i was wondering this, reading about how people seem to perceive magick as some complicated, alchemical blending of energy, blood, sweat and tears...what is the need to make it seem something that one has to devote an eternity to master?

why does it have to be so...arcane?

Because that's easier than thinking it's not real.

I agree with Jordyn...I'm 'back to basics'...all the extra stuff just makes me feel theatrical and silly...

For me, magic is simple: Prayer.

the complicated stuff comes about from most people who start proclaiming themselves HIGH witches and druids. most simply do this for attention and a following of sorts instead of being happy as they are and letting their power speak for itself. the same way arguments start by people who like science, despert to prove us wrong in anyway they can when in fact they carnt and we arent trying to prove anything.....it's the people problem. in fact magic is very simple, and we are tools to do magic, but many feel comfortable with ritual and tools. ritual itself is good for focussing US, and showing how much we mean it....but we dont actually have to do that, the trigger is inside us, all of us as it is in everything else.

People use whatever works for them,

Whatever it takes to get them to the right level of concentration

You get some of those people that do so called (high magic) their basicly the snobs of wicca. I read a money spell once that called for you to use cut rubys in it . Like Feroluce said the only thing you need to work magic is get yourself in the right frame of mind opening the door so to speak. As long as it feels good to you, you cant go wrong.

All magic basically comes from shamanisim (caveman style shamanisim as opposed to anything else) and in that case the shamans used complicated rituals to cover what they were really doing so as to maintain their status in the tribe.

Some rituals act to "prime" the practitioner to a particular state whereas others are just smoke and mirrors for various reasons.

Whenever I'm coaxed into doing something in front of people (usually alcahol involved there ) I usually use some stupid ritual to cover what I'm doing, it also helps to get me in the right frame of mind (having people around usually muddles me a little).

In essence, some of it may be smoke and mirrors but smoke and mirrors have their uses

i wouldnt use the word shamanism. after all, the fact the moon effects teh tides and teh sun can make things grow, thats magic

It lowers the amount of rivals you might have and people who would misuse it? Makes it look good too, helps with the suspension of disbelief for others and yourself.

i think animism would be a better word...it's older and more simplistic than shamanism...

while you were right on teh concept of putting other who would miss use it off....magic isnt that hard to grasp and use. besides, your post infers that we are all crazys and your the sane one, which is rather rude

thats the thing, therese so many ancient forms and practises of magic due to varying civilisations......just call it magic lol

It's sunday, and being an acolyte at my church, I participation in a simple weekly ritual whereby the spirit is refreshed by the bread and wine made holy.

And you know how it was made holy? The Priest waved her hands.

Why? Everyone`s crazier than me. :woo:

just by commenting that we have to bend reality to suit our understanding of said reality

Heh, I dont alter the facts to fit my views.

Unconsciously, everyone does.

Unconsciously, I`m asleep.
Eh I suppose the case can be made that people incorporate the facts into their views, even if they seem at polar opposites to most people..but altering them completly isnt something I`ve recognized. Reluctance and then slow acception happen though, if the evidence is sound.

nor do i, but then the differnce is that i dont discount pr put down someones individual choices and faith in life while you it would appear do