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EL FAQ-O GIGANTE

EL FAQ-O GIGANTE

This document is a compilation file of all known alt.magick FAQ
files and several REF files. I am calling it EL FAQ-O GIGANTE.
It is posted to incite discussion and possible revision of the
alt.magick FAQ.

Title:    El FAQ-O Gigante
Path:     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/el-faq-o-gigante
Version:  Sun, 16 Jan 2005 
Replaces: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 

PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT WHEN RESPONDING. 

CLIP AND RESPOND ONLY TO PERTINENT SECTIONS. 

RESPOND IN USENET ONLY, PLEASE. 

==========================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS - EL FAQ-O GIGANTE
==========================================================

PART ZERO: META: The Newsgroup Itself as a topic; 
usenet culture

0.1     What is this newsgroup about?
0.2     What is this newsgroup *not* about?
0.3.1   Who is in charge here? Who is the group monitor? 
        Who is the moderator? Who started this newsgroup? 
0.3.2   Is there a formal magical or fraternal order associated 
        with alt.magick? 
0.4     Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?
0.5.1   Why are so many posters antagonistic to newcomers?
0.5.2   Why are so many posters antagonistic to each other?
0.5.3   What can I do to minimize being the target of antagonism?
0.6     ARGH!!! I asked for recipes or spells and I got 
        quick fried to a crackly crunch! WHY? 
0.7.1   Are there stylistic posting guidelines?
0.7.2   Why does it matter if I don't spell properly or if my
        grammar is poor?
0.8.1   How do I even start to figure out what the topics are?
0.8.2   What are related topics we can discuss here?
0.9     Why do some posters here put equations which are wrong 
        after their names, like 8=3?
        
PART ONE: GENERAL: Definitions and Theories

1.1.1   What is magick?
1.1.2   Why is the newsgroup alt.magick spelled with a k and 
        why do some posters spell the word magic with a 'k'?
1.2.1   Is magick real, and, if so, how does it work?
1.2.2   Is magick a science, an art, both, or neither?
1.2.3   Is magic compatible with modern science?
1.3     What is the relationship between religion and magick?
1.4     What is mysticism and how does this relate to magick?
1.5     What is a ritual and how is it related to magick?
1.6     What can one achieve with magick?
1.7.1   Can you send me magick spells?
1.7.2   How can I use magick to make someone love me?
1.7.3   I want a magick spell to curse someone.
1.7.4   How can I tell if I have been cursed or remove a curse?
1.7.5   Help! My girlfriend / boyfriend is a witch / OTO 
        member / Satanist / chaote / vampire! What should I do?
1.7.6   Is a magic 'spell' different from a 'prayer'?
1.8.1   What are demons and angels?  Are these related to magick?
1.8.2   How can I summon a demon and have it obey me?
1.8.3   How do I get rid of unwanted demons?
1.9.1   What's a good beginning reading list for a person 
        interested in magick?
1.9.2   What resources are available for the computer-wise mage?

PART TWO: ETHICS: The Morality of Magick

2.1     Is magic black and/or white? Should we do black magic?
2.2     What is black magick and is it ethical?
2.3     How can magick be used to heal and when should it?
2.4     What is karma? What is the Rule of Three? How do they
        apply to magical work?
2.5     What are the ethics of using magick in enrichment, 
        romance, combat, employment, crime and politics?
        
PART THREE: PRACTICE: The Study of Magick

3.1     How do I learn to do magick?  Do I need an instructor?
3.2     What is the relationship between student and teacher supposed
        to be?
3.3     What are the usual pitfalls of magical work, and what common,
        recognizable stages do magicians go through in the course of 
        magical training?    
3.4.1   What is the basis for secrecy and why do some magicians abide 
        by it?    
3.4.2   Are magical oaths necessary and/or useful?

PART FOUR: HISTORY: The Story of Magick

4.1.1   How does Egypt fit into the history of magick?
4.1.2   Who were the Templars or Knights Templar?
4.1.3   Who were the (Bavarian) Illuminati?
4.1.4   What is Kabbalah / Cabala / Qabala ?
4.1.5   What is Hermeticism?
4.1.6   What is Masonry and how does it relate to magick?
4.1.7   What is Rosicrucianism, the rose and cross?
4.1.8   What is Theosophy and how does it relate to magick?
4.1.9   What was the Golden Dawn and what did it become?
4.2.1   Who was John Dee?
4.2.2   Who was Eliphas Levi?
4.2.3   Who was Helena Petrovna Blavatsky?
4.2.4   Who was Paschal Beverly Randolph? 
4.2.5.1 Who was Aleister Crowley?
4.2.5.2 Why does Crowley have such a bad reputation as a person?  
4.2.5.3 What is Crowley's 'Aeon of Horus' mean?
4.2.6   Who was Israel Regardie?
4.2.7   Who was Dion Fortune?
4.2.8   Who was Austin Osman Spare?
4.2.9   Who was Gerald Gardner?  

PART FIVE: DISCIPLINES Associated With Magick

5.1     What is divination?
        (i.e.  astrology, tarot, i ching, feng shui, 
        runework)   
5.2     What is sex magick?
5.2.1   What is tantra?  
5.2.2   Are tantra and sex magick related?
5.3.1   What is yoga and how does it relate to magick?
5.3.2   To what to do the following words refer: asana, 
        tattwa, kundalini, prana, cakra/chakra; qi/ki/chi, 
        meridians; aura, avatars and (re)incarnation?
5.4     What is alchemy and how is it related to magick?
5.5.1   What is qabala and how does it relate to magick?
5.5.2   Is qabala different than kabbalah or cabala?  
5.5.3   To what do the following words refer: 
        gematria, notariqon, temurah, aiq bekr, sephiroth, 
        qliphoth, da'ath, abyss, pathworking?
5.6.3   What is ceremonial magick?
5.6.3.1 What is a Holy Guardian Angel?  
5.6.3.2 What is the Oath of the Abyss?  
5.6.3.3 What is the Great Work?
5.7.1   What is voudoun / voodoo and what kind of spells are 
        Voodoo spells?       
5.7.2   What about santeria?  Is it a religion or magick?
5.8.1   What is folk magic? 
5.8.2   What is "Pow Wow magic"?        
5.8.3   What are juju, obeah and hoodoo?        
5.8.4   What are brujeria, curandismo, stregheria, etc.?
5.9.1   What is witchcraft?  Is it different than 'the craft'?
5.9.2   Is witchcraft magick or something else?
5.10.1   What is Wicca?  Is it different than witchcraft?
5.10.2   What is the Great Rite of Wicca?  
5.10.3   Is the Great Rite anything like the Great Work?  
5.11     What is Satanism?
5.12     What is chaos / kaos magick?
5.13.1   What is Enochian magick?
5.13.2   What are aethyrs and calls?  
5.13.3   Is there really such a thing as 'enochian chess'?
5.14     What is cybermagick?
5.15     What is occultism?
5.16.1   What is spiritualism?
5.16.2   Are ghosts or the spirits of the dead real?   
5.16.3   What is a seance?   
5.16.4   What is a ouija board and how is it used?
5.17.1   What is astral travel?
5.17.2   What is the astral plane?
5.17.3   What does OOBE stand for?  What is it?
5.18     Are telepathy and telekinesis magick?
5.19     What are vampires and werewolves -- and do they have 
         anything to do with magick?    
5.20     How many elements / guardians / archangels are there?
         and how are they used in magick?
5.21     What is the "LBRP" or Lesser Banishing Ritual of the          
         Pentagram?         
5.22     What is the "QC" or  Qabalistic Cross?
5.23     What is "KCHGA" or  Knowledge and Conversation of the 
         Holy Guardian Angel?
5.24     What is the Abyss?

PART SIX: TOOLS AND OBJECTS Associated With Magick

6.1      What is a magical tool?
6.2.1    What are common magical tools and how are they used?
         (i.e. wand/staff, cup/chalice, sword, pentacle, dagger, 
         cord, candle, incense, perfume, salt, herbs, gems/stones, 
         scrying mirror, scourge, athame, mojo, gris-gris, wanga, 
         talisman, sigil, lamen, etc.)   
6.2.2    What is an athame and how is this term pronounced?
6.2.3    What are a gris-gris, wanga, or mojo?
6.3.1    What is the Necronomicon and how does it relate to magick?
6.3.2    Where can I find the Necronomicon?  
6.3.3    Why is alt.necromicon spelled funny? 
6.4      What is a "Book of Shadows"?
6.5      What is The Book of the Law?
6.6      What are magic(k) squares?
6.7.1    Where are there pictures of a pentagram, hexagram, 
         unicursal hexagram, swastika, baphomet, tree of life?
6.7.1    Where are there pictures of a pentagram, hexagram, 
         unicursal hexagram, swastika, baphomet, tree of life?   
6.7.2    Are there correct ways to draw them?  
6.7.3    If a symbol is 'upside-down' what does this mean?
6.8      What role do psychoactive substances play in magical 
         practice?
6.9      What role do mind machines and bio-feedback play in magick?

PART SEVEN: INITIATION AND ORDERS Associated With Magick

7.1.1    What is initiation?  Is it important?
7.1.2    What forms do initiations take?
7.2      Why does alt.magick resemble an initiated order?
7.3      Is joining an organization a good idea? Are social 
         rituals better than solitary ones?  
7.4      What do magickal orders and organizations actually  do? 
7.5      What is the Golden Dawn? 
7.6      What is the OTO?  
7.7      What is the A.'. A.'.?  
7.8.1    What is Discordianism?
7.8.2    Is Discordianism really related to the Illuminati?
7.9      What does 'TOPY' stand for and why do they spell funny?
7.10     What is the Church of the Subgenius?

PART EIGHT: CONTRIBUTORS AND REFERENCES

8.1       Contributors to this FAQ
8.2       References Consulted

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

PART ZERO: META: The Newsgroup Itself as a topic; 
usenet culture

0.1   What is this newsgroup about?

The technical and scholarly discussion of magick;  magickal
theory, art, and technology. (See the definition of magick,
below.)

The general viewpoint here is to try for a dogma-free
approach to magick, which precludes a lot of religious
discussion, although we draw religious and mystical
vocabulary in *all* the time, since we are too short lived
to reinvent all the symbols in the world. 

0.2   What is this newsgroup *not* about?

This newsgroup is not about specific religions (Pagan,
Satanist, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, New Age, Wicca,
whatever). It is not about stage magic. It is not about the
Necronomicon or mythology. Those topics have their own
newsgroups.

However, since many take mysticism to be the aim or goal of
their magic, and mythology to be its language, we will
likely have a difficult time separating religion and
mysticism from magic with any consistency.

Most people who make positive contributions to the
alt.magick nwsgroup are "believers" in Magick. A sane,
intelligent, well phrased, non-condemnatory questioning
of that belief may have a subsidiary place in this group,
but as in any other group of like minded individuals who
gather to discuss a favourite topic, disruption is not
appreciated.

0.3.1 Who is in charge here? Who is the group monitor? 
     Who is the moderator? Who started this newsgroup? 
   
No one is in charge.

There is no monitor.

There is no moderator.

Alt.magick was newgroup'd by Josh Geller in 1991. The
newsgroup 'alt.magic' had already been claimed by those
whose interest was stage magic.

A history of alt.magick has not been written but the
newsgroup Charter as well as many old newsgroup FAQs, REF
files, documents, control messages, and the like can be
found here:
     http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs.html
     
Archives of old alt.magick posts from 1995 to the present
are available at
     http://www.google.com 

Selected archives of alt.magick posts from 1992 to the
present can be found at the Lucky Mojo Esoteric Archive of
Usenet Posts at:
     http://www.luckymojo.com/esoteric.html
     
0.3.2 Is there a formal magical or fraternal order associated 
     with alt.magick?
   
None whatsoever.         

0.4 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 it carries very little 
traffic, if any. 

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:

news:alt.magick.ethics   (philosophia) 
news:alt.magick.folk     (primitivas) 
news:alt.magick.goetia   (daemonos)
news:alt.magick.order    (politicos) 
news:alt.magick.tantra   (sexualis) 
news:alt.magick.tyagi    (synthesia)

There is a comprehensive list of posting suggestions in the
document called "alt.magick RULES." These are quotes from
usenet authorities regarding posting content and may be
found at this location:
     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/ruleref

In terms of limiting the *substance* or *topic*, there is 
no "censorship," but there has been intense heat from occult
organizations to keep certain copyrighted texts from being
posted to the newsgroup in bulk.

In addition to copyright issues, there is often a great
outcry when someone posts a ritual or a suggestion which
conflicts with the morality or maturity level of
participants. As alt.magick is not moderated, savvy folks
who know how to forge- cancel posted messages may 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.

0.5.1  Why are so many posters antagonistic to newcomers?
   
Much of the time people start posting to alt.magick without
having done any research or preparation of their own. This
is annoying to many of the regular posters, and an
indication that the new poster is unlikely to be
sufficiently dedicated that any positive replies will be
time well spent.

Furthermore, some people think that those who are prepared
to persevere in their line of questioning despite antagonism
are most likely to be the ones that will persevere in their
study of magick. Their belief is sometimes called the "dojo
model" of alt.magick.

Also, some people you meet in usenet -- just like some
people you meet on the streets, on the job, or in your
family -- may be abrasive, unfriendly, aggressive and/or
mentally ill. This doesn't stop them from posting, of
course.

0.5.2  Why are so many posters antagonistic to each other?

Clashing wills, clashing moralities, and clashing dogmas can
open heated debates; insults and sarcasm may lead to flame
wars. This is true all over usenet, not just in alt.magick.
     
0.5.3 What can I do to minimize being the target of antagonism?
   
First, wait a while before posting. Read the kinds of things
other people post. Read this FAQ. 

Second, do some of your own research. Simply asking for us
to do your work for you will not go down well.

Third, conform to Usenet convention. Make sure your
news reader has word-wrap set, try not to include the
entirety of a post you are responding to, but do include at
least the most recent attribution, and don't simply reply to
add "Me too."  Do not post commercial advertisements, nor
binaries, nor religious dogma. Do not call people names.

Fourth, if before you start posting you identify people who
seem angry a lot of the time or whose viewpoints are likely
to clash with yours, you can ignore their posts.

Fifth, pay attention to any "Order" affiliations provided by
those who are abrasive and abusive. Consider carefully what
their school of choice says about "attainment," whether this
ought to manifest in such behaviour or whether the corrosive
individual in question actually has some kind of connection
to the organization, religion, mystical path, or magical
school they laud. Beware of imposters and poseurs who wish
to monopolize your time in order to feel better about
themselves, by making you feel small and unimportant.
     
0.6 ARGH!!! I asked for recipes or spells and I got 
     quick fried to a crackly crunch! WHY? 

Fear not.  Some of us think that this should be an open
forum, and use kindness. Folks employing knee jerk flaming
are not to be considered as *representative* of the
collegium, no matter what volume they contribute.

If you wish to enquire about spells, to pick up recipes for
popular magical formulae, or discuss the magical symbolism
of herbs and minerals, you may have better luck in 
     news:alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magick
     
If you wish to discuss practical methods of occult practice, 
such as making and using ceremonial tools, mirror-scrying, 
and sigil creation, you may do better in 
     news:alt.occult.methods

0.7.1 Are there stylistic posting guidelines?

Add a few books on General Semantics to your reading list,
and also Strunk & White, and the guide to using your
favorite news editor. We do pretty well with bad spellers,
and poor grammarians, but there is no excuse for folks who
can't learn how to use their word wrap options in their
editor. It really makes it hard to read your post or to
include quotes to reply.  

Please hit the return key at the end of each line, if you
can't learn how to use the word wrap.  Please do not post
binaries. Please do not quote entire lengthy posts when
making a one-line reply. Please do not top-quote (place your
reply above the material to which you are replying). 

See also
        http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/

0.7.2 Why does it matter if I don't spell properly or if my
      grammar is poor?

We are discussing many abstract and complex subjects. If you
have an insufficient grasp of the basic tools of language,
many will doubt your ability to adequately understand their
ideas or communicate your own. 

If you speak English as a second language or are using a
mechanical translator program to read or post, it is a
good idea to mention it in your first few messages; this 
will prevent people targeting you as a sloppy writer. 

0.8.1 How do I even start to figure out what the topics are?

Read what other people say and try to learn from the
responses they get. If you want to learn more, and want to
use alt.magick as a learning resource, that's fine. Ask a
specific question. If you don't have a specific question to
ask, then go and do some research until you have got one.
Displays of ignorance do not tend to get clamped down on,
however displays of laziness or stupidity do.

It is important to remember that many of us come from
differing backgrounds, so please do not assume that we have
terms in common. If people react to your posting, it is very
likely on the grounds of some semantic misunderstanding. 
Semantic misunderstandings beat out cold fusion as a source
of boundless cheap heat.  Do your best, and we will try to
sort it out.  

Communication is an unending miracle, which we renew every
time we read something on the net. None of us are perfect at
it, so don't worry *too* much, and never take anything
personally if folks react to it.  (Even if they tell you
so.)  Anyone taking themselves too seriously here is missing
the point.

A primary prerequisite for the group is a broad sense of
humor.

0.8.2 What are related topics we can discuss here?
   
Any and all of the following subjects can provide some
thought provoking material for discussion, but they are not
the primary focus of this newsgroup. Most of these topics
are the subject of their own specialized newsgroups; all 
of them can be researched easily on the web:

Mysticism, sorcery, Yoga, Tantra Yoga, neo-tantra, Kundalini
Yoga, psychology, the Necronomicon, H. P. Lovecraft,
parapsychology, C. G. Jung, chaos quantum physics, out of
body experiences, near-death experiences, ghosts, spirit
visions, divination, sex magick, alchemy, ley lines, feng
shui, the I Ching, lucid dreaming, inner alchemy, talismans,
amulets, charms, potions, spell-casting, extra-sensory
perception, memetics, mnemonics, drug use, psychism, chi
energy, Paganism, Neo-Paganism, Wicca, witchcraft, Satanism,
Asatru, runes, Zen Buddhism, Santeria, Obeah, Voodoo,
Discordianism, channelling, trance possession, palmistry,
Theosophy, meditation, visualization, pathworking,
astrology, chiromancy, Spiritualism, hypnosis, and
Rosicrucianism,
    
0.9 Why do some posters here put equations which are wrong 
    after their names, like 8=3?
   
The equations signify grades in the Golden Dawn, Rosicrucian
and/or A.'.A.'. systems of hermetic magick -- though perhaps
with slightly different meanings in each case. In the Golden
Dawn, for instance these range from 0=0 (neophyte), and 1=10
(zelator) through to 10=1 (ipsissimus), and do not attempt
to convey any mathematical truths. The grades signify levels
of attainment within that system, and within that system
alone. However, in some systems, such as the A.'.A.'.,
certain grades reflect changes in consciousness and mark
stages in development, achievable by anyone:

0=0: Neophyte (or "Probationer" in the A.'.A.'.)
 -- marks an awareness of a spiritual goal, an
awakening to there being "something higher". It is a
beginning. "I am aware"

5=6: Adeptus minor - signifies attainment to the knowledge
and conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel, identifying
with the individual subconscious which manifests the
universal Will in each person. Entails a *realisation* of
the individual's "place" in the universe, and of the
individual's true will. "I do"

8=3: Magister Templi, "Master of the Temple" - signifies the
crossing of the Abyss, or the identification with the
universal Will itself. Entails a *realisation* that the
individual is but one manifestation of the whole, and that
individual preferences, opinions, attachments and indeed the
self, are illusionary. "It does through me"

It must be borne in mind that although these grades
represent the stages described, there may be any number of
reasons why individuals choose to employ them on alt.magick,
but which can't be covered in this FAQ.

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

PART ONE: GENERAL: Definitions and Theories

1.1.1 What is magick?

Some see magick as a kind of energy which pervades the
cosmos.

Some see it as a psychic tool by which we may influence
the material world using symbols and ritual.

Some 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.

Magic has been defined by many people in many different
ways, but in this newsgroup, it is generally considered to
be the manipulation of reality in accordance with will and
to includes any of a variety of life-practices which devote
or direct the practitioner to self- and (thereby)
environment-transformation.

One poster adapted an old text and came up with this
definition:

     Magic is the Highest, most Absolute, and most Divine
     Knowledge of Natural Philosophy, advanced in its works and
     wonderful operations by a right understanding of the inward
     and occult virtue of things; so that true Agents being
     applied to proper Patients, strange and admirable effects
     will thereby be produced. Whence magicians are profound and
     diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their
     skill, know how to anticipate an effect, the which to the
     vulgar shall seem to be a miracle."

Because methods and schools of magic (and magick) vary, this
group discusses all sorts of things under the heading
"magick," including alchemy, Kabbalah, ritual magick,
ceremonial magick, the Western Esoteric Tradition,
Renaissance Neo-Platonism, Asian mysticism, Neo-Pagan magic,
and occasionally a bit of commentary on New Age practices.

Whatever the word means, and however we choose to spell it,
magic (or magick) is the subject, generally, of the
newsgroup, and will likely be given many differing and
contradictory meanings during discussions there.

See also:
Magick: What is Magic(k)? REF (KfaQ#1), 1994 version
     http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.whatmgk.9503

1.1.2 Why is the newsgroup alt.magick spelled with a k and 
     why do some posters spell the word magic with a 'k'?

According to Josh Geller, the newsgroup alt.magick was
newsgroups with a 'k' because the name alt.magic had already
been taken by a group that discussed stage magic
(prestidigitation) and, as he'd a fondness for Crowleyan
spelling, he chose alt.magick rather than attempt something
else like alt.occult.magic. Not all occult newsgroups spell
magic with a k: The oldest newsgroup that deals with
occultism and magic, alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic, does
not use the 'k.'

Although "Magick" is a spelling popularly associated with
Aleister Crowley, it does indeed precede him by hundreds of
years. It was the common spelling of the word in the
Elizabethan period and appears spelled with a k in John
Dee's diaries which date from the 1580s. Some suspect that
this in particular held an attraction for Crowley, as he
believed himself to be the reincarnation of Dee's partner,
Edward Kelly.

All English words derived from Latin words ending in -ic- or
Greek words in -ik- were commonly spelled -ick- in English,
when the pronunciation had the "k" sound, well into the late
1700's; but were spelled -ic- in English when the pronunciation
changes to an "s" or "sh" sound.

Thus: magick, magicks, magickally; and if we had a verb "to
magick," its forms would be magicking and magicked.  However,
only magician, never "magickian," because the pronunciation in
this word is not "k", but "sh" (for Americans) or "s" (for some
English).

In English print, the -ick ending began to change to -ic
about 1700; by about 1730 -ic was much more frequent than
-ick; by 1800 -ick was effectively extinct in English print.

After about 1800, people started dropping the "k" except when a
vowel "e" "i" or "y" immediately followed.  Thus we now write
magic; but it there were a verb "to magic," we would still
write "magicking" and "magicked," just as we do with the verb
"to picnic."

Johnson's 1755 Dictionary views -ick as a lost but noble
cause. Americans were about 40 years behind the trend: -ick
can still be found in American print until about 1840.

If you want a good example of an English text with the "k"
still used as described, take a look at the first edition of
the English translation of Agrippa's "Three Books of Occult
Philosophy"(1651), available in your nearest high-level rare
book library if you're lucky.

So Crowley just revived an archaic spelling for his own
purposes. He, however, being rather well-educated, never
blundered into spellings like 'magickian" (gaack)!   
              
Due to his many publications and the orders he crafted,
Aleister Crowley is revered by many and despised by as many
more. For a list of Crowley's writings, see:
     http://www.luckymojo.com/crowley/

Soror Virakam, an associate of Crowley's, maintained that
spelling magick with a k separated Crowley from his
competitors. Symonds and Grant wrote, "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). One poster to alt.magick
stirred up quite a bit of controversy when he referred to
this as Crowley's "marketing scheme."

Symonds and Grant, in their introduction to "Magick" (Book
Four, Parts I/II/III), 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" (magical power) and "kteis," (vagina),
for which they say it stands, as "the complement to the wand
(or phallus) which is used by the Magician in certain
aspects of the Great Work."

Upon coming to usenet, numerous people have presumed that
the distinction in spelling conveys more than mere
intention to enable electronic machines to distinguish
files. They may even apply the spelling differentiation
backwards and say that the reason Aleister Crowley gave
magick a k was to emphasize a difference between
conjuring tricks and occult spells; between magic and
magick. Some have claimed grounds for comparing magic and
magick metaphorically to chemistry and alchemy. But one
poster to the newsgroup finds this annoying:

     I can't believe people are =still= saying that Crowley
     spelled "magick" with a "k" to distinguish it from stage
     magic. Hasn't anyone read "Magick in Theory and Practice,"
     surely the most widely reprinted of his books? He used the
     new spelling to distinguish his system from everyone else's
     Golden Dawn style magic, which he thought had given the
     whole enterprise a bad name. This deliberately archaic
     spelling had diddly-squat to do with stage magic, and
     everything to do with Crowley's hatred of his contemporary
     competitors.
                   
Another poster had this to say about the current use of the
spelling "magick":
         
     Most of the world teaches about magic as some system of
     symbolic manipulation of the physical world, the activity of
     trying to cause or assist the cause of change toward a
     desired end through symbolic means. The objectives and the
     elements of magical practice vary from culture to culture.

     "Magick" is a very particular and peculiar subject of study
     amongst the social groups clustered around Edward Alexander
     "Aleister" Crowley.

     A typical assertion is that "magick" separates stage magic
     from occult magick (the latter usually ascribed to Crowley,
     who made it very clear he used it to differentiate his
     mystical magic from that of his competition, who used
     different means to achieve the same Hermetic goals).
     However, Crowley's usage was unusual for his time period,
     and now many who use it after him only know about or
     practice ceremonial magic.

     Basically, magick (and Hermetic magic as a whole) includes
     ritual ceremonies to achieve mystical objectives. The
     co-option of the term "magic" toward this end should be
     considered a religious antagonism toward folk magic from the
     standpoint of a privileged European literati, who describe
     folk magic as "Low" and present the subject in biased and
     skewed ways to serve their religious interests. Their
     "elevated" bias indicates their allegiance to the sky-gods
     of Western religious cults and the transcendental "heavens"
     located beyond the terran gravitational sink from which they
     typically seek to escape -- comparable to some Eastern
     mystics, whose traditions they will also attempt to co-opt
     toward their ends.
     
     MAGIC, on the other hand, transcends these Hermetic goals
     and methods, and forms a part of occult study, along with
     systems of divination and alchemy. 
     
     The predominant focus of magical lore worldwide is the
     association of spell elements with the desired results of
     the crafted spell. Beyond this, traditional methods of
     spell-casting and spell-resolution, how non-ordinary
     entities may relate to this process, and what conditions
     ensure the security of the mage and the reliability of the
     spell, form the major subject categories.

And a quotation from Crowley's own writings indicates that
Crowleyan "magick" may actually be about spirituality, not
"magic" at all!:

     "In my third year at Cambridge, I devoted myself
     consciously to the Great Work, understanding thereby
     the Work of becoming a Spiritual Being, free from
     the constraints, accidents, and deceptions of
     material existence. I found myself at a loss for
     a name to designate my work, just as H. P. Blavatsky
     some years earlier. "Theosophy", "Spiritualism",
     "Occultism", "Mysticism", all involved undesirable
     connotations. I chose therefore the name "MAGICK"
     as essentially the most sublime, and actually the
     most discredited, of all the available terms. I
     swore to rehabilitate MAGICK, to identify it with
     my own career; and to compel mankind to respect,
     love, and trust that which they scorned, hated and
     feared. I have kept my Word."
        
                -- "Magick in Theory and Practice"
                   by Aleister Crowley (pages XI-XII)

For those interested in the magick of Aleister Crowley, there
are many of his writings available online. One of the best
introductions is his "Magick in Theory and Practice":
     http://www.luckymojo.com/crowley/004mitap.txt 

Those who want to read what Crowley had to write on
occultism (alchemy, divination, and magic), stripped of his
religious and mystical verbiage may find the following file
valuable:
     http://www.luckymojo.com/esoteric/occultism/crowleymitap.html 

For discussions of worldwide magic from various cultures, without 
respect to Aleister Crowley (but not excluding him either), try
     news:alt.lucky.w 

See also:
Magick and Magic REF (quotes defining the words and their meaning), 1995
version
     http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.mgk-def.9508

1.2.1 Is magick real, and, if so, how does it work?

Some posit the notion of principles -- "laws of magic," and
what-not -- a la scientific structure.

Some have suggested the differentiation of magical
"currents" or "energies" based on style and/or intent. 

Some approach the question more subjectively, considering
all knowledge about the elements of magic 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 as well. 

Conventional approaches may be cross-posted to
sci.philosophy.meta.

See also:
Magick: Is Magic(k) Real? REF (KfaQ#6), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.realmgk.9412
        
1.2.2 Is magick a science, an art, both, or neither?

Aleister Crowley, whom many respect as an authority, called
it both when he defined magick as "the Science and Art of
causing Change to occur in conformity with Will."

1.2.3 Is magic compatible with modern science?

This is 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.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable
from magic."
                     --- Arthur C. Clarke 

One poster wrote this:

     Hermetic magick, as we know it in Western cultures, arises
     from the gnostic religious philosophies. "Gnosis" means
     "knowing". Instead of simply believing or accepting the
     workings of the universe on faith, a student and
     practitioner of magick seeks to "know" them, to experience
     them directly and to seek some consistency to their
     operation, and, through this knowledge, to exert control
     over them. In the realm of observable phenomena, the most
     refined way to do this is the scientific method. "Science"
     also means "knowing".
     
     So science is a form of magick, refined into a high degree of
     reliability where it is applied to physical phenomena. There
     is nothing in science which contradicts the operation of
     magick. However, since magick also addresses experiences and
     events are not independently observable, the methods of
     science do not always apply to it with any conclusive results.
     
     Hard science advocates a causal materialism to be the proper
     paradigm for explaining and understanding events in reality.
     Of course, science is not monolithic, and a great many
     individual scientists vary in what degree they agree with the
     underlying assumptions.
     
     Magick, with all its various schools, can be characterized as
     arising from differing metaphysical assumptions. Thus one can
     practice effective magick or science with varying assumptions.
     Some metaphysical viewpoints allow the practice of both
     without contradiction, and in others they are absolutely
     distinct.
     
Another poster had this opinion:
     
     Who cares? This question is a tar-baby and those who touch
     it and get stuck have only themselves to blame.
     
1.3 What is the relationship between religion and magick?

There have been a number of different discussions on these
subjects. 

The more popular hypotheses in the newsgroup include the 
     magic/individual : religion/group 
model, the idea that religion is the devolution of magic,
and the theory that magic is the functional portion of
religion.

Some people, notably those from non-Christian cultures, do
not seem overly interested to discern between magic and
religion at all.

Some people have never considered the subject, having grown
up more or less unexposed to religion.

1.4 What is mysticism and how does this relate to magick?

Thelemites might equate magic with will and mysticism with
love. 

The association has also been made between mysticism and
theurgy, and magic and thaumaturgy.

Some say that magic is the application of will using
symbolic means to cause intentional change and that
mysticism is one area of change (a spiritual area) toward
which magic may be applied.

For more on mysticism, see the MaGI's Gehennom GOO list of 
web-links at
     http://www.luckymojo.com/magi/goo.html

1.5 What is a ritual and how is it related to magick?

Ritual is a standardized form of spiritual practice that
often involves elements of oral recitation, symbolic
gestures and the use of sacred objects, in a ceremonial
setting, intended to attune the mind(s) and imagination(s)
of the ritualist(s) with the Greater Mind of God, His Angels
and the spirits of the subtle realms beyond our common sight
and hearing. Ritual is often ecstatic, hypnotic, and
dramatic. At the very least it imprints the subconscious
mind with the intended process and its hoped for result; at
best it reaches out to the Universal Mind and the specific
channels of that vast conception in order to create a
"thought-form" on the astral plane to accomplish the purpose
of the rite.

Ritual is a context in which magic can occur, and may depend
upon ceremonial or psychological factors inclusive of the
achievement of certain states of consciousness (e.g. via
psychoactives), the purposeful adherence to a strict pattern
of behaviour (a formula), usage of a particular set of
symbolic associations (a system), or the arrival of a
specific experience (e.g. ecstasy).

1.6 What can one achieve with magick?

Usually this question is asked by someone who thinks they
already know what magick is. Once you have made up your
mind, it is difficult to unmake it, so throw out what you
think you know and try for a fresh perspective.

The following is the opinion of a contributor who compares
magick to the placebo effect in medicine. It is not a view
shared by all contributors here, but it worth considering: 

     There are any number of demonstrations of the intentional
     manipulation of reality. Aleister Crowley wrote that all
     intentional acts are magical acts. Every act we perform is a
     mysterious operation by which what we conceive becomes what
     happens, to a greater or lesser degree. Now, usually, when
     we think of magick we don't think of something so banal as
     twiddling our thumbs. We think of somehow affecting the
     world around us directly by manipulating symbols, thoughts,
     and feelings.

     So, let's consider the placebo effect. A placebo is a
     chemically inert substance which has the power to heal or
     relieve symptoms entirely because the recipient believes
     that it is, in fact, medicine. The placebo effect can be and
     has been measured by scientific experiments, beginning with
     H.K. Beecher's study, published as "The Powerful Placebo"
     (1955, JADA 159:1602-1606). Beecher's methods of inducing
     the placebo effect were unsophisticated and the researchers
     got only about a one-in-three positive response. More
     recently, The Power of Non-specific Effects in Healing:
     Implications for Psychosocial and Biological Treatments.
     (Roberts, A. H., D. G. Kewman, L. Mercier, and M. Hovell.
     1993. Clinical Psychology Review 13:375-391), determined
     that "under conditions of heightened expectations, the power
     of non-specific effects (placebos) far exceeds that commonly
     reported in the literature." They found that in more than
     7000 cases, the healing power of placebos occurred in almost
     70% of them.

     The placebo effect is a prime example of how our beliefs and
     expectations, unaided by any other physical medium, can
     affect the way we feel and the way our bodies act. This is
     magick, demonstrated scientifically.

     As John Dodes, author of "The Mysterious Placebo" (Skeptical
     Inquirer January/February 1997 Vol. 21, No. 1), advises,
     "Paracelsus (Swiss alchemist and physician 1493-1541) wrote:
     'You must know that the will is a powerful adjuvant of
     medicine.' It is imperative that skeptics recognize the
     wisdom and warnings inherent in this statement."

     To be sure, there are many claims made by people who
     practice some form of magick that they can induce psychic
     powers, open communications with non-corporeal entities,
     cause certain events to occur, and so forth. Some of these
     claims are clearly specious; others may not be. It is well
     to consider such claims as what they are: claims unsupported
     by experimental evidence gathered in a careful and
     scientific manner. It's a good idea to check things out for
     yourself, carefully and thoroughly, before you make a
     decision on the merits of any particular claim.

     Yet, for all of that, it is a fact that magick can and does
     produce some real and demonstrable phenomena.
 
1.7.1 Can you send me magick spells?

If you want to participate in the technical and scholarly
discussion of magick, that's fine. If, however, you simply
want magick to be handed to you on a plate, you're in the
wrong place. 

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.

Some of us gladly post spells. 

Some of us are basically selfish bastards and jealously 
guard our grimoires. 

Some of us have found that simple repetition of what others 
have done before isn't a useful way of achieving one's own goals,
and thus that simply giving someone a spell without
engendering at least that much of an understanding would be
a worthless thing to do. 

But, basically, exchange of spells is not the topic of this 
newsgroup.

You will find a very large archive of spells at

     http://www.luckymojo.com/spells.html 
     
The spells contained within those compilation files
may be dangerous to your health, but the archiver welcomes
contributions to them and will be happy to source them
properly so that those who taste of their repercussions can
adequately compensate you.

1.7.2 How can I use magick to make someone love me?

Many of the regular posters will blankly refuse such a
request. The employment of such a spell (which would by its
very nature contravene the free will of another person) is,
by many, considered abhorrent, and anyone who would need to
ask for one is often deemed, by the nature of their asking,
to be too immature and irresponsible to be given one.

However, love spells are a matter of historical record and, 
of course, over the years many have been posted to this
newsgroup. No endorsement is implied, but here are some 
documents of interest, by a number of usenet authors:

The alt.magick Ref File of Love and Attraction Spells
     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/fuckspells.html

Spells for Love and Sex Compiled from other Usenet Newsgroups
     http://www.luckymojo.com/spells/red/loveandsexspells.html

1.7.3 I want a magick spell to curse someone.

This request will usually be met with even more disdain than
a request for a love or lust spell. Nonetheless, jinxing and
death-oriented spells were collected from alt.magick. over
the last few years and they have been placed in this REF
file:

     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/owspells.html

1.7.4 How can I tell if I have been cursed or remove a curse?

This is a Frequently Asked Question in other newsgroups
where spell-work is discussed, so rather than bothering
alt.magick with such an off-topic query, please repost your
question to either
     news:alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic or
     news:alt.lucky.w

1.7.5   Help! My girlfriend / boyfriend is a witch / OTO 
        member / Satanist / chaote / vampire! What should I do?

The mere fact that you are asking for a consultation in
usenet implies anxiety on your part. If you have anxiety for
any reason in a relationship, you must talk about it and
share your feelings openly with each other.

The "Occult" has been repressed and denied for so long that
its practitioners have, in many cases, learned tolerance.
Unlike members of established accepted mainstream religions,
philosophies, and lifestyles that, to a greater or lesser
extent, reject anybody who does not share their values,
occultists tend to be easy-going about their partners'
choices. Try to assume an similar attitude of tolerance in
return. 

Chances are that you are not a Christian fundamentalist or
you would have picked up on your partner's interest in the
occult before you became boyfriend/girlfriend, so perhaps
you can look on your partner as you would any other
c=sincere aspirant to spiritual truth. Even if you are an
atheist and you find your partner's belief in "witchcraft"
repugnant to common sense, you can still talk about it with
him or her.

If you are unwilling to think about new ways of interacting,
alternative lifestyles, and/or non-traditional morality
structures, or to countenance them in a lover, then the
relationship probably won't work.

1.7.6 Is a magic 'spell' different from a 'prayer'?

[no answers have been logged to this question; i may write a brief
one, as it is an interesting topic.]

1.8.1 What are demons and angels?  Are these related to magick?

Demons and angels derive from religious traditions and thus
opinions what they are will vary based on a person's
theological outlook.

Some posters believe that demons and angels are special
beings, created by God. They may say that Angels are direct
representatives from God assigned to various duties: Raphael
heals the sick, Michael offers protection, and so on. Demons
are rebellious spirits, sometimes called "Fallen Angels;"
often they are ancient Pagan Gods and Goddesses in disguise.
They act upon human emotions and forces of nature in
capricious ways. In Magick one learns to control them, and use
them, through will-power and the help of the Angels.

Some posters believe that demons represent pre-scientific,
anthropomorphized embodiments of physical and mental
diseases and that angels represent pre-scientific,
anthropomorphized embodiments of well-being or comfort. 

Some posters believe that demons and angels are the deities
of conquered peoples whose suppressed, distorted, and
half-forgotten ancient religions have been incorporated into
successive cosmologies. They hold that after being demoted
from deific status by the conquerors, these entities have
been given new roles, either positive or negative, and are
thereafter known as angels or demons. An example cited those
who promote this viewpoint is the goddess Ishtar (also known
as Esther, Oestara, and Astarte) who was given a sex-change
and became the male demon Ashtoreth in Medieval Christian
magickal grimoires.

Some posters believe that demons and angels are parts of the
psyche, constructs of the ego perhaps. They may or may not
also believe that gods and goddesses are also constructs of
this sort. A general distinction is sometimes made
that demons work at odds with the will of the magician (e.g.
like phobias do) and that angels work along with the will of
the magician (e.g. like character strengths do). Under this
system of belief, both demons and angels can be employed in
the fulfillment of the magician's will, and demons can assume
a new master, and be converted into angels. Some people
refer to this approach as "psychologizing magick."

1.8.2 How can I summon a demon and have it obey me?

Before summoning demons, it may well be worth considering if
the action is a wise one or not. 

In traditional Medieval and Renaissance ritual magick, you
would not attempt to do this until you had the major
Archangels firmly on your side through the process of
Invocation (calling down from above); then you would summon
a demon through the rites of Evocation (calling up from
below -- or calling out from within). When the demon appears
you would constrain him to do your will in the name of God
through the power of the Archangels and angels ruling over
him.

Some posters say that you can summon demons the same way you
summon anything; it is only necessary to call it forth with
the whole of your will.

Other posters -- both among those who "psychologize" demons
and those who take the historical approach that many of the
entities we now call demons are the discarded deities of
conquered religions -- contend that the traditional practice
of demon-summoning is cruel and unwarranted. They prefer to
invite demons rather to than command them and to ask favours
of them rather than coerce them to obey.

It has been asserted by some in the "psychological school"
that summoning demons is a lot easier than summoning angels
because, "demons always want to creep up on you, and mess
things up. You don't really need to summon one, you just
need to let go of your hold on it, and it will be off doing
its demonic work." This idea may be linked to unstated
belief in the Christian doctrine of "original sin," which is
a theological matter.

Theories about demons and demon-summoning are among the most
idiosyncratic found in the newsgroup and no belief is shared
by the group as a whole.

One "psychologizing" poster writes that 

     Constraining a demon to do your will is more likely to be a
     constructive operation than is summoning one. This is
     merely a question of authority. Demons are intrinsically
     weak, but have a special aptitude at finding the weak spots
     of the magician, and striking at the most inopportune
     moments. They also like to gang together, and have a nasty
     habit of letting you think you have got the better of them,
     lulling the magician into a false sense of security before
     bringing him down once and for all. To truly constrain a
     demon requires the confidence and authority which comes from
     discovering the true will.
     
     The first step is to know and understand the demon. You
     cannot hope to control it unless you understand its nature,
     and how it works; you must know your opponent before you can
     conquer it. You must unconditionally accept the existence of
     said demon, and objectively seek to discover and understand
     its name, characteristics, methods of operation, and weak
     spots. To accomplish this requires a high degree of
     self-honesty, courage, and discrimination.

     There are a variety of more or less well known psychological
     methods to aid in this (e.g. psychoanalysis, methods for
     treating phobias), and a well-constructed magical system
     will also provide for this in the banishing stages of the
     magician's psyche.

     Once this is accomplished, subduing the demon to your will
     requires no less courage and determination. This question is
     one of authority (demons, being parts of the personality,
     belong to the magician; the magician does not belong to
     them. The magician must therefore make him/herself Master
     over them), and willpower (demons are cunning; all avenues
     of escape to them must be closed), the development of both
     being integral parts of any valid magical system of
      development.

     As ever, there are no set methods for this, except for the
     general guidance given to the magician to *discover his/her
     own nature*.
     
But an "ecologizing" poster claims that:

     Demons are like wild animals. They are not put here to harm
     us, but if we tread on them or show exaggerated fear of
     them, they may do us damage. Like wild animals, they vary in
     their natures. 
     
     Some demons are shy and will not quickly come when called,
     some can be trapped but will snarl and snap, some can be
     forced to obey through harsh punishments, and some are
     curious, gentle, and easily tamed through the medium of
     kindness reinforced with positive conditioning. 
     
     Are they discarnate entities, former deities, or fragments 
     of our psyches? I don't think that such speculation is
     worth the newsgroup's time. We will never agree, so let us
     minimize the dogma, and the demons will take care of
     themselves.

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:

     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/summonspells.html
     
1.8.3 How do I get rid of unwanted demons?

The answer you receive to this question will depend upon
what the poster believes a demon to be.

Those who believe demons are special beings created by God
may recommend traditional grimoire banishments.  Such
traditionalists will tell you to get rid of demons through
the same process you used when  you evoked them. You call up
the demon, chastise him/her (respectfully) and then put
his/her sigil (signature on parchment) in the bottom of your
Brass Vessel (sigil box). If he/she refuses to be
controlled, then scorch the sigil over your brazier until
he/she complies. You might even burn up the sigil entirely
if you want to rid yourself of this entity forever. See "The
Lesser Key of Solomon, Goetia" for detailed instructions.

Those who believe that demons are demoted gods may recommend
a simple, "Adios, amigo" or "Hail and farewell."

Those who believe that demons represent pre-scientific
embodiments of physical and mental diseases may recommend
that you see a medical doctor or a psychiatrist.

Those who believe that demons are a part of the personality
may claim that to try to "get rid" of demons is to deny a
part of your being, and is destructive. The correct
approach, they may tell you, is to constrain, or exert
control over, them; to subdue them to your will.

I.9.1 What's a good beginning reading list for a person 
      interested in magick?

A file titled "alt.magick Recommended Books On Magic And The
Occult" -- an annotated compilation of 13 different reading
lists that were contributed to alt.magick from 1992 to 2005 --
can be found here:

     http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/bookref.html

I.9.2 What resources are available for the computer-wise mage?

At the present time, the google search engine is probably the
best resource, as URLs for archives and essays tend to change
over time.

Stable sites that present a wide array of reading on the
subject of magic and mysticism include:
    
    The Hermetic Library 
         http://www.hermetic.com
    Internet Sacred Text Archive 
         http://www.sacred-texts.com
    Arcane Archive 
         http://www.arcane-archive.org  
        
==========================================================

PART TWO: ETHICS: The Morality of Magick

2.1 Is magic black and/or white? Should we do black magic?

For discussion about the ethics of magic, see 
     news:alt.magick.ethics.

2.2 What is black magick and is it ethical?

The term "black magick" is fraught with controversy, and
answers are varied within the newsgroup.

Here is a viewpoint that stems from one poster's  belief that
magick is a mystical practice:

     In one well-respected tradition, the goal of magick can be
     considered the union of the magician with the divine, the
     raising of the human consciousness unto the higher
     consciousness. Any operation which is not ultimately directed
     towards this goal is black magick. The terms arise because
     "white" magick signifies the divine light, and "black" magick
     signifies moving away from the divine light, into darkness.
     
     In a more popular sense, black magick is used to describe
     operations which are intrinsically selfish (usually involving
     harm to others). The analogy is obvious; the above aim is to
     unite the individual with the whole, to essentially "destroy"
     the Self, the feeling of individuality which separates us from
     the divine. Thus, "selfish" operations are by definition in
     conflict with this goal.
     
     In this sense, "grey" magick can be applied to operations
     which, although not directed towards this ultimate goal, are
     not selfish, and arise mainly out of ignorance, rather than
     malice (e.g. operations to heal others).

Here is another viewpoint:

    Attempts to distinguish between "black" and "white" magic 
    serve the interests of those who oppose magick more than the 
    interests of those who study it. This is because getting 
    bogged down in definitions of the terms is a waste of time. 
         
2.3 How can magick be used to heal and when should it?

Using magick or magic to help or heal is a time-honoured 
tradition; however, some those who wish to avoid coercing 
others are sure to get the permission of the sufferer before 
undertaking such work. 

Magickal healing generally has two divisions,  spell-work
(manipulation of the material world in accordance with
will) and/or prayer (petition to powerful entities for
succor and aid). The same objections against spell-work 
that energize many posters to the newsgroup may also be
recognized in their negative attitude toward magickal healing. 
For this reason, you may do better to broach the topic of
healing magick in
     news:alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magick
and to seek healing through prayer in one of the many
faith-based newsgroups in the alt.religion.* or soc.religion.*
hierarchies.

2.4 What is karma? What is the Rule of Three? How do they
    apply to magical work?
    
Karma is a Hindu religious concept that begins with the
simple notion that actions have repercussions but, due to
Hindu doctrinal belief in reincarnation usually includes as a
subsidiary concept the idea that the quality of people's
future births is determined by the quality of their actions
in this life. At its best, the concept of karma supplies a
reinforcement for ethical behavior among people who might
otherwise be tempted to do wrong. At its worst, Karma has
been used to justify status quo treatment of low caste
citizens in India, because it was thought that they must
have been bad people in a past lifetime to have been born so
poorly in this one.

The Rule of Three is a concept that comes out of the Wicca
religion. It posits that whatever one does -- good or evil
-- will be returned to one three-fold. It is not stated in
the Rule of Three whether such return will occur in this
lifetime or in theorized future lifetimes. Like a belief in 
karma, belief in the Rule of Three may act as a moral brake 
on otherwise potentially unethical people.

Karma and The Rule of Three have no direct application to 
magick except insofar as belief in them may influence the 
thoughts of the individual practitioner. 

2.5 What are the ethics of using magick in enrichment, 
    romance, combat, employment, crime and politics?

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

PART THREE: PRACTICE: The Study of Magick

3.1 How do I learn to do magick?  Do I need an instructor?

3.2 What is the relationship between student and teacher supposed to be?

3.3 What are the usual pitfalls of magical work, and what common,
   recognizable stages do magicians go through in the course of 
   magical training? 
   
3.4.1 What is the basis for secrecy and why do some magicians abide 
   by it? 
   
3.4.2 Are magical oaths necessary and/or useful?

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

PART FOUR: HISTORY: The Story of Magick

4.1.1 How does Egypt fit into the history of magick?

4.1.2 Who were the Templars or Knights Templar?

4.1.3 Who were the (Bavarian) Illuminati?

4.1.4 What is Kabbalah / Cabala / Qabala ?

4.1.5 What is Hermeticism?

4.1.6 What is Masonry and how does it relate to magick?

4.1.7 What is Rosicricianism, the rose and cross?

4.1.8 What is Theosophy and how does it relate to magick?

4.1.9 What was the Golden Dawn and what did it become?

4.2.1 Who was John Dee?

4.2.2 Who was Eliphas Levi?

4.2.3 Who was Helena Petrovna Blavatsky?

4.2.4 Who was Paschal Beverly Randolph? 

     Paschal Beverly Randolph, 1825 - 1875

     An African American Abolisitionist, sex magician, 
     mirror-scryer, and novelist. He wrote both under his 
     own name and under the pseudonym "The Rosicrucian." 
     He founded at least two magical orders, and his 
     work was influential on 20th century sex magick. 

4.2.5.1 Who was Aleister Crowley?
  
     Aleister Crowley, 1875 - 1947
     
     One of the most influential writers on magick of all time. His
     concept of magick entailed "the aim of religion, the method of
     science". Was a member of the Golden Dawn, founded the
     A.'.A.'., and went on the head the OTO. His goal in life was
     to establish and promulgate the "Law of Thelema", embodied in
     Liber Legis, whose main thrust can be summed up in the quote
     from that book, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the
     law". He aimed to synthesize all religions and magickal systems
     of the world, and to free the essential internal procedures
     from the misleading and varying dogmas to which other systems
     subject them to.
     
4.2.5.2 Why does Crowley have such a bad reputation as a person?
  
4.2.5.3 What is Crowley's 'Aeon of Horus' mean?

4.2.6 Who was Israel Regardie?
   
     Israel Regardie, 1906 - 1985
     
     The most influential authority on the Golden Dawn system of
     magick. Was a member of the G.'.D.'., the A.'.A.'., and a IX
     degree member of the OTO. Was almost single-handedly
     responsible for the survival of the knowledge and system of
     the original Golden Dawn. His book, "The Complete System of
     Golden Dawn Magic" is *the* authority on the subject. He was a
     qualified psychiatrist, and one of his goals was to integrate
     psychology with magick, to realise the essentially similar
     goal of both.

4.2.7 Who was Dion Fortune?

4.2.8 Who was Austin Osman Spare?

4.2.9 Who was Gerald Gardner?  

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

PART FIVE: DISCIPLINES Associated With Magick

5.1     What is divination?
        (i.e.  astrology, tarot, i ching, feng shui, 
        runework)
   
5.2     What is sex magick?

5.2.1   What is tantra?  

5.2.2   Are tantra and sex magick related?

5.3.1   What is yoga and how does it relate to magick?

5.3.2   To what to do the following words refer: asana, 
        tattwa, kundalini, prana, cakra/chakra; qi/ki/chi, 
        meridians; aura, avatars and (re)incarnation?

5.4 What is alchemy and how is it related to magick?

5.5.1   What is qabala and how does it relate to magick?

5.5.2   Is qabala different than kabbalah or cabala?  

5.5.3   To what do the following words refer: 
        gematria, notariqon, temurah, aiq bekr, sephiroth, 
        qliphoth, da'ath, abyss, pathworking?

5.6.3   What is ceremonial magick?

5.6.3.1 What is a Holy Guardian Angel?
  
5.6.3.2 What is the Oath of the Abyss?
  
5.6.3.3 What is the Great Work?

5.7.1 What is voudoun / voodoo and what kind of spells are 
      Voodoo spells? 

     Voodoo is a religion that originated among the Fon and Ewe
     people of in West Africa and is also practiced in Haiti, and
     the USA. In Voodoo, spells-casting is integrated within the 
     religion and a spell or prayer request can take a physical 
     form called a wanga, which may be a small packet-charm.  

See news:alt.religion.voodoo
     
5.7.2   What about santeria?  Is it a religion or magick?

     Santeria is a religion that originated among the Yoruba
     people of in West Africa as Lukumi and -- as Santeria and
     under other names, is also practiced in Cuba, Puerto Rico,
     and the USA

See news:alt.religion.orisha 

5.8.1 What is folk magic? 

5.8.2 What is "Pow Wow magic"?
     
     Pennsylvania Dutch (German) folk magic, which derives 
     in large part from Medieval Germanic grimoires, is 
     popularly known as "Pow Wow magic" due to the 
     prominence of a book on the subject called "Pw Wows 
     or the Long-Lost Friend" by John George Hohman, first 
     published in 1820. 

5.8.3 What are juju, obeah and hoodoo?

     Ju-Ju is a West African word meaning "magic." 
   
     Obeah (also spelled Obi or Obeyah) is an African system 
     of magic, mostly derived from Congo sources, although 
     given an Ashanti (Ghanese) name. It is practiced in 
     Jamaica, and it closely resembles American hoodoo magic.
     
     Hoodoo is an African American term for the practice of 
     folk magic that derives mostly from Central African
     (Congo) sources, with notable admixtures of Native 
     American (particularly Cherokee) magic and European
     folk magic, including Jeiwsh Kabbala, British and 
     Irish folk magic, and Pennsylvania Dutch (German) 
     "Pow Wow Magic." 

5.8.4   What are brujeria, curandismo, stregheria, etc.?

5.9.1   What is witchcraft?  Is it different than 'the craft'?

5.9.2   Is witchcraft magick or something else?

5.10.1   What is Wicca?  Is it different than witchcraft?

5.10.2   What is the Great Rite of Wicca?  

5.10.3   Is the Great Rite anything like the Great Work?
  
5.11     What is Satanism?

      See news: alt.satanism

5.12     What is chaos / kaos magick?

     See news:alt.magick.chaos

5.13.1   What is Enochian magick?

5.13.2   What are aethyrs and calls?
  
5.13.3   Is there really such a thing as 'enochian chess'?

5.14     What is cybermagick?

5.15     What is occultism?

5.16.1   What is spiritualism?

5.16.2   Are ghosts or the spirits of the dead real?
   
5.16.3   What is a seance?
   
5.16.4   What is a ouija board and how is it used?

5.17.1   What is astral travel?

5.17.2   What is the astral plane?

5.17.3   What does OOBE stand for?  What is it?
     
     OOBE is short for "Out of Body Experience" -- the sensation
     that your consciousness (ego, self, etc.) is not inside 
     your body. Some people consider this a magical phenomenon.
     Others consider it a mystical phenomenon. Still others 
     consider it a medical phenomenon. There are newsgroups 
     and web sites devoted to the subject. 
     
5.18     Are telepathy and telekinesis magick?
   
     Telepathy, telekinesis, and any number of other so-called
     "paranormal" abilities have been advanced by some as being the
     force which accounts for some or all of the effects observed
     by people who do magical operations. There is little-to-no
     concrete evidence in support of this. Yet, it would be an
     error to say that there is no possibility that such powers may
     play a part in any particular event.
     
     The power behind magick is the power behind consciousness.
     That has never been adequately explained and perhaps it never
     will be. To call it a "paranormal" power is merely to limit
     the way you look at it by imposing another level of verbiage
     on it.
     
     That said, it does all rather depend on your definition of
     magick. If magic is causing change in conformity with Will,
     then picking up a pen and writing a letter is a magickal act.
     If that's the case, then one cannot sensibly exclude the
     willed act of transmitting a thought as any less magickal.

5.19     What are vampires and werewolves -- and do they have 
         anything to do with magick?
    
5.20     How many elements / guardians / archangels are there?
         and how are they used in magick?

5.21     What is the "LBRP" or Lesser Banishing Ritual of the 
         Pentagram?
     
     LBRP
     
     This is a short ritual developed by members of the Golden awn 
     from a Jewish prayer, with Christian elements added, including 
     the Qabalistic Cross. It is designed to "eliminate from the 
     sphere of the mind those qualities or sensations which the 
     critical ego deems unnecessary". It aims to release the 
     internal power of the magician from constricting mental 
     restraints.

5.22     What is the "QC" or  Qabalistic Cross?

     QC
     
     A short, simple magickal practice in which the magician
     expands his consciousness by imagining his body growing to
     immense proportions, and visualises being the centre of a vast
     cross of light within him. Aim is to "bring the divine light
     down to the magician", or to help him realise consciousness
     with the divine; to "ally the personality with the true
     sources of life".
     
5.23     What is "KCHGA" or  Knowledge and Conversation of the 
         Holy Guardian Angel?

     KCHGA
     
     A lengthy operation, coined in "The Book of the Sacred Magick
     of Abramelin the Mage" and subsequently used by the Golden
     Dawn and Crowley, and which constitutes success in the outer
     orders of both of them; all previous instructions are directed
     towards this goal. The term suggests direct conscious
     apprehension of that which guides us through life in the
     "correct way", free from all self-constricting neuroses,
     complexes, influences, and self-misapprehensions; when it has
     been accomplished, the Adept needs little or no further
     guidance from others. There is no set method; the operation
     will differ for each magician.

5.24     What is the Abyss?
   
     The Abyss, as discussed on alt.magick, is the "next big stage"
     after KCHGA in the Golden Dawn system. KCHGA implies
     identification with the true self, being a part of the whole.
     Crossing the Abyss implies identification with the whole
     itself, or to be more precise, with Nothing. It is a
     *realisation* (rather than a mere logical deduction; human
     reason is individual and imperfect, and is not capable of
     comprehending, or identifying with, the whole) that all
     individual preferences, feelings, emotions, opinions, leanings
     and attachments are illusions, merely symptoms of the
     interplay between the parts which make up the whole of the
     universe. This being the case, one state of the universe is
     not preferred over any other by the consciousness above the
     Abyss. Death, destruction, deceit and disease become mere
     incidents in what is a rather small corner of the universe.
     
     This is however a somewhat difficult term to define since
     understanding of its nature is impossible without direct,
     personal experience of it.

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

PART SIX: TOOLS AND OBJECTS Associated With Magick

6.1      What is a magical tool?

   A magical tool is a physical object, natural or man-made, 
   that is used in the practice of magic. Not all systems of 
   magic utilize magical tools, but even those that abjure 
   them still rely on physical objects such as books or for 
   computers for the transmission their principles of practice. 
   
6.2.1    What are common magical tools and how are they used?
         (i.e. wand/staff, cup/chalice, sword, pentacle, dagger, 
         cord, candle, incense, perfume, salt, herbs, gems/stones, 
         scrying mirror, scourge, athame, mojo, gris-gris, wanga, 
         talisman, sigil, lamen, etc.)
   
6.2.2    What is an athame and how is this term pronounced?

6.2.3    What are a gris-gris, wanga, or mojo?
    
     Gris-Gris (pronounced -- and sometimes spelled gree-gree 
     or gri-gri) is a West-Central African word -- meaning a 
     magical spell embodied in or carried in a packet; 
     sometimes defined as a fetish bag (fetish meaning 
     something made by a person, as opposed to a natural 
     object thought to have magical essence (often called a 
     curio). Contrary to what some authors have written, the
     word gris-gris is not derived from the French for 
     "grey-grey" -- French colonists in Africa simply thought 
     it was (because the final "s" is silent in French; it is
     an African word that predates French colonization. 

     Wanga (also spelled oanga and wanger) is an African word
     with a meaning identical to gris-gris. It is the common 
     term used in Haiti for a magical spell-bag or packet.
     
     Mojo is an African American term for a gris-gris or spell-
     bag -- a mojo bag or mojo hand. Other synonyms for this 
     article, found among North American hoodoo magicians, 
     include toby, conjure hand, and trick bag.
     
6.3.1    What is the Necronomicon and how does it relate to magick?

6.3.2    Where can I find the Necronomicon?  

6.3.3    Why is alt.necromicon spelled funny? 

6.4      What is a "Book of Shadows"?

6.5      What is The Book of the Law?

     BOTL: Book of the Law
     
     Liber AL vel Legis, the "Bible" of Thelema. Claimed by Crowley
     to have been dictated to him in 1904 by a being called Aiwaz,
     whose nature he could never explain satisfactorily.

6.6      What are magic(k) squares?

6.7.1    Where are there pictures of a pentagram, hexagram, 
         unicursal hexagram, swastika, baphomet, tree of life?
   
6.7.2    Are there correct ways to draw them?
  
6.7.3    If a symbol is 'upside-down' what does this mean?

6.8      What role do psychoactive substances play in magical practice?

6.9      What role do mind machines and bio-feedback play in magick?

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

PART SEVEN: INITIATION AND ORDERS Associated With Magick

7.1.1    What is initiation?  Is it important?

7.1.2    What forms do initiations take?

7.2      Why does alt.magick resemble an initiated order?

7.3      Is joining an organization a good idea? Are social 
         rituals better than solitary ones?
  
7.4      What do magickal orders and organizations actually  do?
   
     Magick is ultimately an individual affair. Magickal orders or
     groups may have valid reasons for existence, but they will not
     make learning magick any easier, you will not have to do less
     work, and you will not gain any significant knowledge merely
     by being a member. Orders can exist for a variety of reasons:
     
     1. To spread knowledge. Whilst this may have been a valid
     reason some years ago, the relative freedom of expression and
     lack of persecution nowadays, the proliferation of books on
     the subject, and the internet pretty much negate this reason.
     Moreover, as is stated elsewhere within this document, the
     best teacher is usually the universe itself. Many orders claim
     to have "secret" knowledge which they will only disclose to
     "worthy aspirants". This is nonsense. If any "secret"
     knowledge was in any way important, it is extremely unlikely
     that it would be confined to a small group of manic wand
     wavers. Secrets (within orders) exist for one reason, to
     attract and ensnare members. The greatest secret of most
     magical orders is that they don't have a secret.
     
     2. To facilitate the process of finding others to work with.
     This would be valid if one were to consider magick from a
     strictly ceremonial sense. If not, then there are oodles of
     people one can work with, all around. Yet, if such ceremonial
     group workings are your wont, then seeking an order may be
     worthwhile, if this was all the order concentrated on. The ego
     wars, and the "groups-for-groups'-sakes" mentality can easily
     kill whatever value is there, however; a mailing-list could
     solve this problem with a lot less fuss than could an order.
     Working solely with other "like-minded" individuals can also
     be constricting, and can channel the magician for miles along
     the wrong path; the magician should expand his horizons, not
     narrow them.

7.5      What is the Golden Dawn? 

     GD: The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
     
     Magickal, Rosicrucian order founded towards the end of the
     Nineteenth Century, to which a huge amount of today's magickal
     literature owes its existence. Valuable for the fact that it
     presents a very definite, coherent, and practical system of
     self-development, with little bullshit, which has influenced a
     huge amount of magickal "authorities", including Crowley. Fell
     apart in 1904, though again, many orders today claim
     descendance from the original.

7.6      What is the OTO?  

7.7      What is the A.'. A.'.?  

     AA: Argenteum Astrum
     
     The magickal order created by Crowley at the beginning of the
     twentieth century, along the lines of the Golden Dawn,
     incorporating Liber Legis and various other techniques Crowley
     liked (especially yogic practices). No longer extant in its
     original form, though a few groups today call themselves
     A.'.A.'., and claim direct descendance from Crowley's order.
     
7.8.1    What is Discordianism?

7.8.2    Is Discordianism really related to the Illuminati?

7.9      What does 'TOPY' stand for and why do they spell funny?

     ToPY: Temple ov Psychick Youth
     
     Founded in 1982 by musicians and magicians Genesis P-Orridge
     and Peter Christopherson. Drawing inspiration for both Crowley
     and Austin Osman Spare, they attempted to create a set of
     magickal techniques based on using sexual energy. To
     articulate this, they wrote a manifesto called the Gray Book.
     Additional to the material in the Gray Book was the Temple
     convention of using a unique system on spelling. This was not
     done in a random fashion, but was done to remind the reader
     and writer of the hidden aspects of language. The Temple
     underwent a number of changes during its existence. In 1992,
     Genesis P-Orridge departed the group and proclaimed it
     dissolved. The Temple members continue their activities under
     the name regardless are still pursuing their initial end
     as articulated in the Gray Book.

7.10     What is the Church of the Subgenius?

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

PART EIGHT: CONTRIBUTORS AND REFERENCES

8.1       Contributors to this FAQ

Simon Anderson, Shava Nerad Averett, Ashton, Brian Bethel,
Peggy Brown, Kim Burkard, Lilith Darkchilde, Dshoem, Karen
Davidson, Josh Geller, Ceci Henningsson, Erwin Hessle,  Mark
Kampe, Peter Kim, Rick Laughlin, Tim Maroney, Robert Mathiesen,
David Ross Mcirvine, Merkvrivs, Joseph Count de Money
Littleshoes, Renfield, Robin, Carroll "Poke" Runyon, Tom
Schuler, Solemnus, Scott Stenwick, Alex Sumner, Tzimon
Yliaster, catherine yronwode, nagasiva yronwode, ZZ

8.2       References Consulted

In addition to books and web sites listed in the 
FAQ itself, the following previous versions of 
the alt.magick FAQ were incorporated into this FAQ: 

QUESTIONS were taken from the "Questions WIthout Answers" file at 
     http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.faqstns.9412 
They are listed the order in which they appear in that
document and are not proceeded by further annotations to
that effect.

ANSWERS were taken from ALL of the previous FAQS noted below
and lightly edited for consistency of spelling and
punctuation, and to remove redundancies.

ANSWERS from the below FAQS to questions that did 
not originate in the QUESTIONS document were inserted 
where they seemed appropriate to the editor.

alt.magick CHARTER by Josh Geller, 1991
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/histref

alt.magick FAQ, 1992-1994 solo authorship, ("the old FAQ" by Shava Nerad
Averett)
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/oldref

alt.magick FAQ, 1994 Questions Without Answers, compiled by tyaginator
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.faqstns.9412

alt.magick FAQ, 1995 Critique of "the old FAQ" by tyaginator
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.oldresp.9507

alt.magick FAQ, 1996-2000 group authorship, 1996 edition
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.amagick.9612

alt.magick FAQ, 1996-2000 group authorship, 2000 edition, ASCII
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.amagick.0010

alt.magick FAQ, 1996-2000 group authorship, 2000 edition, HTML
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/altmagickfaq/

alt.magick FAQ, 1999 group authorship, based on the 1992-1994 FAQ
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/anfaqref

alt.magick FAQ, 2000 solo authorship ("Nagasiva's Biased alt.magick
FAQ")
http://www.luckymojo.com/namfaq.html

Abrahadabra / Abracadabra REF (quotes defining the words), 1997 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/abraref

Abramelin Oil Recipes REF, version 1.1, 1998            
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/aboilref

Abyss REF (quotes defining the word) (KfaQ#10), 1996 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.abyss--.9612

Akasha REF (quotes defining the word) (KfaQ#9), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.akasha-.9508

Caduceus / Hermes Wand REF (KfaQ#4), 1995 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/caduref

Great White Brotherhood REF (KfaQ#7), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.whitbhd.9412

Ipsissimus REF (quotes defining the word and its magical meaning), 1997
version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/ipsisref

Magick and Magic REF (quotes defining the words and their meaning), 1995
version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.mgk-def.9508

Magick: What is Magic(k)? REF (KfaQ#1), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.whatmgk.9503

Magick: Is Magic(k) Real? REF (KfaQ#6), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.realmgk.9412

Magick: Getting Started in Magick REF (KfaQ#3), 1995 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.strtmgk.9503

Magick: What About Role Playing Game Magic(k)? REF (KfaQ#2), 1995
version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.rpg-mgk.9501

Melchidezek REF (KfaQ#11), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.mlchzdk.9412

Pentagram REF (significance and history) (KfaQ#5), 1998 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/pentref
 
Theosophy REF (KfaQ#14), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.theospy.9412

Usenet: Is There an alt.magick FAQ? REF (KfaQ#8), 1994 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.is--faq.9412

Usenet: Why Is Josh So Hostile? REF (KfaQ#12), 1995 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/ref.joshstl.9501

Wicca History REF (KfaQ#13), 1995 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/whstref

English Qaballa (Gematria) FAQ by Jake Stratton Kent, 1998 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.englqbl.9801

O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis) REF, undated version, circa 1996
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/otoref

Golden Dawn FAQ by Steven R. Cranmer, 1995 version
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/gdref

Kabbalah FAQ by Colin Low, version 3.0, 1996
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.qabalah.9602

Necromomicon FAQ by Kendrick Kerwin Chua, version 2.0, 1994
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs/faq.ncon---.9405

Necronomicon FAQ (Chua) reviewed by Dan Clore, 1995
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/nconref2

Thelema FAQ from ThelemaNet, 1986 version  
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/thelref

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Here are the major ARCANE ARCHIVE directories you can visit:
interdisciplinary: geometry, natural proportion, ratio, archaeoastronomy
mysticism: enlightenment, self-realization, trance, meditation, consciousness
occultism: divination, hermeticism, amulets, sigils, magick, witchcraft, spells
religion: buddhism, christianity, hinduism, islam, judaism, taoism, wicca, voodoo
societies and fraternal orders: freemasonry, golden dawn, rosicrucians, etc.

SEARCH THE ARCANE ARCHIVE

There are thousands of web pages at the ARCANE ARCHIVE. You can use ATOMZ.COM
to search for a single word (like witchcraft, hoodoo, pagan, or magic) or an
exact phrase (like Kwan Yin, golden ratio, or book of shadows):

Search For:
Match:  Any word All words Exact phrase

OTHER ESOTERIC AND OCCULT SITES OF INTEREST

Southern Spirits: 19th and 20th century accounts of hoodoo, including slave narratives & interviews
Hoodoo in Theory and Practice by cat yronwode: an introduction to African-American rootwork
Lucky W Amulet Archive by cat yronwode: an online museum of worldwide talismans and charms
Sacred Sex: essays and articles on tantra yoga, neo-tantra, karezza, sex magic, and sex worship
Sacred Landscape: essays and articles on archaeoastronomy and sacred geometry
Freemasonry for Women by cat yronwode: a history of mixed-gender Freemasonic lodges
Satan Service Org: an archive presenting the theory, practice, and history of Satanism and Satanists
Lucky Mojo Usenet FAQ Archive: FAQs and REFs for occult and magical usenet newsgroups
Aleister Crowley Text Archive: a multitude of texts by an early 20th century occultist
Lucky Mojo Magic Spells Archives: love spells, money spells, luck spells, protection spells, etc.
      Free Love Spell Archive: love spells, attraction spells, sex magick, romance spells, and lust spells
      Free Money Spell Archive: money spells, prosperity spells, and wealth spells for job and business
      Free Protection Spell Archive: protection spells against witchcraft, jinxes, hexes, and the evil eye
      Free Gambling Luck Spell Archive: lucky gambling spells for the lottery, casinos, and races