Magic: Difference between revisions

From Theosophy Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
According to [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|H. P. Blavatsky]] there are two kinds of magic, generally called "white" and "black", depending on the object of the magical operation:
<blockquote>Now, since the difference of primary importance between Black and White Magic is simply the object with which it is practised, and that of secondary importance, the nature of the agents and ingredients used for the production of phenomenal results, the line of demarcation between the two is very, very thin.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 604.</ref></blockquote>
== White magic ==
== Black magic ==
[[Damodar K. Mavalankar]] wrote:
<blockquote>The powers of black magic are due to the will-power engendered by a concentrated form of selfishness. This is possible only when the Manas — the fifth principle of man, as the occultist calls it — resides very firmly in his lower principles. A careful study of the Fragments of Occult Truth and other literature on Esoteric Theosophy knows that these lower principles are destructible and must therefore be annihilated. Of course, the greater the powers of a black magician, the greater must be his selfishness. The energy of cohesion being thus very powerful, it must take a very long period before annihilation is complete. For aught we know, it (not his physical body which cannot live so long) may extend over thousands — nay a million — of years. The tendency for evil is there; the desire for mischief is strong: but there are no means for the gratification of sensual appetites: and the miserable being suffers the throes of dissolution for a very, very long period until he is totally annihilated.<ref>Damodar K. Mavalankar, "White and Black Magic," Supplement to The Theosophist vol 5 (February, 1884), p. 42.</ref></blockquote>
== Online Resources ==
== Online Resources ==
===Articles===
===Articles===
*[http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v12/y1890_021.htm# Black Magic in Science] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/LodgesOfMagic.htm# Lodges of Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/LodgesOfMagic.htm# Lodges of Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/Magic.htm# Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/Magic.htm# Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/OccultismOrMagic.htm# Occultism or Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/OccultismOrMagic.htm# Occultism or Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/ScienceOfMagic.htm# The Science of Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/ScienceOfMagic.htm# The Science of Magic] by H. P. Blavatsky
*[http://www.philaletheians.co.uk/Study%20notes/Black%20versus%20White%20Magic/Black%20vs.%20White%20Magic.pdf# White vs. Black Magic] at Philaletheians website
== Notes ==
<references/>


[[Category:Western Esotericism]]
[[Category:Western Esotericism]]
[[Category:Theosophical worldview]]
[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]

Revision as of 16:40, 10 January 2014

Expand article image 5.png




According to H. P. Blavatsky there are two kinds of magic, generally called "white" and "black", depending on the object of the magical operation:

Now, since the difference of primary importance between Black and White Magic is simply the object with which it is practised, and that of secondary importance, the nature of the agents and ingredients used for the production of phenomenal results, the line of demarcation between the two is very, very thin.[1]

White magic

Black magic

Damodar K. Mavalankar wrote:

The powers of black magic are due to the will-power engendered by a concentrated form of selfishness. This is possible only when the Manas — the fifth principle of man, as the occultist calls it — resides very firmly in his lower principles. A careful study of the Fragments of Occult Truth and other literature on Esoteric Theosophy knows that these lower principles are destructible and must therefore be annihilated. Of course, the greater the powers of a black magician, the greater must be his selfishness. The energy of cohesion being thus very powerful, it must take a very long period before annihilation is complete. For aught we know, it (not his physical body which cannot live so long) may extend over thousands — nay a million — of years. The tendency for evil is there; the desire for mischief is strong: but there are no means for the gratification of sensual appetites: and the miserable being suffers the throes of dissolution for a very, very long period until he is totally annihilated.[2]

Online Resources

Articles

Notes

  1. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 604.
  2. Damodar K. Mavalankar, "White and Black Magic," Supplement to The Theosophist vol 5 (February, 1884), p. 42.