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Laws of Magick

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The Laws of Magick

Overview

These are the fundamental principles of magickal theory as formulated by Isaac Bonewits in his book Real Magic: An Introductory Treatise on the Basic Principles of Yellow Magic. They describe the internal and external mechanics of how magick is perceived and practiced.

Sources:

1. The Law of Cause and Effect

Law of Cause and Effect

Exactly the same actions done under exactly the same conditions always give exactly the same results.

2. The Law of Knowledge

Law of Knowledge

Understanding brings control. Knowledge is power.

  • Sub-law: The Law of Self-Knowledge: The most powerful knowledge is knowledge of oneself.

3. The Law of Names

Law of Names

Knowing the complete name of a phenomenon or entity gives you complete control over it.

  • Premise 1: Names are definitions. By knowing the name, you know the essence of that which is named.
  • Premise 2: Names are associational devices or memory gimmicks.
  • Sub-law: Law of Words of Power: Certain words can influence the inner and outer reality of the speaker.

4. The Law of Association

Law of Association

If two things have something in common, that commonality can be used to influence both.

  • Sub-law 1: Law of Similarity: The basis of sympathetic magic. Effects resemble causes; parts stand for the whole. (Key Phrase: “Lookalikes are alike.“)
  • Sub-law 2: Law of Contagion: Things once in contact continue to interact after separation. (Key Phrase: “Power is contagious.“)
  • Technique: Associations can be broken with “ridicule rituals.”

5. The Law of Identification

Law of Identification

By complete association between your metapattern and that of another entity, you can become that entity.

Note: Full identification empowers the practitioner with the attributes of the entity, but carries the danger of the practitioner’s identity being submerged by a stronger metapattern.

6. The Law of Synthesis

Law of Synthesis

Two opposing ideas will be resolved into a third idea that is more valid than the first two.

  • Corollary: Law of Non-Contradiction: Allows holding two seemingly contradictory truths simultaneously. Counter-examples do not necessarily disprove a claim.

7. The Law of Polarity

Law of Polarity

Anything can be split into two opposite polarities, each containing the potentiality of the other in its essence. (As above, so below).

8. The Law of Balance

Law of Balance

Strike a balance in all things. Integration of extremes leads to stability and power.

9. The Law of Unlimited Data

Law of Unlimited Data

There is always something new to learn; the universe is infinite.

  • Corollary: Law of Unlimited Perspectives: Prevents stagnation and dogmatism.

10. The Law of Limited Senses

Law of Limited Senses

All senses and sensors are limited. We cannot perceive the totality of reality directly.

11. The Law of Personification

Law of Personification

Any phenomenon can be considered alive and possessed of a personality.

  • Sub-laws: Invocation (conjuring from within) and Evocation (conjuring from without).

12. The Law of Pragmatism

Law of Pragmatism

If something is useful, it is true (or “if it works, it’s true”).

13. The Law of Synchronicity

Law of Synchronicity

Events that happen at the same time are likely to have more in common than the merely temporal.

Summary of Magickal Laws

LawKey Phrase
1. Cause and Effect”But you cannot step in the same river twice.”
2. Knowledge”Know thyself.”
3. Names”What’s in a name? Everything.”
4. Association”Commonality controls.”
5. Identification”Become the target.”
6. Synthesis”Synthesis reconciles.”
7. Polarity”Everything contains its opposite.”
8. Balance”Strike a balance.”
9. Unlimited Data”There’s always something new.”
10. Limited Senses”We can’t see everything.”
11. Personification”Anything can be personified.”
12. Pragmatism”If it works, it’s true.”
13. Synchronicity”There is no such thing as a coincidence.”

See also: The Basic Principle of Visualization Magick, The Probability Model of Magick, Sympathetic Magic

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