THE ARCANE ARCHIVE
	a cache of usenet and other text files pertaining to occult, mystical, and spiritual subjects.

To: alt.magick,alt.magick.ethics,alt.magick.folk,alt.magick.order,alt.magick.sex,alt.magick.tantra,alt.magick.tyagi,alt.pagan.magick,alt.answers,news.answers
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (tyaginator)
Subject: alt.magick FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Updated: 9612

Summary: This is the ASCII text version of the alt.magick FAQ.  The FAQ is
         intended as an introductory file and its content may be discussed
         within the alt.magick Usenet newsgroup.  The FAQ is available at
	 ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Usenet/FAQs/FAQ.amagick.9612 

                                   CONTENTS

   
     00 FOREWORD
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     10 NEWSGROUP
     11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?
     12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     20 SUBJECT
     21 What is magic(k)?
     22 Is magick real, how does it work, what influences it?
     23 Is magick black/white? Should we do black magick?
     24 Is magick compatible with modern Science?
     25 How are magick and religion/mysticism related or different?
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     30 STUDIES
     31 How should I start learning about magick?  teachers?
     32 What are the best books for a beginner to read?
     33 Where is online information about magick to be found?
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     40 SPELL COMPILATIONS
     41 Love/Lust
     42 Summoning Demons/Hexing/Cursing/Death
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS
     51 Archives
     52 Magick-Related Newsgroups
     53 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')
     54 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting
     _____________________________________________________________
       
     60 AFTERWORD
     61 Footnotes
     62 Credits
     63 Copyrights


   =======================================================================

00 FOREWORD

        The alt.magick FAQ may be obtained at:

        HTML
        http://www.hollyfeld.org/amgkfaq

        ASCII
        ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Usenet/FAQs/FAQ.amagick.9612


        Look for the newsgroup REF files also:

        HTML
        http://www.hollyfeld.org/~tyagi/Amgkfaq/REFref.html

        ASCII
        ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/


   =======================================================================

10 NEWSGROUP

        This section pertains to the most commonly asked questions about
        the newsgroup itself; specifically the newsgroup's name and its
        customs.

11 Why do you spell (alt.)magick with a K?

        alt.magick was created with a 'k' to avoid confusion with stage
        magic. @01

        'Magick' is a spelling popularly associated with Aleister Crowley,
        yet the spelling precedes him by hundreds of years. @02

        Many people presume a difference between conjuring tricks and
        occult spells; between magic and magick.  There may be grounds
        for comparing them metaphorically to chemistry and alchemy.

        Sr. Virakam and others maintain that it separated Crowley from
        his competitors (and thus served as a marketing or elitist
        scheme). @03

        Symonds and Grant contend that the 'k' is a conceit of
        Crowley's and that it is related to potentially dangerous
        ("demonic and chaotic") energies, as well as life-oriented
        symbols such as 'khu' and 'kteis', for which they say it
        stands, "the complement to the wand (or phallus) which is
        used by the Magician in certain aspects of the Great Work." @04

12 Shouldn't there be limits to what people can post here?

        There has been movement, off and on over the years, to work
        toward some sort of moderated alt.magick.* forum, but this
	has never been successfully carried out.

        There are many subgroups of alt.magick to which specific
        types of discussion should be taken if you wish to cooperate
        with newsgroup regulars.  Here are a few of the discussion-
        oriented newsgroups to get you started:

                news:alt.magick.ethics       (philosophia:ethics)
                news:alt.magick.folk                 (primitivas)
                news:alt.magick.order                 (politicos)
                news:alt.magick.tantra              (eros/tantra)
                news:alt.magick.tyagi                 (synthesia)

        There is a comprehensive list of posting suggestions in the
        document called 'alt.magick RULES'. These are quotes from
        Usenet authorities regarding posting content.

        In terms of limiting the *substance* or *topic*, some
        copyrighted files have been under intense heat from occult
        organizations to keep them from being posted to the newsgroup.

        There is often a great outcry anytime someone posts a ritual
        or suggestion which conflicts with the morality or maturity
        level of participants, yet as alt.magick is not moderated,
        complaints and savvy folks who know how to cancel posted
        messages will be able to keep a single post from being seen,
        discussion of it carrying over into one of the sub-forums
        at most.

        In short, there are no technical limitations, but there are
        some factions (participants, occult groups) who have a very
        sincere interest in affecting what is posted.


   =======================================================================

20 SUBJECT

        There are a few questions about magic(k) which arise
        consistently.  These concern an analysis of magick,
        its workings and principles, and its relationship to
        science, religion and morality.

21 What is magic(k)?

        Magick has been defined by many people in many different
        ways.  One infamous mage defined it as "the Science and Art
        of causing Change to occur in comformity with Will." @05

        Some see magick as a kind of energy which pervades the cosmos.
        Others see it as a psychic tool by which we may influence the
        material world using symbols and ritual.  Many see it as a
        means of coming to unite with the divine, and some consider
        it to be the exercise of will or Will.
        
        Whatever the word means, 'magick' is the subject, generally,
        of the newsgroup, and will likely be given many differing and
        contradictory meanings during discussions there.

22 Is magick real, how does it work, what influences it?

        Many have suggested the differentiation of magical 'currents'
        or 'energies' based on style and/or intent.  Some posit the
        notion of principles, a la scientific structure, 'laws of
        magick' and whatnot.  Others approach it more subjectively,
        considering all knowledge about the elements of magick to be
        personal and therefore particular only to the individual
        condition, variable of form.

        All of these are popular responses to this question, though
        more inventive theories would be welcomed.  Conventional
        approaches may be cross-posted to sci.philosophy.meta.

23 Is magick black/white?  Should we do black magick?

        For discussion about the ethics of magick, see:

		 news:alt.magick.ethics

24 Is magick compatible with modern Science?

        An oft-asked question, particularly with reference to
        Heisenberg and chaos theory.  Hang around a little before
        getting into one of these discussions.  They can take quite
        a while to untangle.

25 How are magick and religion/mysticism related or different?

        There have been a number of different discussions on these
        subjects.  The hypotheses I can remember are the
        magick/individual:religion/group model, and the idea that
        religion is the devolution of magick.  Some do not seem
        to discern between magick and mysticism at all, and many
        have never considered the subject, being unexposed
        to the latter.

        Thelemites might equate magick with will and mysticism with
        love, and the association has been made 'tween mysticism
        and theurgy, magick and thaumaturgy.

        For more on mysticism, see the Mysticism section of the
        _Mage's Guide to the Internet_:

		http://www.hollyfeld.org/~tyagi/Magi/mysticism.html


        ================================================================

30 STUDIES

        How to learn about magick and what ought be considered the
        best sources are frequently discussed topics in the newsgroup.

        Occasionally someone will compile a REF file of newsgroup posts
        for a common topic.   Make a collection of posts and assist in the
        project yourself:

                ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/
                http://www.hollyfeld.org/~tyagi/Amgkfaq/REFref.html

31 How should I start learning about magick?  teachers?

        As CHenningsson (ceci@lysator.liu.com) writes:

          "Books are one answer. There are actually books which
           try to take you from your first tentative attempts
           at relaxation into holding a ritual....
        
          "Other than that....  Just do it!  If you like to, you
           can see this as one of the very first exercises in Will;
           you Will yourself into making a ritual."
        
        Some recommend the use of particular mechanisms or tools,
        such as tarot, a magical diary, meditation or dreamwork.
        Some recommend specific books or teachers, others place more
        emphasis on the aptitude and imagination of the student.

        Robin (robin@winternet.com) provides marvelous advice:

          "Resist the temptation to believe what anyone else
           tells you.  Try to invent ways to find out things
           for yourself.  Remain skeptical.

          "Look for ways in which you have may have been
           doing magick without realizing it.  Think about
           what it might mean if you could use it with
           intention, and how you might go about that."

        MKampe (markk@cypress.west.sun.com) offers:

          "if you have clear notions of what magick is all
           about, it might be better for you to pursue your
           inner course and avoid outside contamination
           [from teachers/books/etc.]."

	Teachers, masters and adepts are often a topic of 
	discussion in the newsgroup, and magical organizations 
	may wrangle out their political issues in alt.magick.order.

        I would echo Lilith Darkchilde:

          "Take heed of those who say that they can teach
           you all about what is magickal.  Especially if
           you must join their 'coven' or group to do so....
          'I hold the key to my own self knowing.'"

32 What are some books for a beginner?

        There's are a few different booklists available:

	ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/bookref
	ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/book2ref
	ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/book3ref

33 Where is online information about magick to be found?

        Try the MaGI:
	
		http://www.hollyfeld.org/magi
	

        ================================================================

40 SPELL COMPILATIONS

        Spells may be obtained from several offline sources, the folk
        and ceremonial varieties maintained at times with diligent care.

        The spells contained within the following sites may be dangerous
        to your health.

41 Love/Lust

        I collected a file of spell responses in alt.magick.*
        over a period of months and placed them in a REF file at:

        ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/fukspls

        Other contributions would be welcomed (preferably linked,
        HTML documents).

42 Summoning Demons/Hexing/Cursing/Death

        Demon-summoning, curse- and death-oriented spells were
        collected from alt.magick.* over the last few years and
        these have been placed in a REF file (again, additional
        contributions welcome):

        ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/owspls

	Also see the following newsgroup:

                news:alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic


        ================================================================

50 REFERENCES AND REFERRALS

        After consulting the various resources listed in this FAQ
        and lurking in the newsgroup for a few weeks, feel free to
        bring up any relevant subjects there.

51 Archives

        There are Usenet Archives within the Hollyfeld Internet site:

		http://www.hollyfeld.org/Esoteric

51 Magick-Related Newsgroups

        Valuable Usenet alternatives include:

        (occult-related)
        news:alt.astrology
         Ref: (FAQ) 
	  ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Usenet/FAQs/FAQ.astrlgy.9401
	news:alt.astrology.asian
        news:alt.chinese.fengshui
         Ref: (FAQ) 
	  ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/fengref
        news:alt.divination
        news:alt.lucky.w
        news:alt.magick.chaos
         Ref: (FAQ) ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/Sh/Shub/Amc/faq
        news:alt.occult.kabbalah.golden-dawn
        news:alt.pagan.magick
        news:alt.tarot
         Ref: (REF) 
	  http://www.io.com/~r3winter/tarotfaq.html 
         Ref: (Layouts) 
	  ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/trtlyref
	news:alt.virtual-adepts

        (darkness and power)
        news:alt.evil
        news:alt.horror.cthulhu
        news:alt.necronomicon

        news:alt.satanism
	news:talk.philosophy.humanism
	news:talk.philosophy.objectivism

        (eastern and mysticism)
        news:alt.astrology.asian
	news:alt.consciousness.4th-way
	news:alt.consciousness.mysticism
	news:alt.hindu
        news:alt.meditation
         Ref: ftp://ftp.hollyfeld.org/pub/Esoteric/Web/Amgkfaq/medref
	news:alt.meditation.moderated
	news:alt.meditation.quanyin
	news:alt.meditation.shabda
	news:alt.meditation.transcendental
        news:alt.philosophy.taoism
	news:alt.philosophy.zen
        news:alt.yoga
	news:alt.zen
	news:alt.zen+budo
        news:soc.religion.eastern
	news:soc.religion.gnosis
	news:soc.religion.hindu
	news:soc.religion.islam
	news:soc.religion.quaker
	news:soc.religion.sikhism
	news:soc.religion.unitarian-univ
	news:soc.religion.vaishnava

        (psychology and consciousness) 
        news:alt.consciousness
	news:alt.drugs
	news:alt.drugs.chemistry
	news:alt.drugs.leri
	news:alt.drugs.pot
	news:alt.drugs.psychedelics
	news:alt.psychoactives
	news:alt.psychology.jung
	news:alt.psychology.mistake-theory
	news:alt.psychology.nlp
	news:alt.psychology.personality
	news:alt.psychology.synchronicity
	news:alt.psychology.transpersonal
        news:alt.usenet.recovery
	news:rec.drugs.psychedelic
	news:sci.psychology
	news:sci.psychology.consciousness
	news:sci.psychology.digest
	news:sci.psychology.misc
	news:sci.psychology.personality
	news:sci.psychology.psychotherapy
	news:sci.psychology.research
	news:sci.psychology.theory
   
        (shamanism/neopaganism/witchcraft)
        news:alt.folklore
	news:alt.folklore.gemstones
	news:alt.folklore.herbs
        news:alt.legends.king-arthur
        news:alt.mythology
	news:alt.mythology.mythic-animals
	news:alt.native
        news:alt.pagan
        news:alt.religion.asatru
        news:alt.religion.orisha
        news:alt.religion.shamanism
        news:alt.religion.wicca
        news:alt.shamanism
        news:alt.techno-shamanism
        news:soc.religion.paganism
        news:soc.religion.shamanism
        
	(ufos and spiritualism)
	news:alt.consciousness.near-death-exp
	news:alt.folklore.ghost-stories
	news:alt.folklore.suburban
	news:alt.hypnosis
        news:alt.mindcontrol
        news:alt.out-of-body
        news:alt.paranet
	news:alt.paranet.abduct
	news:alt.paranet.metaphysics
	news:alt.paranet.paranormal
	news:alt.paranet.psi
	news:alt.paranet.skeptic
	news:alt.paranet.ufo
        news:alt.paranormal
	news:alt.prophecies.nostradamus
	news:alt.skeptic
        news:alt.soulmates
        news:talk.religion.newage

52 Card Game Magic (e.g. 'The Obsession')

        There are many newsgroups in the news:rec.games.trading-cards
        hierarchy from which to choose.  Also see MOXPERL
	
		http://mox.perl.com/deckmaster/

53 Role-Playing Game Spellcasting

        If you are looking for role-playing game magic, you can find
        it in the Great Net Spellbook:

		ftp://ftp.win.tue.nl/pub/games/spells/html/gnsb.html


        ================================================================

60 AFTERWORD

        Thanks to all the fine authors of files I came across during my
        sift for networking documents to fill out this edition of the FAQ.
        May it remain unblemished by violence or imprisonment.

61 Footnotes

        @01  -  See news:alt.magic (stage magic).

        @02  -  Due to his many publications and the orders
                he crafted, Aleister Crowley is revered by many and
                despised by as many more, and his magical treatise
                (_Book Four_, recently reissued assembled by Samuel 
	        Weiser) may likely prove his most popular text.

        @03  -  "Aleister Crowley (if Soror Virakam may be relied upon)
                is said to have adopted "the old spelling of MAGICK...
                in order to distinguish the Science of the Magi from
                all its counterfeits."
                      (_Magick_, eds. Symonds/Grant, p. 45 note).

        @04  -  _Magick_ eds. Symonds/Grant, p. xvi.

        @05  -  Magick in Theory and Practice, by Aleister Crowley; p. 7.

62 Credits

        Those that assisted in reviewing the FAQ whose ideas and/or
        networking were utilized in the construction:

	     mailto:ashton@netcom.com 		     (AShub)
	     mailto:oispeggy@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu    (Peggy Brown)
	     mailto:burkard@kodak.com 		     (Kim Burkard)
	     mailto:dshoem@aol.com 		     (Dshoem)
	     mailto:kdavidso@library.uwaterloo.ca    (Karen)
	     mailto:kim@newton.apple.com 	     (peter kim)
	     mailto:robin@winternet.com 	     (robin)
	     mailto:yronwode@sonic.net 		     (catherine yronwode)

        If you have suggestions for changes or additions to document,
        send them to the Editor (mailto:tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com).

        Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem.    -W. Occam


63 Copyrights

        This document is Copyright (c) 1996, tyagi nagasiva.

        All rights reserved.  Permission to distribute the collection
        is hereby granted providing that distribution is electronic,
        no money isiinvolved, reasonable attempts are made to use the
        latest version and all credits and this copyright notice are
        maintained.  Other requests for distribution should be directed
        to the Editor or to the individual authors of the quoted materials.

=============================================================================

        tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (tyaginator)
             Editor, alt.magick FAQ

FIN 9612