MAGIC & WITCHCRAFT
MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT
For many people the term 'magic' refers to an act of will, or an expression of spirit. It is a very grounded, practical and day-to-day approach to the quest for spiritual knowledge and the desire to express that part of ourselves which is not physical in nature. In this sense, magic is the physical act of manifesting our spirit and is part of what gives our spirit a handle on the world.
For the majority of people interested in the esoteric arts and the spiritual traditions of their ancestors, magic has nothing to do with bending the laws of nature or making something appear out of nothing. This popularised view of magic is largely a product of Vaudeville-style acts and Victorian Illusionist and has little or nothing in common with the traditions of Alchemy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermeticism and the like.
Although encumbered by popular fallacy, in truth the subject of magic was part of the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt and of the Greco-Roman world that followed. Magic has occupied Western European culture since before the recording of history and some ingenuous cultures worldwide maintain an on-going practice of witchcraft or Shamanism.
For many people of Western European descent magic serves as a balance to the more pragmatic and mundane aspects of life. It is something that has been aided by the counter-culture of the West and the popular growth of alternate beliefs and practices.
In his 2003 book, Magic and Witchcraft, Nevill Drury discusses the connections between the 1960's counter-culture, modern cyberspace culture and pre-Christian culture. He points out the shared interests and origins of these sub-cultures and, at the same time, acknowledges two broad strands of thought influencing the modern Pagan world.
(I use 'pagan' here to describe a large variety of spiritual traditions, religious groups and social experiments many of which do not identify with this word pagan nor endorse its use).
One of these strands of thought is firmly earth-based and emphasises a physical, nature-based approach to spiritual worship or any mystic experience. It is a school of thought that says - 'I do not need a connection to the World Wide Web to have a deep and meaningful connection to the world I inhabit.'
The other school of thought is passionate in its embrace of modern technology and sees a virtual world as central to their experience of the world full stop. The explosion in computer-based technology has enabled many otherwise atypical or isolated individuals to exchange with one another on a global scale. Many Neopagans and Cyberpunks (for example) have grown up with the technological boom and are more comfortable and adept with its use.
These two strands of thought need not be contradictory however. A person may spend time in nature and may observe certain rituals or calendar dates inspired by the spiritual practices of their ancient ancestors. Such a person can also use computer-based tools and programs to express their spiritual interests.
There are many benefits to maintaining such a balanced approach as technology allows us to express our spirit in ways that are limited only by our imagination. Digital photography and graphics affords us an opportunity to express ourselves in ways that were previously unavailable and in ways that are increasingly accessible.
It is equally true to say that a physical connection to other people and places (particularly the place we live) is a vital part of our mental and social health. Expressing ourselves physically in a real-life setting, face to face with friends and loved ones, is the basis of human communication and is part of who we are as a species.
Computers are part of this scenario insofar as they are tools that provide our spirit a voice - they are tools, like any other tool we have used throughout history, to express ourselves. Loosing sight of this fact by focusing upon the tool itself (as opposed to what you do or create with the tool) is equivalent to loosing sight of the forest for the trees. It is a failure to distinguish between the user and the tool they operate.
To deny the importance of the physical world, the natural world is to become separated from our origins, is to be isolated from the context in which we live in the literal sense. To become obsessed with technology to the point that it impacts upon our relationships with others or to our connection with the earth are both part of the downside to technology generally. The accessibility of modern technology causes it to be all the more addictive.
A balanced approach would be to do both.
Spending time outdoors or in the garden, socialising with friends and family, as well as working with a computer; gives us access to both worlds. It allows us to achieve one of the core purposes of a mystic experience, that is to have a whole life and a rounded experience of reality.
Using a computer to achieve a physical outcome, to create a physical work of art, or to express our spirituality requires that we view technology in this context. It requires that we approach the use of technology as we would any creative tool. The ancient traditions of our ancestors can be honoured and disseminated via the internet in ways that enrich our lives and assist us in our spiritual journey - but only if we maintain our sense of perspective.
In the words of the English artist Austin Spare - 'stealing fire from heaven' can include the acquisition of those things which help to empower us and to provide us a voice. The practice of magic may be seen in this light and approached not as some cheap sleight-of-hand, but as a simple, down-to-earth expression of soul.
Creating something with our own hands, growing a beautiful garden or maintaining a loving friendship are all examples of magic. Even the making of a good cup of tea is a means by which we can instil our world with meaning and purpose. These are simple acts of consciousness, so simple that in many cases they are overlooked or otherwise not recognised for what they are.
Life can be a random series of events without meaning, or it may filled with magic. This choice, like so many others, is ours to make.
(I use 'pagan' here to describe a large variety of spiritual traditions, religious groups and social experiments many of which do not identify with this word pagan nor endorse its use). One of these strands of thought is firmly earth-based and emphasises a physical, nature-based approach to spiritual worship or any mystic experience. It is a school of thought that says - 'I do not need a connection to the World Wide Web to have a deep and meaningful connection to the world I inhabit.'
The other school of thought is passionate in its embrace of modern technology and sees a virtual world as central to their experience of the world full stop. The explosion in computer-based technology has enabled many otherwise atypical or isolated individuals to exchange with one another on a global scale. Many Neopagans and Cyberpunks (for example) have grown up with the technological boom and are more comfortable and adept with its use.
These two strands of thought need not be contradictory however. A person may spend time in nature and may observe certain rituals or calendar dates inspired by the spiritual practices of their ancient ancestors. Such a person can also use computer-based tools and programs to express their spiritual interests.
There are many benefits to maintaining such a balanced approach as technology allows us to express our spirit in ways that are limited only by our imagination. Digital photography and graphics affords us an opportunity to express ourselves in ways that were previously unavailable and in ways that are increasingly accessible.
It is equally true to say that a physical connection to other people and places (particularly the place we live) is a vital part of our mental and social health. Expressing ourselves physically in a real-life setting, face to face with friends and loved ones, is the basis of human communication and is part of who we are as a species.
Computers are part of this scenario insofar as they are tools that provide our spirit a voice - they are tools, like any other tool we have used throughout history, to express ourselves. Loosing sight of this fact by focusing upon the tool itself (as opposed to what you do or create with the tool) is equivalent to loosing sight of the forest for the trees. It is a failure to distinguish between the user and the tool they operate.
To deny the importance of the physical world, the natural world is to become separated from our origins, is to be isolated from the context in which we live in the literal sense. To become obsessed with technology to the point that it impacts upon our relationships with others or to our connection with the earth are both part of the downside to technology generally. The accessibility of modern technology causes it to be all the more addictive.
A balanced approach would be to do both.
Spending time outdoors or in the garden, socialising with friends and family, as well as working with a computer; gives us access to both worlds. It allows us to achieve one of the core purposes of a mystic experience, that is to have a whole life and a rounded experience of reality.
Using a computer to achieve a physical outcome, to create a physical work of art, or to express our spirituality requires that we view technology in this context. It requires that we approach the use of technology as we would any creative tool. The ancient traditions of our ancestors can be honoured and disseminated via the internet in ways that enrich our lives and assist us in our spiritual journey - but only if we maintain our sense of perspective.
In the words of the English artist Austin Spare - 'stealing fire from heaven' can include the acquisition of those things which help to empower us and to provide us a voice. The practice of magic may be seen in this light and approached not as some cheap sleight-of-hand, but as a simple, down-to-earth expression of soul.
Creating something with our own hands, growing a beautiful garden or maintaining a loving friendship are all examples of magic. Even the making of a good cup of tea is a means by which we can instil our world with meaning and purpose. These are simple acts of consciousness, so simple that in many cases they are overlooked or otherwise not recognised for what they are.
Life can be a random series of events without meaning, or it may filled with magic. This choice, like so many others, is ours to make.
R J Poole
Lismore NSW
2010
