The Encyclopedia Of Demons And Demonology

162 magic
working with positive spirits for benevolent purposes),
and popular fascination with paranormal investigations
of haunted places. Practitioners engage in a wide variety
of magical activities. Some are derived from folk magic
and involve spell casting; others involve the conjurations
of spirits; some are paths of spiritual development.
Types of Magic
Though magic itself is neutral, practitioners often distinguish
between good, or white, magic and bad, or black
magic, though such distinctions are subjective. The occultist
Franz Bardon divided magic into three types:
• Lower magic, which deals with the laws of nature
and control of forces in nature, such as the elements
• Intermediate magic, which deals with the laws of
human beings in the microcosm and how the microcosm
can be influenced
• Higher magic, which deals with the universal laws
of the macrocosm and how they can be controlled
Other types of magic are known by their distinguishing
characteristics.
Folk magic Folk magic comprises local traditions of simple
magic for the purposes of casting spells for healing,
luck, protection, and so forth. Folk magic blends other
forms of magic, often with mixed religious elements. Folk
magic remedies and prescriptions are handed down in
oral traditions and in small handbooks.
Natural magic Natural magic is based on nature, such as
herbs, stones, crystals, the commanding of the elements
and the influences of planets and stars. Natural magic
draws on the inherent magical properties of things. Philters,
potions, powders, ointments, and so forth, are based
on natural magic recipes, combined with folk magic incantations
and CHARMs.
Sympathetic magic Sympathetic magic is spell casting
through associations that establish a sympathetic connection
for the flow of power. One of the best-known sympathetic
magic tools is the poppet, a doll that substitutes
for a person. The connection is strengthened by attaching
photographs, hair, or personal objects of the victim to the
doll. Whatever is done to the doll happens to the person.
Anything can be used to establish a sympathetic connection.
The best items are from a person’s body, such as
hair and nail clippings. Personal possessions or any object
handled by a person can be used. A gift can be magically
charged and enter into a home or place as a magical
Trojan horse.
Australian aborigines put sharp pebbles or ground
glass in the footprints of enemies as sympathetic magic
to weaken and destroy them. The Ojibwa use a straw effigy
to drive evil spirits away from their communities. If
a member has a dream of disaster, a straw man is erected
that substitutes for the trouble. The people eat, smoke
tobacco, and ask for blessings. They attack the straw effigy,
shooting it and clubbing it until it is in pieces. The
remains are burned.
Ceremonial magic Ceremonial magic, also called high
magic and ritual magic, involves systems of spiritual development.
Practitioners learn to access and travel in otherdimensional
realities, including the astral plane, and to
experience spirits and otherworldly beings. The emphasis
is on self-mastery and union with the godhead. The initiate
must develop inner plane contacts with gods, angels,
and other entities. Some modern branches of ceremonial
magic incorporate scientific principles and elements, such
as chaos theory, which attempts to identify the system or
pattern behind seemingly random occurrences.
Composite magic Composite magic, also called practical
magic, combines various religious influences, for example,
Christian and Jewish elements, with folk magic.
Composite magic is found in grimoires. Composite magic
has practical purposes, such as conjuring and spell casting
for information, healing, attainment of goals and objectives,
and even hexes and CURSES.
Black magic Black magic is used for malevolent purposes,
to harm or kill. According to tradition, black magic is
accomplished with the aid of demonic entities. Another
term for it is goetic magic, or goetia.
Levi said in The History of Magic, “Black Magic may
be defined as the art of inducing artificial mania in ourselves
and in others; but it is also above all the science of
poisoning.”
Arthur Edward Waite termed black magic as the utterance
of words and names of power for “unlawful purposes”
and “the realm of delusion and nightmare, though
phenomenal enough in its results.” It involves communing
with demons and evil spirits for material gain or
harmful purpose.
Black magic is associated with sorcery and witchcraft.
The Christian Church associated all pagan and folk magic
with “black magic.”
White magic White magic is used for positive goals:
healing, blessings, good luck, abundance, and so forth.
White magic can involve any form of magic when used
for beneficence.
FURTHER READING:
Bardon, Franz. Initiation into Hermetics: A Course of Instruction
of Magic Theory and Practice. Wuppertal, Germany:
Dieter Ruggeberg, 1971.
Butler, E. M. Ritual Magic. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 1949.
Flint, Valerie I. J. The Rise of Magic in Medieval Europe. Princeton,
N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1991.
Gray, William G. Western Inner Workings. York Beach, Me.:
Samuel Weiser, 1983.
Hall, Manly P. The Secret Teachings of All Ages. Los Angeles:
Philosophic Research Society, 1977. First published
1928.