Musick Options

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

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.