The Art of Magic. First Degree

The Art of Magic.
First Degree book in Wiccan Witchcraft

Magick can be at the very heart of what it means to be a Witch, although it is generally viewed as being of secondary importance to the worship of the Goddess and God. Like many areas of human knowledge and expertise it is an evolving art with diverse strands. It can be a complicated and overwhelming subject for the beginner. It is not a religion, although it can have goals that are in line with religious aspirations.

One of the most famous definitions of magic was given by Aleister Crowley who wrote that it could be considered as, "The science and art of causing changes to occur in conformity with will".

Magic relies on the active participation of the individual in all its processes. It is not something for those who wish to passively listen and observe. To succeed in magic's ends, the Witch or magician has to learn to control themselves and their surroundings. There is a wide range of magical techniques that must be mastered to create the desired results.

What every beginner wants to know is "does magic work?" And, of course, the answer to this must be a resounding yes, although with some notable qualifications.
Sometimes newcomers have unrealistic expectations and will attempt to rely on magic to find their way through life and, perhaps as a result of this, there can be a lot of debate amongst Witches about how frequently magic should be practiced; especially the use of spells.

One of the ways I like to explain its use is to say that magic is often at its most effective when it is part of a strategy to achieve something. For example, just using magical techniques in a bid to make you healthier, wealthier, bigger, better or closer to deity will rarely work, if ever. Yet, it can be a most effective part of a program of achievement. A useful analogy is to think of an athlete. The most successful runners, for example, will tell you that their success isn't just down to a talent at running. They have a special diet, they train their mind as much as their body, they goal-focus, have the right shoes and clothes, make sure they rest correctly and so on. Their success is based on a range of things. It's the same with goals that Witches have; magic is frequently used as part of an overall strategy to achieve them. Incidentally, you can certainly use this art to help you run faster when you use it as part of an holistic program.

Magic will not turn toads into princes or stones into gold, despite what many stories will lead you to believe. Magic works with nature and according to its laws. This is a very important point to grasp and is often completely missed by the beginner and "expert" alike. Don't let this put you off though, if we think of Crowley's definition above, about causing "change to happen in conformity with will", you will realize that the human Spirit and mind are capable of achieving many seemingly impossible things, when will is focused.

This book will put you on the path to magick success.