Fundamental Magics

Contents...

1. Natural magic 2. Evocatory magic 3. Analogical magic 4. Psychic magic 5. Correspondence table

Do we really know what magic is? The term is widely used to describe acts, workings, or even effects. But what is it really? I believe that to understand it properly (and master it as much as possible), we must understand its essence. In this article, I therefore invite you to explore what magic intrinsically is, as it has been theorized in the form of four so-called fundamental magics. In this way, you will grasp the full power of this term and what it conceals. Explanations.

1. Natural magic

Natural magic, also called "naturgy", encompasses all the achievements that the four kingdoms of nature can offer when one knows how to harness them. This magic draws on the mineral, plant, animal, and sometimes even human realms. Naturgy has thus evolved over time, giving rise to disciplines such as pharmacology.

However, as you know, human beings tend to try to copy and industrialize solutions, sometimes incompletely, rather than learn to use what nature offers in a perfect way. This approach has gradually limited our ability to fully discover and harness what nature can produce, wonders sometimes considered miraculous but fundamentally prodigious. Be careful, I am not saying that there have been no discoveries thanks to plants, but we must acknowledge that the importance given to natural processes has been relegated to the background. Another well-known discipline is a perfect illustration of natural magic: alchemy.

Natural magic can be considered the ancestor of these more modern practices:

• Elemental magic: direct use of the elements (earth, water, fire, air) to produce magical effects.

• Green magic: magical practices based on nature and the Earth.

• Herbalism: use of plants for healing and magical effects.

• Lithotherapy: use of stones and crystals to influence energy and health.

• Aromatherapy: use of essential oils extracted from plants for well-being and healing.

• Holistic medicine: healing approaches that incorporate knowledge of the natural properties of substances.

• Alchemy: transformation of natural substances to achieve spiritual and material goals.

2. Evocatory magic

Evocatory magic is an ancient practice that consists of summoning spiritual or psychic entities in order to obtain their help (or submission) to fulfill various desires. These entities can vary in nature and alignment, ranging from forces of light to dark or even demonic entities. Indeed, although some practitioners claim to invoke divine or angelic forces, pure magic rarely reaches higher levels of light.

The entities summoned through evocatory magic may be demons, spirits, or even the souls of the deceased. Spiritism, for example, is a form of evocatory magic called necromancy, which involves communicating with the dead. However, unlike traditional evocatory magic, spiritism often lacks occult protections for the medium and participants, thus exposing them to the possible dangers and deceptions of the entities invoked.

In 19th-century England, a fascination with vampires also led some occultists to invoke them. Moreover, another form of evocatory magic focuses on evoking elementals, entities associated with the four basic elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air) and sometimes with the quintessence, Ether.

Evocatory magic can be considered the ancestor of these more recent practices:  

• Spiritism: communication with the spirits of the deceased through mediumistic séances.

• Demonology: the study and evocation of demons and dark spirits.

• Theurgy: invocation of divine or angelic entities to obtain revelations or spiritual assistance.

• Goetia: black magic involving the summoning of demons for specific purposes. 

3. Analogical magic

Analogical magic is often considered the driving force behind every magical act. Without the principle of analogy, magic could not work. In fact, this principle could provide a scientific definition of occult disciplines, particularly in light of advances in quantum physics. Through analogy, magic works by symbolically connecting the magician's practice to the phenomenon they seek to produce. Failure in magic is generally due to a failure to create this essential analogical link.

Analogical magic relies on the use of symbols or representations to act remotely on a target. For example, the magician Milarepa, in the Indian tradition, drew a circle in the sand representing a city and poured water into it. This action historically caused a torrential flood in the designated city. Similarly, spellcasting uses a dagyde, a wax doll representing a person, which is pierced with needles to cause that person pain or discomfort.

Although often practiced by amateurs, analogical magic is no less effective. It plays a central role in many traditions, such as voodoo, where it is used alongside evocation and natural magic. Analogical magic also forms the basis of radionics, a science that uses geometric and symbolic forms or radiation to generate programmable energy. Dowsing, which uses pendulums and divining rods, is one of the best-known associated disciplines.

Analogical magic can be considered the ancestor of these more recent practices: 

• Radionics: using geometric shapes and symbols to generate programmable energies.

• Dowsing: using pendulums and rods to detect subtle energies and influences.

• Sympathetic magic: using representations (such as voodoo dolls) to influence people or situations from a distance.
  
  

4. Psychic magic

Psychic magic, also known as psychurgy, is considered by many to be the most authentic and noblest form of magic. Unlike other forms of magic that rely on natural substances, entities, or magical objects, psychurgy relies entirely on the magician's intrinsic abilities. This form of magic requires no external tools other than the practitioner's own will and concentration.

Psychurgy is used to perform powerful magical acts without relying on external supports. Whether influencing matter, healing, protecting, or manifesting phenomena, psychurgy is based on the magician's ability to channel and direct their own mental and spiritual energies.

Fluidic magic is often associated with psychurgy. Although it is not a distinct discipline, it plays an important complementary role. Fluidic magic consists of concentrating psychic energy on an object, a living being, or inanimate matter, using the magician's will and concentration. The fluid is thus an ethereal substance represented by gestures, words, or even visualization. It is notably practiced by mesmerists.

Psychic magic can be considered the ancestor of these more modern practices: 

• Telekinesis: ability to move objects through the sheer power of the mind.

• Energy healing: healing techniques that use the practitioner's mental and spiritual energy (such as Reiki).

• Creative visualization: use of imagination and concentration to manifest desires and goals.

• Hypnosis and self-hypnosis: use of mental techniques to influence behavior and perception.

5. Correspondence table

To better understand the heritage and place of these fundamental magics, which are ultimately rarely mentioned as such, here is a table that should shed some light.

Natural magic	Elemental magic, green magic, alchemy, aromatherapy, lithotherapy, herbalism
Evocatory magic	Shamanism, invocations, goetia, theurgy, spiritism
Analogical magic	Sigil magic, astrology, dowsing, sympathetic magic, radionics
Psychic magic	Telekinesis, energy healing, creative visualization, hypnosis, astral projection, clairvoyance, telepathy

The major types of magic, such as white, black, or red magic, are based on the 4 fundamental magics, which is why they do not appear in this table.

I hope this brief overview will help you better understand the essence of magic!