The Laws of Magick

[This is a revised edition 1/2/08]

What is magick?

Magick, in its most basic sense is the art and science of causing change according to the will. What makes magick possible, is not only the will of the magician but how the magicians will interacts with the laws of the universe.

These laws are metaphysical concepts that illustrate how magick interacts with reality. In order to understand how to really use magick to your benefit, it would be good to review these concepts and see if you can understand thier meanings. These laws are quoted from the occult author Isaac Bonewits. Bonewits wrote a book titled "Authentic Thaumaturgy" [see endnotes] and this book describes these "laws" of magick. Thaumaturgy, is the archaic terminology for the art and science of creating effects using magick. It originates from the Greek word, "Thaumaturgos" meaning "miracle worker".

Each concept is quoted from Isaac Bonewits, and then reviewed by me to explain the concept in depth so that you can understand it. Bonewits words are quoted, and below I give an explanation of each concept from my perspective. Below this is the keyword, a simple phrase to help you to remember each concept. I have found this list to be one of the most comprehensive lists for explaining the [common] laws that magick users work with. They are listed in order of importance.

As a note I would like to say that these laws have nothing to do with the three-fold law, which is an invention of Gwen Thompson in the 1950's, when he penned his work called the "Witches Creed". If you would like more information on the threefold law, read this article titled "Magick and the Law of Return" . In essence the threefold law is a measure put in place to create morality within witchcraft. Compare to these laws here written by Bonewits which seem to be "universal" in any day or age and have no bearing on morality.

These concepts are universal. This means that no matter the situation, in some way you are being effected by these things or you are causing the effect. Studying these concepts and putting them to use in a constructive way will give you some insight into how magick actually works. These laws are interesting as well because they all tie in with each other at some point and they stand alone and are also dependent on each other.

[1] The Law of Knowledge

Essence:"Understanding brings control; the more that is known about a subject, the easier it is to exercise control over it."

To know something is to understand it completely.This means that you are able to also predict how something will act and react with accuracy. The more you know the more ability you have over something to exercise control. The less you know about something, the harder it is to manipulate it. This seems fundamental, but it is a basic fact of magick and of life itself in general.

Keywords: Knowledge is Power

[2] The Law of Self-Knowledge

Essence: "The most important kind of magical knowledge is about oneself; familiarity with one's own strengths and weaknesses is vital to success as a magician."

To really know yourself allows you to know your abilities and your downfalls. To really know and understand yourself at the core enables you to understand humanity itself. Without this knowledge the awareness of inner processes are lost. Know yourself and you will understand the world around you a lot better. This can enable you to really understand why and how your life is what it is and how you can direct it to better suit what you want.

Keywords: "Know thyself."

[3] The Law of Cause & Effect

Essence: "If exactly the same actions are done under exactly the same conditions, they will usually be associated with exactly the same "results"; similar strings of events produce similar outcomes."

Depending on what is done, the outcome can be predicted depending on past circumstances. Therefore if you want to cause a reaction, it is important to think of the outcome and compare it to things that you have done in the past. Your reasoning should follow this basic logic of cause and effect.

For instance, based upon the law of knowledge, you are able to predict another person's reaction. And if you base this past expereince on what you are trying to create now, your results will be alot more accurate than if you had not taken the time to consider the cause of the situation and the effects that you could possibly create.

Keywords: "Cause creates Effect"

[4]The Law of Synchronicity

Essence: "Two or more events happening at the same time are likely to have more associations in common than the merely temporal; very few events ever really happen in isolation from nearby events."

I do not believe that there is such a thing as coincidence. To me, every event has a meaning and a reason for its existence. And, because there is nothing without meaning, synchronistic or similar events are a reminder to me that the energy of synchronicity is always working for us or working against us. Synchronicity works for us by bringing good or beneficial situations to us and it works against us by causing effects that are negative or self destructive. Considering the law of Cause and Effect, the possibility of occurrences coinciding with each other is entirely possible and most likely.

Keywords: "Synchronicity is no Coincidence"

[5]The Law of Association

Essence: "If any two or more patterns have elements in common, the patterns interact "through" those common elements, and control of one pattern facilitates control over the other(s)"

Here is an easy way to understand this law of association. All things in the occult are a study of associations, and through these associations, control over certain aspects are achieved. This of course, depends on the other various aspects of the situation and the associations involved.

Keywords: "Commonality produces Control"

[6]The Law of Similarity

Essence: "Effects are liable to have an outward physical or mental "appearance" similar to theier causes."

This is best understood within the magick operation of enchantment. In order to attract that which you want to come to you, you take on the essence and personality of what you want to come to you.

Keywords: "Like attracts Like"

[7]The Law of Contagion

Essence: "Objects or beings in physical or psychic contact with each other continue to interact after separation."

Items, objects and beings can retain energy from an outside influence. This creates what is known as a link, from which it is available to facilitate control. This is often referred to as sympathetic magick; when an item from an enemy like hair or nail clippings is used in magick it creates a very strong link to the intended target.

Keywords:"Like Is Like"

[8]The Law of Positive Attraction

Essence:"Like attracts like; to create a particular reality you must put out energy of a similar sort."

It is similar to the idea of emulation; that which is alike is alike. To be something you have to become it, and to become it is to know it. Using the energy and essence to emulate what you want will invariably attract similar energies to you. If you radiate self confidence you will have synchronistic events because you are attracting this type of energy into your life.

Keywords: "Emulation creates Attraction"

[9]The Law of Negative Attraction

Essence: "Like attracts unlike; energy and actions often attract their opposites."

Since like atracts like, it is also known that opposites attract as well. This is because of polarity, and everything has its opposite. That which is opposite is naturally attracted to its opposite in nature. Wether something is similar or opposite in nature, or if it is physical or metaphysical, things that are similar will attract.

Keywords:"Opposites attract"

[10]The Law of Names

Essence: "Knowing the complete and true name of an object, being or process gives one complete control over it."

The name itself is a link to the item, person or object. A thing's name holds the power, the essence of it's being. Take for instance, your own name. You have this name and it is what identifies you all your life until the day you die. It is You, a part of you and it is a link to who you really are. Some magick societies, like the Golden Dawn, for instance, give a secret name to an initiate. This name is not revealed to outsiders due to the immense power that this name holds.

Keywords: "Names Contain Power"

[11]The Law of Words of Power

Essence: "There exist certain words that are able to alter the internal and external realities of those uttering them, and their power may rest in the very sounds of the words as much as in their meanings."

There is power in words as well. A word is a link, and it can represent a metaphysical, magick or spiritual idea. To "Vibrate" a god's name is to tap into the power of the word.Ritual magical tools require words to be inscribed upon them and said over them during their construction and/or use.

Keywords:"There is power in a Word"

[12]The Law of Personification

Essence: "Any phenomenon may be considered to be alive and to have a personality, that is, to "be" an entity or being, and may be effectively dealt with thusly."

This can be seen within mythology, when people personified things like the wind and the clouds with an animal or human nature. This is called anthropomorphism. When a natural event is personified it gives it a life and a personality of its own and it creates more variables to work with as well. It is human nature to see ourselves reflected in nature; just like love is personified by the Goddess Venus

Keywords:"Any phenomenon can be personified."

[13]The Law of Invocation

Essence: "It is possible to establish internal communication with entities from either inside or outside of oneself, said entities seeming to be inside of oneself during the communication process."

An entitiy like a demon or a god is at its most basic level a sentient spiritual consciousness. Summoning using invocation is a means of communication and of spiritual interaction. There can be a sharing of consciousness as well. [either from an inner perspective spiritual entities are seen as internal and part of the psyche, or alternatively these entities are seen as external from one's own psyche]

Keywords:"Consciousness can be shared"

[14]The Law of Evocation

Essence: "It is possible to establish external communication with entities from either inside or outside of oneself, said entities seeming to be outside of oneself during the communication process."

Since spiritual beings are a part of the universe, either microscopically as a part of ones own personality or macroscopically an a being existing outside of the magicians own personal being, there can be communication between these beings using the subconscious. Consciousness can be shared but it is individually experienced between the magician and the spirit. It is the act of summoning and communication with spiritual beings.

Keywords:"Communication with Entities"

[15]The Law of Identification

Essence: "It is possible through maximum association between the elements of oneself and those of another being to actually become that being to the point of sharing its knowledge and wielding its power."

To share consciousness with another being for an extended and lengthy time will invariably re-create the very soul-structure of a being. This ultimately creates a permanent state of being from which the summoner may never return. To become something is to "be" it, and these character traits are passed on with this knowledge. This knowledge enables the summoner to take on the traits of that which they have summoned. This can be seen as a man who is elevated to the status of a god-form, such as Buddha or Christ.

Keywords:"To Become is to Be."

[16]The Law of Infinite Data

Essence: "The number of phenomena to be known is infinite; one will never run out of things to learn."

The vast amount of possible knowledge in the universe is unlimited, and as such it may never be fully and totally experienced by the human mind. There is always something new to learn, just as there is knowledge within knowledge itself.

Keywords:"Knowledge is Infinite"

[17]The Law of Finite Senses

Essence: "Every sense mechanism of every entity is limited by both range and type of data perceived."

Real phenomena exist which may be outside the sensory scanning ability of any given entity. This means that we do not always see what is really there. Just because something is not seen, felt, heard or understood does not mean that it does not exist.

Keywords:"Knowledge is limited to Sense"

[18]The Law of Personal Universes

Essence: "Every sentient being lives in and quite possibly creates a unique universe which can never be 100% identical to that lived in by another."

That which is considered to be reality is actually an individual experience, guaranteeing that no two humans will ever have the same life experiences or opinions. The idea that a singular overall reality exists, like in the idea of monotheism, are ridiculous in theory. There are in fact, many multiple, simultaneous, and contradictory realities that exist all at the same time. Your personal reality is unique to you and it will never be shared by anyone else in this planet.

Keywords: "Consciousness is Individual"

[19]The Law of Infinite Universes

Essence: "The total number of universes into which all possible combinations of existing phenomena could be organized is infinite."

This implies that there are more than one, simultaneous alternate realities that may exist at the same time. This concept applied to the practice of magick reveals that all things are indeed possible, but that some possibilities are more likely than others.

Keywords:"All Things Are Possible"

[20]The Law of Pragmatism

Essence: "If a pattern of belief or behavior enables a being to survive and to accomplish chosen goals, than that belief or behavior is "true" or "real" or "sensible" on whatever levels of reality are involved."

If a belief, or idea works then it is probably true if repeated. This, combined with the law of infinite universes opens up even more possibilities in magick. No matter what one may believe, from the fictional beings in the Necronomicon, to an atheist outlook, both realities exist simultaneously. One concept, even though fundamentally opposite to another still exists as a valid paradigm.

Keywords: "If it works, it's true."

[21]The Law of True Falsehoods

Essence: "It's possible for a concept or act to violate the truth patterns of a given universe (including an individual's or group's part of a consensus reality) and yet to still be "true", provided that it "works" in a specific context."

This is how and why so many religions can exist, without one being the "ultimate" reality (as proposed by monotheism). A system of metaphysical beliefs is called a paradigm, and a paradigm only works if it is true and is fully functional within a belief system and contains a valid opposite.

Keywords: "If it's a paradox it's probably true"

[22] The Law of Synthesis

Essence: "The synthesis of two or more "opposing" patterns of data will produce a new pattern that will be "truer" than either of the first ones were, that is, it will be applicable to more realities (or "levels of reality").

Belief systems and religion can and do mix; our planet has experienced this many times. For instance when Christianity was being established in Rome, many of he pagan festivals were blended with Christian beliefs to make the transition easier for the Roman public. This law works for general beliefs as well.. If it works its true, and if it has an opposite, it is also true, and if these are combined, a new paradigm, or reality is created.

Keywords: "Synthesis reconciles."

[23]The Law of Polarity

Essence: "Any pattern of data can be split into (at least) two patterns with "opposing" characteristics, and each will contain the essence of the other within itself."

Polarity should not be confused with dualism. Dualism assumes that opposites are at war with one another; polarity assumes that they embrace. For every thing there is an opposite.

Keywords: "Everything has an Opposite."

[24]Law of Dynamic Balance

Essence: "To survive, let alone to become powerful, one must keep every aspect of one's universe(s) in a state of dynamic balance with every other one; extremism is dangerous on both the personal and the evolutionary levels of reality."

Without a balence between action and inaction, anger and love, desire and restraint, there will be nothing but failure. The power in magick is the ability to be able to reconcile these opposites in such a way that the [true] will is magnified and through this, anything can be accomplished.

Keywords:"Maintain a Balance"

[25]The Law of Perversity

Essence: "Also known as "Murphy's Law," "Finagle's Law," etc.: if anything can go wrong, it will and in the most annoying manner possible."

Magick depends on many variables and if these variables aren't considered during the process of magick and if the magick is not adjusted accordingly, then things can go wrong. Always be prepared for anything, and remember the law of cause and effect. Hindsight is 20-20.

Keywords: "If anything can go wrong, it will."

[26]The Law of Unity

Essence: "Every phenomenon in existence is linked directly or indirectly to every other one, past, present or future; perceived separations between phenomena are based on incomplete sensing and/or thinking."

Begin to realize that we are all connected, at some point. We all live on the same planet and see the sun and stars. Each of us carries the carbon atom within us. We are all connected and through this a consciousness is shared. I call this "Human consciousness".

Keywords: "All is One"

I hope you have enjoyed my interpretation of Isaac Bonewits work on the Laws of Magick. These quotes are reprinted without permission only as a commentary to his work. I give full credit to the author. Please see the link below on information how to purchase "Authentic Thaumaturgy" through Amazon.com. It is a great book to have in your occult library for use and reference.

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Bonewits_laws_of_magic Isaac Bonewits, "Authentic Thaumaturgy", Published 2002 by Psi Publishing --at AMAZON.com