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Subject: alt.magick FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
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Summary: This is the ASCII text edition of the alt.magick FAQ. The FAQ is
intended as an introductory file and its content may be discussed
within the alt.magick usenet newsgroup. The hypertext version may
be found at
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/
Replaces: 9909
Url:
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.amagick.0010
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Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.magick:235522 alt.magick.folk:2181 alt.magick.tantra:12536 alt.magick.tyagi:24871 alt.pagan.magick:18382 alt.answers:54239 news.answers:202820
Archive-name: magick/faq
Updated: 200010
Posting-frequency: monthly or by inquiry
CONTENTS
00 FOREWORD
_______________________________________________________________
10 NEWSGROUP
11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?
12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?
_______________________________________________________________
20 SUBJECT
21 What is magic(k)?
22 Is magic real, how does it work, what influences it?
23 Is magic black/white? Should we do black magic?
24 Is magic compatible with modern Science?
25 How are magic and religion/mysticism related or different?
_______________________________________________________________
30 STUDIES
31 How should I start learning about magic? teachers?
32 What are the best books for a beginner to read?
33 Where is online information about magic to be found?
_______________________________________________________________
40 SPELL COMPILATIONS
41 Antagonistic Spells
42 Love/Lust Spells
43 Summoning and Pact-Making
_______________________________________________________________
50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS
51 Archives
52 Magic-Related Newsgroups
53 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')
54 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting
_______________________________________________________________
60 AFTERWORD
61 Footnotes
62 Credits
63 Copyrights
=======================================================================
00 FOREWORD
The text version of the alt.magick FAQ may be obtained at:
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.amagick.0010
The world-wide web version of the alt.magick FAQ may be
found at:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/
=======================================================================
10 NEWSGROUP
This section pertains to the most commonly asked questions about
the newsgroup itself; specifically the newsgroup's name and its
customs.
11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?
alt.magick was created with a 'k' to avoid confusion with stage
magic. @01
'Magick' is a spelling popularly associated with Aleister
Crowley, yet the spelling precedes him by hundreds of years. @02
Many people presume a difference between conjuring tricks and
occult spells; between magic and magick. There may be grounds
for comparing them metaphorically to chemistry and alchemy.
Sr. Virakam and others maintain that it separated Crowley from
his competitors (and thus served as a marketing or elitist
scheme). @03
Symonds and Grant contend that the 'k' is a conceit of
Crowley's and that it is related to potentially dangerous
("demonic and chaotic") energies, as well as life-oriented
symbols such as 'khu' and 'kteis', for which they say it
stands, "the complement to the wand (or phallus) which is
used by the Magician in certain aspects of the Great Work." @04
12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?
There has been movement, off and on over the years, to work
toward some sort of moderated alt.magick.* forum, but this
has never been successfully carried out. The newsgroup was
created (alt.magick.moderated), but the contribution address has
not consistently functioned for throughput.
There are many subgroups of alt.magick to which specific
types of discussion should be taken if you wish to cooperate
with newsgroup regulars. Here are a few of the discussion-
oriented newsgroups to get you started:
alt.magick.ethics (philosophia:ethics)
alt.magick.folk (primitivas)
alt.magick.goetia (daemonos)
alt.magick.order (politicos)
alt.magick.tantra (eros/tantra)
alt.magick.tyagi (synthesia)
There is a comprehensive list of posting suggestions in the
document called 'alt.magick RULES'. These are quotes from
usenet authorities regarding posting content and may be
found at this location:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/ruleref
In terms of limiting the *substance* or *topic*, some
copyrighted files have been under intense heat from occult
organizations to keep them from being posted to the newsgroup.
There is often a great outcry anytime someone posts a ritual
or suggestion which conflicts with the morality or maturity
level of participants, yet as alt.magick is not moderated,
complaints and savvy folks who know how to cancel posted
messages will be able to keep a single post from being seen,
discussion of it carrying over into one of the sub-forums
at most.
In short, there are no technical limitations, but there are
some factions (participants, occult groups) who have a very
sincere interest in affecting what is posted.
=======================================================================
20 SUBJECT
There are a few questions about magic(k) which arise
consistently. These concern an analysis of occult magic,
its workings and principles, and its relationship to
science, religion and morality.
21 What is magic(k)?
Magic has been defined by many people in many different
ways. One infamous mage defined it as "the Science and Art
of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will." @05
Some see magic as a kind of energy which pervades the cosmos.
Others see it as a psychic tool by which we may influence the
material world using symbols and ritual. Many see it as a
means of coming to unite with the divine, some consider
it to be the exercise of will or Will, or the manipulation
of reality.
Whatever the word means, and however we choose to spell it,
magic (or magick) is the subject, generally, of the newsgroup,
and will likely be given many differing and contradictory
meanings during discussions there.
22 Is magick real, how does it work, what influences it?
Many have suggested the differentiation of magical 'currents'
or 'energies' based on style and/or intent. Some posit the
notion of principles, a la scientific structure, 'laws of
magic' and whatnot. Others approach it more subjectively,
considering all knowledge about the elements of magic to be
personal and therefore particular only to the individual
condition, variable of form.
All of these are popular responses to this question, though
more inventive theories would be welcomed. Conventional
approaches may be cross-posted to sci.philosophy.meta.
23 Is magic black/white? Should we do black magic?
For discussion about the ethics of magic, see alt.magick.ethics.
24 Is magic compatible with modern Science?
An oft-asked question, particularly with reference to
Heisenberg and chaos theory. Hang around a little before
getting into one of these discussions. They can take quite
a while to untangle.
25 How are magic and religion/mysticism related or different?
There have been a number of different discussions on these
subjects. The more popular hypotheses include the
magic/individual:religion/group model, and the idea that
religion is the devolution of magic. Some do not seem
to discern between magic and mysticism at all, and many
have never considered the subject, being unexposed
to the latter.
Thelemites might equate magic with will and mysticism with
love, and the association has been made between mysticism
and theurgy, magic and thaumaturgy.
For more on mysticism, dare the MaGI's Gehennom GOO at
http://www.luckymojo.com/magi/goo.html
================================================================
30 STUDIES
How to learn about magic and what ought be considered the
best sources are frequently discussed topics in the newsgroup.
Occasionally someone will compile a REF file of newsgroup posts
for a common topic. Make a collection of posts and assist in the
project yourself by adding to them:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/ref.html
31 How should I start learning about magic? teachers?
As CHenningsson (
[email protected]) writes:
"Books are one answer. There are actually books which
try to take you from your first tentative attempts
at relaxation into holding a ritual....
"Other than that.... Just do it! If you like to, you
can see this as one of the very first exercises in Will;
you Will yourself into making a ritual."
Some recommend the use of particular mechanisms or tools,
such as tarot, a magical diary, meditation or dreamwork.
Some recommend specific books or teachers, others place more
emphasis on the aptitude and imagination of the student.
Robin (
[email protected]) provides marvelous advice:
"Resist the temptation to believe what anyone else
tells you. Try to invent ways to find out things
for yourself. Remain skeptical.
"Look for ways in which you may have been
doing magick without realizing it. Think about
what it might mean if you could use it with
intention, and how you might go about that."
MKampe (
[email protected]) offers:
"if you have clear notions of what magick is all
about, it might be better for you to pursue your
inner course and avoid outside contamination
[from teachers/books/etc.]."
There are
REFerence files on such things as the Kabbalistic Abyss,
Chaos Magick, Wicca, and the Golden Dawn. Teachers, masters
and adepts are often a topic of discussion in the newsgroup,
and magical organizations may wrangle out their political
issues in alt.magick.order.
I would echo Lilith Darkchilde:
"Take heed of those who say that they can teach
you all about what is magickal. Especially if
you must join their 'coven' or group to do so....
"I hold the key to my own self knowing."
32 What are some books for a beginner?
There's are a few booklists available:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/bookref
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/bookref2
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/bookref3.html
as well as one list of book mailorder houses:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/bookpubs
33 Where is online information about magic to be found?
Try the MaGI at
http://www.luckymojo.com/magi
================================================================
40 SPELL COMPILATIONS
Spell-exchange within the alt.magick.* hierarchy is at
times discouraged by newsgroup regulars or newbies
concerned with considerations of ethics or expertise.
The only newsgroup apparently designated for such an
exchange is alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic.
The spells contained within the following compilation
files may be dangerous to your health, but we welcome
contributions to them and will be happy to source them
properly so that those who taste of their repercussions
can adequately compensate you.
41 Antagonistic Spells
Jinxing and death-oriented spells were collected from
alt.magick.* over the last few years and these have
been placed in this REF file:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/owspells.html
42 Love/Lust Spells
The following REF file is a usenet collection and
includes spells designed to secure the love and/or
passionate embrace of your target:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/fuckspells.html
43 Summoning and Pact-Making
Collected usenet posts about demon-summoning and infernal
pacts may be found in this REF file. A separate file
contains lists of demons from which you may choose:
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/summonspells.html
================================================================
50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS
After consulting the various resources listed in this FAQ
and lurking in the newsgroup for a few weeks, feel free to
bring up any relevant subjects there.
51 Archives
Usenet posts make up a part of the Lucky Mojo Esoteric
Archive (which hosts the hypertext version of the FAQ):
http://www.luckymojo.com/esoteric.html
52 Magic-Related Newsgroups
See the MaGI for much occult-related information.
Valuable usenet alternatives include:
(occult-related)
alt.astrology
Ref: FAQ
alt.astrology.asian
alt.chinese.fengshui
Ref: FAQ
alt.divination
alt.lucky.w
Ref: FAQ
alt.magick.chaos
Ref: FAQ
alt.magick.marketplace
alt.occult.kabbalah.golden-dawn
alt.pagan.magick
alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic
alt.tarot
Ref: (Original alt.tarot FAQ)
Ref: (Tarot and alt.tarot FAQ)
Ref: Layouts (REF)
(darkness and power)
alt.necronomicon
alt.satanism
Ref: FAQ
Ref: Another FAQ
Ref: Another FAQ
Ref: Another FAQ
Ref: Another FAQ
(eastern and mystical things)
alt.consciousness.mysticism
alt.meditation
alt.meditation.moderated
alt.philosophy.taoism
alt.yoga (Moderated)
(psychology and consciousness)
alt.consciousness
alt.drugs.leri
alt.psychology.transpersonal
rec.drugs.psychedelic
sci.psychology.consciousness
(shamanism/neopaganism/witchcraft)
alt.folklore
alt.folklore.gemstones
alt.folklore.herbs
alt.mythology
alt.mythology.mythic-animals
alt.native
alt.pagan
alt.religion.asatru
Ref: FAQ
alt.religion.orisha
alt.religion.shamanism
alt.religion.wicca
Ref: FAQ
alt.shamanism
alt.techno-shamanism
alt.traditional.witchcraft
alt.witchcraft
(ufos/parapsychology/spiritualism)
alt.consciousness.near-death-exp
alt.hypnosis
alt.out-of-body
alt.paranet
alt.paranet.metaphysics
alt.paranet.paranormal
alt.paranet.psi
alt.paranet.skeptic
alt.paranormal
alt.skeptic
alt.soulmates
53 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')
There are many newsgroups in the rec.games.trading-cards
hierarchy from which to choose. Also see MOXPERL at
http://mox.perl.com/deckmaster/
54 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting
If you are looking for role-playing game magic, you can find
it in the Great Net Spellbook at
http://www.hollyfeld.org/heaven/Text/RPG/GNSB/0-intro.html
================================================================
60 AFTERWORD
Thanks to all the fine authors of files I came across during my
sift for networking documents to fill out this edition of the FAQ.
May it remain unblemished by violence or imprisonment.
61 Footnotes
@01 - See alt.magic (stage magic).
@02 - Due to his many publications and the orders
he crafted, Aleister Crowley is revered by many and
despised by as many more, and his magical treatise
("Book Four", recently reissued assembled by Samuel
Weiser) may likely prove his most popular text.
For a list of Crowely's publications, see:
http://www.luckymojo.com/crowley/
@03 - "Aleister Crowley (if Soror Virakam may be relied upon)
is said to have adopted "the old spelling of MAGICK...
in order to distinguish the Science of the Magi from
all its counterfeits."
("Magick", eds. Symonds/Grant, p. 45 note).
@04 - "Magick", p. xvi.
@05 - "Magick in Theory and Practice", by Aleister Crowley;
p. 7. Find the entire introduction to this text at:
http://www.luckymojo.com/crowley/004mitapintro.txt
62 Credits
Those who assisted by reviewing the FAQ whose ideas
and/or networking were utilized to good measure:
[email protected] (AShub)
[email protected] (Peggy Brown)
[email protected] (Kim Burkard)
[email protected] (Dshoem)
[email protected] (Karen)
[email protected] (peter kim)
[email protected] (robin)
[email protected] (catherine yronwode)
[email protected] (josh geller)
If you have suggestions for changes or additions to this
document, send them to the Editor (
[email protected]).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem. -- W. Occam
63 Copyrights
This document is Copyright (c) 2000,
[email protected].
All rights reserved. Permission to distribute the collection
is hereby granted providing that distribution is electronic,
no money is involved, reasonable attempts are made to use the
latest version and all credits and this copyright notice are
maintained. Other requests for distribution should be directed
to the Editor or to the individual authors of the quoted
materials.
=============================================================================
FIN ASCII 0010
