The Truth About Magick
Originally authored by Sanguinarius, reformatted for educational clarity
Magick is one of the most misunderstood subjects within occult and alternative spiritual communities. It is often cloaked in assumptions—tied to religion, morality, or supernatural spectacle. But the fundamental truth about magick is much simpler and more grounded: it is the focused application of will.
Many newcomers assume that magick depends on whether an intention is selfless or selfish. In truth, magick is not bound by morality. It is neither inherently good nor evil. It is a tool—neutral in nature. Like a hammer, it can be used to build or to destroy. What matters is the intent of the practitioner. However, intention is not the only ingredient. What often limits a spell or act of magick from succeeding is not ethical conflict but internal resistance. If you believe, deep down, that what you are doing is wrong—or if you doubt your ability to achieve it—you are less likely to succeed. This hesitation fragments your focus and weakens the force of your will.
Magick, contrary to popular belief, does not require religion. You do not need to belong to a specific faith to work with it. What it does require, however, is a form of belief—specifically, belief in your ability to enact change. Skepticism of your own power is one of the most effective ways to block your own results. This is why confidence, clarity of intention, and emotional investment are essential components of effective spellwork.
The tools often associated with magick—herbs, candles, incense, crystals, ritual clothing, and statues—are not the source of power. They are tools of focus. Their purpose is to create atmosphere, invoke symbolic associations, and help you enter the correct mental and emotional state for ritual. They assist in aligning your conscious and unconscious mind with your objective. That said, in certain practical applications (such as herbal potions), some ingredients may produce tangible effects. But in most ritual contexts, their purpose is symbolic and psychological.
The real engine of magick is the will. A casual desire, a passing wish, is not enough. If you perform a spell halfheartedly, your results will likely be weak or nonexistent. But when a desire is deeply felt—when you are emotionally invested, mentally focused, and spiritually aligned with your goal—then your will becomes a force capable of enacting change. This is why prayer and magick, at their core, operate by the same mechanisms. Both rely on the strength of belief, the clarity of desire, and the force of sustained focus.
Some practitioners choose to perform magick only during formal rituals, while others integrate it seamlessly into their daily lives. For the latter, magick becomes less a practice and more a constant state of being. It is not about dramatic gestures or grand spells, but about quietly and continually shaping the world through intention. Living in a “perpetual state of magick” is not about power over others; it’s more akin to breathing. Even when not consciously working a spell, one remains subtly, steadily aligned with their desires and goals—willing them into being on a quiet, persistent level.
The quote Sanguinarius refers to—often considered a classic definition of magick—comes from Aleister Crowley: “Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.” This definition emphasizes that magick is not merely wishful thinking; it is an intentional act driven by the will to shape reality.
It is important to dispel Hollywood myths. Real magick does not involve throwing fireballs, levitating objects, or defying the laws of nature. Instead, it involves influencing the currents of probability, shaping subtle outcomes, and directing your energy in alignment with intention. With practice, magick can help you gain advantage in achieving goals, influencing events, improving personal clarity, and navigating the unseen aspects of reality.
In the end, magick is not a gift for a select few. It is a natural human ability—one rooted in psychology, intention, and disciplined focus. The more clearly you know what you want, and the more committed you are to making it real, the more effectively you can work magick. It is not about theatrics or control. It is about aligning desire, belief, and action—so that what you seek begins to move toward you, because you are already moving toward it.