As Above, So Below

“Western Magick” / Esotericism (with the “k” or otherwise) can be quite the umbrella term, crossing everything from Earth-based paganism to Thelema, both of which I dabbled in, but I would like express my practices outside of this. I have devised most of my rituals in recent years. Common themes involve elements of nature, mediation on energy structures, and simple reality hacking. There is no hidden method though with influence from previous years of practice the mechanics and philosophy would merit study. Only occasionally do I take time to write a preliminary draft, everything else has been integrated into to how I think and live. I let the flow of the environment and what feels swift and natural to prevail.

I have lived by one of the Great Lakes for a number of years now and it has often served me well. On the spring solstice I would symbolically write my intentions for the coming months into the sand and let the tide wash them away. I have similarly done this with fire. I find that my practices become more and more concise, rarely resembling rituals today. One finds that magic comes from within, all else serves as a medium through which one evokes their intention.

A prime example revealed itself in how I chose to deal with a high school sweetheart. He was very fond of calling me “Panda” and after our breakup he refused to drop the habit, despite my asking him to desist. He was an aggressive and stubborn male, and this action was his way of continuing to assert an emotional bond with me. So I in turn disseminated the pet name to all my friends. I didn’t send out a memo or anything so deliberate. Over the course of perhaps a half year and a number of inside jokes my friends came to enjoy doting the name on me. The ex would continue to call me by this but his emotional sway diminished and disappeared—I was no longer his. As soon as he realized this his exit from my life solidified and the intimate realm of my heart closed to him once and for all. It was not until after this transition took place that I realized the essence of magic. It became the seminal experience that shifted my practice from intricate rites to natural and spontaneous reality hacking.

Some may ask where the magic is in this experience. Zbigniew Karkowski succinctly declares it, “Magic is the art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.” Every magician, psychonaut and reality hacker learns first-hand that reality is a construct, one that is affected and acted upon by desire. Every day we may be performing small acts of magic, unaware. This is why vigilance over one’s thoughts is so important—our mind gives rise to who we are and the world we build. You can be your own worst enemy or your strongest ally.

“Western Magick” (with the “k” or otherwise) can be quite the umbrella term, crossing everything from Earth-based paganism to Thelema, both of which I dabbled in, but I would like express my practices outside of this. I have devised most of my rituals in recent years. Common themes involve elements of nature, mediation on energy structures, and simple reality hacking.

I have lived by one of the Great Lakes for a number of years now and it has often served me well. On the spring solstice I would symbolically write my intentions for the coming months into the sand and let the tide wash them away. I have similarly done this with fire.

I find that my practices become more and more concise, rarely resembling rituals today. One finds that magic comes from within, all else becomes a medium through which one evokes their intention. A prime example revealed itself in how I chose to deal with a high school sweetheart. He was very fond of calling me “Panda” and after our breakup he refused to drop the habit, despite my asking him to desist. He was an aggressive and stubborn male, and this action was his way of continuing to assert an emotional bond with me. So I in turn disseminated the pet name to all my friends. I didn’t send out a memo or anything so deliberate. Over the course of perhaps a half year and a number of inside jokes my circles came to enjoy doting the name on me. The ex would continue to call me by this pet name but his emotional sway diminished and disappear. As soon as he realized this his exit from my life solidified and the intimate realm of my heart closed to him once and for all.

Some may ask what exactly is “magical” about this experience. Zbigniew Karkowski aptly sums it up, “Magic is the art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.” Every magician, psychonaut and reality hacker learns first-hand that reality is a construct, one that is affected and acted upon by desire. Everyday we each perform small acts of magic, unaware. This is why vigilance over thoughts and intentions are so very important. You can be your own worst enemy or your strongest ally.

In my younger studies I practiced ceremonial magic from the Hermetic tradition — much of it exercised through complex rituals whose modern variations were disseminated by the Golden Dawn. I find that in my youth I sought out structured forms of knowledge over others. I reflect on those times fondly and believe they laid down a reliable scaffolding from which to explore more natural forms.

These days I prefer to devise my own rituals. The closest akin “form” of magic I traverse would be Chaos Magic which is intensely individualistic and allows one to borrow from other practices and beliefs.

Outside of this I meditate and do yoga regularly. Delving into more energy work again as well.