Magic, also known as Thaumaturgy, is the craft of reenacting mystery by mortals. It is through the use of magic and rituals that mages are able to affect the world around them. This is accomplished by drawing on and invoking forces and drawing energy from deities or our own planet.
There was a time when mage craft and by extension flourished and mages were able to achieve feats far greater than any possible today. This was a time referred to as the Age of Gods. Though the Age of Gods might have passed we are still able to call upon them in our modern world.
There are five key elements involved in mage craft. These are the elements of Fire, Earth, Water, and Air which I’m sure everyone is familiar with. The fifth element is much more mysterious and often debated. It is the element of Spirit, Aether, or Void.
True Magic
True Magic refers to the ability to perform miracles and feats that would be considered impossible by modern mage craft or science. During the Age of Gods when Mana was in abundance the use of True Magic and miracles, though not common place, were performed regularly by those with connections to the Divine or were learned from an experienced teacher.
Amulet
Amulets are objects used to cause a positive effect like improving a persons luck or as a form of protection. Various objects like special stones, statues, and wooden carvings can be used as amulets and have been for many years in many different cultures.
Some examples of amulets from ancient Egypt is the Ankh which symbolizes regeneration and everlasting life, the Eye of Horus is used as a form of protection as well as to bring strength and vigor to the wearer, the scarab was symbolic of the god Khepri and was used for divine protection.
The Hecate Wheel is the symbol of the goddess and is used for protection and to invoke the goddess, the Pentacle is used to represent the five elements and as a form of protection
Magic is an integral part of culture. It has often been ignored by historians, who, not believing in its efficacy or even recognizing that in the past many people did believe, thereby have dismissed any belief in it as beneath mention. Alternatively, when they have mentioned magic and the occult sciences, they have been portrayed as worthless superstition, or irredeemably diabolical and evil, unspeakable rites to be shunned because they might taint the reader. But to present magic as a dangerous subject that ought to be censored lest it seduce the reader into criminality is unhelpful, for it pushes students of magical history into a ghetto when students of human depravity and violence, such as crime and war, are welcome in the mainstream. Magic played a significant part in shaping people’s lives. Magic is an integral part of our cultural heritage, ancient skills, and wisdom that are a perennial response to universal situations and problems. Unraveling the history of an undocumented tradition in a definitive way is impossible. The only way to understand the themes embedded in the fragments is to take notice of historic parallels and examples, and draw conclusions from them.
Nigel Pennick, writer of Pagan Magic of the Northern Tradition.
Types of Witches/Mages
This is a list of different kinds of witches and mages. It is not a complete list given the variety of beliefs and practices as well as the various groups and traditions that have existed over the years.
Hereditary
Hereditary is used for Witches and Mages who have been taught their craft and beliefs by a family member. Because of this they are able to draw on ideas and experiences from their own bloodline instead of from their broader culture. It also allows for certain techniques, rituals and spells to be refined over multiple lifetimes.
Eclectic
As the name suggests they choose specific beliefs and traditions that they feel drawn to and mix them together to make their own craft. It is one of the most popular craft in today’s world since whatever works for the individual can be used in their craft
Gardenarian
One of the most well known forms of the craft. It was founded in England by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s and was the first to publicize witchcraft as a type of religion in order to preserve the old ways of pagan ancestors. It is considered to be Wiccan given that it does no harm and seeks to use magic to be closer to nature.
Pow-Wow
The group originates from south central Pennsylvania its roots are based on 400 year old German Magic. Their magic is modified from the original German Magic to focus primarily on healing spells and rituals.
Strega
It is generally acknowledged that they are the smallest group in the USA. Their craft originates from Italy and focuses on the manipulation of earth, air, fire and water. Some members bring in Catholic themes but most follow the Old Religion which is primarily pagan with undertones of Egyptian and Hermetic folk beliefs.
Celtic Wicca
It is both a type of witchcraft and a pagan religion. It focuses on the gods and goddesses of the Celts as well as a select few deities from the Anglo-Saxon Pantheon. They work with magical spirits like fairies and gnomes while performing magic as well as emphasizing nature and their connection to it during their rituals and spells.
Kabbalah
Kabbalah is another form of magecraft originating from Jewish mysticism. It originates from Jewish teachings, traditions and the study of the Torah, Talmudic text, Madrash text. It focus on the connection between the infinite being of God and the finite big of humanity.
More about Magecraft
Terminology
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Information Sources
The Kaleidoscopic Path 