Some people love the idea and others won't have anything to do with it. I mean playing pre-recorded music rather than stuff specifically created for the event (like chanting/name vibration/drumming etc). I've used music a few times; finding something that fits just right becomes a big part of the build up to ritual. Probably the most important thing, it's a quick way to get emotionally involved with the working. Seems to be the rhythm which really gets a response...since the body contains so much of its own rhythm (heartbeat, breathing) that's not too surprising. I remember reading somewhere that "music helps to organize physical movements in time" and ritual's one place where that help is invaluable. Anybody else use music in their rituals?

Edit: there's loads of celtic-style stuff being marketed as 'magickal music'. I don't know if that's the way things are with any other neo-pagan/occult groups.

This post has been edited by tyrian: Nov 6 2006, 08:24 PM

I use music during rituals and many other things. Also during meditation, I sometimes play a soothing melody to relax my mind and help me focus. The concept of certain music for rituals I suppose may be a good idea, yet I am not educated in that, so I can't comment, though I feel, listening to music that YOU understand and help tune YOU into the ritual is what honestly matters. I'm a drummer, and I like to sometimes create odd beats that will mellow me out because its my own music, and I usually do the ritual after the recording because playing already relaxes me.

( i finally found time to come back to this wonderful forum (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

when someone mentions music and spiritual work,most people as i noticed think of that meditative or ambiental music. only occasions i use music are during 'energy works' where i combine it with dance, while playing some idustrial track (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evil2.gif) i for ritual purpose never did, while i was younger liked to play anbiental during meditation, but now i prefer silence. i know individuals who created music for certain working, if i was musician i guess i would do same. somehow using some 'vulgar' music during ritual seams strange, like doing ritual in shoes or everyday clothes.

I sometimes use music for setting an ambient tone . . . sometimes its just annoying.

4 beats per sec . . . 200 - 250 beats per minute has a psychologically recognized effect on the mind . . . shifting into alter brainwave patterns (ie, trancing)

Dancing to music (particularly the 4 beat per sec type) in known to shift psycho-chemical states throughout the whole bodies nuero-physiology (ie. whole body)

Music that has a dis-continuos (irregular or incongruent style) is known to help produce breaks in "normal" thinking or behavioral patterns (some techo or industrial musics on the modern side, some oriental or aboriginal styles on the other)

I've recently found some forgein house techo that is great. It has a great beat, includes some discontinuity and the "forgien'ness" of the lyrics make for excellent "chaos" chanting (singing).
(plus the sitar just sounds cool)

This post has been edited by palindroem: Nov 15 2006, 08:35 AM

This is very interesting, I was going over this same topic a few days ago with a friend of mine. I compose music, and some of it I like to use for rituals, like summoning. For that, I'll compose something somber, because when I summon I do so from the shadow gates. Usually I'll do something in piano, thinking about all the things from that realm I've seen, and I'll burn that one song to a cd, bring my stereo out with me, and start the process. I find that the entities I do summon seem very appreciative that I'd go out of my way to make a song just for them. The fact that I may use the song over and over as a help in my practices seems not to alert them to the fact that the song isn't just for them. Kind of odd, really.

For other people's music, I like to use a collection of things that I would consider experimental. Venetian Snares, Aphex Twin, Download, Converter/Asche/Morgenstern, Passenger of Sh*t, things of that nature. Though I do find that my best results are achieved by using my own music. I'd suggest that to anyone.. It can even be just banging a garbage can lid rhythmically, if you make something, it doesn't go unnoticed.

Lately, I've noticed the usual pickings of summon for me coming over into my music, which is very ... interesting. The other day, I was composing a track which I titled Sonata, intending to use it for my personal use as before, and I noticed that when I applied a backwards sample of Professor Broom from Hellboy, he said unintelligible garbage, and then after a pause, "Human". I got such a kick out of an apparent coincidence that when I finished it, I played it with all my lights out and for a split-second, there was another person in my mirror. Seems I don't have to do much to garner the attention of my summons of choice anymore. I suppose I would liken it to the testimonies of those who work closely with a being from the keys of Solomon, in that when they sense you calling them, or that you might need their help, they might appear on their own.

As I mentioned in another thread with a similar topic, the earlier works of Current 93, and various material from Nurse With Wound are both interesting choices for meditation, I recommend both. (see my other post where I linked each to their respective Wikipedia pages, or just search Wikipedia/Google for more information)

This is an area I have a LOT of experience in. I use music quite often in my workings. If I have a specific intent, I may put on a song that embodies the concept I am attempting to formulate, then let the lyrics flow through me, as If I've spoken them. I reach a semi-trance state, and let the music flow through me while focusing my intent. Works very, very well. It's gotten to a point now, where if a song comes on the radio, I may slip into the semi-trance state and begin directing the song, which has proven ill advised and on a few occasions.

Me too. One thing I discovered lately is that there's no better way for me to utterly pour my soul into a spell than to make a song that objectifies it and feed it energy. It went so far as to turn the lights off briefly when I pumped energy into a thinning of the mists spell. My whole damn house went ice-cold.

Hey Pregel . . . which Nurse with Wounds tracks do you use?
I know of other chaotes that use them (ambiently) . . . but the only "songs" I've heard as too far-out for me to make any real use of (like dipping water . . . ?)

A famous occultist we all know used music for inspiration and ritual quite often. Hitler used Wagner music and others in this way.

I use it myself for astral projection....mainly shamanic drumming. Meditation i use deepak chopra music, and i have had massive build ups of energy from just popular music tthat i like. namely Disturbed,Enya,The soundtracks from lotr, papa roach always entices the hatred for government in me and i can feel the energy, Godsmacks song hollow also.

Depending on what I am performing I use ambient music (Jean Michel Jarre,Vangelis,Enya,Mike Oldfield,Enigma) or hypnotic electronic music from various DJs.

I can't imagine that the way I use music is in any way unique, but I'm surprised by how few people have tried it....guess I just like simplified methods, over the ceremonial ones.

Thanks for the compliment on the Avatar...it kinda fits me....born dark, but with a sense of honor that doesn't fit with my ppl....

Another thing I've noticed about using music...the CD intself has the energy of the artist in it...when I use one a lot, I find that I actually use up the energy in the CD and it no longer has power...interesting.

This post has been edited by Makavelli: Dec 20 2006, 10:21 AM