Here is something that Scot Cunningham tends to add as a chapter in many of his work . A very good article for beginers .
Even so I would still disagree with a few things but that is a matter of oppinion perhaps .
And the three "ingredients" for any spell would be :
1. intent
2. faith
3. and Yes knowledge
"Magic is transformation.
Transformation is magic.
All magic is change; all change is magic.
Stones, crystals and metals, as well as colors, scents, forms, movement,
Earth, Air, Water, Fire, insects, animals, ourselves, our planet
and our universe, contain energy. It is this energy which permits us to
practice magic.
In the philosophy ofthe magician, the Wise Woman, the shaman,
the Kahuna and the High Priestess, this energy descends from the
primal, original source. This has been termed 'Goddess', 'God', 'Supreme
Deity', 'Fate' and many other names. Countless faiths have created
complex ritual calendars and stories concerning this energy. It is
that which is revered within all religions.
But this energysource is actually beyond religion, beyond theory
or explanation. It simply is-everywhere, within ourselves and our
planet.
Magical practitioners ar~ those who have learned of this energy.
They arouse, release and ditect energy.
Contrary to what you may have heard, magic is anatural process. It
is not the stuff of demons and unsavory creatures, and no 'fallen archangel'
lends us the ability to practice magic. These are the ideas of a
religious philosophywhich abhors individualism. Magic is, in a sense,
true individualism, for it allows us as individuals to take control of our
lives and work to improve them.
Is magic "supernatural?"
No. The supernatural doesn't exist.
Think about it for a moment. Super, meaning extra, outside of, differing
from, and natural. Outside of nature? Different from nature?
No way! Magic is as natural as stone, as real as our breath, as
potent as the Sun.
Stone magic, the use of the energies within stones to effect
needed changes, is a perfect example of the naturalness of magic, for
what could be more organic than rocks?
Most books written on crystals and stones today are primarily
concerned with spiritual development and healing. Few of these
works deal with any other aspects of magic.
That's where this book is different. Magic lives on every page.
Developing psychic awareness, drawing love and friendship, releasing
sexual dysfunction, attracting money and health, sharpening
mental powers, inducing peace and happiness-these are the wonders
that can be created through the powers of stones.
Magic isn't worked by controlling or dominating nature; again
this is a nonmagician's view, another holdover from the "magic is
supernatural" idea. In magic we work in harmony with these forces.
Magic practiced any other way is limiting and is often merely a strong
ego-boost for the magician.
This chapter discusses some basics of magic, in order to make
Part II of this book useable. Where 'visualization' or 'directing the
power' or 'setting up a stone altar' is called for, you11 know the
basics.
But again, as I stress in all my books, I (naturally) write about
what has worked for me and what feels comfortable. If my rites and
symbols and mental processes don't speakto you, investigate and find
the ones that do.
Remember: nature is the teacher. Nature is a phenomenon of
magic; it is an illustration in the universal spellbook. If these written
words mean little to you, listen to the stones, to the wind, to Fire and
Water. Listen and learn.
THREE NECESSITIES
As I first outlined in Earth Power, there are three things which
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must exist for successful magic. These are:
The Need
A need must exist. Usually this is a need which can't be satisfied
through other means. Attracting love, guarding your home, obtaining
housing or other material objects are prime examples.
A wish for a relationship, or a desire for a newhome aren't needs.
A need is an empty space in your life or a critical condition (such as illhealth
or danger) which must be worked on immediately.
Magic fills that vacuum or corrects the condition, thereby fulfilling
the need.
The Emotion
Along with the need there must be emotion. Emotion is power.
"Seeing red" is an example of this-the face grows hot, the heartbeat
increases. These are manifestations of power.
If you aren't emotionally involved in your need, you will be unable
to raise sufficient power from any source and direct it to your
need. In other words, your magic won't work. If you need to pass an
upcoming exam, for example, but you don't really want to, any magic
done to improve your chances will fail.
The emotion sets the power free to bring the need into manifestation.
The Knowledge
This is the way of magic-the techniques which we use to arouse
energy within ourselves or natural objects, such as stones, and send it
forth toward the magical need.
The 'knowledge' includes visualization, basics of ritual, concentration
and the reality of power.
This chapter contains some beginnings of the knowledge.
Ifwe have the need and the emotion but not the knowledge ofhow
to utilize these things, we would be like a Neanderthal human contemplating
a can opener or a computer. We wouldn't knowhowto use
the tools.
Once the need, the emotion and the knowledge are present, we
can begin to practice magic."
Cunningham and magick
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