Is "manifesting" doing magic?

[Prue]

Hi there,

I'm doing research on magic in the early 21st century and I'm interested in your opinion:

• Is working with the 'Law of Attraction' and 'manifesting through thought vibration' magic?
• If so, even if this is introduced in a setting without ceremonial ritual? Think about at the beginning or end of a yoga class...

Love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings,
Prue

 

[Robert Ramsay]

The Law of Attraction is a kind of magical system. "Mainfesting through thought vibration" is also a kind of magical system, even if the name is total bollocks.
Disclaimer: what follows are my own ideas.
All magical systems are like the blind men and the elephant. Each blind man grabs a different part of the elephant and declares it to be like "this"
Tail - "The elephant is like a rope"
Leg - "The elephant is like a tree"
Trunk - "The elephant is like a snake"
and so on.

Magic is an unexpected consequence of normal human consciousness. It requires a belief system to implement it, but it doesn't matter what that belief system is - all it has to do is trigger the 'unexpected consequence'. The simplest belief system is just to believe in your own abilities as a magician.

The purpose of ritual is to drum your chosen magical system into you, and to get you into a state of consciousness where you can implement the magic.

I define the practical outcomes of magic as either "The engineering of coincidence" or "being lucky on purpose".

 

[querent k]

Totally is the same. The word Manifesting (without the added woo like `through vibes´ or something-something-quantum) I wouldn´t mind replacing Magic(k)...

 

[Prue]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Much appreciated.
Being lucky on purpose love it!

 

[boymatmat]

I'd say it depends on how you define magic.

To me, if someone is trying to influence reality through intention, visualization, belief, or focused thought, then manifesting falls under the same broad umbrella as magic, even if there are no rituals involved.

A lot of modern manifesting practices seem to use ideas that have existed in magical traditions for a long time, just with different terminology or focus. The emphasis is still on directing intention toward a desired outcome.

That said, some people may use manifesting more as a psychological tool—something that helps them focus on goals, change habits, or maintain a positive mindset. In that case I'd see it as closer to a psychology approach rather than magic.

So my answer would probably be: sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on whether it's being presented as a way to influence reality itself, or mainly as a way to influence the person practicing it.

 

[fluffy]

Hi there,

I'm doing research on magic in the early 21st century and I'm interested in your opinion:

• Is working with the 'Law of Attraction' and 'manifesting through thought vibration' magic?
• If so, even if this is introduced in a setting without ceremonial ritual? Think about at the beginning or end of a yoga class...

Love to hear your thoughts!

Blessings,
Prue

You could start by telling us your favorite definition for "magic".

 

[Firetree]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Much appreciated.
Being lucky on purpose love it!

Being lucky is my most prominent 'magical power' - a truly successful magician ; their work starts before they are born . In my case I call it 'pure arse ' .... ridiculous 'coincidence' . I was once asked if I had my life over again what quality would I invoke foremost ? Same again ; I chose 'pure arse' thanks .... happiness can change, money can fly away love can leave you alone ... but 'pure arse' makes you 'fall' into a better situation

I wrote a little essay on ritual once ; procure the right place , build a temple ..... the right place ? I got a free 'lifetime' share on a pristine sub-tropical rainforest , river frontage ( near a pristine beach ) .... how on earth ??? they asked ?
'Pure arse' . What about all the other good stuff before that ? Good parents, right environment , freedom ( bit not too much ) etc etc . almost as if it was all 'orchestrated ' right from the beginning .

The ongoing 'magical charge up ' is to appreciate it and express gratitude ( I do that at least once every day ) .

Are you familiar with the 4 basic Buddhist 'blessings ' ? ' Kataññutā ' -

For food and sustenance - I am constantly grateful for my lifestyle, freedom, food, and shelter .

'The four Gratitudes' ; Your parents, all beings around you , those that have taught you and the teachings and knowledge you have access to .

For everyday life and breath - for 'existence' .

For being able to overcome difficulties.

- An accomplished Magician should be able to set that up for their next incarnation . . . I would call that 'manifesting' .

 

[HoldAll]

First and foremost, I think 'manifesting' is a dirty word if you're serious about practicing magic. Start a thread mentioning 'manifesting' here or in the magick/occult subreddit, and you'll be sure to receive plenty of negative feedback. Time was when NewAgers were scared of anything that looked remotely like bending occult forces to do your will but the Law of Attraction changed all that with its non-threating wish-washy brand of magic. It seems to proceed from the assumption that an infinitely caring universe will provide you with everything you need, always provided you ask gently and correctly, no scary stuff like rituals, mumbo jumbo, implements, incense, etc. required.

In short, fans of the Law of Attraction think that hardcore magic is cringy, we think that manifesters are cringy. Manifesting strikes me as too naively results-oriented, like a kid sending off a wishlist to Santa at the North Pole before Christmas and then hoping and praying for new toys. All that seems to be required are 'positive vibrations' as well as a 'positive attitude', it doesn't appear to go much deeper than that.