Low Magick and High Magick: what they mean and how they relate to Hedge Witchcraft
I’m visiting this topic again due to the miscommunication I experienced when I didn’t fully research the proper meanings behind the terms “low magick” and “high magick.” This post will be in two parts: part one will cover what I found online and where I found it, and part two will cover my personal experiences while studying Hedge Witchcraft.
Low magick refers to magick that is practical and simple to do, or it can refer to folk magick. Low magick “...was historically practiced by the lower classes- those people whose primary concern was survival. Low magical practices were usually simple, revolving around simple charms and brief rituals, with more elaborate rituals being reserved for special occasions and often including the community (harvest and planting rituals, for example). The goals of low magick were often practical and related to the survival of the individual, the family or the community: to secure a good harvest, a mate, children, to protect from disease and misfortune.“ (source)
High magick is also known as ceremonial magick, ritual magick, or learned magick. High magick “... encompasses a wide variety of long, elaborate, and complex rituals of magic. The works included are characterized by ceremony and a myriad of necessary accessories to aid the practitioner.“ (source)
While I did do more research, I am by no means all knowing. If these definitions are inaccurate, missing detail, or anything else please let me know. I’m open to learning and improving through conversation.
Before I go into more detail about my personal experiences and studies, I want to clarify that they’re, well, from my personal experiences and studies. I have been studying for a while, but I never used the internet to research before this blog. I mainly used it for sparse conversation in my studies. I did this because I wanted to know how my magic worked while refining my natural talents. Now that I’m here, I see there’s a lot I’ve been missing out on. But I’m okay with that, because I’m here now.
Anyways, from the Hedge Witches I’ve spoken with, we used the terms “low magick” and “high magick” in a slightly different way. The core meanings are the same, but we used it in a more every-day sense of the word.
To those I’ve spoken to, a low magick Hedge Witch meant that they didn’t or couldn’t cast spells often, or if they did it was simple and quick in nature. Depending on who I talked to, this could also mean that they couldn’t do certain types of divination (or any at all), or they were still working on astral traveling. Long explanation short, these were usually Hedge Witches who were new or casual to the craft, or who enjoyed their craft at this level.
On the other hand, a high magick Hedge Witch meant that they delved into all of the more complicated forms of various things. Astral traveling far and wide, many forms of divination, long and drawn out rituals, etc. They spent much more time on their craft, and usually had many years of experiences.
From what I’ve learned in my personal experiences, these terms lost some of their technical accuracy because it was more important to quickly describe what they do. Please see this post on why technical accuracy is sacrificed sometimes, and why I think it’s okay.
I feel it’s important for me to mention that neither magick is greater then the other. It’s important to show respect to any and every Witch, regardless of how they practice. These terms, in my opinion, aren’t meant to look down on anyone or set any above the rest. They’re just words with meanings that we use to communicate things, and the most important part of communication is that you’re understood.
I hope this clarifies my goals with my original post (which I will not link to out of embarrassment, but if you scroll long enough on my blog you’ll find it). If you have any questions, comments, critiques, or concerns please let me know. I definitely don’t know everything, and I’m open to learning more. My inbox and asks (even anon asks) are always open, and I’d love to have a conversation with any of you.
(Posted in November 2018)
