Magic vs. Magick
It's quite common today to find varied spellings for "magic". But have you ever wondered why? Of course you might think of it in the same way there's a variation of the word 'color'. In places like Europe and England, they spell 'color' as c-o-l-o-u-r. To distinquish between the American spelling and the Euro-English spelling. However, it's the same thing no matter which way you slice it. Magick is a ways of connecting the practition with Divinity as well as with the earth itself.
But for magic, it's a bit different. To explain it, I'll pull a story from my past.
I was working with a really nice lady down in Florida a year or so ago and one day we were discussing her friend being a "Witch". This was out of the blue because I'd never mentioned any of my beliefs or practices to her, but we were very close and told each other nearly everything that went on in our lives. I let it casually slide that I was building this website and she asked to see it. And she too inquired what the difference was between "magick" and "magic", because to her it seemed ... well, stupid. After all, it was the same thing. Right?
This is what I said. "Someone named Aleister Crowely used the 'k' to distinguish between the energy raised to cause a needed effect, and mere parlor tricks performed by a magician." With that said I can comment that I sounded like a geek. I'll be honest, I had heard of Aleister Crowely very little at that point in time. In fact, it took me years to connect the "Mr. Crowely" song from Ozzy Osbourne so many years ago, with the individual. I had no clue that that's who he was referring to.
But I worked my way through the explaination the best that I could. However, the lady that I had been talking to still doesn't see the need for a 'k'. And there isn't one really, to be honest.
Many who are/were followers of Aleister Crowely use the 'k' to differentiate between parlor tricks and what I call using your subconscious to manifest changes within your consciousness. However, due to the overwhelming popularity of Witchcraft by rebelious teenagers the 'k' in magic has become more of an eye-sore than any other letter for many legitimate students of Wicca and Paganism. Thus, many have chosen to drop the 'k' entirely and go back to magic. The same goes for those who have chosen to reclaim the word 'witch' instead of wanting to be called a 'wicce' or 'wicca'.
From what I understand now, some are getting very annoyed at the fact that so-called 'fluffbunnies' have adopted the word "magick" also, without reverence to where the 'k' came from and why. What annoys me more are the people who have problems with 'fluffies', but I'll discuss that later w/ the fluffy quiz. That certainly wouldn't be the first time that someone adopted something else.
I say, if you are more comfy with the 'k', use it. Do what's best for you. Some people I've seen add an 'e' at the end. I guess that's fine as well.
So, we've covered the bases I think. Magic is a parlor trick. People that perform magic are those such as: David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, and so on. These are the masters of illusion. Tricks to make you "ooh and ahh" wondering just how they did that. On the other scale you have magick. Those that perform magick go by no title unless it's necessary. They may be called 'magickian', 'sorcerer', 'witch', 'priest/ess', 'minister', etc. Their art is that of self-enhancement, benefiting not only themselves but their communities and environment. Faith healers, chemists, scientists; these are many of your modern day magickians. Magick is the art of changing consciousness in accordance with will (not what you want per say, but your TRUE will) by using personal and natural energies. There is nothing 'supernatural' about it, as all comes from Nature and all will sooner or later return.
The best advice that anyone can give you is to use what is best for you. If you are more comfortable spelling it 'magic' no one will think any less of you. And those that may, really aren't worth your time, because they should already understand why you're doing it this way.
No matter what you call yourself, Witches don't perform stage tricks or acts of illusions. The energy is real. It is the power of one's own mind in conjunction with natural forces. But one thing we have in common with many illusionists is that for magick to be effective, we must first prepare ourselves. We must pay attention to even the finest detail, even if at the time it seems insignificant. Think of it for a moment. If an illusionist isn't properly prepared, something may go wrong, and it could cost him his reputation. The same is true of a Witch.
I don't know any Witches that can pull rabbits out of hats like many great illusionists. Or even walk through the Great Wall of China for that matter! If there are some out there that can, kudos to you. Magic (art of illusion) is something I've always wanted to try may hand at. Somehow, I couldn't even get the knack of the unity rings. Some people have a talent for levitating people, Witches have a talent that is beyond description.
Magick also has it's association with the paranormal and occult (hidden) phenomena, as well as esoteric systems. This includes, but in no way is limited to, telekenisis, esp, psychic healing, the Kabalah, ancient grimoires, and chakras. It also includes symbolism, though one does not need tools in order to perform magick. It's merely there to help you hold your focus.
From the Kabalah to the Christian Bibles (yes, there's more than one) magick has been a part of every religion/philosophy the world has known. Though sometimes refered to as "diabolical" or "Satanic" (which implys that you believe in the Christian Satan), it's not very correct. In fact, it's downright judgemental. Down through the ages there have been many practicioners of magick, and they weren't talked about as being "Satanists" in the Bible. It seems that whomever got to write or rewrite those certain passages got to decide where to draw that fine line between double standards.
So when you get right down to it, you can spell it anyway you want. Magic, magick, magicke, magiq, magique, magiqe, majick, majik or however else you want to spell it, it's the same thing. We'll get into the differences between magick formulas (ceremonial or high magick vs. low magick and so on) a bit later.
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