What are you using this for?

[Razzmatazz]

I feel a fundamental disconnect between our magickal practices. Obviously, the exploration of human consciousness produces different results in different people, but so many seem to lack an aim, such as I have carried, and so I ask: what is magick "about" for you? what is the aim? For me, it's an enlightenment technology. For expanding awareness, discipline, executive function, and love (in the divine, all-accepting sense), with wondrous powers being only a byproduct of the process. Why do YOU do magick, really?

 

[Robert Ramsay]

Once I discovered magic and understood what it was, I was unable to see the world any other way. Magic is not just a thing that you do, it is a thing that you are. Magic is how you navigate your path through life. Looking back, I can see that I walked that path even before I knew what it was.

 

[nargile57]

Spiritual self-development.

 

[Aldebaran]

I initially was drawn to the occult because i beleived it was dark, mysterious, and dangerous. I would find old books and imagine that I had stumbled upon ancient magick secrets or workings that, if I could just do it right, then the effect would be mine. As my understanding of occult teachings deepened, I realized that most occult teachings are for spiritual self-development. As my understanding of the spiritual deepened, I realized that magic is a form of interaction with the world and a tool for aligning and manifesting your Will.

Now, it just is. It is an understanding of the properties and scaffolding of our reality. How I use or interact with these differs based on the effort I am willing to put in. I guess i am trying to say I do magick because of how it affects the nature of our reality.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

I initially was drawn to the occult because i beleived it was dark, mysterious, and dangerous. I would find old books and imagine that I had stumbled upon ancient magick secrets or workings that, if I could just do it right, then the effect would be mine. As my understanding of occult teachings deepened, I realized that most occult teachings are for spiritual self-development. As my understanding of the spiritual deepened, I realized that magic is a form of interaction with the world and a tool for aligning and manifesting your Will.

Now, it just is. It is an understanding of the properties and scaffolding of our reality. How I use or interact with these differs based on the effort I am willing to put in. I guess i am trying to say I do magick because of how it affects the nature of our reality.

Yeah, it's the 'mysterious old books that contain untold forbidden power' that I miss the most. I mean. they're still brilliant, but it's coming from you and not the book.

The description of "The Book of Thoth" as containing "all knowledge of laws, magic, nature and the afterlife" and it only has two spells in it! Mad stuff!

 

[rekker]

It changes with time, sometimes I am more focused on practical site, in other times on spuritual and in other a social aspect. But I like to follow that hard to explain feeling or state jou experience once the spell happens. Magic helps me to feel surreal and I love it. It is a source of enjoyment in my life.

 

[Post Tenebras Lux]

I adhere to the definition of magick given by Crowley, who described it as "the science and art of causing change in consciousness in accordance with the will." From this perspective, my magical practices are primarily directed toward self-knowledge, while also providing a routine that brings discipline, structure, and focus to my daily life.

In my view, magic is not merely a hobby, but a way of seeing and engaging with life. Once you truly immerse yourself in it and begin to understand it, there is no way to look at things in the same way again.

From a Thelemic perspective, the ultimate aim of magic is to discover one’s True Will. Along that path, the practice itself gradually provides the tools necessary to gain a deeper understanding of reality and, above all, of oneself.

For me, and for many others, the motivation lies in attempting to find meaning in life and in its mysteries. It is not about fantastical powers, but about an inner search with outer consequences, shaped by the attitude the magician takes toward them.

 

[beardedeldridge]

Curiosity and a need-to-know got me started.

Both those plus practical results kept me going.

Curiosity and a desire-to-know keeps me going.

-Eld

 

[Denise13]

To get practical results.

Most situations in life can be dealt with using mundane means. Sometimes something requires a little 'push' of probability.

 

[Firetree]

I feel a fundamental disconnect between our magickal practices. Obviously, the exploration of human consciousness produces different results in different people, but so many seem to lack an aim, such as I have carried, and so I ask: what is magick "about" for you? what is the aim? For me, it's an enlightenment technology. For expanding awareness, discipline, executive function, and love (in the divine, all-accepting sense), with wondrous powers being only a byproduct of the process. Why do YOU do magick, really?

To expand to my fullest potential .

 

[FireBorn]

I was promised cookies if I went to the dark side. I just came for the cookies.

 

[Firetree]

Ahhhhhh ..... the 'Cakes of Darkness '

 

[Ziran]

what is magick "about" for you?

Opportunities to do good things above-and-below for myself-and-others

 

[Morell]

I started with magic seeking for power that I wanted. (in that one I kind of succeeded) Now it is self-development and pursue of personal freedom and of vampiric immortality.

 

[dzb10035]

For me, magick stands as an expression of universal laws and truth. I pursue it because I am strongly committed to understanding the truth of our reality and have grown to become dissatisfied with a materialist view of the world. When I started out, like so many others, magick was also a way to gain an advantage in the material world for various mundane pursuits and it is still this for me as well. I have always favoured having a higher level of control over my reality and magick is what gives me that sense of control. It is not only an expression of truth, but an expression of freedom and personal power.

However, I have many "micro-reasons" why I continue pursuing magick as well. I am curious by nature and imaginative by nature, so magick speaks to these parts of me as well. The level of creativity and curiosity needed to create and compose magical acts is something that constantly drives me to pursue it. I take great pleasure in being able to consume older manuscripts and sources in order to see what the other possibilities exist and how I could use them one day in my own practice. There is a certain academic pleasure in being able to do that kind of research, even if it is for leisure.

Finally magick became a direct link to a more spiritual lifestyle. Like many other people here, I am sure that they might have found standard religious practice to be either stifling or lacking; I certainly did. Old strict structures that told me only one version of the truth was never going to be sufficient for me. Magick is something that encourages discovery and this is something that I love about it. You get to follow your own rules and you discover what works for you. In my own life, I did discover spiritual principles through my magical study that allowed me to rediscover spiritual values that are supposed to shown through religious practice. I feel that this part of my journey did end up making me a better and more balanced person.

So there are a lot of reasons why I love and practice magick. It is just as much an exploration of reality and truth as it is a way to regain autonomy in the world. It is also a maze of curiosity and discovery, not only of itself, but also of ourselves and our spiritual nature. It is also a pathway to our own betterment in one sense or another, regardless of left hand or right hand paths.

 

[FireBorn]

I started out wanting women, power, money, like most others. I wanted to manipulate the world around me to give me what I (my loud, out-of-control ego) wanted. I wanted everything else to change to suit my preferences.

Then I met Lilith…

For me now, magick is about becoming fully myself. Sovereign, honest, unafraid to want what I want or say what I mean. I listen to every voice inside me, but I let none of them rule me. I take off my own chains, one by one, and I stand next to the spirits as an equal participant in this, not as a worshiper begging to be fixed.

It’s an absolutely fucking terrifying path at times, but damn, it’s so worth it. I’m not the same man who started.

And yeah, the cookies are pretty badass.