As previously discussed in Lesson One, My Magickal Energy Study, Magick is, like any other thing, benign. It is the intent of the user which shades and colors the outcome.
Before you begin to protest, let me give you these examples. A gun is neither good, nor evil. The person who pulls the trigger to feed his/her family is (unless he/she is poaching) is looked upon as good. The person who pulls the trigger in order to take another's life (unless it is self defense) is considered evil.
It is very much the same with Magick. The person weilding the power is the one who should be judged, if judging is your thing, not the Magick itself.
So the answer to the question is, "Neither!" Magick is neither good, nor evil. Magick is of NO color, no intent, no alignment. Magick is the outcome resulting from the use of available [whether generated or ambient] energies in such a way as to affect the world around you. It is the purpose, which bears the label "good" or "evil," but do try to remember that there are many shades of grey between those two polar opposites. For example: Some will not make use of the higher Magicks, but will meddle in another's love life. I find that repugnant, as messing in another's love life will result in the manipulation of one of the partners, and therefore I will NOT do it. Yet, I will invoke high Magicks at will; something some say is dangerous and not to be done without a proper circle. And so perspective becomes involved when making these determinations. Magick is simply ... well, let's define it first.
Here are some definitions of Magick.....
Encyclopedia Brittanica defines Magick as....
Here's the Funk & Wagnall's version...
Okay, you get the point. Here's the Magick User's definition
of Magick...
or grey. Since Light and Darkness are both concepts the
average person already conceives, let us look further into the
grey areas. If Light is the epitome of Good, and Darkness is
the epitome of what is Evil, then grey is the absolute balance
between the two. Since none of us are ever completely good
(we all have our faults) and none of us are ever completely
evil (we all have our good points), then grey is where most of
us live; unless of course, you're Dudley Dooright, or Dr. Claw. *L*
The movie industry, the Church, and the uninformed are what have
labelled the Magick itself, instead of the person using it.
magick, n.
1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
2.a. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature. b. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
3. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
4. A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).
Any activity that attempts to influence events by manipulation
of a metaphysical force. It ranges from the elaborate ritual beliefs
and practices that are at the core of many religious systems
to acts of conjuring and sleight of hand for entertainment.
Used in the former sense magic is a social and cultural
phenomenon found in all places and at all periods of time.
mag•ik, n.
1. the practice of using various techniques, as incantation, to exert control over the supernatural or the forces of nature.
2. a result of such practice.
3. power or influence exerted through this practice.
Electric Library says Magick is....
".
..the result of the mind's manipulation of the natural forces in the
None of these definitions contain a single word about evil or
good. The intent of the user is what colors the end result of
the magick. It's not the Magick itself that is light or dark. It is
the intent, what's in the HEART AND MIND of the user that is
light or dark.........
world to effect tangible change in his/her situation and/or circumstance..."
There are thousands of "shades" of grey. Some more dark
than light, and others more light than dark. It is the constant
battle to maintain that "balance shade" of grey that keeps us
honest, if you will. It is the "Magickal" version of the Yin and
the Yang, which holds that there is a little good in all evil and
a little evil in all good. When you helped that stranger, did you
do it merely for his/her benefit? or did you get something back
from it? When you loaned money to your friend, was it really
to help your friend, or did you want something to make
feel better? Motives, agendas.....INTENT. THAT
is what is colored. NOT the Magick.
If you have somehow
missed My Energy Study, please do go back and catch yourself up, as there is an order to the chaos. Thank you.
