Druhy a koncepty mágie
Keď sú uši študenta zrelé počúvať, objavia sa ústa, ktoré ich naplnia múdrosťou
Prastará hermetická múdrosť
Mágia je abstraktný systém, umožňujúci človeku podieľať sa na poznaní a ovládaní zákonov prírody a vôbec celého Stvorenia. Slovo mágia sa odvodzuje od starogréckeho významu μάγος (mág). Podľa dostupnej literatúry slovo mág pochádza z indoeurópskeho koreňa magh znamenajúci mocný a veľký. Uvádza sa, že Hérodotos považoval slovo mágia za perzské slovo. V širšom slova zmysle má mágia podobný význam ako slovo okultný či ezoterický.
Už v staroveku boli mágovia považovaní za najvyšších zasvätencov. Spomínaní mágovia však nemajú nič spoločné s kúzelníkmi v zmysle javiskových iluzionistov a rôznych šarlatánov, ktorí pravý význam pojmu mágia dehonestujú. Práve vďaka nim má mágia vo svete nedôveryhodnú povesť.
V skutočnosti je mágia posvätnou vedou a umením zároveň. Vedou preto, lebo sa dá naučiť a stále pokročilejšími vedeckými prístupmi dokonca aj laboratórne skúmať. Umením preto, že si u adeptov vyžaduje určitý talent.
Delenie mágie podľa:
1/ Hľadisko predmetu:
• mágia prírodná (naturalis)
• mágia nebeská (innaturalis)
2/Hľadisko účelu:
• mágia biela (magia alba, magia divina)
• mágia čierna (magia nigra, goetia)
3/Hľadisko úrovne:
• mágia mikrokozmická (psychurgia)
• mágia makrokozmická (teurgia)
4/Hľadisko použitej magickej techniky:
• mágia mentálna (individuálna)
• mágia rituálna (ceremoniálna –
evokatívna, invokatívna, kreatívna)
5/Hľadisko pôvodu:
• mágia egyptská
• mágia babylonská
• mágia ľudová a iné
6/Hľadisko charakteristických postupov:
• mágia zvedná (mantia, mantika, jasnovidecké odhaľovanie skrytého)
• mágia sexuálna (červená mágia)
• mágia talizmanická
• mágia henochiánska
• mágia sigilárna
• mágia sviečok a iné
Koncepty mágie
Démonologický koncept
je jednoznačne najstarším filozofickým konceptom mágie. Vychádza sa v ňom z predpokladu, že v okolitom svete existujú reálne bytosti, akými sú duchovia, anjeli, démoni, atď., s ktorými mág vstupuje do kontaktu, aby ich spoznal a získal za priateľov alebo služobníkov. Mág vystupuje medzi týmto svetom a transempirickými svetmi ako sprostredkovateľ. Tento koncept je typický aj pre šamanizmus, z ktorého sa odvodzujú predstavy, ktoré o mágii ako takej majú laici. V démonologickom koncepte mág alebo šaman usiluje o získanie prístupu do sveta entít, ktoré sa dajú označiť za „magické bytosti“. Tento svet má ale svoje vlastné zákony, ktoré mág musí poznať, aby mohol sily a bytosti, ktoré sú v tomto svete doma, ovládnuť. Každý reprezentant magickej sily alebo energie má svoje meno a signatúru, ktorá vyjadruje jeho špecifický a nezameniteľný charakter. Je teda samostatnou osobnosťou, majúcej svoje silné i slabé stránky. Mág, pokiaľ disponuje dostatkom znalosti, moci a sily, vstupuje do jeho ríše v stave vytrženia, kde si tieto entity buď nakloní alebo ich získa ako svojich služobníkov. Tieto vzťahy však nie sú vždy úplne bezpečné, pretože existujú i duchovia, ktorí slúžia mágovi len neradi alebo sa ho často pokúšajú oklamať, pričom za svoje služby požadujú vysokú odmenu. Známym príkladom je pakt doktora Fausta s diablom. Mág sa teda musí mať na pozore, pokiaľ nepracuje len s dobrými duchmi, na ktorých morálnu integritu sa môže plne spoľahnúť. Z uvedeného je zrejmé, že o tento koncept sa opiera i špiritizmus, ktorý však magické operácie v tomto zmysle nevykonáva, ale zaoberá sa skôr divinačnými praktikami.
Energetický koncept
sa vo svojej najčistejšej forme v zásade zrieka každej duchovnej tézy. Mág už nie je zaklínač démonov ale skôr umelcom, pracujúcim s energiami. Musí vedieť vnímať subtílne energie, polarizovať ich a usmerňovať. Niekedy sa môže stať, že mág má pre prevedenie nejakej akcie málo dispozičnej energie. V boji však vyhráva ten silnejší. Mág sa musí spoliehať len sám na seba alebo v lepšom prípade na svojich kolegov, ktorí ho môžu, ak na to majú, podporiť. V tomto koncepte sa operátor nemôže odvolávať na vyššie dištancie ale môže sa pokúsiť pracovať so „silnejšou“ energiou ako jeho protivník. Pôsobenie na protivníka sa deje buď tak, že sa mu pošle prebytok deštruktívnej energie, napríklad marťanskej alebo lunárnej sily alebo tak, že sa mu jeho energia odoberie a on sa tým oslabí. Mág už nepracuje ako v démonologickom koncepte s anjelmi, démonmi, planetárnymi inteligenciami a kabalistickými sférami, ale sa viac-menej pokúša v magickom tranze aktivovať nejaký planetárny princíp, aby s pomocou jej energie zariadil čo je potrebné, miesto aby posielal nejakú bytosť, ktorá by túto úlohu splnila. S týmto sa ale spájajú i nároky, ktoré sú na operátora v tomto koncepte kladené. Mág musí nielen dokázať všetko sám, bez cudzej vyššej pomoci ale musí aj trvalo disponovať veľkým množstvom energie. Pokiaľ bude slabý a mdlý, budú tým trpieť predovšetkým jeho magické operácie. Veľký dôraz sa kladie i na dobre vyvinutú schopnosť mimozmyslového vnímania.
Psychologický koncept
prísne vzaté, jedna sa o akýsi prechodný stupeň, ktorý si z energetického konceptu berie jeho homocentrizmus, ale vo svojom základe vychádza z démonologického konceptu, pričom však démonom nepripisuje vonkajšiu, objektívnu existenciu, ale len existenciu subjektívnu, psychickú. Mágiu neobjasňuje pomocou nových alebo iných mechanizmov, ale ju stavia jednoducho na iné miesto – do vnútra ľudskej psychiky. Psychologický koncept chápe mágiu výhradne animisticky. Všetko, čo mág pri prevádzaní svojho umenia činí, sa odohráva len v jeho duši, kde pôsobí bližšie nedefinovaný mechanizmus, ktorý potom vo vonkajšom svete spôsobuje žiaduce, alebo tiež nežiaduce, účinky. Zástancovia tejto teórie, ku ktorým patria takmer všetci súčasní autori píšuci o mágii, však zaryte mlčia o tom, akým spôsobom nevedomie tieto divy prevádza. Dôležité však je, že v tomto pojatí sa mág stáva psychonautom, cestovateľom v krajinách duše, pričom spoznáva a mapuje duševnú ríšu a učí sa spoznať jej zákony, pomocou ktorých sa mu potom darí pôsobiť ako na svoj život tak i na vonkajší svet.
Informačný koncept
kybernetická mágia je najmladším odvetvím mágie. Kybernetická mágia sa opiera o informačný koncept, ktorý sa dnes čoraz viac presadzuje i vo fyzike. Jadrom tohto konceptu je myšlienka, že všetka energia pôsobí len prostredníctvom informácií, ktoré jej určitým spôsobom vravia, ako sa má chovať. Informácie ľahko prekonávajú bariéry časopriestoru, pretože v tomto koncepte nemajú žiadnu hmotu ani energiu. Mág je tu závislý na svojom dobrom vzťahu s duchmi rovnako málo ako na svojom energetickom potenciály. Pokiaľ raz ovláda techniku vyvolávania a prenášania informácií, nepotrebuje žiadne vonkajšie prostriedky, povzbudzujúce vizualizáciu, imagináciu a koncentráciu. Tento koncept vychádza z teórie morfogenetických polí ktorú formuloval biológ R. Shledrake, a ďalej operuje hlavne s pojmom informačného poľa. Historickým prototypom informačného konceptu je homeopatia, ktorá, ako je známe, pracuje, na rozdiel od alopatickej medicíny, s veľmi zriedenými látkami, vychádzajúc pritom zo starej Paracelsovej teórie, že to, čo vyvoláva liečebný efekt, je duch lieku, pričom platí zásada, že podobné pôsobí na podobné, a to najlepšie vtedy, ak je duch liečebnej substancie vydestilovaný, čo sa deje práve zriedením.
Z. Neubauer upozorňuje na pozoruhodné analógie medzi informatikou a systémom henochianskej mágie dr. Johna Dee: Nevysloviteľné, nezrozumiteľné a nezapamäťovateľné reťazce písmien a značiek ako OESNGLE, YLMAFS, MALPRG, HOLFR, COCASB, ICZHHCA… a im priradených kriviek, klikyhákov, a číselných útvarov, nápadne pripomínajúce kľúčové slová programovacích jazykov, názvy či adresy systémov, programov, procedúr, internetových stránok, ap. Pečate (sigilis) odpovedajú heslám (passwords), „brány“ vstupom a prístupovým cestám. Vzývanie a zaklínanie sú od inštrukcii (príkazových riadkov) prakticky neodlíšiteľné, mocné Mená potom odpovedajú tzv. „makrom“ (makroinštrukciám). Ani neustále varovania pred zlými démonmi, ani výzvy k čistote a očisťovaniu nepripadajú vo svete počítačových vírov, antivírových programov apod. ničím nezvyklým a neslýchaným. Najsilnejšie pocity analógie však vyvoláva všadeprítomné kľúčové slovo „kľúč“ (key, clavis), čo patrí k bežnému počítačovému výrazivu.
Operácie kybernetickej či informatickej mágie nie sú ani tak aktmi vizualizácie a imaginácie (v zmysle mentálnej mágie), ale sú čistým zaobchádzaním s informáciami. Je to mágia prázdnych rúk, ktorú v tej či onej podobe podľa tradície praktikovali už starí Majstri. Tu skôr ale ide o to, že zo starých systémov boli vyňaté len niektoré prvky, ktoré boli začlenené do iného kontextu, ktorý dostal iný náter. To, či má informačný koncept praktickú využiteľnosť, ukáže len budúcnosť.
Neokybernetika a neokybernetické metody
vysoce ezoterický systém obsahující v sobě mimo informatických a praktických metod i noetiku. Nedávno byla otevřena Vyšehradská akademie neokybernetiky VAN, která patří pod společnost A.R.X. a umožňuje ucelené mnohaleté studium. Po smrti nejvýznamnější osoby neokybernetiky Stanislava Sohra byl na několik let vzdělávací systém destabilizován, ale vznikem A.R.X. došlo opět k rovnováze. A.R.X. klade velký důraz na etický kodex (vzhledem k rozsahu studia).
Základní informace lze získat na www.panna.cz (thelema.magick.cz)
Podľa Giovanniho Pica della Mirandolu a jeho diela Apológia existujú dva druhy mágie, ktoré stoja navzájom v protiklade:
• Prvou je goetia (čarodejníctvo), je to čierna mágia pracujúca so zlými duchmi, napríklad démonmi.
• Druhou je teurgia, božská mágia, pracujúca s tzv. dobrými duchmi. Teurgia sa pokladá za praktickú časť alchýmie. Preto alchýmia je bránou k teurgii, predstavujúcej konečný cieľ zjednotenia s vyššími svetmi, ktoré vedie k získaniu božského vedomia.
Žiada sa mi ešte spomenúť niečo okolo takzvanej bielej a čiernej mágie. Známy okultista Arthur Edward Waite okrem iných taktiež poukazoval na fakt, že potreba rozdelenia mágie ako takej na bielu a čiernu vlastne vzišlo až z podnetov kresťanskej cirkvi, ktorá stvorila pojem diabol – pojem, ktorý dovtedy žiadna historická kultúra nepoznala. Kresťanstvo svojvoľne začalo rozdeľovať duchov na dobrých a zlých. V starých kultúrach neexistoval pojem diabla ako toho, kto stojí proti Bohu. Keď sa používal termín démon, tiež to bolo pôvodne v zmysle skôr neutrálnych duchov, napríklad prírodných.
Z toho všetkého vyplýva, že pojem čierna mágia využívajú hlavne tí, ktorí väčšinou jej pravý význam buď nechápu a teda nevedia o čom rozprávajú alebo termín používajú zámerne – na zastrašovanie a odlákanie pozornosti od skutočného, božského významu pojmu mágie ako takej.
Bližšie informácie o rôznych aspektoch bielej a čiernej mágie sa dočítaš Tu.
Najlepšie výsledky v akomkoľvek druhu mágie dosiahneš vtedy, ak použiješ prostriedky, ktorým rozumie predovšetkým tvoje Srdce…
Mágiou, podľa nás, je okrem už uvedeného, akýkoľvek vedomý či nevedomý akt zadania príčiny pre uskutočnenie jej následku. V tomto vedomom akte je nutné naplno využiť nadobudnuté ako kognitívne tak transcendentálne znalosti. Intelektuálna myseľ musí ísť ruka v ruke s mysľou intuitívnou.
Rituály
– evokatívne, bytosti sa povolávajú, niekedy aj ich donútením, manipulujú sa a zaklínajú, pričom vždy ide o entity nižšieho a prevažne démonického radu
– invokatívne, pri ktorých operátor komunikuje s objektívnymi vyššími silami Univerza, ktoré predstavujú napríklad anjeli, archanjeli, bohyne, bohovia, božstvá, géniovia planetárnych sfér, atď. Pri operátor transempirické entity zdvorilo pozýva, vyzýva a následne sa s nimi môže identifikovať. Na rozdiel od evokácie sa zaoberá najmä pozitívnymi entitami z oblasti géniov. Invokačné metódy sa pritom považujú za historicky staršie ako evokačné.
– kreatívne, pri ktorých sa vôľou mága tvoria rôzne astrálne útvary, akými sú napríklad elementáli, elementári a egregori.
Typy magických rituálov
Gray rozlišuje tyto základní typy magických rituálů:
- iniciační, používané hermetickými i jinými společnostmi při přijímání nových členů; slouží k ustavení kontaktu novice s příslušným egregorem,
- instrukční, prováděné za divinačními účely nebo za účelem získání zkušeností pro další práci; někdy bývají velmi jednoduché,
- obětní, jejichž cílem je získání přízně určitého konkrétního egregoru nebo entity; po vykonání oběti operatér zpravidla přednese svoji žádost,
- sezónní, praktikované pravidelně v závislosti na přírodních cyklech (slunovrat, rovnodennost, úplněk apod. ); jejich posláním je navození harmonie mezi makrokosmem a mikrokosmem a periodické obnovování magických sil operatéra,
- uctívací, zaměřené k navození kontaktu mezi lidským a božským vědomím nebo jednotlivými aspekty božského vědomí; prostřednictvím uctí» vacích rituálů lze dosáhnout určitého osvícení mysli v oblastech, které odpovídají kvalitám uctívaného božského aspektu či principu a jsou jim symbolicky vyjádřeny,
- posvěcovací, sloužící k přeměně profánního v sakrální; tyto rituály jsou vždy zaměřeny na konkrétní objekt a jeho funkcí (např. magický nástroj nebo talisman); mohou být i velmi prosté,
- vymítací, používané k zapuzení nežádoucích sil a vlivů (exorcismy); Ope‘ tatér zde obvykle nerozkazuje svým jménem, ale odvolává se na „vyšší autority“,
- spontánní, sestavené pro momentální potřebu podle vnějších impulsů nebo vnitřních magikových sklonů; snadno se operatérovi vymknou z rukou,
- speciální, určené ke speciálním účelům; např. rituály žehnací, proklínací, oslavovací, evokační, invokační, atd.
Spôsoby vykonávania magickej praxe
1) Rituálom západnej ceremoniálnej mágie prostredníctvom evokácie alebo invokácie
ktorý sa odohráva vo fyzickom, rituálne uspôsobenom priestore. Operátor evokáciu alebo invokáciu používa podľa toho, akú entitu hodlá privolať. K dosiahnutiu svojho zámeru používa hmotné magické predmety, ktoré slúžia ako korešpondencie k nadviazaniu interakcií s požadovanými astrálnymi alebo mentálnymi entitami. Úspešne privolaná entita sa zhmotni v rituálnom priestore buď fyzicky, na vopred vymedzenom mieste prostredníctvom dymu z kadidelnice alebo sa zjaví v astrálnej kópii fyzického rituálneho priestoru, pričom operátorovi sa môže zdať, že ju vníma fyzickými zmyslovými orgánmi. Ďalším spôsobom je, že sa s ňou úplne identifikuje, teda splynie formou čiastočnej posadnutosti. Tento spôsob sa však uplatňuje predovšetkým s entitami, u ktorých nehrozí invazívne narušenie psychickej integrity.
2) Rituálom prostredníctvom magickej evokácie alebo invokácie, odohrávajúci sa výhradne v astrálnej rovine
do ktorej sa operátor musí čiastočne alebo úplne preniesť. Tento astrálny priestor pritom môže byť kópiou – zrkadlovým odrazom – skutočného fyzického rituálneho priestoru alebo môže byť vytvorený na základe vlastnej fantázie, ale takej, aby sa do nej privolaný duch dokázal aj dostať. Mág si so sebou zvyčajne berie astrálne kópie fyzických magických nástrojov, pokiaľ ich potrebuje a považuje za nevyhnutné. Privolaná entita sa v tomto prípade už napríklad dymom z kadidelnice nematerializuje, ale operátor s ňou interaguje priamo v časti astrálu, ktorý ale nemusí byť jej domovským priestorom. Pokiaľ by transempirická inteligencia pochádzala dajme tomu z nejakej planetárnej sféry, je možné sa s ňou stretnúť buď niekde na polceste v astrálnej rovine alebo priamo v jej domovskej planetárnej sfére pomocou mentálnej projekcie alebo imaginácie.
3) Rituálnou evokáciou alebo invokáciou, vykonávanou hybridne, teda kombináciou oboch predchádzajúcich spôsobov
kde sa časť rituálu odohráva v materiálnej a časť v astrálnej sfére. Napríklad, operátor začína rituál klasickým spôsobom vo fyzickej rovine, so všetkými náležitosťami a v jeho ďalšej časti použije napríklad magické zrkadlo, ale v už trochu pozmenenom význame. Nepoužije ho teda ako doteraz na nazeranie do astrálneho prostredia ale ako portál, ktorým prejde a s volanou entitou sa osobne stretne priamo v astrály. Všetko ostatné sa potom už deje buď rovnako ako v predchádzajúcom bode, kedy po ukončení mítingu sa operátor vracia späť cez zrkadlo do hmotného sveta alebo akt prebieha ďalej tak, že sa navráti späť spolu aj s entitou, ktorá sa buď, ako už bolo opísané, zmaterializuje dymom z pálenia špecifických ingrediencií alebo sa zjaví v astrálnej kópii fyzického rituálneho priestoru, kde ju mág vníma svojimi astrálnymi zmyslami. Aj v tomto prípade sa operátor môže nechať duchom úplne alebo len čiastočne posadnúť.
4) Šamanským spôsobom
kedy operátor rovnako ako aj v predchádzajúcom prípade cestuje buď priamo do domova danej entity alebo sa s ňou stretne niekde na pol ceste. Celá odlišnosť oproti predchádzajúcim spôsobom spočíva v tom, že šaman vždy a všetko robí len za pomoci svojich duchov -spojencov, ktorí mu v tomto prípade požadovaný kontakt nielen dokonale pripravia a sprostredkujú, ale zároveň dbajú na to, aby výsledok bol vždy a za každých okolností v prospech mága. Vedú ho, radia mu a ochraňujú. Aj preto majú skutoční šamani oproti ceremoniálnym mágom západnej tradície a narýchlo vykvaseným instantným čarodejníkom také vysoké skóre úspešnosti.
Použitý zdroj: Josef Veselý, MAGIE
Súvisiace články
Obety duchom
Princípy Duchovna & Mágie
Hermetizmus
Odporúčaná duchovno-magická literatúra
Magická prax
Hybridné rituály
Definícia okultnej mágie podľa Wikipédii
Přírodní magie
Magie, a jak funguje
Co je to magie?
Přednáška na LPCON 2016
K akej mágii inklinuješ?
The Parting of Ways
Now, at the end, all the required knowledge to access power stores is acquired for the „on-hand“ magic user. There is a list of notations for your particular art on this page if you wish to know more about how to proceed. It is probably a good idea to read this but, if you are already having success, leave this page and continue what you’re doing. Remember that if this page and/or the advanced pages are not covering a question or concern you may have, you can email me or make use the advisor(s) supplied through The Library of Knowlege to ask an experienced practitioner the specifics that are being left out. These arts aren’t in any particular order, but rather in the order that I thought of them. Also, keep in mind that this page (as with most of The Library of Knowledge) is just a pointer to give you a friendly nudge in the right direction. The specifics of what spells to develop, what to name them, and the other little tidbits are still up to the diligient magician to discover. Remember also, as a last point, that these castes are just to describe what kind of work falls into which caster type. You do not have to necessarily definitively and strictly fall only into one caster type as long as you only plan to use lower powered to intermediate spells of that type.
White Magician: The White art practitioner has among the easiest arts to advance in. The idea behind it is simple: statis and purification. „Negentropy“, as it has been called. Purity and the harnessing of power to the most refined level is the ultimate goal of advanced white magic. The main focus for you, as a caster of this sort now, would be to learn the basic uses of herbs, oils, runes, and stars, moving eventually to the highest power of White Light. These former references can be used to find sources of White Magic information, though they are meaningless within themselves. The creation of familiar spirits is a topic that some choose to study as well when wishing to learn about purification and delicate control over one’s environment. Incidentally, they are also useful for locating information and prompting the caster in the right direction while studying. The more advanced caster may wish to create a magical „node“ in which they can exercise absolute magical authority when they need to. A node is a concentration of magical energies into an area for experimental or emergency purposes. This favoured method of practice is an ethereal saturation of a given area with the energy that is known as „White Light“, famous in the New Age movement, and is the basis for White Magic spells. The caster can shape the magical auras of the trees, rocks, plants, and other items to concentrate on a nexus, thereby making it a magical focal point for them to continue their work. Often considered a form of protective magic, it is not limited to offensive or defensive strictures. The applications of white magic, as with every other caste magic, are manifold. Learning how to neutralise an area and experiment with cleansing an area of magical influence is one of the most famous aspects of white magic, along with the ability to mute the spells of other casters or to calm natural mystic phenomenon. The White Mage can be a powerful practitioner with far-reaching influence on their world. Enjoy the excursion into the white, protective, and healing arts.
Black Magician: The black magician is one of the most infamous in occultism. The rumours and tales of their dark art and their insidious practice covers everything from evil deities to sacrifice, similar to the stereotype of the Satanist, though in a more tribal sense. The fundamental essence of black magic is similar to the common concept of entropy. The main thing to focus on at all times when practicing an art like this is attaining tangible or noticeable results. Do not just assume that anything has ever happened. One of the unfortunate stereotypes that follows black magic, aside from the perverted rituals of amorality, is lack of ability due to the mass influx of those interested in reaping the negative attention and shock effect. Because of this, I strongly advise practitioners to be diligent in their studies and casting and not allow the mystique to overwhelm pragmatic rationalism. Be sure that if you cast a degrading spell that something (perhaps not even your intended target) has deteriorated, shifted, or something to that effect. In the beginning, stick to simple spells that have only one mechanism to concentrate on (i.e. Things which are simply cause and effect, not manifest only after a chain of domino lesser effects). It must be done that way at the beginning or else future results run the risk of being crippled or barely noticable. Later, refine the amount of energy and the focus control thereof through experience. Focus on one type of magic at first, such as erosion. Do not attempt to begin by casting shielding and corrosive spells back to back, or alternating between physical effect spells and various hexes. Try to perfect one thing and then move on to something else. The Black Magician is to always increase their repertoire of destructive spells, but only after having attained some degree of proficiency in past attempts. Always seek out new spells and of a different sort. Do not be discouraged, even after a few minimal results (if it really comes down to that). The black mage has quite a reputation to live down, but it is nothing that stolid study can not solve.
Psi Mage: A Psi Mage has one of the most taxing arts of all, not because it is somehow intrinsically more difficult to perform, but because of psychological damage and the potential for severe self-delusion. Take some time to honestly consider how this skill will be used before temptation is staring you in the face so as to avoid moral qualms and crises. This all ties back to the The Three Questions of Magic presented on the first Beginning page, but it is most critical for a psi mage to know themselves before attempting to know the mind of others. Psi Mages focus on the mind with an approach not incredibly common in occultism anymore known as Zen. The quieting of one’s own mind allows for interpretation of the emmanations of another’s mind, and which in focus the psi mage must attempt to either bore through their own mental noise by some kind of force or to simply quiet themselves. Self-control by attaining a zen state seems to be the favoured method of the advanced psionicist due to the results it can bring. Many mages begin by attempting „charming“ type spells in which the caster attempts to magically win the loyalty of another by empathically or telepathically touching their mind. It is an advanced type of telepathy and empathy which allows the mage to truly understand their surrounding beings and be able to live at one with them. Also, this highly psychic tendency usually allows the skilled Mage to bring peace to an otherwise turbulent situation, or subversion and discord to what would otherwise be a serene and coordinated place. Once tuning in with the minds of another, the Mage becomes sensitive to the thoughts of those around them, sensing emotions more vividly, and suspecting feelings that are masked from others. Their magical abilities flow from understanding „the occult and hidden virtue of things“ (as Solomon would say). To work seamlessly within their environment so as to cast a spell without disrupting natural order is a high power of the Mage, and that which allows them a peaceful existance wreathed in potent mystic workings. Using the sensitive arcane powers of Psi Magic, one may soon find that their lives become child’s play compared with the the hardships others must simply endure. As adversity arises, the Mage will find themselves able to avoid most or all of these dilemmas (save for the obvious ones, like death) and thus spare a great deal of pain and frustration.
Nature Mage: The Nature Mage is part of their environment. Their intimate bond with nature affords them priveleges in communication and sensation that most people will miss out on — things which can be beneficial to the mental or physical well-being of the caster in certain circumstances. The most curious thing about nature magics is the view that many of them tend to adopt concerning their position in the universe. Their cosmology tends to turn to a neo-wiccan or druidic stand-point, declaring themselves as one with the grand order of nature and born of the earth. Harmony and balance tend to be something strived for as well. With lesser emphasis on harmony, which tends to sway in accordance with the personal preferences of the caster, balance seems to be a universally key issue among nature mages. Finding their place in the world and in the cosmos by communicating with the earth, earth spirits, or the spirit of earth itself are among the many methods used. There are historical reflections of these methods in the druidic traditions of grove growing, the shamanic tradition of vision quests, and the ancient Greek methods of talking to the sprites of individual trees, stones, and areas. roves inhabited by many famous spirits of the trees such as the nymph, dryad, sprite, pixie, and the Green Man (who was somewhat of a patron deity to the druids, at one point) and others, the Nature Mage may be granted boons for their adept sensitivity and care for their environment in many literatures, and it is a continued habit of the modern nature mage to try to not excessively disturb their surroundings. For a Nature Mage, being in tune with nature and harmonious with all things is the highest calling. Their sensitivity to the „qi of plants“ allows for understanding beyond the norm and a will to discover more of the world around us. The stolid druid, the solemn shaman, and the wise mystagogue are all part of the traditions of nature magic which live on in modern practice.
Enchanter: Enchanters has been given too little credit for their work throughout history. Often lumped in with standard witchcraft, herbalism, and other forms of magic which were popular at the time, Enchantment truly does deserve a place in the occult realms as a separate and complete artform within its own right. It has often been seen in story, song, and in occult literature. Quite simply, the skill of an enchanter is to affect the properties of common material objects in such a way that they naturally bring a specified kind of result. Colloquially, enchanters have used a western five-element system to explain the potential imbued properties of any given item. Enchanting tends to be a waylaid art in favour of others because many people simply forget that it exists. It is not seen as being so flamboyant as many of the other popular arts — specifically as being something you do not use on the spot — though its uses are manifold and every bit as quick as any other art. One of the confounding factors of this art is the reason that many people attempt to get out of ritualism at all, however: reliance on items. The potential for enchantment of common items, as opposed to the mythical amulet and talisman, is often forgotten and tends to leave one’s view of the art as a rather restrictive side-line interest rather than a topic to devote one’s studies to. Despite that, there any many things that the enchanter has access to that can make the art one of the most practical available to occultists. The problem with most Enchanters is that they: a) Don’t keep a useful Book of Shadows. b) Aren’t result oriented. If you are an Enchanter, please do the opposite of the two points previously mentioned. An Enchanter has to look for physical results in the creation of magical objects, such as talismans, amulets, tools, etc. If an item is charged with a fire blessing (let’s say it’s a glove), be sure that it is capable of keeping the wearer warm. If it isn’t 100% effective, the spell can be refined. Keep a record of the procedure used and the result reaped. This Enchanter’s journal should be of sufficient detail that you can refine your magical workings to the point that even the most extreme results of the most complex enchantments are available whenever they are needed. Another dangerous pitfall encountered by Enchanters is over-enchanting or using a previously enchanted item. Never charge an item with two opposing spells or with more than four enchantments total until an understanding of the intrinsics of the elemental magics has been achieved. The ethereal backlash from over-enchanting an item is sufficient to cause great harm to the one so unfortunate as to be in the way. An item enchanted with two opposing charges is considered a curseditem. It is dangerous to the user, and usually everybody in the area too. Barring the creation of a cursed item, however, the Enchanter has an interesting and incredibly useful system to employ magic in their daily life.
Elemental Mage: The goal of an Elemental Magician, at this point, is to become familiar with the conduction of elemental energy. These are the very real and tangible energies that we deal with on an every-day basis. Hot, cold, kinetics, and stasis — they all play a factor in the control of the physical elemental weather patterns and fluxuations that carry on around us in life. Water, air, heat, and mineral are all under the dominion of the accomplished elementalist. These types of energy are the most readily apparent type of all but also, bar none, among the most difficult to use. Elemental Magic focusses on the concentration and surging of these energies to achieve a specific purpose in accordance with the nature of the specific element being dealt with. Air tends to be the easiest to control since, by its very nature, it is always in a state of change. Earth tends, also by its nature, to be the hardest thereby resisting the will of the magician. The „trick“, so to speak, of Elemental Magic is to learn what personal techniques or methods work best for you to get the element in question to obey.
Diviner: The Diviner’s main job is to find out what’s going to happen. There are so many varieties of exactly how to do this that there will be no advanced page of this art. It is just too varied and difficult to pin down. As a general guideline though, Diviners use a physical medium of some sort to find out what they can about the future. Every form divination imaginable is out there for the taking. Among many many other types of divination are the use of clouds, tarot decks, runes, water, fire, earth, wind, sand, sticks, rocks, birds, cats, dogs, spiders, bones, intestines, blood, insects, weather conditions, feces, fingernails, palms, finger prints, the infamous crystal ball, head bumps, eye orientation, candles, saliva, spirits, fairies, sprites, hair, urine, body measurements, tea leaves, auras, dreams, wax drippings, stains, tooth alignment, eating habits, birthdays, zodiac signs, and a myriad more than I have room for on this page. Each Diviner has a different way of telling what will happen, but the basic gist is that regardless of how they do it, they do it. Diviners are often employed by magicians who have no divining power of their own to see what primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, etc. effects a particular spell will have on them, their friends, their target, etc. In the technological age, many people use online divination methods, such as the ones offered at Facade.Com. These sorts of services are everywhere, and can sometimes be helpful. Usually, it is best to take your future divining needs to a real diviner though, not a randomizer-based computer program (although many people see the computer as an equally legitimate form of divining). Books on fortune and future telling abound. One does not have to look far to find a place to learn Divination.
Summoner: Summoners have no limitations to their advancement except experience. The ability to call, at first, lesser terrestrial spirits is where every Summoner starts, eventually moving higher and farther than before with each progressive summon. Some focus on a specific type of earthly spirit, and some just summon whatever is nearby — either method is acceptable. The power of the Summoner lies in a mental purity that can not be matched; the ability to sheild one’s mind by constant self-discipline and concentration on mental stamina/ability to concentrate unbroken is key. After a short while of experimentation, different types of entities, be they angelic, demonic, olympic, or otherwise, can be summoned with little or no trouble at any given moment. To perfect the art of spiritual synergy is a draining one, but without question Summoners can still hold their own as one of the most powerful types of caster available.
Healer: Healer’s are channelers of the body’s energies. The Healer is a realigner of magical forces to the benefit of a living being. The theory is that when the physical body is cut the ethereal body is cut as well. Both wounds will eventually heal but the ethereal cut is usually untended to. The Healer must feel the energy of the wounded, „soften“ it, and mold it back into alignment with the rest of the body. Once the ethereal body is healed, the physical body will quickly follow. By the same token, the Healer can create wounds as well by disaligning the ethereal body of a target. This is rarely done, as a Healer is almost always interested in health and life (or else it’s more common that someone interested in injury takes up Necromancy instead). The healing is usually not instant, but it is extremely fast. Nothing short of practice will improve a Healer in this art.
Necromancer: The art of the Necromancer is one which begins with the most simple goal: Understand the nature of Life and Death. However simple it starts, though, that goal instantly imposes a very complex nature on the practitioner. The Necromancer’s prime energy is the Death Essence and the study of the energies present at death or during frailty is the beginning of knowledge. As the Necromancer becomes familiar with the twisting ethers of decay, it becomes apparent that one cannot escape their influence even as a practitioner. With the passing of time, the Necromancer gains an understanding of the true cycles of life, the afterlife, the netherworlds, and passingly even of the celestial realms. The study of disease, decay, illness, and of the nature of the soul will contribute to a full understanding of the nature of Necromantic Cursing. Also, after continued experimentation, servitors become a possibility. At the end of the line, the Necromancer learns the possibilities of soul manipulations and experiments of that nature. It is the appreciation of Death, and an admiration of the silent beauty of a life complete.
Sorcerer: The Sorcerer’s dilemma is to shape, literally, the entire world. Everything in the life of a Sorcerer is fair game for modification. By modifying components of one’s life with some of the unique powers available to a Sorcerer, the whole may be changed as the practitioner deems fit. A proactive modification of the world, the minds of those around, and in the spiritual realm leads the Sorcerer, ultimately, to the realisation of many goals which would be otherwise unattainable. By studying the methods of the mystic arts, one can begin to see a pattern emerge of why some proactive spells work and why some won’t. The Sorcerer is aware of this pattern and works to perfect weaving it into their spells. Though usually dark arts, the Sorcerer also delves into some white arts for the ability to induce proactive change on their surroundings. Ventures into the Twilight realm prove the power of these other worlds and their impact on the mortal realm.
Wizard: As the Sorcerer, the Wizard uses changes in the environment to shape their reality. The difference is the energies used and the method they are employed. Instead of forcing their will on the environment, the wizard takes a more scientific edge to their use of power and examines the intrinsics of the interactions between the Astral Plane and this plane. Instead of creating changes and making things bend to them, they take normal physical circumstances and try to work within those confines using a magical touch. Things that already exist will simply be given a magical „spin“ and be allowed to continue by altering their astral form, thus making all the magics of a Wizard seem odd but natural. If a ball would normally roll straight, the Wizard would only make the ball veer left or right, not stop it in motion or whatnot. This extremely coy and natural form of mystic power is truly the spirit of „occult“.
Celestial Magician: The Celestial magician takes many forms in the occult and religious world. There are a great many magicians of this sort who would not even consider themselves casters, but the fact remains that it classifies as occult phenomenon. The power of the Celestial caster is in otherworldly entities. Drawing from famous god-figures like the traditional Christian God, entities like Nuit, the Egyptian gods, the Roman gods, or any combination of any series from any culture of non-terrestrial higher self-sufficient beings is what defines the use of Celestial magic. The power of supplication and communication or understanding of the higher beings renders change on the natural world by the will of these creatures, sparked by the requests of their followers, much like standard prayer and peace offerings to the gods. Native American beliefs are largely Celestial magic, modern Christianity is deeply a Celestial magic religion, and many variants thereof. The key, in this art, is to find what the entity in question desires, and then to bring change to the world by using the deity’s might and wisdom.
Satanist: Having already found the source of their power in themselves, the Satanic Mage is not concerned so much with the collection process as much as the ability to release this energy and manifest it in the form of magical results. Many times, the spell process is the creation of mental demons (as suggested in many modern demonolatry books) and sending them out for a purpose, or conversely in simply taking the natural forces within the caster themself and turnning them to a purpose. There are many good resources for Satanic Mages, but many poor ones as well. The trick, in this art, to finding decent information is looking for pages that cite other sources on the topic. The community tends to be tightly knit, even if not personable, because of the harrassment they get from using the term „Satanist“ (which really ends up meaning Hedonism more than it has anything to do with Satan) in the presence of the monotheistic majority. The challenge for people of this art is to seperate the internal magic aspects of Satanic Magic from the demonological or religions aspects and learn to use their power purely. Best of luck in this endeavour — you’ll need it.
Choosing a Caste
Now, seeing that the castes are basically listed and explained in terms of which way the art usually develops, the hard part is often seeing if you actually fit into a caste or whether you’d be better off using a bit of them all as is necessary for a given situation (sometimes called Grey Magic, and, more commonly, Chaos Magic). The following set of „You might be“ traits are not cured dogmas, but can be used somewhat as an indicator of what your practice might fall into if it is destined to move into a full-fledged caste. Notice that the premise of using this list is that before trying to identify an advanced caster class that you must already have a experience to compare these traits with. Do not use this as a pick-and-choose list for whatever sounds the most spectacular or fun but rather, after using magic for a while, use this as a gentle nudge in one direction to help you confirm your own analysis.
Indications of White Magic:
Your practice uses White Light energies.
There is a tendency for self-purification before and/or during a spell.
You have an affinity to cleanse your area, target, and self.
Indications of Black Magic:
Dark essences are being used, primarily.
You find power in the emotional negativity of yourself and others.
Indications of Magecraft:
Your primary concern is in social politics or what people think.
You are constantly trying to understand what people think and feel.
Indications of Nature Magic:
Your practice tends to beckon you to nature and the use of natural forces.
You can feel a higher presence in things that most would call inanimate.
Your magic is an extension of the natural world, not a conflict with it.
You feel a different kind of power in nature and feel prone to harness it.
Indications of Necromancy:
Your practice centres around degrading health and physical well-being.
You find power in the physical suffering of yourself or others.
You use servitors but totally control all of their actions at all times.
You can sense if a person will die or if they are becoming ill/diseased.
Indications of Healing:
You can feel your own internal energies.
You can realign your internal energies if injured.
You can feel the aura of others and can realign it as well.
Indications of Celestial Magic:
You put your situations in the hands of a higher being.
You believe in a god or gods and want to, or know how to, communicate with them.
Your mystic practices incorporate the use of higher intelligences.
Indications of Satanic Magic:
Your power comes from yourself.
You are not interested in ever letting power out of your own control.
Your methods often include blessing/enchanting yourself.
Indications of Elemental Magic:
You are primarily concerned with physical manifestations.
Your art works heavily with controlling the environment.
It seems natural to you if you change the weather through mystic exertion.
Indications of Enchanting:
You are interested in the mystic potential of items.
You can sense mana in items that have been handled by another magician.
You try to magnify or nullify the powers put into objects.
You have skill in imbuing normal things with special powers.
Indications of Summoning:
You do not want to use higher powers to control summoned spirits.
Your power focusses on calling out to spirits, but not gods.
You see or work with demons, yet do not feel afraid.
You want servitors but also want to let them think on their own.
You can talk to spirits of the dead by feeling their thoughts.
Indications of Divination:
You frequently experience Deja Vu.
You see hidden meanings in atypical events.
You can predict events spontaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Indications of Wizardry:
You tend to see „the big picture“ where everyone else is worried about trifles.
You have the ability to move outside your body.
You use magic to change small things which drastically effect larger things by „domino effect“.
Your can project yourself or thoughts of your own design to manifest on this level.
Your art seems like a „pure“ sorcery.
Indications of Sorcery:
You tend to see even mundane things from a mystic standpoint.
Your practices are fervent and full of emotion.
You step into a dark plane to practice your most potent skills.
Your art seems like a „dark“ wizardry, or some form of „shadow magic“.
INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT YET FIT INTO A SINGLE ART:
You rely on a variety of mystic abilities.
You do not have a desire to commit to one path.
You feel confined rather than empowered by using a single discipline.
You see no need for devotion to extreme mystic abilities.
Note: This is not necessarily a reason to panic. There are times when the practitioner is legitimately not prepared to take on the discipline strains of studying through a single caste. At first, in fact, it is recommended that things be taken slowly and that all paths are given a fair trial to ensure that there is no reminiscing or regret in the future. This is not a problem, nor a sign of weakness. It is a reality that many casters face. Using whatever seems appropriate for a situation and recording it in a journal (Book of Shadows) will eventually reveal trends in your casting that will allow you to see where your talent or need lies.
INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT NEED MAGIC AT ALL:
There is a physical solution to your problems.
You couldn’t be bothered to study if there’s no immediately achievable results.
You already know of a few normal solutions to a problem without resorting to the occult.
Zdroj: Tu
