Magickal Morality Morality? In Magick? Yes. Not in the sense of values and ethics, whether societal or personal, for such are ever-changing. Rather, morality in the spiritual sense. Magick should be worked for positive effects, never for negative effects. The manipulation of power to cause illness, pain, death; to destroy, steal or otherwise harms another persons prosperity; or to control other people is negative magick. The latter includes forcing someone to fall in love with you or someone else or to have sex with you; to break up a marriage or romance; to change another person's mind-- to force a person to do something they don't want to do. Magick isn't an open field where egos and selfish urges can be gratified on a whim. There are dangers awaiting anyone who performs negative workings. Such magick might manifest, but the heavy penalties are never worth the effects. There is a magickal principle that what you put into magick is exactly what you will revive. If you perform beneficial magick you shall receive beneficence back. The negative practitioner, however, shall receive only negative, and eventually will destroy its wielder. In light of this principle there seems to be no reason to perform negative Magick (which is often termed 'black magic'). Indeed, there isn't. Those who remain unconvinced as do so shall receive the fruits of their actions. It is, of course, the beneficial aspect of Magick that makes it, and its users, divine. Negative magick has always had its adherents. These are those who are seduced by evil, blinded by the temporary power it offers them, who can't see the light until it is too late. There are a few 'destructive things you can do that aren’t negative, but getting rid of the negativity. Such as; breaking bad habits, obsessions, diseases, and so on. Since this harms none, but actually helps, it is safe to view it as positive magick. Magick For The Self Magick preformed for yourself is not selfish, for it betters the world. Many people seem to think it is fine to cast a spell for a friend but could never do anything for themselves. This is a regrettable idea, and should be exorcised as soon as possible. Only if you are healthy, happy, and financially sound can you help others, just as you must love yourself before you can except others to. Part of the confusion comes from techniques used. Magick that aids you but harms others should be avoided, for it is not in keeping with magickal morality. Usually there is a way to improve yourself or your life without harming others, and this is the magick that should be utilized. Never feel greedy when performing magick for yourself as long as it harms none. Magick For Others If you make your magickal activities known others will come to you and ask for spells to be preformed. You will have to make a decision whether or not to do the magick for them, and this decision must be based upon a few factors. There is only one hard and fast rule when it comes to working magick for others: If it feels good, do it. If not, don’t. People can be quite cagey when asking for magick to be preformed. Often they'll cover their explanations, or openly lie, to convince you that it works. Even good friends may fail to see the truth in some matters, or might blow one incident out of proportion. Based on such evidence you might well tackle a problem magickally that doesn’t even exist, thereby wasting your time and energy. People will also want you to accomplish something by magick which they could do themselves if they rolled up their sleeves and went to work. With all these unsaid thoughts, hidden truths, lies and deceptions what can you do? Scry to find the answer, find out whether it is a good idea or not. Also if you are performing Magick on another person who hasn’t come to you for help, make sure it is ok with them first. If they are not able to answer for themselves then use your best judgment on what they would want. But if they can talk then ask them for their permission first, otherwise you will be doing something against their will and breaking the Wiccan Rede.
