Paganism In Depth by John Beckett

Author:John Beckett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: pagan;paganism;what is paganism;history of paganism;john beckett;paganism in-depth;in depth paganism;polytheism;CVR09202018
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Published: 2019-05-09T15:59:55+00:00

[contents]

6

Magical Practice

Aleister Crowley’s classic definition of magic is “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.” Using that definition (or pretty much any other common definition), most religions are full of magic.

Judaism has the Passover story of blood over the doorposts and Moses parting the Red Sea. Christianity has the miracles of Jesus and the apostles, transubstantiation, and the forgiveness of sins. We don’t know much about ancient Druidry, but there are numerous references to Druid magic in the historic and literary records, including shapeshifting. Even the nontheistic versions of Buddhism speak of the changes in consciousness produced by mindfulness and meditation.

Religion has always had an uneasy relationship with magic. Religion (from the Latin religare: “to bind together”) is largely a group thing where common beliefs and common practices maintain social order and good relationships with the gods and spirits. Magic is powerful; individuals may use it for personal gain in ways that harm the common good, to harm those who have wronged or slighted them, or to subvert authority. Most of us know the Old Testament prescribes death for the malicious use of magic, but it may surprise you to know that Roman law did as well. Even today, there are places in the world where those suspected of witchcraft are regularly executed. Despite these concerns, most religions have a tradition of magic within them. Sometimes it’s considered acceptable for especially holy people to study magic. More frequently, ordinary people just do it because they have a need for it.

Knowing all these things, we’re left with the question: what is or what should be magic’s place in our contemporary polytheist religions and traditions?

Some polytheists ignore magic, preferring to focus on devotion to the gods, ancestors, and spirits. Some think magic is an impious attempt to usurp power that rightfully belongs to the gods. I came to polytheism through the modern Pagan movement with its strong emphasis on magic and witchcraft. Having learned a few things along the way, I’m not inclined to give them up. Every other religion has a tradition of magic within it, whether that tradition is official, unacknowledged, or actively opposed by orthodox leadership. And given the general decline of the wider world, our need for magic grows stronger every day.

I say magic is part of our heritage. Let’s embrace it: let’s study it, learn it, practice it, and teach it. Let’s incorporate it into our private practices and our group workings. Let’s incorporate it into our public rituals and celebrations, at least to the extent we can do so responsibly. Those old fears of witchcraft aren’t entirely unfounded—some people can’t be trusted with magic. And some people can’t or don’t want to deal with the risks involved in serious magic. But magic is part of our legacy, and we do ourselves no favors if we reject it.

Each polytheist religion and each individual polytheist must make their own decision as to the place of magic in their tradition and practice. The polytheism I practice, teach, and advocate for includes magic.

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