Why I stopped using the term ‘magick’--and why I started using ‘magic’ and ‘pharmakeia’
Welcome to my witchy TED talk! Just wanted to rant really quickly about this because I see so many people in (particularly online) witchcraft/pagan/wiccan communities who use the term ‘magick’, without truly understanding the meaning or history behind it. I find it extremely important to know what sort of language (terms) you’re using when you talk about your Craft and that you should use that which actually applies to you and your beliefs.
*VERY IMPORTANT NOTE*: This is ABSOLUTELY NOT to dissuade you from using any term, it is simply to state the facts as well as my personal opinion on the terms and my reasons for working (or not) with each. Sorry for any bias beforehand!
So, here’s the difference between magick and magic (I’ll also mention my use of the term pharmakeia)! Let’s start with ‘magick’:
~ This modern term was coined by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), an occultist, mountaineer and writer who nicknamed himself ‘The Beast 666′ (to my knowledge, this was given to him by his mother and he liked it, continuing to address himself in that manner).
~ The reason Crowley spelled it 'magick’ was in order to differentiate it from stage magic (in other words, to show it was real and not some party trick).
~ He joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1898--A rosicrucian order, basically, it’s a combination of occultism with Hermeticism (a religious teaching based on the Egyptian God Thoth and Hermes Trismegistos (the Thrice-Greatest)), Jewish mysticism and Christian gnosticism (think the Gnostic Mass).
~ The order claims to know esoteric (only for ‘Inner Circle’ members) wisdom handed down from ancient times, it appears to be, to the best of my knowledge, Egyptian in origin.
~ According to Crowley, during a visit to Egypt, he was met with a disembodied voice (possibly a guardian angel), Aiwass, who relayed to him (often said over the course of three days) the contents that he wrote in his book, The Book of the Law.
~ This book was the basis of his religion which he called Thelema, the Greek word for ‘will’. The book stated that Crowley was a prophet who would lead all the peoples of Earth and his most famous prose was: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law”.
~ Crowley had a rivalry with poet W.B. Yeats because of Crowley’s supposed interest in ‘black magick’ as opposed to Yeats’ ‘white magic’ -- If you’re interested, look up ‘The Battle of Blythe Road’ a fight in which they are said to have fought hand to hand.
This is why I don’t personally use this term (obviously this is facts as well as my opinion, it’s not meant to be offensive, just to offer my viewpoint):
~ Using this term implies that you support Crowley or his Order/writings, which I personally do not. Crowley is a figure who has been seen as extremely controversial for various reasons:
~ Crowley seems to not have many (if any) credible sources that aren’t from his own mind. He is known for using multiple drugs such as opium and cannabis to induce trance-like states in order to have spiritual experiences (which is not necessarily totally problematic (though I don’t advise or encourage it) but it makes him seem less credible, as least in my eyes).
~ He has sexually assaulted various followers of his, often coercing them into having sex with him by making them believe that it was necessary for religious reasons. Two specific examples of which are: Elaine Simpson, with whom he apparently summoned Aiwass. Crowley convinced her that Aiwass wanted him to return to Egypt, however, before this, He also wanted them to sleep together. Then (this doesn’t include Crowley himself), he also convinced a boy in his Order that he would have to have sex with a goat as part of ritual (luckily, the goat wasn’t having it and it didn’t happen, but still) -- From my viewpoint, I would not want to use a word to describe my practice that was coined by a sexual predator and rapist.
~ Also, I’m a Hellenic (and Anatolian/Indo-European) witch and handmaiden to Kirke: I don’t practice Thelema and don’t agree with Crowley’s teachings, though if you do, go ahead! (I’m not saying there aren’t some good things about Crowley’s writings, there are, I just personally don’t follow them).
~ The etymology of the word: “Middle English magique, from Middle French, from Latin magice, from Greek magikē, feminine of magikos Magian, magical, from magos magus, sorcerer, of Iranian origin; akin to Old Persian maguš sorcerer” “Magic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magic. Accessed 29 May. 2020.
~ As far as I’m aware, the oldest form of the word ‘magic’ comes from the Magi, Zoroastrian priests of Iranian origin: here’s an interesting article detailing more on the Magi themselves and the etymology behind the word: http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/magi
~ The word was first used by Darius I the Great in a Bisotun inscription which referenced a Magus named Gaumāta from 522 BCE. (see link above)
~ According to Stephen E. Flowers Ph.D., author of Original Magic: The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi, “the ultimate aim of the original form of magic was not only individual wisdom, self-development, and empowerment, but also the overall betterment of the world.”
Why I choose to use this term (amongst other terms):
~ It has legitimate historical connotations that can be traced to an actual etymological source, unlike Crowley’s unnecessary adding of a ‘k’ (which has the same connotations but the addition makes no sense in my mind).
~ Its earliest records refer to Anatolia and Persia and I personally work with deities from that area (specifically Carian divinities such as Hekate), and it also influenced the Greeks.
~ It can be applied in a general context: despite my personal relation to its more ancient connections, magic (to me) is simply self-empowerment through the manipulation of energy combined with the will and intent to manifest our desires and I feel like Flowers puts it in a nice way.
Now, what about pharmakeia?
~ Okay, so this is a term I use almost exclusively in relation to Kirke (or any of the four witch-gods who were children of Helios by Perse: Aeëtes, Perses or Pasiphaë).
~ According to the article on Circe on Theoi.com, Pharmakeia is Greek for ‘sorcery’, usually in reference to the use of herbs and medicinal plants (pharmaka) in magic--however, Kirke is also described as being a ‘pharmakeia’, thus, the terminology not only describes Her practice, but it also is synonymous with the actual term ‘witch’. Kirke Herself is a pharmakeia. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/Kirke.html
~ Because of this, not only do I utilize this term in reference to my own Craft, but also as an epithet of Kirke and to describe myself.
Whichever term(s) you decide to use, whether they are the three on this list or any other title, please make sure that you do research, check your sources. Be aware to insure you’re actually representing yourself and your Craft/practice with terms that are both appropriate and accurate.
Lots of love and good intentions!
