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I tend to bounce around different theories but for the most part I think of Magick as a full on interaction between internal and external forces. How can it not be? It's the same in Quantum Theory where the interaction between the observed event in space/time has to be considered along with the observer. I think the external forces may be a chaos beyond our comprehension and appear to us according to our projected expectations (in-formation). However, most of what I do magickally tends to involve internal subconscious manipulation, sleight of mind.
Magick may be the Science and Art of Maybe, outside of that, it may all be theory and speculation and metaphor swapping. IMO, when Magick is practiced, or put into motion, the results will always be subject to a personal interpretation, hence relative to the observer (QT). The exercises used in Magick were and are designed to create changes in the human-nervous system which blasts our consciousness with information overload and breaks down the armor that causes our limited perspectives. When in these states of vulnerability, what Tim Leary called "re-imprinting" can take place. We change our personal "realities" at will. When these shifts in perspective take place we tend to interact differently with objective space/time and cause more change outside of our nervous-systems. In a world of uncertainty, chaos, relatives, and constant change and mutation, Magickians are in the business of creating probabilities out of possibilities. All of the maps, metaphors, beliefs, symbol-systems, etc. that we see talk about are just that... maps, metaphors, beliefs, symbol-systems, etc. They are what we apply to our new found (insert your personal "maybe" here). This is why we speak in vague language. We confuse these metaphors for what is beyond our language to describe. We are not talking about Magick, we are talking about the models we apply to the results of Magickal practice. I call this the Magick Catastrophe because it seems to be an infinite spiralling regress. So, since we, as Magickians, seem to be in the business of creating probabilities out of possibilities, or form out of chaos (ordo ab chao), or Everything from Nothing, and though I think most of what is going on in ritual work is purely psychological, I will venture into the realm of speculation so do not take the following too seriously without doing some homework. Here is one of my theories to give an example of the interaction.
In terms of what may be going on physically in ritual work, I think "High" Magick deals in the manipulation of the high-frequency Ultra-violet end of the visible light spectrum. This may account for some reports of phosphorescent pinkish/purplish colours that can't quite be described or rendered in physical terms (Philip K. Dick's "laser" in VALIS is a good example). Also, during the 1960's psychedelic-ness the introduction and popularity of fluorescent paint seemed to be the closest thing to help capture the visuals experienced during LSD trips. Could it be that LSD was helping tap the same areas as ritual work? I think so. "Low" Magick deals in the manipulation of the low-frequency Infrared end of the visible light spectrum. It seems a little easier to tap these frequencies which may be the reason there are more and more witches and chaos magickians popping up, not that witchcraft and chaos magick are confined to the low energy spectrum, but it seems that most of the techniques used here are designed for "results", and what better place to get them? Also it seems that the low end of the spectrum is where most of the nightmarish, hellish things reside, the Nightside of the Tree of Life in Kenneth Grant's terms. Now this is all speculation based on a theory inspired by Carl Jung in his Flying Saucers and further advanced by the likes of John Keel, Gregory Little, and Michael Persinger. It is called the Spectral Reality Theory of Physical Archetypes. Robert Anton Wilson has "hinted" at this theory also, but in his typical Pope Bob fashion, he "hints" at a lot of things and, like me, seems to remain agnostic about the whole subject. For further information on the Spectral theory try Gregory Little's Grand Illusions. Now other forms of Magick, such as sympathetic magick, which is a large part of voodoo, seem to be better explained by quantum theory interpretations. Look into "quantum connections", "hidden variables", and "superluminal influences" to help get a picture of what is taking place when someone is putting needles into a voodoo doll. I personally put no distinction on Magick being "high" or "low" because sometimes we mix it up so much that it is hard to tell what exactly it is we are doing. Some of the "entities" we invoke/evoke may pass from one end of the visible spectrum to the other and the exposure to radiation of this kind released in the process may account for some of the health problems that some Magickians may encounter with long periods of practice such as asthma and conjunctivitus (same symptoms of close encounters with UFOs btw, read Kenneth Grant for more on that). Just like the theory I presented above, it doesn't really matter and doesn't change the fact that we are going to keep practicing this interesting psychological artform regardless of it's name or what scientific theory helps explain it. But, here is something that may interest those (like myself) who would like a quantum physicist's take on Magick, sort of. Here is Nick Herbert's Quantum Tantra and an ESSAY on the subject as well. Might be better to read the essay first before embarking on the other site. Enjoy. |
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