Magical Systems

Mankind has tried to cast magical spells since the beginning of recorded and unrecorded history. Evidence of offerings to the gods have been found in archaeological sites throughout the world; bodies have been buried with offerings and things to take with them to the other world. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of magical systems have been developed in attempts to influence the gods and spirits in many different ways.

At its root, any magical system is designed to cause a real-world change through the application of indirect means using supernatural methods. A few of the best-known magical systems include:

• Astrology

• Cartomancy

• Fortunetelling

• Scrying

• Geomancy

• I Ching

All these are based around one of two things: determining the present and the future, and casting magical spells. In addition, some use sympathetic magic (the use of images that resemble the thing the caster is trying to influence) or contagious magic (use of ingredients once in contact with the spell target, like fingernail clippings). Magic systems may be divided into High Magic (appeal to divine powers) or Low Magic (appeal to spirits). Spells may also be divided between psychological and illusionary magic, or into miraculous magic that causes real physical change.

In short, there are as many magic systems as there are magic users. But they all have one thing in common: there is a will behind the casting of the augury or spell, and there is a power behind it as well. Whatever tradition the magic user follows, these two ingredients must be present.

You can see these two things at work in every magickal system. Folk traditions use complexes of cultural belief, and are very individual to a particular cultural group; a good example is the evil eye, which has been found in a variety of folk belief systems. There are also magic systems found in religions like Voodoo or Wicca, where the magic is integrated into the very worship of the god.

When looking at your own beliefs and plans, the magic system you choose should correspond closely with who and what you are and what you want to accomplish. You can be Christian and still use magic, if you do it properly; you can be Wicca and use other traditions as well.

You don’t have to choose a single magical system to work within. You can choose several that appeal to you, and use them all, or you can choose one and modify it by several others that you also like. The key for magic to work for you, is your level of comfort with the magic.

When seeking out a magical system for your own purposes, don’t make a decision too quickly; instead, seek out several different types of magic. Don’t choose the first one; choose the one that works for you. And even if you find a system quickly, don’t decide that that one is your perfect system; instead, look at all different magical systems even while using one that works. You will always learn more by looking at new things.