Embracing the Magical Paradigm



The magical paradigm can take many forms and depending on whose talking about it can be either a good or bad thing. The term “magical thinking” used derisively, as it often is, can refer to an unhealthy sort of fantasizing in place of rational thinking and action taking. Specifically, what I am referring to when I say magical paradigm is the lore we have been handed down through the ages from our ancestors by the keepers and in some cases the rediscoverers of that lore. 

Where Do We Get Magical Lore?

This lore comes in a few different forms and from variant sources. Some good sources are the ancient Druids and Maji, the Taoists and esoteric Buddhists, and the Egyptians and Greeks from whom we have hieroglyphs and papyri records of their ancient rites. A few keepers and redistributors of that lore who are, for the most part, reliable and trustworthy and who have written publicly on their knowledge include Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535), Eliphas Levi (1810-1875). Israel Regardie (1907-1985), Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) and Dion Fortune (1890-1946).

Copies exist also of several medieval grimoires or handbooks on magical treatises and procedures from the Middle Ages. These can be purchased through Amazon as can the works from those keepers named in the previous paragraph. Even the ancient works that survived long enough to be translated may today be acquired by anyone inclined to own them, e.g. The Pyramid Texts, Greek Magical Papyri, et al.

Unless you are someone who likes arduous study you will probably find any of the materials referenced above quite exhausting, if not miserable, and certainly confusing. I would, nonetheless, be remiss for avoiding mention of them.

Contemporary Sources for Magic Studies Content

If you aren’t a nerd or bookworm like I am by nature, hold out hope! There are plenty of modern and post-modern authors who have a solid grasp of magical lore, and you can obviously find their work on Amazon as well.

Of course you already knew that, because that is most likely where you found this e-book. Would it shock you to learn I have others? I didn’t think so, now run along and do an Amazon search for my name or find the links at the end of this book for my other titles.

You can also visit my blog frequently to find information about a wide variety of magical topics, including the basic lore.

If you have something against class and sound instructive writing you could avoid my work and opt for the content produced by others. I’m kidding, and can easily recommend several good, contemporary authors to choose from.


 

Here’s a shortlist of magicians whose work I appreciate:

·         Phillip Cooper

·         Scott Cunningham

·         Will Parfitt

·         Sandra Eason

·         Bill Whitcomb

·         Stephen Skinner

·         Sandra Kynes

I won’t tell you to believe everything you hear and read regarding a magical worldview. I certainly do not accept everything presented to me in those contexts. 

But I definitely encourage you to have an open mind and learn to conceptualize the lore you study. Whether it's real or not it provides a strong and sound conceptual framework that enables the enactment of reliable and successful magic which I believe is what we all want.

Check out Bag of Agates, the personal journal of a magician who has taught me much, for a basic overview on the magical paradigm of the established lore.
 

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