Eliphas Levi on Magic

-
Eliphas Levi, Public Domain, WC.

I'm currently reading The Essential Golden Dawn by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero, an excellent introduction to that magical tradition, and in it they quote Eliphas Levi on magic and prayer.  I just wanted to share it here:
"All ceremonies, consecrations, ablutions,and sacrifices are prayers in action and are symbolic formulas; and they are the most potent prayers because they are translation of word into action, showing will power and persistence, seeing that they require more constrained attention than silent prayer, or prayer expressed in words; and so they constitute real work, and such work demands a man's whole energy."
Not only is this a perfect answer to the question, "Why not just pray?" but it also reminds the magician what is needed to practice artfully - one's "whole energy."

Eliphas Levi was a French would-be priest turned occultist credited with greatly inspiring the Western Magical Tradition including the Golden Dawn.  Some of his books can be found at the Occult Underground.  A bio can be found at Great Tarotists of the Past.

© Trish Deneen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual and Healing Properties of Smoky Quartz

-
Image
Gorgeous Smoky Quartz Points, public domain   A Rare Beauty Smoky quartz is underrated. It may not be as flashy as rubies or emeralds, but it's one of the most elegantly beautiful crystals and gemstones around. Maybe I'm biased because I love the color gray, but smoky quartz proves that gray can be beautiful. It's also one of my favorite healing stones as well as an excellent meditation stone for staying calm, centered and connected to the present moment. Learn more about the healing properties of smoky quartz and how you can tap into those energies for your well being. Crystal healing is an experiential alternative healing method. I'm not a professional crystal healer. I share my research along with personal experience. Nothing in this article is meant to replace medical advice. But if you're an energy healer in a system like Reiki or are sensitive to the energies of stones or just interested in becoming more sensitive, then you may find this information us
Read more

How to Make a Gem Elixir

-
Image
Gem elixirs store the properties of crystals in liquid form. They're also called crystal or gem essences and are used for healing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Below are instructions for making personal gem elixirs with variations. Disclaimer:  This is not meant to replace medical advice but to act as a complement to traditional health care. Crystals have been used for centuries in healing arts.  Photo credit TessaMannonen, Pixabay Materials Needed to Make Elixirs The materials needed to make gem elixirs can be easily found and are listed below. Crystals are often sold in metaphysical shops or online. Most of the items listed can be purchased at a grocery or drug store. The amber dropper bottles can be found online at natural health outlets including those that sell aromatherapy supplies. Crystal of choice (polished or well-cleaned stones are best to prevent raw material from getting into the elixir) Distilled or spring water Glass bowl Glass
Read more

Walnut - Witchcraft Tree for Fertility Magic, Healing and Transitions

-
Image
The walnut tree has provided food and material used for healing since the Roman times. Its long association with witchcraft once made the tree an object of suspicion and fear. Modern witches, however, hold the tree sacred and use it in folk magic and herbal remedies following in the footsteps of their ancient counterparts. In much of Europe and Asia, the common walnut, also known as the English walnut, is widely cultivated for its delicious nuts. The most prevalent walnut trees in North America are the white or butternut walnut and the black walnut tree. Black Walnut. Credit: Jami Dwyer, Wikimedia Commons . Walnut Trees in Natural Medicine Besides being a favorite nut in baking recipes, the walnut itself contains the mineral manganese. Linda Rector Page, N.D., in Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone relates that one of the many benefits of manganese is supporting the brain and nerve centers. It also helps eliminate fatigue and nervous conditions. The le
Read more