MAGICK, Physics, and Probability
Now, as most of you may know, Magick is a somewhat controversial issue. Even the spelling of the word is argued about! I have picked up the habit (only the gods know where I picked it up ... possibly from my occasional perusals of Crowley) of using "Magick" for the real thing, and using "Magic" for what a stage magician does.
Before I go any further, I guess that I had better define Magick. One definition is: "the art or science of causing change to occur in conformity to Will" - A. Crowley.
Now, while Crowley himself, was quite controversial, I think we can all agree that this should serve as a generic definition of Magick. But, one of the differences between types of magicks is in the way of raising or calling energy to cause change. Thus, such a change may be accomplished in one of a couple of ways:
1. The magick may be caused by the action of only one person or group of people.
2. The magick may be caused by the intercession of some higher (or lower) being who was evoked or controlled by a person or group of people.
3. The magick may be caused by the action of one person or group of people who is/are "borrowing" energy from some higher being (lower beings may sell energy, but seldom lend or give it).
4. The magick may be caused by the person or persons use of an object or location which was previously charged with energy (ie. a Magickal Tool, Talisman, standing stones, etc).
Note: The use of a sacrifice (which can range from symbolic sacrifices of Grain, Wine, etc., all the way to Human Sacrifice [something which I, personally, am against]) is a combination of methods, in that a relative amount of energy is released at the sacrifice itself, and, a larger amount of energy is usually then given forth by a higher or lower being.
In many ways, Magick is quite similar to the harder sciences. In both, one must expend energy in order to effect a change, or, TANSTAAFL (There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch). Another difference between types of Magick is in the Focusing or Concentrating of the power being raised. This may be accomplished through the use of chanting, singing, dancing, various types of meditation, and through formalized Ritual steps, which may or may not involve Magickal Tools. Which brings us up to another controversial issue... the use and meaning of the Circle in Wiccan and Ceremonial Magicks.
Now, as some of you may know, a Magickal Circle serves a couple of uses, and, as far as I can see, the argument is really over which is the most important aspect of such a Circle. Most modern Wicca types will say that a Circle's property of: "Holding and concentrating the energy being raised, until it is ready to be released" is the most important. Many Ceremonial types cite the Circle's ability to keep out negative energies and influences as being most important. While, some others say that a Circle relates the tie of spirit to body, and the ability of spirit to act on the body, with the tie of the people on the inside to the world(s) without, and a similar ability to cause change.
As for my own position on this argument, while, in most areas, I tend to favor the Wiccan position (albeit, with a decidedly Discordian slant),in this case, I'll say: "Who CARES which is most important!?! A Circle does all of the above, and more, but, it's not worth arguing over!" So, on to the heart of this article: Explaining Magick in terms of Quantum Physics [{chuckle}, I knew a couple of Physicists who used to explain Quantum Physics in terms of Magick {grin}]. This covers the how and why Magick works. PLEASE NOTE: I do not claim to be infallible, this is not a laying down of the LAW. Rather, this is simply a theory. But then, E = MC(squared)is simply a theory. However there exists lots of data which supports both theories. Since I've already covered some basic Magickal Theory, it looks like time to start on the Physics end of things. I'll start with the theories of Probability and Uncertainty.
Probability can be likened to Voltaire's Theory that: "Since this is the Only
One of All Possible Worlds that we know, it must, therefore, be the Best of All Possible Worlds!". While this may be an interesting concept, Voltaire's logic is slightly flawed. A better statement would be: "This is the most Probable of All Possible Worlds". Thus, the Theory of Probability is quite simple. Everything we see or experience is due to probability. An Apple, when dropped, will fall (as long as it's in a gravity well, like, the surface of a planet, and, no other forces are acting on it), because falling is the most probable course of action open to it. Uncertainty comes into play when there IS no one most probable thing to happen. Good examples of uncertainty in action are small things, like electrons in orbit around an atom. Since there is no one most probable spot for that electron to be, it isn't in one place. There is a locus of higher probability, where in a lower energy electron is more likely to be closer to the nucleus, and higher energy ones farther away. Thus, scientists may either pin down where an electron is, or, where it is going, but, they CAN'T pin down both at the same time. Also, electrons tend to vibrate in energy level, spontaneously bouncing up and down, seeking their most probable states.
So, "Where does Magick come into play?" one may ask (assuming, that is, that one has made it this far). Well, one of the tenants of the Theory of
Probability is that: the possibility of an event occurring depends upon the events probability. Thus, if said probability can be changed, one could, theoretically, either make such an event happen, or prevent such an event from happening. And this is what Magick really is ... the Art of Changing Probability. And, here's how that happens ... Einstein, as some may recall, was NOT happy with the theory of Probability. Since, who decides what is most probable, and, how can such decisions be altered? Einstein said "God does not play dice with the universe!", and tried, for years, to come up with a better theory. But, he failed, and so far, all the data collected tends to support the theory of Probability. Some others have come up with possible answers to the above posed question. One of which is that Chance determines probability (this is the theory that Einstein commented upon). Another theory is that some sort of GOD decides probability. Needless to say, whatever being who could alter probability at will, WOULD be a god! And so, that brings us to the present state of affairs. No doubt, even as I write, somewhere, there is someone trying to come up with some more theories governing the manipulation of probability, and thus, allowing the construction of a machine which does just that. But, there are also some who have found that such a machine exists...
PEOPLE! There is already lots of evidence, some documented, most overlooked or kept hidden by the use of vows, that People CAN affect probability.
Blessed Be... Hurn