| Here's my latest work, something I may develop further, perhaps with some input from friends.... |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|01:55 am] |
PS. This was written for a Chaos Magick site for which I am a fan; I was asked to write something, and this was what I came up with. All comments appreciated!
Jell-O and the Most Ancient Art and Crafts of Magic, or
How I learned to stop worrying and learned to love Physics
One of the first things that we learn when we pick up an athame or a book on magic is the use of the four primal elements when calling a circle; Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Every book of herbalism discusses the elemental correspondences of various materials, and more than a few of us can identify the elemental alignment of each of the 12 zodiac signs. But honestly, does anyone else wonder why such a system is one of our most ancient means of dividing up the world around us?
Consider the construction of our bodies, most significantly our senses, the means by which we interact with the universe around us. They are composed of matter, from the brain cells that interpret information, to the nerves which conduct the nerve-charges from our fingertips, tongue, eyes, and ears to our brains. Add in a little electrical energy, and you've built a basic nervous system. It functions with matter and energy, in short, but mostly matter.
For those of you to whom high-school chemistry is a dim memory, matter comes in four parts: Solid, Liquid, Gaseous, and Plasma. Solid is the state of matter wherein the atoms, molecules, parts and pieces are all crammed together with very little space in between. Liquid is the state of matter where solid matter has overall cohesion (meaning that as a mass it sticks together), but it's internal construction allows molecules to slide over and next to and around each other. Gaseous is the phase of matter where the molecules have very little overall cohesion, and the individual particles are so spread out they are barely neighbors. Plasma is the phase of matter where a portion of it's internal molecules are undergoing transfer back into energy, which causes all of it's neighbors to do the same, thus causing combustion. Now to draw the obvious parallels; Fire is Plasma, Water is Liquid, Air is Gaseous, and Earth is Solid.
Since the current paradigm for pagans and occultists is to describe things in terms of energy, let's apply that logic to the molecular phases of matter; Solids have the least active energy, most of it's potential is exerted in holding it's molecules together. Liquids have more active energy than solids, in that it's individual molecules bounce around and into each other. Gases have incredible amounts of active energy, but it's not very cohesive. Plasma has the most inherent active energy, arcing between adjacent molecules and causing the same reaction to spread. Matter that is in the same phase-state of existence will resonate when particular wavelengths of energy (Literally, radiation) are introduced into it. This is why tuning forks can be used to make glass shatter and suchlike, and also why you can feel the bass from a loud sound at a distance.To divide up the phenomenal (observable actions) universe even further, our senses and beliefs are to divide things up into matter and it's behavior, caused by energy. What I mean by behavior are such things as gravity(the tendency of matter to be attracted to other matter), electricity (the tendency of matter to move charges of electricity between adjacent molecules), magnetism ( the tendency of matter with opposing molecular-electrical charges to attract one another). Being as our senses, and thus much of our perception, takes place at the levels of matter and energy, the goal of magic is to shift energy (and thus matter) into making the will of a magic-worker manifest itself into our observable world, whether to get a job or win the lottery. When magic is worked, a resonating vibration is introduced to all of the existent matter in the universe to create the spell's effect.
On the quantum level, matter and energy behave in accord with the beliefs of the observer. When a spell-worker attempts to shape reality to their will, they are combining their intentions with energy to affect matter. Energy is 'programmed' to behave in a fashion to make the spell-worker's will manifest into the matter-energy level of existence. Thus, when one casts a spell, you direct energy to travel out into resonating patterns of matter, and when it reaches a point in space and time where the intent of the spell becomes possible, the energy interacts with matter to make the spell's effect happen. The magnitude of energy necessary to accomplish a spell's goal thus becomes greater over a longer stretch of space or time, and even greater magnitudes are required to accomplish a goal that is nebulous in the mind of the caster. In simplest terms, the shorter the time desired between the casting of the spell and the actualization of the spell, the closer in space the enacting of the spell and the target of the spell, and the more concise the goal of the spell, the less energy required for the spell to take effect. This also explains why sympathetic magic works so well, because someone's hair will have a stronger resonance to that person, being that the 'antenna' of the hair is made from the same pattern of DNA that makes up a person's body, in effect extending the range of the spell since a part of the spell's target is right at the site of the spell being cast.
Now, I can hear the lament; “Okay, but what does this have to do with actually casting a spell?”
First, each of the Four States of Matter can be used as either an 'anchor' for magic, to continue an earlier analogy you can choose which of the Four States you wish to use as the antenna(e) for your spell to take effect; you can bounce a spell through all of the solid gold throughout the world, you can bounce it off of the waters of the oceans, you can release it into the winds to carry, or you can trigger a spell with the light of a sun or the stars.
Second, by identifying a State that resonates either to you personally or to your goal, you can borrow some of the ambient power of the State itself to power your spell. Each of the States has a different 'signature', or waveform; Earth has the lowest actualized energy, but it's got potential energy in spades, you just have to be patient to unlock it from the molecular bonds of the State. Fire has the most active energy, but controlling it can be difficult. Air has a great deal of free energy and it's not as hard to control as Fire, but expect to lose a great deal of it just in getting the spell set up. Water has some free energy and some potential energy, but it takes on the emotional 'tint' of the spell-caster, so be aware of your emotional state before tapping it. (Note:In a ritual situation, it's usually best if an operator concentrates on one State, and if multiple states are required, either break the ritual down into parts, or have a ritemaster who can concentrate on dealing with the energies passed on to them by the Callers.)
So, now that we have the basics down, let's deal with some advanced concepts in State Magic.
Colloids, or Gels; Technically a liquid with a high viscosity, Gels are a unique bridge between Solid, Liquid, and Plasma; They appear to be a solid, but are technically liquids, and can become more liquid through the application of heat. This also works with Glass, by the way. Great for an emotionally charged magic style, not to mention flexibility. Illusion spells usually rely on a mirror due to this fact; Liquids distort light that passes through them.
Plastics; a form of Solid, petroleum-based plastics are an easily shaped subdivision. This makes them ideal for such things as single-use sigils, innocuous items, and inexpensive tools. Also, being that petroleum is ancient remains that have become liquid, they have tremendous potential energy.
Plants; a Solid, they are nourished by Plasma and Liquid, and reverse the usual order of oxygen exchange (they make oxygen, not carbon dioxide), so they have ties to all of the States. My advice, use a REALLY good herbalism book, and OBEY the cautions therein! Plants are one of the most plentiful and flexible resources on the planet, don't ignore them!
Clay/Clay products; a form of Solid made even harder by Plasma; great for charged talismans, and they still work when broken! A convenient form of Contagion magic, all in your kitchen cupboard!
Ink; a liquid that becomes solid, to convey the meanings found in sounds; one of the oldest tools of the magician, don't just think of the symbols and spells you draw with it as magical, consider the ink itself as a means of applying a meaning to a liquid that then literally crystallizes into form.
So, for your next working of High Magic, consider the overlooked power of Jell-O; you can use it to represent Earth and Water on your Altar table, carve your spells into it or enchant it to carry intent, and you've got an excellent snack for after the ritual that as it dissolves in your stomach, it absorbs the intent from your working into two forms, making your spell a little more effective.
Thank you for your attention, and I hope this provides some food for thought.
Jason, Chaos Mage and Lunatic |
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