Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action.
Interpretation
Magick involves self-awareness and practical application of that awareness.
In this quote, Aleister Crowley emphasizes the importance of self-understanding as a foundational aspect of magick. He suggests that true magick is not merely about performing rituals or spells, but rather about comprehending one's own nature and the circumstances one faces. This knowledge allows for effective action, implying that personal growth and insight are essential for anyone wishing to make meaningful changes in their life or environment.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal development.
People think that talking is a sign of thinking. It isn't, for the most part' on the contrary, it's a mechanical dodge of the body to relieve oneself of the strain of thinking, just as exercising the muscles helps the body to become temporarily unconscious of its weight, its pain, its weariness, and the foreknowledge of its doom.
There is a single main definition of the object of all magical Ritual. It is the uniting of the Microcosm with the Macrocosm. The Supreme and Complete Ritual is therefore the Invocation of the Holy Guardian Angel; or, in the language of Mysticism, Union with God.
I was not content to believe in a personal devil and serve him, in the ordinary sense of the word. I wanted to get hold of him personally and become his chief of staff.
I do not want to father a flock, to be the fetish of fools and fanatics or the founder of a faith whose followers are content to echo my opinions. I want each man to cut his own way through the jungle.
It will be seen that the formula - 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law' has nothing to do with 'Do as you please.' It is much more difficult to comply with the Law of Thelema than to follow out slavishly a set of dead regulations.
The essence of independence has been to think and act according to standards from within, not without.
All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong.
There never can have been, and never can be, and there never shall be any sin without pride.
Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.
Duty - that which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.
He is dead in this world who has no belief in another.
Why should I fear death?_x000D_ If I am, then death is not._x000D_ If Death is, then I am not._x000D_ Why should I fear that which can only exist when I do not?_x000D_ Long time men lay oppressed with slavish fear._x000D_ Religious tyranny did domineer._x000D_ At length the mighty one of Greece_x000D_ Began to assent the liberty of man.
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