Practical Magick
or Making It Fit
by Riona Twilight
Email: rionatwilight@yahoo.com
Magick. There are those who argue that it is a useless, foolish game, and then there are
those who know it works. I am one that knows magick works. I also believe it can be
practical, if it is used appropriately, at the right time, and correctly.
Oh, yes, right time and if it is right. Many would argue that candles and incense are right
when working a spell if it is called for, middle of the night or whenever one has the time
would be considered the right time, but not at my college - students are not allowed to
have candles or incense due to fire codes, nor are they allowed to smoke in the rooms, so
a spell involving either candles or incense is not practical. But, with a little bit of
rewording or doing the spell on the astral plane, it becomes practical, for the problem is
removed.
For me there is another question raised about practicality and magick with relation to my
roommate. I can do a ritual in less than fifteen minutes, so it really doesn't seem to bother
her much, and our schedules are different so I can easily find the time to do a spell, or
ritual while she is not around. She is also comfortable with my faith so we have not had a
problem, and if she did have a problem I would probably have put in a request to move,
because magick and religion go hand in hand for me.
As a college student, I find that a magickal act, whether it be a spell or a simple
meditation ritual to help me calm down before a big test, is practical, because if I were to
go into a test totally rattled, I would fail the test; I know that from experience. I have
three very simple rituals that are part of my life and are therefore automatic, which makes
things easier. Because the rituals are built into my schedule, it makes them practical, for
magick is all about making it fit.
Magick is both simple and practical, and together they can be extremely powerful. I cast
a circle every time I do a ritual or speak with the Lady, or deal with an unknown entity. It
is just common sense, as is putting on my pentacle every day. In magick I know the
jewelry is not needed, but I do know how powerful it can become. For me, an everyday
practical ritual is putting on my jewelry after a shower. I wear a pentacle everyday as a
symbol of protection and of my faith. That is one of the few magickal things that I will do
to keep myself safe on both the astral and the physical plane. I have also seen just how
strong a pentacle can be when I really need its protection.
There are those who argue that a circle is not practical in magick; I happen to know that it
is practical. The casting of a circle can be an aesthetic thing or it can be a true and raw
power. I have handled it both ways, and know that it is necessary to magick. I will not
work any major magick, and some of the simpler forms without it. Those who wish to
think otherwise may, but for those who want to know why I believe a circle is absolutely
necessary in magick, read on. Just a few days ago, I sat down with a woman who is a
medium, and we got to talking about spirits and ghosts. One had been following me for
about two years, and she had really scared me at one point by turning violent on me. She
literally threw a chalice at me, which needless to say, scared me in a way that nothing
ever has before, or ever will.
I had mentioned the spirit to the medium earlier in the week and while we were out
walking the spirit had literally gotten into her face, and had spooked her. She suggested
that we find out why the spirit was so violent, and I agreed, but asked if I could set up a
protective barrier between us and the rest of the campus, and put myself at an advantage
if I did have to fight, for one of the reasons that the spirit was not able to harm me was
because I had been between the worlds when she had first appeared to me. I wanted to be
on familiar territory when confronting the spirit.
The medium agreed, and actually thought that it would be a very good idea that I do it,
just in case something did go wrong. I cast a simple circle of protection around us. We
handled my particular spirit and then five or six others showed up afterwards. A number
of them were very nice; I got to speak with my great grandmother for a little bit, which
was nice. Yet the very last one really made me uneasy.
The spirit was actually malevolent towards me and reached for me. He, and I know it was
a he, couldn't actually touch me, because of the pentacle ring and pendant that I wore.
There was a barrier, formed by the ring and pendant that he could not break through. I
knew that it was only the circle and my own skills that kept him from harming any others,
for if he had shown up and I had not had a protective circle in place, we might have had
problems - of a degree that I do not even want to think about.
I'd had the foresight to keep us separate from the rest of the campus by taking us between
the two worlds were I was stronger, and the spirit could not go anywhere. So, those who
say a circle is not needed might want to reconsider that stance, for something as simple as
a protective circle can most definitely be practical.
So, circles are practical, but what about spells? I say that they are. Spells, if worded right,
can also be practical, for if the energy that one uses to create the spell is focused
correctly, it will come out as the person wishes it to, about eighty percent of the time.
Also, if the spell is not used for malevolent purposes it will not only come back at the
sender, but also teach a valuable lesson. If it is used for malevolent purposes, then one
deserves for the spell to come back at them, and no, I do not consider a malevolent spell
to be practical. I consider it to be rude and cruel, and am therefore careful when I do any
spell to weigh the consequences and the foreseeable affects before I do it. Oh, I do
consider a nasty spell coming back at a person practical - a practical lesson. For
remember with magick comes a price, and if one remembers that all magick has its price,
we can make it fit and make it practical.
Riona Twilight