Rituals and Ritual Magic. Occultism

Ritual Magic is magic that deals with Rituals. Rituals are sequences of meaningful actions for some purpose. Actions are completely or partially predetermined. Rituals can help raise magic power and attain specific effect (cause effect or create). Some rituals are performed once, while others must be repeated at intervals over time in order to be effective. Rituals can be categorized based on purpose, source of power or tradition.

Rituals of Power

These are rituals that raise magic power and abilities of the user.

• Meditation, Trance, Hypnosis
• Magic Circle, magic triangle, square, etc.
• Protection Ritual (Magic circle also)
• Healing Ritual

Rituals of the Spirits (High Spirit and Lesser Spirits)

Important in some religions and occultism. Occultism is pretty much the same thing as Ritual Magic with its lore and all the acquired tradition of practicing occultists or adepts. Religions also give us a number of useful rituals dealing with Gods or God and holy spirit.

• Blessing, Spell/Prayer, Memory
• Worship, Gratitude or Sacrifice
• Divination, Prediction
• Summoning and Banishing
• Possession and Exorcism

Rituals of Transformation

• Initiation, Consecration
• Passage of Time, Change of Status
• Purification, Cleansing
• Transformation (Physical)

Elements and Methods in Rituals

Some elements are used throughout different rituals. Candle are often used in rituals, often in casting magic circles. Incense is used for cleansing, purification, casting. Various elements of the Earth like flowers, leaves, bark, etc., elements of Water in form of drinking / cup and Air in form of special breathing. In terms of common actions – casting, sacred or magical arrangement, sequence of movement.

Rituals are often performed by group of people and group is important in occultism or High Ceremonial magic. Churches perform some rituals like Prayer, Consecration, Initiation, Purification/Cleansing, Blessing, Worship, some others. Occult circles and societies, etc. perform its variations and some others on the list (esp. of Lesser Spirits) like Initiation, Summoning and Banishing, Possession and Exorcism.

Meditation, Visualization and Breathing techniques are important elements of power to practice in rituals or on their own for rituals or other magic use.

Ok, so everything is energy. The magician works with energy. It flows through the magician, one who is aware of the energy, who can manipulate the energy inside oneself and then send it out where desired. Or just direct it without changing, depends. During Ritual this energy is released with some intent, which affects the specified object, person / people or spirit.