User:Charlie/Protocols for Magic

Description

Protocols for Magic explores forms and frameworks for artistic and creative expression as a means to facilitate the development of idiosyncratic

Magic practices.

Current points of research

✧ Creative expression as a personal conduit to Magic ✧

✧ Active protocols - Learning through making ✧

✧ The intersection of Art and Magic in practice✧

✧ Differing/opposing definitions and understandings of Magic ✧

Charlie's Thesis Outline

Charlie's Graduate Proposal

✧ Prototyping Workshop ✧ 03/11/25

Introduction

Before proceeding, here's a question to the group:

What is Magic?

And how would you define it in your own terms?

Existing definitions...

① Dictionary definitions usually describe Magic as a force, or the employing of a force outside of the bounds of current scientific understanding or measurable natural laws, able to affect reality, attributes of reality or someone's perception there of. With the "force", i.e. the (supernatural) source of magic depending on cultural, historical and religious context and believes. (neutral)

② The academic approach to defining Magic tends to frame Magic as a “mode-of-thinking”, the lens through which one may perceive, makes sense of and engage with the world. Through this view, the idea of Magic (as described in ❶) becomes an analytical framework, a human phenomenon based in Magical Thinking. (skeptic)

③ A third but less common approach (including academic sources) may attempt to form a synthesis of the two former perspectives. Magic both as a mode-of-thinking and a force. In this view, the force is conceptualized as a relational connection with the material world. (agnostic)

Part One ✧ Materials..

For every definition and theory on Magic exist even more ways in which different forms of Magic (practices) may be categorized.

A common yet maybe outdated perspective, is the use of terms such as white vs. black Magic, also referred to as benign vs. malign Magic (Gosden), which usually refers to the moral intent ascribed to certain forms of Magic (i.e. healing spells are seen as benevolent and good, whereas curses are often seen as harmful and bad). Propagated by religion (i.e. Christianity and Islam) and popularized through media, this binary categorization has been used and abused to target and persecute minority groups and cultural practices, throughout history.

Looking at other examples, ancient and contemporary societies that practice Magic (i.e. as an integral part of their culture and religion) may make the distinction between high and low Magic (in varying terms). This distinction usually denotes the forms of Magic and their practitioners' position and function within a societal structure. "High" forms of Magic may be practiced by priests/priestesses, shamans, oracles or others in elite positions. This may include ceremonial and ritual magic, complex divination methods and other more "scholarly"/learned forms of Magic. "Low" magic, also referred to as folk-magic or natural Magic, usually includes Magic employed by the commoners within a society. These "more accessible" forms of Magic can be simpler divination methods, charms and spells and/or other folkloric practices and traditions.

There exist many more ways with which to categorize Magic practices.

However, the categorization we will be using today will incorporate aspects of folk magic and elements of Sympathetic Magic, more specifically, the "Law of Similarity" within Sympathetic Magic.

Sympathetic Magic is an umbrella-term that is sometimes used to categorize magical believes (ranging from primitive, ancient to contemporary examples) which are based on the concept of "like produces like, or that an effect resembles its cause" — The Law of Similarity. In other words, the believe that one may effect Magic onto an object, person or state by invoking its resemblance through imitation (visual/aesthetic representation) or correspondence (symbolic representation/association).

Today's Protocols for Magic:

❶ Spells: Verbalizing an intention

❷ Sigils: Interpreting through abstraction

❸ Correspondences: Creating symbolic associations

❹ Talismans: Crafting a visual representation of our intention

✧ ✧ ✧

Spells

A spell is a set of words or formulaic sentence(s) believed to hold magical power and/or be used to verbalize an intent with which to enact Magic. It can either be expressed orally through speech, song or chant, or sometimes work in written form on a amulet, talisman or other magical objects.

"Abracadabra" (..)

Spells, also referred to as incantation or charm, can be an integral part of many different forms of Magic, such as rituals and prayers. The ways in which to compose/construct a spell can vary drastically. I.e. How concise or elaborate, simple or rhyming, direct or metaphorical a spell is and how it is performed may depend on context and purpose, or the preference of individual practitioners. In written form, spells may take on an additional visual aspect. The text may form a specific shape or compositional structure.

Example: One of the most well known magical spells is "Abracadabra". Although its exact origin is unknown and it is mostly known as a gibberish word spoken by stage magicians, today, archeological finds date it back to Roman times as an incantation written on amulets and talismans. Many different theories on its meaning exist, including that it was believed to have healing/medical powers if worn on the body.

The power of spells lay in the almost universal believe that language holds power itself (spoken, written and signed, magical or otherwise). Words carry meaning as the basis for connecting with each other, verbalize ideas, emotions and values. Etc.

Analogies..

(examples)

✧ Protocol for Spell-Writing ✧

① In one short sentence:

Write a spell reflecting an intention/wish/hope for this coming graduation year.

② Time: < 5min

✧ ✧ ✧

Sigils

Sigils are pictorial images/drawings used to visually represent ideas and intentions for magical use. Sigils range from simple symbols to elaborately composed signs. They may be constructed following strict codes and logic (formulas) or be drawn intuitively, depending on the Magical practice. Sigils are used in ritual magic to invoke spirits or entities, are put on all kinds of objects as symbols of protection or enchantment, or can follow other uses. Sigils can also be used as the pictorial/visual representation of a spell or used as the symbolic representation of magical components/materials/ideas.

"Housing crisis sigil" by Laura Tempest Zakroff

The Magic of sigils as a (creative) tool lays in its abstraction, and subsequent obstruction of the magical intent. The process of abstraction can force the maker/practitioner to deconstruct and reinterpret an idea through a simplified visual code. Breaking down ideas into its most crucial components. The element of obstruction sigils add can be two-fold. Working with secret/abstract symbols may enable someone to hide meaning/intention/magic from an onlooker, which can have its advantages. It can also be an exercise in visual communication. How can I formulate a specific idea through symbolic composition? The intention may dictate someone's personal approach to sigil Magic.

Examples..

• 

  Goetia, sigils of demons and angels

• 

  Sigils for love magic talismans

• 

  "Snake of the East" by Gemma Gary

• 

  Sigils representing wiccan/neo-pagan holidays

• 

  Are there demons trapped beneath the hull?

• 

  Alchemical symbols/sigils

Analogies..

(examples)

✧ Protocol for Pictorial Interpretation ✧

① Through intuitive interpretation, transform your spell into 3-6 symbols.Using the table of symbols below.

⚠ Feel free to use the given symbols as a template, as well as incorporate your own symbols, merge symbols, elaborate on them or create compositions, etc. Just make sure to choose at least 3 to 6 "symbolic terms" to interpret your spell, as they will become relevant later.

② Time: < 5min

✧ ✧ ✧

Correspondences

The Decan Wheel. A visual tool to learn the correspondences of tarot cards, including their dates, planetary and elemental associations.

In magical terms, correspondences is used to mean the symbolic associations we give to particular objects or ideas. Magic that aims to target, speak or invoke aspects of a certain object, person or state may use the given correspondences of a target, when constructing a Magic ritual, spell or artifact. It's concept lays in the basic idea of "like-is-like", creating a "magical link" with an object by employing its representative form (like in the Law of Similarity of Sympathetic Magic). This can be done through the more direct visual representation, or attributes of a thing (likeness, shape, color, material, etc). Or more abstract representations (i.e. ideas, symbols and metaphors, like emotions, plants, animals, etc).

Example: The sun may be visually represented through the color yellow or white, a round shape or a visual depiction of sun rays. It may also be associated with more abstract symbolic interpretations, such as the passing of time, giver of life, the lion or gods/God.

The concept of correspondences has its origins in many ancient cultures and practices. Some archeologist believe ancient cave paintings may depict primitive forms of correspondence magic. Invoking animal spirits for a successful hunt by painting them.

One of the most well-known and popular forms of correspondence magic may be found in Astrology, where each zodiac sign has its associated planet, color, number, stone and more. Similarly, tarot cards (and other forms of divination) also use correspondences. (See picture)

Its important to keep in mind that correspondences/symbolic associations are not universal, but are ever-evolving signifiers that reflect the cultural, religious, material and historical contexts in which they emerge and exist in.
 Many belief systems and practices may incorporate and work with a defined set of symbolic associations. However, correspondences can also be personal and informed by an individuals, or group’s lived experiences, believes and own symbolic associations.

Analogies..

(examples)

✧ Protocol for Collective Correspondences ✧

① Together create an archive of collective color correspondences.

By assigning each symbol on the table to a spot on the color spectrum:

② Time: < 10min

✧ ✧ ✧

Part Two ✧ Crafting with Magic!

(...) Components to crafting

Talismans

“A talisman is any object ascribed with religious or magical powers intended to protect, heal, or harm individuals for whom they are made. Talismans are often portable objects carried on someone in a variety of ways, but can also be installed permanently in architecture. Talismans are closely linked with amulets, fulfilling many of the same roles, but a key difference is in their functions. An amulet protects a person or possession against evil forces while a talisman provides good fortune.” (Wikipedia.com

)

Talismanic magic is a great example of tool-based magic that combines art and symbolism in a material form.
Talisman magic is one of the most ancient forms of tool-based magic and has existed in different forms all throughout human history, across earth.

(...)

Examples..

• 

  Byzantin talisman

• 

  "Freiskette" (..)

• 

  "Cimaruta" (..)

• 

  "Fulu" (..)

• 

  Kurdish Jewish talisman/amulet

• 

  "Hamsa"(..)

✧ Protocol for Talismans ✧

① Create a talisman Using the previously crafted sigil(s) and correspondences and incorporating your found materials.

As you craft, you may think of each component as representing a different temporal aspect:

③ Present it to the group & hang it on the talisman tree

② Time: < 30min

✧ ✧ ✧

References

• C. Gosden (2020), “Magic: A History: From Alchemy to Witchcraft, from the Ice Age to the Present”
• L. Williams (2025), "Compendium Of The Occult - Arcane Artefacts, Magic Rituals and Sacred Symbolism"
• DK (2020), “A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult”
• L. O., Haute (2023), ' Talismans pour celles qui ne savent pas de quoi ils parlent' ("Talismans for those who don't know what they are saying")
• P. E. Moore (2019), "Art and Magick in the 21st Century; Reflections of a Neophyte", TULCA Festival Of Visual Arts, TULCA, Galway, IE. (link)