I was recently asked
if it is necessary to perform spellwork in order to "do" Magick, or is it like "the Force?"
My answer would be to first direct you to My Energy Study, and then to explain as follows...
Magickal energies ARE like "the Force." They ARE "the Force." When told to "feel the
Force," Luke was expected to reach out with his mind and feel the energies present
around him. Using Magick is much the same thing.
Spellwork and rite represents the religious aspect of Magick. You can do Magick without spellwork and/or
rites [Esbats & Sabbats and the like], but without it, you are missing out on a key
element of Magick; the Deities. Spellwork is simply a prayer to your Deity; a Deity to which you have
made the sacrifice of your own energies in order to beseech assistance.
These energies are focussed into the problem area, the prayer is said, sacrifices of incense
and energy is made, and the prayer is sealed.
So while spellwork and rite is not necessarily mandatory in the use of Magick, without it,
it is merely your mind alone. I also find that when rite has been properly performed,
subsequental spell workings are much stronger and more focused, even weeks after the
completion of the rite. You're more in tuned with the energies around you and this, of course,
makes your own energies stronger and more focused.
I hope this helps you in your quest.
Thanks to Errant Castration for submitting this question.
