The Laws of Magic
Written by: Tyrni
Magic has many unknown factors, but also many principles which, unfortunately, are seldom explored closely in witchcraft. I have gathered these commonly known laws from a few books, mainly by modern ceremonial magicians and Kabbalistic magicians.
What use are these? Contrary to what is sometimes thought, magic is not entirely random or based on “feelings”; it, too, has its reasons and channels. These principles are the same whether the person practising magic is a witch or a ritual magician. Some laws may seem obvious, but so is the fact that a mug falls to the floor when you let go of it. If you know these principles, you can build spells around them and perhaps begin to understand why something works or fails to work.
These are not the only true Laws of Magic, but simply a collection of ideas associated with its principles.
THE LAW OF KNOWLEDGE
The more you know about something, the easier it is to learn to control it.
Knowledge is power.
*In other words, study the things you want to influence with magic,
not only from a magical point of view. The more you understand
the thing, being or phenomenon, the easier it is to influence.
THE LAW OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE
A magician—or anyone practising magic—who does not know themselves does not know, and therefore cannot control, their own powers. Know yourself.
*Know your will. When you act knowing that you truly want something and why you want it, your power is much stronger.
THE LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT
When exactly the same things are done under exactly the same conditions, the result is the same.
*Learn to recognise the conditions and significant variables that most affect whether your actions produce the same result. Then you can repeat a success time after time.
THE LAW OF SYNCHRONICITY
Two events happening at the same time have more in common than mere coincidence. There is no such thing as pure chance.
*You can learn more about a subject by watching things that happen at the same time as it.
THE LAW OF SIMILARITY
If two structures have something in common, they influence one another through it. Control over one brings some control over the other, depending on the circumstances and number of connections.
*This can be seen, for example, when the elements are invited to the altar through images representing them.
THE LAW OF RESEMBLANCE
A mental or physical model of something brings power over it. Things that look alike are alike.
*This is sympathetic magic, including the use of pictures, dolls and other representations.
THE LAW OF CONTAGION
Objects or people that have been physically connected remain in contact after separation. The link is weak unless reinforced.
*If you have something physical from a place, for example, the connection is stronger.
THE LAW OF NAMES
Knowing a complete true name gives knowledge of its owner. Such knowledge signifies that you fully understand the subject. A name is personal.
*A name describes a being. It tells something of that person’s or creature’s self.
THE LAW OF WORDS OF POWER
There are words that can change things within and without. Their power may lie in their meaning or in their sounds.
THE LAW OF PERSONIFICATION
All phenomena can be seen as living and personal. This makes it easier to understand and focus on a phenomenon.
THE LAW OF INVOCATION
It is possible to contact an entity so that, during the contact, it is within the person making contact.
*For example, in the Drawing Down the Moon ritual, a priestess invokes the Goddess.
THE LAW OF EVOCATION
It is possible to contact an entity while it remains outside the person making contact.
THE LAW OF IDENTIFICATION
Through identifying with another as completely as possible, one being may become another and share that other’s power and knowledge.
*This is involved, for example, in shamanic shapeshifting techniques.
THE LAW OF PERSONAL UNIVERSES
Every intelligent being has their “own reality”. No two beings’ realities are exactly the same.
*Everything depends on the observer, the one who experiences. You make your own reality.
THE LAW OF INFINITE UNIVERSES
The combined possibilities of all phenomena and worlds are infinite. Anything is possible; some things are simply more likely than others.
THE LAW OF UNION
The coming together of two things creates something new and more real. It is more than the sum of its parts.
THE LAW OF POLARITY
Anything can be divided into two “opposing” forces, each containing knowledge of the other.
THE LAW OF OPPOSITES
The perfect opposite of a subject tells us something about the subject: what it is not.
THE LAW OF DYNAMIC BALANCE
To survive, you must keep all your personal aspects in balance. At either extreme, you see only that extreme. If you bring nothing but pain and death, soon you yourself will be in pain and dead. Walk the golden middle way.
*If you curse others, you also curse yourself. Power always affects you, because you gather it and direct it through yourself towards the target. Like also attracts like.
MURPHY’S LAW
If anything can go wrong, it will, in the worst possible way. Magicians who are mentally balanced have the fewest difficulties with this law.
THE LAW OF UNITY
Every phenomenon is linked, directly or indirectly, to every other phenomenon and to the past, present and future.
*The universe has been, is and will be. Everything is part of the same whole.
If these ideas raise questions, feel free to ask them on the discussion board, for example. I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge and ability.
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