Have you ever thought about someone and then the phone rang and it was them? Or wished that something
would happen with all your heart and then it did? That is magick, the essence of witch (pun intended) is very simple. Ask and it is
given. We as human beings do this all day every day. We always desire something or other. Everyone is born with the ability to perform
magick, but only some individuals access and utilise these abilities. Those who practice Magick, know how to ask.
Magick is simply
manifesting a desire through wilful intent. Most practitioners of Magick believe there is an unseen web of synchronicity, cause and
effect throughout the cosmos. Fate is not an inevitable tide; it is a stream of choices. The web is an integral whole and actions
can change the pattern of the web at any moment. Interference causes reverberations throughout the web.
Magick is the act of
interfering with one part of the web through operation of the will. This is exactly what a spell is. Only it is cast from within a
sacred space, most commonly referred to as a Circle, witch is set up in a ritualistic manner to facilitate a heightened state of consciousness,
that is, to access the inner ability without the ego, linear, left brain mind interfering. As Magickal practitioners become more skilled,
their use of ritual and tools are no longer necessary, yet they may still be used should the individual so desire.
The spell
caster’s belief in his/her magickal ability causes a deliberate effect in his/her reality. The effects of Magick are subtle, not at
all what is portrayed in popular film and media. If an outside observer is not aware that magick has been cast, s/he would not know
the reason for the changes that s/he experienced. Magick reshapes our world. It just manifests in such a way that it appears ordinary
to all except the practitioner who is anticipating the change.
The ritual formation of a Circle creates a container for an energy
vortex to be raised.
Traditionally certain tools and methods
have been used to cause a shift in consciousness; wands, athames, swords, dance, song, music, colours, scents, smoke, candles,
drumming, fasting, and meditation. However, a magickal tool such as the wand, is merely an item that transmits its owner’s energy.
Often a wand is constructed from sacred wood and crystals which the owner believes lends it extra power. It is the owner’s belief
in the item that renders it magickal. If a spell caster did not have a wand, his/her spell casting would render as powerful regardless.
It is the individual whom wields the magick, not the wand.
Similarly, it is the practitioner’s belief in the power of the herbs
and other contents that are used in a potion, charm bag, talisman or amulet that allows it produce results. Another common misconstrued
notion is that a Circle has to be round. Many practitioners work in square or rhombic areas, magick is about your own creativity.
Spellcrafting
is the art of working with the forces of Nature to bring about change that is in harmony with Universal Laws. Often novices think
that reciting the words of a magickal incantation will be enough to cast a spell. However, it is not so much the words used. There
is power behind words but only because they solidify one’s thoughts, it is the emotional charge and intent behind them that makes
or breaks a spell.
What is important to note about living magickally is that you live your philosophy. With knowledge comes power
and with power comes responsibility. Careful what you wish for, is certainly a most accurate observation. To live magickally you have
to become mindful of your thoughts, observing not only what you are thinking but how you think about what it is that you are thinking.
Break the constant chatter in your head into smaller bits and analyse the words you are using to express yourself. Note common
phrases and repeating conversations you have either in your head or with others. Is that you? Is that how you want to sound? What
would you like to be talking about instead? Then, take it one step further and consider how you are feeling about what you keep thinking
about.
The next step is to ask yourself if you truly want what you are wanting from your heart. Ensure it is not something that
others would like you to have or what you think you should have in order to “fit in”. Your desire must be all about you. This is the
alchemical formula to discovering your ability to manifest at will.
Through practice and patience of this technique, you will
reach a point where your consciousness “clicks” into place, like a switch. And you will just know which thoughts to project into the
ethers to obtain your goal. Magick is the study of the Self, one’s relationship with the All That Is and synchronicity with the flow
of the Universe in an effort to improve one’s life and those of others who seek this knowledge. The witchy atmosphere, garb and props
are all optional extras to get your creative juices flowing.