability did not increase with a greater understanding of the why of the mechanics.

Do you think writing spells yourself leads to a better understanding of the mechanics?
Creating spells, yes. Writing spells, no. For those who work better with lists and scripts, writing the spell may increase their understanding of the mechanics. For others, writing the spell may not only inhibit their understanding, but also get in the way of their creativity. My youngest son effects the strongest magic of all six of my children and he never writes anything down, but reads and studies endlessly. The most he does is rough sketches if he is working in a group to help him see beyond himself and his efforts.

In summary, I think knowing the why of the spell adds to the precision of your casting. If creating a spell is like painting a landscape, understanding the mechanics bring color, definition, and detail to the most basic sketch.