I like to share a three-part magical formula that can be used for magical work and magical training. On one hand it is a hierarchy of labors that go into rituals, spells, etc. and on the other it is a set of increasingly complex methods to learn and practice.
It breaks down like this:
- Magical Techniques
- Magical Acts
- Magical Operations
Prerequisite Understanding
For this formula to be of use to you, it is necessary to first at least understand the very basics of magical action. By this I mean such things as intention, and fundamental concepts like visualizing and using your will to empower your desire.
The formula above lists technique first. Magical techniques are the building blocks of magical work but they themselves consist of fundamental movements and intentions. First you learn fundamental intentions and rudimentary movements (which can be physical or emotional, for example), which you then piece together to form techiques.
For instance, tracing a shape with your finger or a magic wand is a basic motion involving elementary intention. You learn to project your will and different kinds of energy, or intention, out our finger or through a wand. This is followed by drawing different shapes that mean different things, and so on.
Techniques, Smallest Building Blocks
By this reasoning, you would use the aforementioned fundamental intentions and movements to learn the technique of tracing a pentagram. Techniques consist of one or more motions (remember they can be physical, mental, or emotional) with intent.
Generally a technique is the smallest unit of work that can be used to actually get something coherent done. In the case of drawing the pentagram, this technique can be used to push away or draw in specific energy.
Magical Acts, Backbone of Magical Practice
Techniques are put together to form magical acts, which are larger units of work aimed at getting more done or having a greater effect. For example, in the LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram) the process of drawing the pentagram as you face a certain direction, piercing the star, and vibrating a divine name is one magical act made up of at least three techniques.
A single magical act may be all that is needed to solve a problem or get what you want in a situation. These are the sturdy framework of your magical practice. If a problem is more than you can manage with an act, you may need to bring in the real workhorse of your practice.
Magical Operations, the True Workhorse
In the LBRP example, you could say there are four main acts, i.e. the pentagrams at the four quarters, followed by a fifth act of invoking the archangels. I realize different versions have additional steps I am just keeping my example simple. These acts work together to form the LBRP operation.
Magical operations are the big guns, so to speak. They are the most complex unit of work and capable of dealing with the most in-depth and challenging situations.
If you perform the Kabbalistic Cross ahead of your pentagram rituals, that is at least another act, though some would call it an operation of its own. The lines between the blocks are not perfect, nor do they need to be.
This formula is about:
- Organizing and ordering your work.
- Establishing a sort of method tree for learning and development.
It is not about academic argument or who is right and wrong. Please note, none of my humble systems are about either of these latter, and are always about efficiency, effective learning, and improving results.
Method Tree?
Or hierarchy, for example. What I mean is, in addition to using these blocks to sequence and design your magical work, they provide a map for the learning and training process. First learn techniques, then acts, and finally operations.
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