[KubeSix]

Ehhh... I'm not even sure if this goes here on the the Book of Shadows, but since it's not a spell or anything I'll ask here.

I've been practicing psionics for some time now and I'm thinking about picking up magick and I was wondering what are the different systems? I've only heard of three that I can remember: Hermetics, Runic Magick and Chaos Magick. (And some don't even consider Chaos Magick as a system in itself...)

I've seen a lot of things concerning the elements and symbolism in Hermetics, but I've also noticed it can get pretty religious, so I don't think I'd work well with it. I found the whole elemental part interesting, though, are there any systems that have such things and omit any kind of religious belief?

If someone has a list of all the different systems (or at least all the major ones) that would be nice. Also, is a specific system usually required for practicing magick? From what I've seen so far, it looks like you can pretty much do it your way and not pay attention to specific how-to's... Yet Chaos Magic, as badass as the name sounds, is a little... ambiguous...

Thanks!

[ravinclaw]

I have been reading up on something called High magic, it dose involve things from Christianity, and Judeism, but from what I have read, they take the bible with a grain of salt, kinda like I do.

There is one guy whos work Ive been quiet interested in, though, Im not sure if this would really be your thing because it deels with angels and that sort of stuff, but the same guy is into witchcraft and voodoo too....if you waunt any info on this dude just pm me or something.

[KubeSix]

Well, working with Angels and all that doesn't bother me much, I like demonology and studying any type of supernatural being, but when it's related directly to specific religions I feel like I can't work well with it. As long as there's not too much relying on the existence of beings like God, the Holy Spirit or any biblical figure.

[Ryobi]

Found this after a quick search:

High Magick is the practice and study of esoteric disciplines specifically designed to complete the Great Work. The Great Work cannot be easily defined, but suffice it to say here that it entails the union of Spirit and Matter. Qabalah, Alchemy, and certain ceremonial ritual systems such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and Aleister Crowley's A∴A∴ are some examples of high magick.

All magick that does not have for its aim the completion of the Great Work is "Low" magick. Usually, these forms of magick are practiced in order to effect changes in material, emotional, or mental states. Low Magick is a pragmatic approach, while 'High' magick is teleological.

This is a list of most widely known systems:

Chaos magick
Enochian magick
Goetic magick
Ceremonial magick
Shamanism
Witchcraft
Voudon

Which one stands out to you right now? Before you start to research...

[Levinthross]

keep in mind that although these systems of magic are inddeed not biblical some of there different sects andsuch have highly spiritual beleifs in gods and there disposition to them

[Ryobi]

Yeh... that probably should be noted 

The study of many systems of magick have deeply rooted spiritual beliefs that will require you to study 'religious' texts in order to fully understand them. Many spells will bear strong links to this underlying spirituality so it's a good idea to get up to date on that as well and share the same philosophies.

If you are drawn to a certain type of magick though and don't share the same beliefs, you could possibly study it without practicing it and instead take certain elements from it, adding more of your own touch. A lot of the magicks power will be lost and it would be much, much, much harder.

This would be categorised as a form of chaos magick, no?

[Levinthross]

yes using different practices a fusing them with your own work is a very large part of chaos magic but even the chaos magicians who make there own gods realize that you need to honor  a god before there willing to help unless you have a prior affinity for them

[Ryobi]

Yeh, that is a problem for athiests or agnostics...

Kube Six, there's always astrology? 

[Levinthross]

ok isnt astrology just used for seeing how interplanetary alighnments and the likke have subtley influenced people and the energys within a area? i would consider that more or less a form of divination rather than a practicable form of magic and kube six?

[KubeSix]

Yeh, that is a problem for athiests or agnostics...

Kube Six, there's always astrology? 

Heh, I don't know, astrology's interesting, but it's never been my thing... I like the symbolism but other than that, the idea that my life's influenced by planets and stars seems weird...

Oh, and let me rephrase that thing about not wanting to do with biblical stuff: I'd rather not practice a magickal system that requires relying on any specific religious belief. Dealing with angels, demons, elementals, fey, anything like that is fine, but when it comes to a specific religion and that religion only, it gets too religious for me =/

Maybe Chaos Magick is best for me after all, I'll probably have to think up what to use and what not to use... After all, that's what Chaos Magick's all about, right? ...right...? Anyway, I should be okay with it; some people even use systems from works of fiction (the Force from Star Wars) to work Chaos Magick... So it seems merging and bending a system or two together would fit me.

[Ryobi]

It is classified as magick because of it's divinatory nature and how that can be used practically in every day life. Many astrologers also call upon the planets and certain transits to strengthen or evoke change within themselves in order to reach a certain goal. It's a lot more internal than it is an external form of magick.

For instance, I see the major controlling force in my life as a cross between saturn, moon and pluto, when I face obstacles or lose my concentration, I visualise the form of the saturnine/plutonic/lunar force in order to overcome it, in a way I guess this force is my Priestess. I keep track of transits and how they will affect the controlling forces in my chart (such as the one mentioned above) and counter these predicted blows by calling upon highlighted forces at that point in time.

That kind of 'magick' is deeply linked to the study of astrology. I guess though, you are right and true astrology really is more of a form of divination rather than practical magick.

[Levinthross]

thats very interesting and a aspect of astrology i did not know of, i do upon occasion use the most basic knowledge of astrology to apply specific energys that coincide with my goal but not much else.
Kube six if you dont like worrking with a specifi pantheon or religions which require you to worship only tthose gods than by all means use chaos magic but be aware tat paradighm piracy which is the act of fusing different beleif systems is not all to it

[KubeSix]

Oh, yeah, I know it's not just throwing in a bunch of belief systems and blending 'em together. I actually found a few books detailing the principles behind chaos magic and all that, so I'll read them before deciding what to do. I'm also reading Initiation into Hermetics, a guy on another site suggested I read it and see how I feel about it after, so I'm trying that out too.