Where Does Magic Come From? Options

I have done quite a bit of energy work, and im starting to get confused.

Where does the energy come from?

Psionics says directly from the mind.

Chakras says from below, from nature,

Middle pillar has energy directly from the divine involved.

I've heard of energy coming directly from yourself.

so i'm asking.


WHERE DOES IT REALLY COME FROM?

ALL THESE PLACES? JUST ONE?

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

IS THERE ONE?

Magic is an overarching generalization of a group of phenomenon not specifically classified scientifically in any empirical manner. Once defined, classified, experimentally verified, etc., it is no longer (classically defined as) magic. So asking 'where does magic come from' is pretty broad. Magic is change, the act of Magic is change in accordance with will (all change is in accordance with a will, though not necessarily just your own - such as divine will, etc.). Therefore the question 'where does magic come from' is erroneous - magic comes from existence, it is existence.

Quite true. Imagine trying to explain the electromagnetic spectrum and the theories of radiation before the experiments of Marie Curie. Tough show.

"What? An invisible force capable of change? Where is your proof?" We now are able to check it in hertz, as well as with a geiger counter. By looking into the patterns in nature that are measurable, we can find tendencies using the physical properties that we can readily measure: Time, Space, and Excitablility (ability to energize, via heat or some other means to measure amount of change), and other forces that are in a constant state of flux.

If you had a rock of uranium in ancient celtic Ireland, they would have simply thought of it as "the stone of disease" from it's radioactive properties. Now, we know it to be "the rod that runs our powerplants!"

Having specified that you want to know where the energy comes from, this is a different question that asking where magic comes from.

The world, the mind, the divine, the body - energy can be drawn from any of these places. We all have a different way to understand energy work and as Azereth said, energy follows thought. This also means that wherever you are intending to draw the energy from is where it comes from - although, to varying degrees of efficiency depending on your degree of openness and connection to this source. This is part of the reason there are so many different paradigms. That doesn't mean that there's no way to know where you are personally drawing energy from, however.

Very true. This may explain why there are so many religions out there. The means of drawing power from higher dimensional sources becomes streamlined when the visualization is given a cultural spin, flavor, and/or bias. Unfortunately, this is a double-edged sword which becomes tainted with the poison of vehement tribalism inherent to the Human Animal.

Myself, for instance, I work energy from a paradigm that recognizes a universal substrate that literally permeates and composes everything, tying the various levels of existence together.

Why don't you just come out already and call yourself a Jedi!? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Just picking that paradigm is not enough, although it can be a start. After coming to some understanding of how you connect to and fit into existence, you have to begin looking at it genuinely through that lens. There is an existentialist obstacle there for most people - how do you know you're looking through the right lens?

Especially true for those in the beginning stages of metaphysical practice. Some never make it past this obstacle, and are forced into novice-hood for years because of this viewpoint .

The fact of the matter is that you don't and can't know, at least not so early on. Your paradigm will grow and develop on its own over time, and you should remain open minded throughout in order to allow that philosophical evolution to occur.

I get a visualization of different drops of water (will, wisdom, and understanding) on a sheet of linen (cloth of existence). They will spread over the cloth (meditation and understanding), from different places (different paradigms), but overtime they eventually expand and even overlap and integrate each other until (after constant application) the entire linen becomes soaked (the will and the truth become integrated- enlightenment (?)).

Over time, you develop a firmer understanding and experiential basis for your paradigm, and your work will become more effective. You do have to start somewhere though, and preferably somewhere that is supported by your current degree of understanding.

Some systems work better than others, what can I say. I tried various ones, and am still experimenting with other methods.

Some people prefer to draw from an elemental paradigm, seeing 4 or 5 elements, either hermetic or eastern. Others prefer to imagine energy as coming from various deities who represent the various modes of energy. A kabbalist might draw energy from the 32 paths. Runes offer 24 modes of energy. Tarot can offer a variety of modes as well. There are 7 planets.

Or the Force. Or other people. Or the inner sanctum of your own mind. Or...anywhere. Hey, it's everywhere!

All these things are different in my opinion because there is only one Essential Force, one Primary Causitive Principle,

Which, by the way, could be acronymized PCP for your experiential pleasure! (comic relief. Sorry. That was a weak attempt).

which is structured into various modes of energy according to material patterns, psychological patterns, and spiritual principles developed ultimately from material and psychological patterns in action. Which came first is like the chicken and the egg question.

Trying to find out what came first, the driving force or the mechanism that processes it... It completely boggled me. I damn near-- no wait, I DID experience magickal burnout from trying to figure that out.

We can use those symbols and the energetic modes they ultimately represent to draw energy that is already structured, into actions directed by our intention.

But that begs a question, what of intentions that are not readily materialized or symbolized? Earlier I thought of trying to come up with a language made specifically for magick, so I can cite your response there as a good answer, but then again, how would one go about acquiring the divinely inspired symbols for said memes?

Everyone who does energy work, draws that energy from somewhere, and can define where it comes from. It may not always be the same from one person to the other, but ultimately all that matters is that the intention is moving energy. At first, however, it needs anchors at both ends - a place to get energy from, and a place to move it to. Generally most practitioners that I know have become more abstracted over time. I think that it's possible that in most cases the beginner needs to have something more solidly defined because this is how we understand things best at first.

This is the part where I say, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME EARLIER, VAGRANT!?" Which is when you would reply, "You never asked." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif)

Wonderful post. Bravo.