[Opinion] using video games and popular culture stuff in magic

[Morell]

Might be quite controversial topic for some, but worth considering. One of my thoughts on it is, that no matter how we might see it today, in the future generations it might be considered that we took our "mythology" quite seriously. It actually is a mythology of our time, our myths, no matter how we look at them.

So, for clear understanding, what I call modern mythology or modern myths, I mean things like LOTR universe, magical systems from games, or even the deities from pop culture and all that stuff.

I see a lot of value in modern mythology. Some people, like me, actually, do not relate to traditional systems and religions, like Christianity. But we do relate and sort of live modern myths. Just my personal example is that demons of Goethia or most angels are nothing but empty names with no meaning behind them, while I slightly shiver when thinking about Frostmourne, the sword of Arthas. When I was considering ritual knife, I got this idea that it could be excellent choice to use how I feel and think about his one... so I got a replica for cases I would need to get serious. Tried to do banishing ritual with it and damn! The space around me felt uncomfortably empty, The most empty I ever achieved.

I do not buy that there are objectively better or worse magic tools, there is simply stuff that works for you and that doesn't work for you and sometimes we find working stuff in places that might surprise and possibly scare or disgust others as it doesn't fit their faith. But that doesn't really matter, what others see, their perspective is theirs and only reflects what works or doesn't work for them.

Of course there are many who would be very vocal on working with modern myths but the more they speak, the less they do the work. Those mages wanna-be are not only among those who use modern myths, they are not-using more traditional systems just the same...

 

[OberonFromTheHills]

I believe that using pop culture helps in different levels that all together create the magick you need :

1. Creative visualisation : remember Dragon Ball creating spirit bombs? Watch the scene and try to picture yourself doing it. Put the more sensory elements you can.

2. The emotional trigger : say "expecto patronum" in your mind, imagine a deer figure running in the room erasing all the dementors in it.... See the deer glowing more and more. How do you feel?

3. Throw out you correspondance book and create yours : which character embody the air element to you? Imagine being this character, maybe he can fly/glade/invoke that element (like Ventus in Kingdom Hearts) What colors does he wear? How is his personnality?