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samwisethewitch

What Is Magic? Why Does It Work? (Baby Witch Bootcamp Ch. 1)

Note: This blog post is based on the transcript of my YouTube video.

Before working with magic, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of what magic is and why it works the way it does. Of course, there is no one answer to these questions, but I’ve tried to draw information from a few different sources and present some of the different theories of magic.

A good place to start is by establishing a definition of what we mean when we say “magic” in a witchcraft context.

Aleister Crowley was a racist asshole, but he was an influential racist asshole. His definition of magic was: “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformance with will.” This is still a very popular way of understanding magic among witches today.

A more modern and accessible version of this idea can be found in the book Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck: “Magic is the art of creating change in ourselves and in our lives through acts of intention and a spiritual connection with all things natural and supernatural.”

Later in the same book, Vanderbeck says: “If you paid attention in science class, you know that everything in existence is made of energy and that it can never be truly created or destroyed, only recycled. When you use magic, you are directing the re-formation, or recycling, of available energy for a specific purpose.”

I really like this definition, and I feel like it’s a great modern take on Crowley’s ideas.

In her book Wicca for Beginners, Thea Sabin says: “Magic, like psychic ability, depends on knowledge of the patterns of the cosmos. But where using psychic ability means attuning to and understanding those patterns, magic means bending or working with them to bring about desired change. The philosophy of magic goes back again to the idea that everything is infused with the divine. If all things contain some divine energy, we can tap into that energy to affect things that seem-to the regular five senses, anyway-to have no connection to us.”

A lot of people who believe in magic think of it as a way of manipulating the energy that makes up the universe. Magic doesn’t create something out of nothing or break the laws of physics — it only directs the energy that is already there.

If you’re going by this definition, magic is very similar to the Law of Attraction, which is the belief that you attract what you give your energy and focus to. This idea was first introduced by Helena Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophy movement, in 1877. The Law of Attraction is all about aligning your mindset with the things you want to attract.

You could also view magic from a psychological standpoint as a form of self-programming. By changing your mindset and thought patterns, you program yourself to seek out the things you want to manifest. This is a more grounded, “realistic” way to think about magic for those who aren’t sold on the idea of intangible spiritual energy.

In the book Owning Your Own Shadow, Jungian psychoanalyst Robert A. Johnson says, “It is possible to live one’s ideals, do one’s best, be courteous, do well at work, and live a decent civilized life if we ritually acknowledge this other dimension of reality. The unconscious cannot tell the difference between a ‘real’ act and a symbolic one.”

So basically, in order to create change within ourselves, we can use a ritual or spell to create an event in our memory that strengthens our mental pathways around certain concepts or desires.

Scientists have proved that imagination uses the same neurological pathways we use when we do something for real, and that visualization is an extremely powerful tool. So powerful, in fact, that visualization and meditation are sometimes prescribed by doctors to supplement cancer treatments.

Personally, I don’t think we necessarily have to choose one definition or the other. I think both explanations make sense and can exist together.

The way that people “do” magic is through rituals, aka spells. These rituals vary from one tradition to the next, and can be elaborate or simple. Any time you perform a set of intentional actions with the goal of creating change in a seemingly unrelated area, that’s a spell whether you choose to call it one or not.

Most people who don’t believe in magic don’t realize that they literally use it every day. Lighting a prayer candle and asking a saint to help you with something is magic. Making a vision board is magic. Making a wish when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake is magic. You’ve already been doing magic your whole life.

If you want to start working your magic, you need to start by becoming more aware of your own energy and the energy around you. For this reason, I highly, highly recommend that baby witches start their spiritual journey by establishing a meditation practice. Having that inner state of peace and harmony that you can always come back to is so important in any spiritual path, but especially in one as active as witchcraft.

Resources:

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Practical Law of Attraction by Victoria Gallagher (not explicitly mentioned but I did use it as a reference!)

Owning Your Own Shadow by Robert A. Johnson

Imagination Uses the Same Neural Pathways as Real Action

Visualization in Cancer Treatment

Baby Witch Bootcamp began as a series of informational videos on my YouTube channel. This series is my attempt to meet a need for free, accessible, and well-researched information about witchcraft and other forms of magic. My background is in journalism, and this is the approach that I take with this series — I try to be as transparent as possible about where I get my information, and each episode is always accompanied by a complete list of sources. I also try to keep this series as objective as possible — my goal is not to convince you to practice witchcraft a certain way, but to provide you with the tools and resources you need to create a magical practice that fits your own beliefs, values, and spiritual needs.

I chose to turn the transcripts for my YouTube episodes into blog posts in order to make this information accessible to as many people as possible.

goldenteadust-deactivated202205

Fighting Covid When Kept Home

This was shared on a Covid survivor group…have heard many of these before but it seems helpful: HOW TO FIGHT COVID AT HOME when you are not hospitalized.

“When the nurse came in to discharge me, I asked her, What can I do to help fight this at home? She said:

1. Sleep on your stomach at all times with Covid. If you can’t sleep on your stomach because of health issues sleep on your side. Do not lie on your back no matter what because it smashes your lungs and that will allow fluid to set in.

2. Set your clock every two hours while sleeping on your stomach, then get out of bed and walk for 15-30 min, no matter how tired or weak that you are. Also move your arms around frequently, it helps to open your lungs. Breathe in thru your nose, and out thru your mouth. This will help build up your lungs, plus help get rid of the Pneumonia or other fluid you may have.

2. When sitting in a recliner, sit up straight - do not lie back in the recliner, again this will smash your lungs.

3. While watching TV - get up and walk during every commercial.

4. Eat at least 1 - 2 eggs a day, plus bananas, avocado and asparagus. These are good for Potassium.

5. Do not drink anything cold - have it at room temperature or warm it up. Drink Pedialyte, Gatorade Zero, Powerade Zero & Water with Electrolytes to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Water with lemon, and little honey, peppermint tea, apple cider are good suggestions for getting in fluids. No milk products, or pork. (as a singer I know milk products produce phlegm and always advised my students to have none for 3 days before a performance)

6. Vitamins D3, C, B, Zinc, Probiotic One-Day are good ideas. Tylenol for fever. Mucinex, or Mucinex DM for drainage, plus helps the cough. Pepcid helps for cramps in your legs. One baby aspirin everyday can help prevent getting a blood clot, which can occur from low activity.

7. Drink a smoothie of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, honey, tea and a spoon or two of peanut butter.

We always hear of how Covid takes lives, but there isn’t a lot of information out there regarding how to fight Covid when you are not critical. I hope this helps you or someone you know, just as it has helped me.”

(Wow, @thetimetostrikeislater wish you’d had this info when you were ill)

@cptdorkery @fortheloveoftrekuniverse @peridotsarelongterm

houndofhecate

Chiming in as a physician here who is frontline in NYC - I think this is a fine guide overall but wanted to add my two cents with some additional info since this post has a few things that are rather unnecessary for people who are taking care at home.

- Laying on your back isn’t dangerous but lying on your belly or side is definitely better for keeping things moving and helping with the shortness of breath; we “prone” patients (put them on their belly) when they are on the ventilator if possible because we’ve found it helps but they still spend a lot of time on their back too. Sleeping in general is more important than the position you’re sleeping in

- Add melatonin to those daily meds - it’s associated recently with improvement in preventing spread and healing. Some people also use elderberry which may or may not help, but it’s got about as much evidence as some of those others do

- More important than the temperature of the fluids you drink is that you drink a lot of them, and have food that is easy to eat/prepare. Being hydrated and fed is more important than avoiding specific things.

- watch out for a few things as you recover there have been a massive uptick in certain cardiac, neurological/autonomic and blood clotting conditions long term. If you are finding yourself short of breath for weeks after you are “cleared”, fainting, feeling heart palpitations, having weight loss/nausea/etc, increased number of headaches these are all potentially signs of a post-viral syndrome that you can get treated with medication and therapy

appalachianoraclewitch

I am a child of Aphrodite. I will fight for everyone’s right to love.

I am a child of Athena. I will fight for science over fiction.

I am a child of Ares. I will fight for those who cannot fight themselves.

I am a child of Hera. I will fight for those who cannot fight for the children at the border. Taken from their homes and families.

I am a child of Apollo. I will fight for healthcare for all.

I am a child of Artemis. I will fight for the women who can’t fight for themselves.

I am a child of Hestia. I will fight for a woman’s right to choose.

I am a child of Selene. I help light a path for others in the darkest hours.

I am a child of Gaia. I will fight for our earth.

I am a child of Eos. I will fight for the dawn of a new day.

And I know I do not fight alone.

harrystylesmusic

If you voted for tr*mp or support him unfollow me now

sizvideos

This campaign defies censorship in social media to raise awareness for early detection of breast cancer

iamanemotionaltimebomb

this is actually super fucking smartass of them

snake-lady

Reblogging as this is so important everyone! My mum had breast cancer and that shit is not nice so please check yourself ladies and gents! 💕💕💕

angelickall

Thank you Henry 💗

quietside

Appreciating Henry. 💗

poseidont

a concept: future jake and amy having a kid BUT amy goes into labour on halloween and jake has to figure out if amy is cheating him out of the heist or if he’s actually about to have a kid

dizzybunnies

bold of you to assume she didnt plan to get pregnant exactly 9 months before halloween so that its actually both

feministism

drankinwatahmelin

4. If the car pulls up to you run in the opposite direction.

5. Walk with your keys in your hands and keep a key between each finger

6. If they put you in the trunk kick out the headlights

7. If you get lost find a woman with a child. Never ask a man for help (this one was drilled)

bando--grand-scamyon

That scream fire piece of advice is literally life saving

8. Watch your shadows and reflections, especially if someone is walking behind you. A split second notice is better than none and will help you.

gaylittlepieceofsh1t

Yes this last one really saves lives y'all I do it all the time

uncleromeo

girls have to learn to view the world like international intelligence agents just to be safe walking down the street. smh.

twilightt-fantasy

guys pls pls pls reblog and girls pls pls pls be safe out there. terrifying and so sad that we have to worry about this on a daily basis

guiltyidealist

(I’m an enby, but, frankly, this is helpful for anyone.)

cryptidinks

- always tell someone where youre at and an approx time when youll be back

witcheshaven

Add text replacement words in your phone if possible. Something short and memorable that you can send quickly to people in moments of emergencies.

E.g.

whatchagonnadoabooouuutttit

I f ing hate that we need to reblog this, people suck, but this will save lives.

DO NOT SCROLL PAST

anonymousmothman

Being female fucking sucks but yes this shit is important for everyone

deadlymodern

Also, do not walk close to walls. It will be easier for someone so walk past you and push you against it or corner you.

If your gut is telling you to cross the street or change your path, do it. Don’t risk it. Your body knows.

If you can, buy a large umbrella and walk holding it. Studies say that predators are less likely to attempt an attack on someone that could fight back. Keys around your knuckles is fine but you’ll need to get very close to do damage. Umbrellas are more precise.

Avoid wearing headphones if you are alone on an empty street. Look aware.

Again: Stay. Away. From. Walls.

Entering an uber alone? Call your father (or anyone you trust) and say “hey dad! Yep, I’m almost there, I’m sending you the route.” outloud. Then proceed to send them the route so they can follow the uber drive. This will most likely intimidate the predator.

If you see someone in an uncomfortable or possibly dangerous situation, walk up to them and say “Betty, oh my god, I haven’t seen you in so long!”. If she gets slightly confused, you can whisper and let her know you’re trying to help and that she should follow along. Walk together to another station or away from where you are. The man will most likely not follow. I have done this one 2 times and can be very helpful.

If you are unsure she needs help, you can pass her a note saying something like “hey, I noticed this man beside you is making you uncomfortable. If you’d like help, fake a sneeze right now and I will come up to you and pretend we are friends.” This is a long note, but its an example. Be discrete. If she follows along, proceed with the previous tip. This is helpful when you’re in a crowded train and you notice harassment.

Help your sisters. Trust them. Trust yourself. Be safe.

goodgirl81

If you ever feel unsafe or need help, anyone is welcome to run upto me and ask me for help! I’ll go all mama bear and keep you safe!!!

v1b3ch3ckl0s3r

https://docs.google.com/document/d/166g6Vo8Fb9H3FIZF2H6faEBHtFQSf7nVn_QxcJ9NMi0/edit?usp=sharing

I made this google doc covering 14 different self defense tips and tricks. it was made on January 15th, 2020 so it was before I decided I’d come back to tumblr jhjshdbjfh.

aprilslady

My mum’s go-to was if you’re wearing heels and you have to walk home, take your heels off and hold them in your hand so you can hit someone with them

jazz-e-clectic

always check the back seat when you get in the car

avoid sitting in your car fumbling with belongings LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS

i also wear my hair in a bun when i’m going for a run or skate alone so my hair is harder to get a hold of

everytime i go somewhere i look around me to see what i can use as a weapon within my reach

strongorcbutch-deactivated20220

Biggest fucking mood.

sinnahsaint

They’re also meant for hiltops, not small rooms. Cant get the right reverb with all that echo.

anais-ninja-bitch

they’re also meant to make you fight the english. don’t forget that part.

fool-errant

My fav bagpipe player was a dude who would go out to the middle of a soccer field near my college apartment on Sunday. No one was using the field and he’d just be out there playing his heart out and the sound were just spread out over the plains. I’d be working on art for class so I’d open the window and listen. I still have fond memories of the day a kid biked up to the edge of the field, ran over to the bagpiper and the music stopped for a moment and as they talked. I couldn’t hear it but I had assumed the worst, that someone had decided to tell him to stop playing. Instead after the pause the musician seemed to nod, readjusted his bagpipes and started belting out the Star Wars theme.

maes-music

i think ive reblogged this before but i still love it

art-woonz

Oil Paintings By David Ambarzumjan

For more: https://artwoonz.com/oil-paintings-by-david-ambarzumjan/

meantfortheshore

moremetalthanyourmom

Okay but after seeing this I started doing it too and it’s amazing how many men I’ve run into bc they expected me to move

youcangofindatree-deactivated20

Gotta try it

clevermanka

I work (and walk) on a college campus. I’ve lost count of how many men I’ve smacked shoulders with.

emmagrant01

Recently, I was standing outside my son’s classroom waiting to talk to his teacher. I stood on one side of the hallway, not even close to the center. At some point, a man came walking along. I was standing right in his path, but the hallway was empty, so I logically expected him to swerve around me. Instead he kept walking right toward me, got to me, and stopped, as if waiting for me to get out of his way. I didn’t; I just smiled politely at him. He finally walked around me, clearly annoyed that I hadn’t leapt out of his manly path.

Now I’m wishing I’d leapt aside, taken off my jacket and laid it on the floor before him, then bowed deeply and said, “My Liege!”

mercurialkitty

I also work at a college campus. I smack shoulders sometimes, but I find that if I stare straight ahead and follow the advice below, people get the heck out of the way.

songbirde108

Honestly this post changed how I carry myself when walking alone in public, or in a situation where I’m the one leading. People definitely move for the murder gaze.

onethingconstant

Confirmed. I once had to rush back inside a convention hall as the con was closing in order to a retrieve a sick friend’s medication, and I didn’t understand why people in the crowd were jumping out of my way (literally—one guy vaulted a table) until I realized I was dressed as the Winter Soldier and doing the Murder Walk because that’s just how I walk in those boots. I got the meds, got out, and made a mental note.

I repeated the experiment later, wearing the boots but otherwise my usual clothing and mimicking the expression I thought I’d had at that moment. People parted like I was Charlton Heston.

I now wear that style of boots whenever possible. I recently had a man do a double-take as I walked by and ask me, politely, where I had served because I “looked like a soldier.” I’m not current or former military. I was wearing a flowy purple peasant top and looked as un-soldierlike as possible.

Moral of the story: wear comfortable shoes, square your shoulders, and walk like you’ve been sent to murder Captain America.

naeonnoir

WALK LIKE YOU’VE BEEN SENT TO MURDER CAPTAIN AMERICA

retroasgardian-deactivated20180

spiduhgirl

It’s called the Murder Strut.

elegantmess100

IT’S BACK!!!!!! I was searching for this to show my daughter the other day and couldn’t find it. I’m so glad IT’S BACK!! I will always reblog the Murder Strut!!

b3gayd0crim3

A guy on a bike went around me because he could tell I had no intention of moving. Thanks to this post.

linkedsoul

One day and I bumped into a guy while doing the Murder Strut and he apologized to me even though I was the one who had bumped into him.

It works wonders.

noping-out-deactivated20241117

In case you were wondering, yes you can do this in a wheelchair. Same look in your eyes and let ‘em know you will run them down. Just picture yourself in a sports car accelerating towards someone with the intention of flattening them.

If there’s anything more satisfying than watching Abled men leap out of my way when they realize I’m not moving for them, I can’t think of it atm.