What is the connection between magic and energy?

Question: How does magic happen? What is the connection between magic or magick, and energy?

Answer from BWS

Magic is the process of expressing wants, needs, and desires through ritual. Ritual is the physical application of the energies used and sent out to the Universe and the Divine to manifest those wants, needs, and desires.

It is this energy that is the key to everything. Without it nothing would happen. Our bodies would not function, thus our spells would not work. Energy is what binds it all together.

Hermes Trismegistus, his name means “Thrice-Great Hermes”, is the author of the well known Pagan phrase,

“As Above, So Below”.

Although this is a condensed, stylized expression of the full statement taken from the Emerald Tablet;

“That which is below is as that which is above, and that which is above is as that which is below, to perform the miracles of the one thing.”

This quote puts in four words the full explanation of the theory of magic, life & our existence, and spirituality. Let me explain.

The Emerald Tablet is attributed to Hermes Trismegistus (323 BC to approximately146 BC – the peak of the Greek influence). He is the Hellenistic combination of the Greek God Hermes (the Messenger of the Gods) and the Egyptian God Thoth (God of the Moon, Writing & Magic).

It is also known as the “Smaragdine Table“, the “Tabula Smaragdina“, and “The Secret of Hermes“. The text carved into it is believed to reveal the mysterious primordial matter and its transmutations. There are several translations, Arabic, Newton’s, Beato’s, and Latin.

I’ve presented the modern Latin interpretation here:

1. (It is) true, without error, certain and most true.

2. That which is below is as that which is above, and that which is above is as that which is below, to perform the miracles of the one thing.

3. And as all things were from the one, by means of the meditation of the one, thus all things were born from the one, by means of adaptation.

4. Its father is the Sun, its mother is the Moon, the Wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.

5. The father of the whole world (or “of all of the initiates”?) is here.

6. Its power is whole if it has been turned into earth.

7. You will separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the dense, sweetly, with great skill.

8. It ascends from earth into heaven and again it descends to the earth, and receives the power of higher and of lower things.

9. Thus you will have the Glory of the whole world.

10. Therefore will all obscurity flee from you.

11. Of all strength this is true strength, because it will conquer all that is subtle, and penetrate all that is solid.

12. Thus was the world created.

13. From this were wonderful adaptations, of which this is the means. Therefore am I named Thrice-Great Hermes, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.

14. It is finished, what I have said about the working(s) of the Sun.

The maxim “As Above, So Below” refers to everything from the largest stars in the universe to the smallest microscopic structures of cells. Worlds within worlds, they exist separate but as one.

The energy that links them all together is electromagnetic and has many names;

• Chi (Chinese),
• Ki (Japanese),
• Mana (Polynesian),
• Od (German),
• Orenda (Iriquois),
• Prana (Indian),
• Psychic Energy (modern).

If you sit and consider all the aspects of what this one phrase encompasses, we see this phrase goes far beyond the obvious. It gets deeper the more you think about it. Through this contemplation, my revelation of its meaning has led me to the inner belief that we are part of the Universe and its energy, and it is part of us.

We, in our human form, are too frail to hold all the energy of the Divine. If we did, our bodies would literally explode. So, we are able to touch just enough of the energy that we are able to use it to manifest that which we need and desire to keep us safe and happy.

It is not static or inanimate, but responsive and dynamic. It shapes the physical world around us, transforming, renewing, changing. We interact with it on a subconscious level giving it shape in reaction to our touching it.

When we consciously use this energy, bringing our personal power, our willpower into the process, this changes everything. We become the tool from which it is directed. We become as the instrument that sends out the energy toward manifestation of intent. This is what magic is; consciously focusing and controlling this incredible energy. Our thoughts and emotions react with this energy, which in turn may be used to control and/or influence it. Our ability to do so, while still a conscious action, does come from a higher state of consciousness, our Higher Self.

In ritual, the Higher Self is in control. We enter a type of psychic trance or altered state. Our brainwaves actually change. It is in this state that we bring the most power to our rites and spells.

References:

Buckland, Raymond, Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft. Llewellyn Publications, 2007.

Buckland, Raymond, Witchcraft … The Religion. Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, 1966.

Cunningham, Scott, Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn Publications, 1999.

Cunningham, Scott, Living Wicca, A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn Publications, 2000.

Leek, Sybil, The Complete Art of Witchcraft. World Publishing, 1971.