The Color of Magic

So there's been much debate on this topic before, with sides such as:

- There is so such thing as black, white, grey, green, yellow, blue or what have you magic. It is absurd since the practioner uses it for various things and magic is not inherently anything, and it is only a certain way via the given intention from the people using or manipulating magic.

- Black magic is evil and dark, White magic is good and light, and maybe I've heard of Grey but is it really a thing? I only see things as is or isn't; this or that. Absolutes only.

- The color people attribute to the magic are merely ways of describing different types of intended magic and so on, mere ways to identify some kinds of magic, and everyone has varying schemas and opinions of what classifies or does not classify as such.

But besides those that float around a lot, what do you guys personally feel about it?

I just want to take this post as an opportunity to raise awareness of discussions of magic in general and what each of you consider it to be, I do not intend to have malicious intent with this post other than for everyone to just think about the topic. I know how passionate/angry some people may be but if you do feel a very certain way about it, please know I am not trying to tell you to do it a certain way or perceive it a certain way only. Everyone is valid, but to other people it is also invalid, because we have different people here from different places of course and all deserve to be respected and considered and accepted.

Which brings me to a part two of the discussion, what do you think makes such observations credible? What have you found to be true that works for you? How do you see magic?

Labels are simple enough in getting the point across, but I honestly feel like the group that respond with the first opinion often treat others like they're treating magic as if it is literally those different colors, which I don't get because I've never seen anyone actually have that view point. This has always puzzled me whenever I used this website.

Regardless of our opinions on the matter, and in going with the above statement; our opinions are all different, and more importantly, subjective. I see a lot of people preach about subjectivity and in the same breath act like the "magic has no color" attitude is the only way to look at it. This is legitimately the only site/community/forum I've seen say that, which reinforces my opinion that it's a regurgitated retort to a preconceived audience.

Personally, I don't view colors as any more or less "special" or worthy of note than anything else about existence. Literally everything we perceive needs to be interpreted by our brains and that alone should make colors an excelent reminder of how subjective things are. Not only that, but light is energy, therefor meaning color is physically energy (even if we cannot touch it and it can occupy the same space as other physical energies).

So in essence, both the "colors are associated with different energies (maybe not the ones we ascribe them automatically)" and "colors can be used as labels or subconscious triggers manifesting energy patterns" apply in my eyes.

I'll end with saying it's absolute hogwash saying magic has no color. Magic has all the colors, literally.

I usually ask what the person means by "black magic" or "white magic." It's good to define terms so we can understand each other. Because, as said already, we view things differently and have a style about it. I'm sure we've all had those times in our SoM or magical lives where we dealt in those types of absolutes (the "magic has no color" spiel), and there are others. It's just a part of growing. Honestly, now I don't really care, I just ask what they mean. It's easier for discussion. "I want to learn white magic" is a little more vague then "I want to know how to cleanse and protect things."

My style is a bit more religious and personal than others. I have a certain theological view point, and I build my witchcraft around those ideas. So, I try avoiding saying things that may impede other's growth. But, sometimes I slip.

Color in my craft usually comes in a few different forms. Sometimes, I match the color of the threads, clothes, candles, paints, markers, whatever to my intent. What do I feel means healing? What's a good color for money? Is this a dominating color? When I was Christian, I used a lot of red candles for victory. Sometimes I would want to visualize something surrounded in that color. Then, there are those moments when the color means nothing to me beyond "I want this to look pretty." It's apart of finding one's style.

I think we should encourage things beyond raw energy work and meditation. Aesthetics make things personal, and if something is personal, wouldn't it have the casters "energy" behind it? Don't art projects take time to make? Isn't that putting energy behind something? Though, it could definitely be just me seeing the "it's just a bunch of props, they don't have any value beyond that" approach more.

To respond to all three of you, I feel you on the part where its sort puzzling when they thow out absolutes and try to get people to accept it, like having a monopoly over what is acceptable or not, and have everyone regurgitate it as well.

That's why I made this post, to really see some differenting opinions, because sometimes it's scary when there's quite a lot of people trying to impede growth of others and how others are learning how to perceive it and what to do with their own interpretations of color and energy and magic and the rituals that go with it.

Thanks for responding also :)

I believe that for some individuals, labeling things and categorizing them makes it easier for them to think about these workings in a way that makes sense to them. I think this is often even moreso the case when it comes to someone who is just starting out or learning about magic in general, as they don't know much aside from stereotypes or preconceived ideas they have about "magic" and the practices associated therein. It doesn't help that even here on SoM, all you have to do is scroll to the top and see that it says "where the world learns black magick, white magic ...".

I agree with the consensus that everyone is unique, and in that- everyone's approach and view of magic is likely to be unique too. My favorite motto, when someone asks about a specific path or practice, is when it comes to magic, spirituality, or life in general- you have to "do what works for you ". If labeling magic down into specific colors that symbolize or represent certain practices and it works for you- good. The only issue I have is when people try to impose their belief or opinion as though everyone else should also follow it.

In trying to understand each other, voo makes an excellent point. Ask for clarification before jumping down someone's throat! Ask what they mean by "black and white" magic. Sometimes there's a lot more there, or it's a learning opportunity. I'll admit here to having been known to spew out the immediate response of "magic has no color" when someone annoying pops into the chat insisting they perform "black magic" and that there's only black and white magic, and they do "evil work" etc. That isn't how I should approach it- but I have, out of my own tiredness and often resent about seeing the same topic repeated over and over. It's hard to have an indepth conversation like this in PC!

Personally, I think magic is colorful. Different colors hold different representations, symbolic meaning, etc. I use colors in a lot of my working to add emphasis to certain things, to represent certain elements or wights of a specific kind, and it works for me . Who am I to say it's wrong for someone else?

Simple short answer to metaphysics in general is that there are so many nuances and personal preferences. Though yes, I do admit to my guilt of answering that kind of way. When someone tries to act super dark and edgy it is a bit annoying. Since everyone defines colors and the magick associated with it differently when someone says, "gimmie a white majik spell!" it's like...well, that all depends what one defines what as. Kinda like...think of all the ways you can use gold. Masculinity to some, money to others, sun, and how many other ways can it be used? So a ot of times new people think they are being super specific when in reality they are still being super vague. Then they get irritated when they get vague answers or no answers. =/