What is Magick? - Part 3

This is Part 3 of What is Magick. Each Part in this series is an edited version of the entire article found at What is Magick? at Controverscial.com. This article was written and compiled by George Knowles, of whom we are very appreciative. I have divided the original article into sections because of length. You can visit Controverscial.com , a source of good information.

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Other Associations

Magick is not just about the use of power; one cannot just stand up, call out to the Goddess and God and demand that magick be done - "So Be It". A lot of work is involved in preparation for the use of magick. Once a need for the use of magick has been identified, careful consideration needs to be given to other associations if a successful outcome is to be achieved. Other associations cover such things as - Time, when should the magick be performed. Tools, which tools are best employed for the task. Then we need to consider co-ordinating - Colours, Candles, and Incenses. All these influences when combined together increase the power and lend added effect to the spell or rite.

I have listed correspondence tables for Magickal Days, Candles, Colours and Incense on other pages and quoted them in the paragraphs below.

Magickal Days:

When planning magical workings, consideration needs to be given as to when the work needs to be performed for best effect. We need to ascertain the best time or day for when to perform it. Days have their own magickal associations, which are similar to and connected with the other tables. Thus creating harmony during ritual and generating increased power when all are working together. Days in general are associated with and influenced by the Sun and six of the Planets.

Tools:

As with most other religions, tools are used in Wicca to aid and enhance ritual worship. Tools have no powers within themselves save for that which we pass through them, though they do have powerful symbolic significance’s, which help us to focus our will and concentration. Tools are used to invoke deities, banish negativity, and direct our energies though touch and intention. Thus we need to know and understand the properties and symbolism of our tools in order to use them properly and correctly.

Candles:

Candles have long been used in association with magick, as indeed they have been adopted and used by many other religions for spiritual communication.

Candle magick is probably the oldest and simplest form of ritual magick still performed today. Ever since fire was discovered, the naked flame has been regarded as sacred. In ancient times lighted touches were used to invoke the Goddess and Gods. Today we symbolise those acts by utilising candles. The naked flame remains the finest and easiest means of focusing in on power and energy.

The use of differently coloured candles symbolises the nature of intent and ultimately can influence the outcome of a particular spell. Coloured candles are therefore used to pinpoint our focus on a particular deity or planetary association. We need to understand the colour properties and other associations of candles to make our magick work for best effect.

Colours:

Colour plays a powerful role in ritual Witchcraft and Magick. Colours are carefully considered and assigned to all aspects of spell making, ritual magick and festivals.

Colours have symbolic associations representing occult powers, and have their own energy frequencies that emanate specific influences. Careful consideration needs to be given to colour associations when used with Candles, Clothing, Symbols, Deities influences, Planetary influences, Causes and Effects, Zodiacal influences and Magickal Days.

Incense:

Incense like candles have long had associations with magick, and like candles are used commonly by many other religions. The use of incense in witchcraft is threefold:

(1) It conditions the mind by stimulating our senses of smell.

(2) In connection with spells, it draws down the spirits through its magickal association with the elements of Air.

(3) According to ancient beliefs, when a spell is done. It raises the spell up into the ether and sends it on its way.

In magick, the type of incense used needs to correspond with the nature of the spell being worked. Most spells require incense associated with a particular planet or deity. Many types of incense are used for their purification and cleansing properties during ritual.

There are of course other associations and considerations I haven't mentioned. These include zodiacal associations and planetary associations; even hourly associations can have an effect. But then how far would you wish to take it? Like anything else you can go overboard. Consider that by trying to include everything in your preparation, would you ever have time for the actual working? It's often been said that the most effective magick is simple magick. Leave the complicated stuff for the adept's or until such time as you have been trained and gained considerable experience.

Magick then is a process in which we work closely and in harmony with the divine power source. This is envisaged as the Goddess and God with whom we communicate through the use of earth power and personal power. Magick begins within us. By learning to harness and control our personal power, so then can we use magick to produce and affect needed change for others and ourselves.