ok, im pretty new to the idea of magic, and what i want to know is, is there one basic principle that all acts of magic are based upon? would i be right to assume its the manipulation of bioenergys, chi etc?
rather like clay is just clay, but it can be made into many different shaped objects with many uses according to the skill, experience, intentions of the potter?
am i barking up the right tree here?
ps. also, any suggested reading for a beginner at magic?
In my opinion, the basic principles of magick can most easily be summed up in Quantum Theory. Especially Unified Field and String Theory. That is a little over most people's head, though. You may want to look into it, just for information, you will gain something out of it. I recommend anything by Amit Goswami, Fred Alan Wolf, or any of the other contribulters to the movie What the BLeEp Do We Know?
As for books on magick, there is nothing better for a beginner than Modern Magick, by Donald Michael Kraig. The main reason is that he hits the salient points, give succinct instruction, and follows it up with a reading list that will give you enough research to last years. All the while, though, he will give you things to acctually do, so you won't get bored with all the research and throw your time out the window.
Bloodsong
If you read deeply into ceremonial magick, one key ingredient stands out. The Mind. Every magic ceremony is a manipulation of the astral (mind), through the use of various incantations, props, and visualisations. These are geared towards producing specific mind states which will allow the intent of the ceremony to manifest. The manifestation of this intent arrives through natural means.
It's been a while now, so I can't remember the exact content, but a good book for beginners is 'Experimental Magic' by J.H. Brennan.
A good resource for learning how to control elemental energies through a practice called Hermetic Magick is Franz Bardon's Initiation into Hermetics .
How about ' The Tree Of Life ' By Dr Israel - Golden Dawn.
Shadow,
The Tree of Life is less a magickal primer than it is a history lesson. Initiation to Hermetics is the best in depth, and a perfect primer is Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig.
Bloodsong
Quote from: Hagethuriel on September 25, 2006, 09:12:15
A good resource for learning how to control elemental energies through a practice called Hermetic Magick is Franz Bardon's Initiation into Hermetics .
I just ordered this a few days ago :D ... got great reviews... should be here next week!