THE ARCANE ARCHIVE
	a cache of usenet and other text files pertaining to occult, mystical, and spiritual subjects.

                  ( http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/ )


===========================================================================

To: alt.magick, alt.magick.ethics, alt.magick.folk,
    alt.magick.order, alt.magick.sex, alt.magick.tantra,
    alt.magick.tyagi, alt.pagan.magick, alt.answers and news.answers
Subject: alt.magick FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Followup-To: alt.magick, alt.magick.tyagi
Replaces: 9712
References: REF Master
Summary: This is the hypertext edition of the alt.magick FAQ. The FAQ is 
	 intended as an introductory file and its content may be discussed
         within the alt.magick usenet newsgroup.  
Reply-to: tyaginator (nagasiva@luckymojo.com)


Archive-name: magick/faq
Updated: 9909
Posting-frequency: monthly or by inquiry



                                   CONTENTS



	00 FOREWORD
	_______________________________________________________________

	10 NEWSGROUP
	11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?
	12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?
	_______________________________________________________________

	20 SUBJECT
	21 What is magic(k)?
	22 Is magick real, how does it work, what influences it?
	23 Is magick black/white? Should we do black magick?
	24 Is magick compatible with modern Science?
	25 How are magick and religion/mysticism related or different?
	_______________________________________________________________

	30 STUDIES
	31 How should I start learning about magick? teachers?
	32 What are the best books for a beginner to read?
	33 Where is online information about magick to be found?
	_______________________________________________________________

	40 SPELL COMPILATIONS
	41 Love/Lust
	42 Hexing/Cursing/Death
	43 Summoning Demons and Infernal Pacts
	44 Fortune and Money-Bringing Spells
	45 Purification and Blessing 
	_______________________________________________________________

	50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS
	51 Archives
	52 Magick-Related Newsgroups
	53 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')
	54 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting
	_______________________________________________________________

	60 AFTERWORD
	61 Footnotes
	62 Credits
	63 Copyrights


   =======================================================================

00 FOREWORD

	The alt.magick FAQ may be obtained at:

		http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq    


   =======================================================================

10 NEWSGROUP

	This section pertains to the most commonly asked questions about 
	the newsgroup itself; specifically the newsgroup's name and its 
	customs.

11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?

	alt.magick was created with a 'k' to avoid confusion with stage 
	magic. @01  

	'Magick' is a spelling popularly associated with Aleister 
	Crowley, yet the spelling precedes him by hundreds of years. @02

	Many people presume a difference between conjuring tricks and 
	occult spells; between magic and magick. There may be grounds 
	for comparing them metaphorically to chemistry and alchemy.   

	Sr. Virakam and others maintain that it separated Crowley from 
	his competitors (and thus served as a marketing or elitist 
	scheme). @03

	Symonds and Grant contend that the 'k' is a conceit of 
	Crowley's and that it is related to potentially dangerous 
	("demonic and chaotic") energies, as well as life-oriented 
 	symbols such as 'khu' and 'kteis', for which they say it 
 	stands, "the complement to the wand (or phallus) which is 
 	used by the Magician in certain aspects of the Great Work." @04 

12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?

	There has been movement, off and on over the years, to work 
 	toward some sort of moderated alt.magick.* forum, but this
        has never been successfully carried out. The newsgroup was
	created (alt.magick.moderated), but the contribution address has 
	not consistently functioned for throughput.

	There are many subgroups of alt.magick to which specific 
	types of discussion should be taken if you wish to cooperate 
	with newsgroup regulars. Here are a few of the discussion-
	oriented newsgroups to get you started:

	There is a comprehensive list of posting suggestions in the 
	document called 'alt.magick RULES'. These are quotes from 
	usenet authorities regarding posting content.

	In terms of limiting the *substance* or *topic*, some 
	copyrighted files have been under intense heat from occult 
	organizations to keep them from being posted to the newsgroup.  

	There is often a great outcry anytime someone posts a ritual 
	or suggestion which conflicts with the morality or maturity 
	level of participants, yet as alt.magick is not moderated, 
	complaints and savvy folks who know how to cancel posted 
	messages will be able to keep a single post from being seen, 
	discussion of it carrying over into one of the sub-forums 
	at most.

	In short, there are no technical limitations, but there are
	some factions (participants, occult groups) who have a very
	sincere interest in affecting what is posted.

    
   =======================================================================

20 SUBJECT

	There are a few questions about magic(k) which arise
	consistently. These concern an analysis of magick, 
	its workings and principles, and its relationship to 
	science, religion and morality.

21 What is magic(k)?

	Magick has been defined by many people in many different 
	ways. One infamous mage defined it as "the Science and Art 
	of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will." @05

	Some see magick as a kind of energy which pervades the cosmos.
	Others see it as a psychic tool by which we may influence the
	material world using symbols and ritual. Many see it as a
	means of coming to unite with the divine, some consider
	it to be the exercise of will or Will, or the manipulation
	of reality.

	Whatever the word means, 'magick' is the subject, generally, 
	of the newsgroup, and will likely be given many differing and 
	contradictory meanings during discussions there.  

22 Is magick real, how does it work, what influences it?

	Many have suggested the differentiation of magical 'currents' 
	or 'energies' based on style and/or intent. Some posit the 
	notion of principles, a la scientific structure, 'laws of 
	magick' and whatnot. Others approach it more subjectively,
	considering all knowledge about the elements of magick to be 
	personal and therefore particular only to the individual 
	condition, variable of form.

	All of these are popular responses to this question, though 
	more inventive theories would be welcomed. Conventional 
	approaches may be cross-posted to sci.philosophy.meta.

23 Is magick black/white? Should we do black magick?

        For discussion about the ethics of magick, see alt.magick.ethics.

24 Is magick compatible with modern Science?

	An oft-asked question, particularly with reference to 
	Heisenberg and chaos theory. Hang around a little before 
	getting into one of these discussions. They can take quite 
	a while to untangle.

25 How are magick and religion/mysticism related or different?

	There have been a number of different discussions on these 
	subjects. The more popular hypotheses include the 
	magick/individual:religion/group model, and the idea that 
	religion is the devolution of magick. Some do not seem 
	to discern between magick and mysticism at all, and many 
	have never considered the subject, being unexposed 
	to the latter.

	Thelemites might equate magick with will and mysticism with 
	love, and the association has been made between mysticism 
	and theurgy, magick and thaumaturgy.  

	For more on mysticism, dare the MaGI's Gehennom GOO!


	================================================================

30 STUDIES

	How to learn about magick and what ought be considered the 
	best sources are frequently discussed topics in the newsgroup.

	Occasionally someone will compile a REF file of newsgroup posts
	for a common topic. Make a collection of posts and assist in the 
	project yourself by adding to them.

31 How should I start learning about magick? teachers?

	As CHenningsson writes:

          "Books are one answer. There are actually books which 
           try to take you from your first tentative attempts 
           at relaxation into holding a ritual....  
	         
	  "Other than that....  Just do it!  If you like to, you 
           can see this as one of the very first exercises in Will; 
	   you Will yourself into making a ritual." 
	
	Some recommend the use of particular mechanisms or tools, 
	such as tarot, a magical diary, meditation or dreamwork.   
	Some recommend specific books or teachers, others place more 
	emphasis on the aptitude and imagination of the student.

	Robin provides marvelous advice:

          "Resist the temptation to believe what anyone else 
           tells you.  Try to invent ways to find out things 
           for yourself.  Remain skeptical.  

          "Look for ways in which you may have been 
           doing magick without realizing it.  Think about 
           what it might mean if you could use it with 
           intention, and how you might go about that."

	MKampe offers: 

          "if you have clear notions of what magick is all 
           about, it might be better for you to pursue your 
           inner course and avoid outside contamination 
           [from teachers/books/etc.]."
 
	There are 
	REFerence files on such things as the Kabbalistic Abyss,
	Chaos Magick, Wicca, and the Golden Dawn.  Teachers, masters 
	and adepts are often a topic of discussion in the newsgroup, 
	and magical organizations may wrangle out their political 
	issues in alt.magick.order.

	I would echo Lilith Darkchilde:

          "Take heed of those who say that they can teach 
           you all about what is magickal.  Especially if 
           you must join their 'coven' or group to do so.... 

          "I hold the key to my own self knowing."

32 What are some books for a beginner?

	There's are a few booklists available 
	as well as one list of book mailorder houses.

33 Where is online information about magick to be found?

	Try the MaGI.


	================================================================

40 SPELL COMPILATIONS

	Spell-exchange within the alt.magick.* hierarchy is at
	times discouraged by newsgroup regulars or newbies
	concerned with considerations of ethics or expertise. 
	The only newsgroup apparently designated for such an
	exchange is alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic.

	The spells contained within the following compilation
	files may be dangerous to your health, but we welcome 
	contributions to them and will be happy to source them 
	properly so that those who taste of their repercussions 
	can adequately compensate you.

41 Love/Lust

	The following REF file is a usenet collection and
	includes spells designed to secure the love and/or 
	passionate embrace of your target.

42 Summoning Demons and Infernal Pacts

        Collected usenet posts about demon-summoning and infernal 
	pacts may be found in this REF file. A separate file
	contains lists of demons from which you may choose.

43 Hexing/Cursing/Death Spells
 
	Jinxing and death-oriented spells were collected from 
	alt.magick.* over the last few years and these have 
	been placed in this REF file.

44 Fortune and Money-Bringing Spells

	Get over those money blues and seek your bounty. Here
	are some spells to obtain cash through skill or chance 
	and achieve success in other ways, compiled from posts 
	to usenet into a REF file.

45 Purification and Blessing 

	This REF file contains spells designed to rid you of
	spiritual parasitism, bad luck, or that unwanted jinx.
	Use them to prepare for more powerful works of magick.

	================================================================

50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS

	After consulting the various resources listed in this FAQ
	and lurking in the newsgroup for a few weeks, feel free to 
	bring up any relevant subjects there.

51 Archives

	Usenet posts make up a part of the Lucky Mojo Esoteric Archive 
        (which hosts this document).

52 Magick-Related Newsgroups

	See the MaGI for much occult-related information.  
	Valuable usenet alternatives include:

	(occult-related)
	alt.astrology
	 Ref: FAQ 
	alt.astrology.asian
	alt.chinese.fengshui
	 Ref: FAQ
	alt.divination
	alt.lucky.w
	 Ref: FAQ
	alt.magick.chaos
	 Ref: FAQ
	alt.magick.marketplace
	alt.occult.kabbalah.golden-dawn
	alt.pagan.magick
	alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic
	alt.tarot
	  Ref: (Original alt.tarot FAQ)
	  Ref: (Tarot and alt.tarot FAQ)
	  Ref: Layouts (REF)

	(darkness and power)
	alt.necronomicon
	alt.satanism
	 Ref: FAQ
	 Ref: Another FAQ
	 Ref: Another FAQ
	 Ref: Another FAQ
	 Ref: Another FAQ

	(eastern and mystical things)
	alt.consciousness.mysticism
	alt.meditation
	alt.meditation.moderated
	alt.philosophy.taoism
	alt.yoga (Moderated)

        (psychology and consciousness) 
	alt.consciousness
	alt.drugs.leri
	alt.psychology.transpersonal
	rec.drugs.psychedelic
	sci.psychology.consciousness

        (shamanism/neopaganism/witchcraft)
	alt.folklore
	alt.folklore.gemstones
	alt.folklore.herbs
	alt.mythology
	alt.mythology.mythic-animals
	alt.native
	alt.pagan
	alt.religion.asatru
	 Ref: FAQ
 	alt.religion.orisha
	alt.religion.shamanism
	alt.religion.wicca
	 Ref: FAQ
	alt.shamanism
	alt.techno-shamanism

	(ufos/parapsychology/spiritualism)
	alt.consciousness.near-death-exp
	alt.hypnosis
	alt.out-of-body
	alt.paranet
	alt.paranet.metaphysics
	alt.paranet.paranormal
	alt.paranet.psi
	alt.paranet.skeptic
	alt.paranormal
	alt.skeptic
	alt.soulmates

53 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')

        There are many newsgroups in the rec.games.trading-cards
        hierarchy from which to choose.  Also see MOXPERL.

54 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting

        If you are looking for role-playing game magic, you can find
        it in the Great Net Spellbook.

	================================================================

60 AFTERWORD

	Thanks to all the fine authors of files I came across during my
	sift for networking documents to fill out this edition of the FAQ.
	May it remain unblemished by violence or imprisonment.  

61 Footnotes

	@01  -  See alt.magic (stage magic).

	@02  -  Due to his many publications and the orders
		he crafted, Aleister Crowley is revered by many and 
		despised by as many more, and his magical treatise 
		("Book Four", recently reissued assembled by Samuel 
		Weiser) may likely prove his most popular text.

	@03  -  "Aleister Crowley (if Soror Virakam may be relied upon) 
                is said to have adopted "the old spelling of MAGICK...
                in order to distinguish the Science of the Magi from 
      	        all its counterfeits." 
	              ("Magick", eds. Symonds/Grant, p. 45 note).

	@04  -  "Magick", p. xvi.

	@05  -  "Magick in Theory and Practice", 
	by Aleister Crowley; p. 7.

62 Credits

	Those who assisted by reviewing the FAQ whose ideas 
	and/or networking were utilized to good measure:

	If you have suggestions for changes or additions to this
	document, send them to the Editor (nagasiva@luckymojo.com).
	-------------------------------------------------------------
	Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem. -- W. Occam

63 Copyrights

	This document is Copyright (c) 1999, nagasiva@luckymojo.com.

	All rights reserved.  Permission to distribute the collection 
	is hereby granted providing that distribution is electronic, 
	no money is involved, reasonable attempts are made to use the 
	latest version and all credits and this copyright notice are 
	maintained.  Other requests for distribution should be directed 
	to the Editor or to the individual authors of the quoted 
        materials.


=============================================================================

	nagasiva@luckymojo.com (tyaginator)
	     Editor, alt.magick FAQ

FIN HTML 9907