A brief history of High Magick
High magic, also known as ceremonial magic, is a system of magic that is based on theurgy, or the invocation of divine beings. It is a complex and highly ritualized form of magic that is often associated with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
The history of high magic can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was practiced by the priests of the temple of Ra. The priests believed that they could communicate with the gods through a series of rituals and invocations. These rituals were often very elaborate and involved the use of complex symbols and tools.
In the Middle Ages, high magic was revived by the alchemists and philosophers of the Renaissance. These scholars believed that they could use magic to transform base metals into gold and to discover the elixir of life. They also believed that magic could be used to gain knowledge and power.
In the 19th century, high magic was again revived by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This organization was founded in London in 1888 by a group of scholars and occultists, including William Wynn Westcott, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and Aleister Crowley. The Golden Dawn developed a system of high magic that was based on the Hermetic Qabalah, a system of Jewish mysticism.
The Golden Dawn’s system of high magic was highly influential on later occult movements, such as Thelema and Wicca. Today, high magic is still practiced by a small number of people around the world. It is a complex and challenging form of magic, but it can also be a powerful tool for personal transformation and spiritual growth.
Here are some of the key figures in the history of high magic:
- Hermes Trismegistus: A legendary figure who is said to have been the author of the Corpus Hermeticum, a collection of ancient Egyptian texts on magic and philosophy.
- Giovanni Pico della Mirandola: An Italian scholar and philosopher who wrote the Oration on the Dignity of Man, a famous defense of human freedom and creativity.
- Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa: A German scholar and occultist who wrote the Three Books of Occult Philosophy, a comprehensive work on magic and the occult.
- Eliphas Levi: A French occultist who wrote the Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, a popular manual on high magic.
- Aleister Crowley: An English occultist and writer who founded the religion of Thelema.
These are just a few of the many figures who have contributed to the history of high magic. It is a rich and complex tradition that continues to fascinate and inspire people today.
