Music, Magic, and Movies:�‘Real’ Magic
Heather D. Freeman
Magic in the United States (PRX Podcast)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Thaumaturgy �and ‘Low Magic’��- sympathetic magic��- curses and charms��- elemental magic
Theurgy�and ’High Magic’��- Communication with Angels��- Trance Possesion��- Mystical Gnosis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_Bingen
Models of Magic�(primarily from Chaos Magic)��~ spirit model��~ energy model��~psychological model��~information model��~meta model����
The Lord of the Rings (2021-2023)
When you next a movie with witches, wizards, or other magical practitioners, ask yourself:� �Where is the magic coming from and how are they using it?”
The Abramelin - The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage��- Purports to be a detail a system of Kabbalistic magic passed down from an Egyptian mage named Abramelin to a young Jewish man named Abraham of Worms.�~ Written in first person as Abraham. �~ The goal is to achieve communication with one's guardian angel including seals to context them and other spirits.�~ The text claims to be from the 15th century, but the earliest known versions are from the 17th and 18th centuries. �~ Translated into English my Golden Dawn member and Occultist Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers in 1897 (6-month version of the ritual)�~ New, 2006 translation by George Dehn historically contextualizes known versions of the text (reflects 18-month version of the ritual.)�
Overall Ritual Approach – Text versus Movie��- The text is an autobiography, not like the classic ‘grimoires’ presented in film.�~ Long duration (6 – 18 months long)�~ Done by yourself (not with the help of a magical bestie). �~ It’s a decided ‘not sexy’ magical text. No cool sigils in chalk, no salt circles, no arcane chanting.�~ Gradually increasing daily prayers with an (oil) lamp to whatever god you venerate (not necessarily the Biblical one!)�~ Prayers gradually get more complex (use of incense), and retirement from mundane life (job, servants, kids, wife) gradually increases – ‘designed’ for a late medieval man of means, not a grieving single mom.�~ Towards the end, there is full magical retirement – the ritual is designed to ease you into it.�~ As in movie – there’s no sex magic (which is largely a late 19th century / early 20th century concept)�~ Text includes Abraham’s seals for calling spirits – but the idea is that you get your own seals from your HGA.��
When you next a movie that mentions a historic magical text or practice:� �Find the text and read it! � (It’s literature!)
Recommended media for great depictions of ‘real’ magic.� �A Discovery of Witches �Diana Harkness – Book and TV Series��The Magicians�Lev Grossman – Book and TV Series��The VVitch �2016 Film, David Eggers�
Recommended media for great depictions of ‘real’ magic.� �Cemetery Boys�Aiden Thomas – YA Series��Promethea�Alan Moore, etc. – Graphic Novel Series��Suspiria (1977 and 2018), The Love Witch (2016), Häxen (1922), The Craft (1996), �The Wicker Man (1972), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Show), The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2014 – present? Graphic Novels and 2018-2020 TV Show), �and many, many others! �