- Original WF Link
- http://wizardforums.com/Thread-Direct-Magic
There are several kinds of magic when one looks into matters of the occults. And they all have their various trees beneath them. But when it is simplified - there is only ritual magic, and direct magic.
Ritual magic encompasses just about everything one knows about magic. Whether it be black, white, grey, red, or any other color. Even chaos magic involves rituals, even if they have just been invented in the mind of the caster.
Direct magic is a bit different, and is often the preferred method of casting spells for the advanced energy worker. When using direct magic, instead of having rituals to perform certain things, the mage simply gathers raw energy, exerts his force of will over it, then sets it to a task.
When one does a ritual, they are simply using words, movements, chants, and tools to gather energy. They gather this energy, then put it together into a conglomerate, and using the ritual, exert their will over it, and set that energy to a task, whether it be to give one good luck, or to deprive another of fortune. The ritual often gives the results one intends, as it has been used by many others to achieve a similar ends.
Direct magic is very simple, though it can be very difficult. It is rather chaotic, and things can go wrong very easily if one does not pay attention, or have a strong sense of will, concentration, visualization, and a few other talents.
First, one must have made clear in their mind what they wish to accomplish with the spell. It is advisable to meditate first, so one is untainted by emotions as much as possible, as being emotionally unstable can deeply interfere with the spell. Once one is in a calm, relaxed, collected state, close your eyes, and see and feel the energy around you. Using your hands, collect the energy around you, and form it into a shape of your choosing. Dedicate one part of your mind to seeing and feeling the energy, and collecting it, and dedicate the other to having in mind the purpose of the spell. Once you feel as if you have collected enough energy, set it to the task you have in mind. This can be sending it off to a friend, in need of an energy boost, absorbing it (in a case like my own, where a psi-vampire requires energy), "throwing" it at an adversary you want to gain an advantage over, or any other method you can think of.
Your imagination, and your skill with energy working are really your only limitations here. I have done in mere moments what most people use long, complicated rituals for. The main drawbacks of Direct Magic are that it is unpredictable, and a bit crude. When one is emotionally unstable, it can effect the spell severely. Also, dealing with just raw energy can be unpredictable in general. I once used it to give myself a bit of assistance while starting a fire in my fireplace...and needless to say, the fire started and jumped out at me immediately, and probably would have burnt my house down if not for my quick reflexes. Using unpredictable magic on an unpredictable element is often not a wise thing to do.
"Energy manipulation is the act, but energy manipulation is not magic until the change it causes is in accordance with will." - Easily summarized by our benevolent overlord, Crow
Ritual magic encompasses just about everything one knows about magic. Whether it be black, white, grey, red, or any other color. Even chaos magic involves rituals, even if they have just been invented in the mind of the caster.
Direct magic is a bit different, and is often the preferred method of casting spells for the advanced energy worker. When using direct magic, instead of having rituals to perform certain things, the mage simply gathers raw energy, exerts his force of will over it, then sets it to a task.
When one does a ritual, they are simply using words, movements, chants, and tools to gather energy. They gather this energy, then put it together into a conglomerate, and using the ritual, exert their will over it, and set that energy to a task, whether it be to give one good luck, or to deprive another of fortune. The ritual often gives the results one intends, as it has been used by many others to achieve a similar ends.
Direct magic is very simple, though it can be very difficult. It is rather chaotic, and things can go wrong very easily if one does not pay attention, or have a strong sense of will, concentration, visualization, and a few other talents.
First, one must have made clear in their mind what they wish to accomplish with the spell. It is advisable to meditate first, so one is untainted by emotions as much as possible, as being emotionally unstable can deeply interfere with the spell. Once one is in a calm, relaxed, collected state, close your eyes, and see and feel the energy around you. Using your hands, collect the energy around you, and form it into a shape of your choosing. Dedicate one part of your mind to seeing and feeling the energy, and collecting it, and dedicate the other to having in mind the purpose of the spell. Once you feel as if you have collected enough energy, set it to the task you have in mind. This can be sending it off to a friend, in need of an energy boost, absorbing it (in a case like my own, where a psi-vampire requires energy), "throwing" it at an adversary you want to gain an advantage over, or any other method you can think of.
Your imagination, and your skill with energy working are really your only limitations here. I have done in mere moments what most people use long, complicated rituals for. The main drawbacks of Direct Magic are that it is unpredictable, and a bit crude. When one is emotionally unstable, it can effect the spell severely. Also, dealing with just raw energy can be unpredictable in general. I once used it to give myself a bit of assistance while starting a fire in my fireplace...and needless to say, the fire started and jumped out at me immediately, and probably would have burnt my house down if not for my quick reflexes. Using unpredictable magic on an unpredictable element is often not a wise thing to do.
"Energy manipulation is the act, but energy manipulation is not magic until the change it causes is in accordance with will." - Easily summarized by our benevolent overlord, Crow