What Do You Believe?

Merry Meet, Family, Friends, Followers and Lurkers!

There are some people who undoubtedly presume that for magick to work, you have to believe in it. All I can say is, let me know how that works for ya!

I recently read an excellent book called, Shaman, Healer, Sage by Alberto Villoldo, Ph.d. Dr. Villoldo is an anthropologist who visited Haiti on an expedition with a senior colleague. While there, his colleague introduced him to a Voodoo priest with whom he shared the opinion, that magick, witchcraft, Voodoo, etc, only works if there is a belief in it.

The priest and his colleague were highly amused by this and decided to put this theory to the test. Prior to his return to the States, Dr. Villoldo was told that an experiment would be conducted on a specific date and time. He was so certain that he would not be effected, that he placed a hundred dollar wager on the same. Well, the day came and went without incident, confirming what he suspected. A few days later, however, he became violently ill. He was struck with a blinding headache and excruciating abdominal pain that prompted a visit to the hospital. His symptoms were so severe that he feared he might die. After a battery of tests, the medical professionals were unable to determine the cause of his illness. A day or so later, he was on the mend.

During a subsequent conversation with his colleague, he cockily reported that nothing happened on the designated day or time, therefore confirming his beliefs about magick. His colleague took great pleasure in telling him that the experiment was unable to take place on the previously agreed upon date and time, but in fact, was performed one hour prior to his trip to the hospital. Coincidence? Perhaps. Dr. Villoldo has since dedicated his life to the healing arts.

So, could the focused intention behind lighting candles or reciting an incantation really produce a desired result? I will be honest, when I first began practicing, I had my doubts as well. Now...not so much.

Aleister Crowley said that, "Magick is the art and science of causing change to occur in conformity to will". Well, isn't that what prayer is? The simple act of focusing on a specific intention to produce a desired result? The only difference is, for some the Will is not there own, but that of whatever God or Gods they believe in.

There have since been many studies documenting the effects of the power of prayer on healing. And just as prayers aren't always answered, no matter how badly we want them to be, the same is true for magick.

And as far as spell casting is concerned, sometimes that's not even necessary to produce the results one desires. At times, simply having the focus and intention is more than enough. For example, say you're concerned about how a situation is going to play itself out. You ponder all the possibilities, trying to plan the best course of action and then, as if by, oh I don't know, magick, things work themselves out in the best possible way for the good of all. I don't know about the rest of you, but I friggin' love when that happens!

Sure, there are some that will say, "oh, well that was just luck" or a "coincidence". True, but coincidences happen randomly....not consistently.

So, for those who might be reading this and thinking you have to believe in magick for it to work, well perhaps you're right or perhaps it's just wishful thinking.


In Darkness, Light!



Tracy