1. Some people get very very upset if you use the term “magick.” They may even believe it used by those who are simply perverting or cheapening the term “magic.”
2. Some people believe the term was coined by Aleister Crowley.
3. Some people believe the word “magick” to be a new age term or modern slang.

So what is the true origin of the word “magick,” and how does it differ (if at all) from “magic?”

For clarity, I assume the modern understanding of magic takes on four general forms.

1. Illusionary magic, also know as stage magic.
2. A paranormal or unexplained occurrence or a superstition.
3. The manipulation of natural energies to ones will.
4. Fantasy, such as that portrayed on TV or in movies.

The definition and reality of these four types of magic are beyond the scope of this article as I want to focus on how “magic” relates to “magick.” However, I intend to tackle the subject in a subsequent article.

Is it true that magick is a new term, possible coined by Crowley as many believe? Is it just new age slang?

Absolutely not. The word magic comes from Middle English magike, which may have come from the Greek magikos and/or Latin magicus. At some point, the term magick was used in place of “magike,” likely before “magic” was in use. Evidence of this can be found in the Universal Etymological English Dictionary, published in 1731. A copy of this is available for free download from the Google Books service.

As you can see, the term is a valid form of the word magic, and in fact predates the use of the word magic itself. Therefore it should be a perfectly accepted term in modern times shouldn’t it? But is it really since our word magic evolved from magick, making the use of magick outdated? And we must also consider the current usage of the word magick. In my experience, the word magick is (currently) only used to describe the kind of magic that involves the natural manipulation of energies to serve the will of yourself or others, and occasionally (though rarely) to refer to magic portrayed on TV and movies, not to describe all kinds of magic. In essence, the word has taken on a more specific meaning that it originally had, so I guess in that way it has become a slang of sorts.

In summary, the word magick is an antiquated word that has made a comeback. It is no longer used to describe illusionary magic, instead it currently pertains to the kind of magic practiced by Witches, Shamans and the like. I personally support the use of the word magick to distinguish the practice of manipulating energies from the practice of creating illusions, but using either term to describe your own practice is a matter of choice.

~Anyanka

Browse magick, occult and witchcraft books (including ones concerning Aleister Crowley) for study aides!

Related posts:

1. The Reality of Magick – when magick fails
2. How to Anoint a Candle for Magick!
3. Moon Phase Energy & Magic

I picked the perfect day and time, found the perfect spell, had a wonderful ritual drumming CD playing in the background, centered, focused, took my time… and nothing. I’ll admit, even a seasoned witch gets depressed when her spell utterly flops.

So I have contemplated it for days. What did I do wrong? Did I miscalculate something? Then a thought started to emerge.

Maybe I was asking for too much, too fast? A quick fix-it to solve most of my problems may not be the answer. So I talked to my husband this afternoon and shared my thoughts with him. Maybe our future path is not being revealed to us because we are not doing enough for ourselves in the present? Do you think, I asked him, that if we got done the things we know need to be done now, that the long terms issues will work themselves out? Or that we will at least get a sign showing us the next step? Maybe we have not prepared ourselves for the next step, and we won’t be allowed to see it until we do? Maybe my spell failed because it had to?

All of this was going through my mind this afternoon. Then tonight, I decided to whip out my personal astrological planner. What does it say for this month? “One Step at a Time.” It tells me that minor adjustments done well are much more valuable this month than dramatic moves, scale back ideas that are running away with themselves, combine small but possible steps. At the bottom of the 2nd page of this month’s advisory it says “Keep in mind this month; Mastering even minor details in your daily life builds a web of competence and confidence to support your long-term goals.”

And what did hubby have to say about this when he got home? “This is why you are supposed to read these things first.” And right he is.

The lesson here? If your spell/prayer/ritual flops, does it mean you did something wrong? Does it mean the universe hates you, that you are no good at casting, or that your dreams are impossible? I guess it is possible, but probably not. Maybe it is just the Universe’s way of saying, “Stop and think about this. Maybe there is another way, another idea, or another time that would be better.” It is your Wake Up and Smell the Coffee! We get signs all the time, and even the most in-tune of us forget to listen sometimes.

So the next time you think your spell/amulet/deity/sanity has failed you, don’t beat yourself up. Reevaluate. Don’t just think how to cast differently, pray harder, etc. Think about timing, details, alternate ways of doing or thinking it through. There are probably answers right in front of you that you forgot to hear.

~Anyanka

Visit the main Witches Cupboard page, or shop in my witchcraft super store!

P.S. Just a note, this is a post from my old blog that I had posted at the beginning of this month.

Related posts:

1. Is it Magick or Magic?
2. How to Anoint a Candle for Magick!
3. How to Get Someone to Call You Using Magick