WHAT’S MAGIC?

Magic is the Highest, most Absolute, and most Divine Knowledge of Natural Philosophy,7advanced in its works and wonderful operations by a right understanding of the inward and occult virtue of things; so that true Agents8 being applied to proper Patients, strange and admirable effects will thereby be produced.Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their skill, know how to anticipate an effort, the which to the vulgar shall seem to be a miracle.Origen saith that the Magical Art doth not contain anything subsisting, but although it should, yet that it must not be Evil, or subject to contempt or scorn; and doth distinguish the Natural Magic from that which is Diabolical. Apollonius Tyannaeus only exercised the Natural Magic, by the which he did perform wonderful things. Philo Hebraeus saith that true Magic, by which we do arrive at the understanding of the Secret Works of Nature, is so far from being contemptible that the greatest Monarchs and Kings have studied it. Nay! among the Persians none might reign unless he was skilful in this GREAT ART. This Noble Science often degenerateth, from Natural becometh Diabolical, and from True Philosophy turneth unto Nigromancy. The which is wholly to be charged upon its followers, who, abusing or not being capable of that High and Mystical Knowledge do immediately hearken unto the temptations of Sathan, and are misled by him into the Study of the Black Art. Hence it is that Magic lieth under disgrace, and they who seek after it are vulgarly esteemed Sorcerers. The Fraternity of the Rosie Crusians thought it not fit to style themselves Magicians, but rather Philosophers. And they be not ignorant Empiricks but learned and experienced Physicians, whose remedies be not only Lawful but Divine.

Low Magic and High Magic

Low magic, sometimes called natural magic, was widely practised in the Middle Ages and still is in some parts of the world. Also known as practical magic, it combines the arts of witchcraft, spell craft, hexcraft and voodoo, which utilize herbs, amulets, wax images and other simple objects along with visualization and incantations to bring about the desired result. It is the folk magic of less developed parts of the world where it is often done for a fee, and in the developed world it is the magic of many spell casters. In low magic, spells are cast for good or evil.

High magic, or Ceremonial Magik, on the other hand is performed to bring about union with the divine. In high magic, the powers of nature, conceived of as being either angelic or Satanic, are controlled in conjunction with spirits, using words and the names of sacred gods. Typically, magic involves the use of elaborate rituals, the invocation of spirits (often in dramatic, theatrical fashion) and mystic sacraments. Practised since ancient times, Ceremonial Magic is mainly the domain of men seeking mystical power and enlightenment. Ceremonial Magic is still practised by those who adhere to Abramelin magic and the Kabbalah. Involving spirit communication, word magic and palindromic number squares, Abramelin magicians believe that the world was created and is maintained by demons whose work is directed by angelic spirits. The magicians believe that properly purified and using the correct prayers, formulas and tools, and with the help of the angels they can take control of the demons and bend them to their will.