Magick: Theoretical, Practical, and Outlined

A lot of folks get confused about the various "flavors" or "Aspects" of Magick. But the reigning Unified Theory of Practical Magick states this: All possible variations of Magical and Mystical Understanding are merely shifts in the perspective of the Five Governing Colors of the Magic Pie.

In other words, a game company already revealed the secrets of the Universe in packs of trading cards. And no one really noticed.

Why Five? Because mythological and supernatural beings all are obsessed with human hands and toes. Honestly, I can't even take this seriously. Your questions will require answers that breed more questions. Just note that in the above representation you have all the foundation you need, work on your Form, your Method, and your Source(s), then come back to me.

The Lodge "Levels and Circles"

Apprenticeship: Apprentices study "Talismongering" with begins with Usuary training (how to use a magical device) and Restoration (how to maintain and repairs those devices, and proceeding all the way into Artificing, Enchantment, and Brewing of devices. This teaches a logic foundation of Nine Methods that the Lodge sees as central to magical practitioners.

Initiate: Once the rudimentary foundation is laid the Apprentice is required to pledge time and effort into the Lodge and "buy" their membership through producing materials, maintaining resources, and serving the full members. Once a Pledge has been made and accepted by the Masters of the Lodge, the Initiation stage begins and the 1st Circle is achieved. Fulfillment of the pledge and it's terms advances you to the 2nd Circle of the Lodge...

Adept: The life of an Adept is varied, but the focus of that life is skills and ability in the exploration of all Nine Methods: Abjuration, Alteration/Transmutation, Divination, Enchantment, Summoning, Evocation/Invocation, Thaumaturgy, Necromancy, & Wards/Binding. Those years spent in Apprenticeship and 1st Circle usually lay the foundation for the premiere Six Methods, but it is at this stage that Summoning, Necromancy, and true Thaumaturgy become available for study. They are the most dangerous, and the most heavily protected Methods within the Lodge, obtaining training in these methods is often a matter of political maneuvering.

Master: Once the Nine Methods are truly a part of the Lodge members' life and reputation, around Circle 10, then the term Master becomes available, and the legendary status of the 11th Circle is within reach. This is where the problems truly lie in the Lodge: the disagreements of Masters. There are exceptions to this Rule of course, the needs of the Lodge and the skill of an individual practitioner lead to some members advancing from 7th or 8th Circle to Master status, but those individuals are usually given a special title to differentiate them from the 11th Circle Archmagus and it's Inner Circle. (For example: Master of Necromantic Research, Master of Living Protection Spells, Master of Extradimensional Contacts, etc.)

Forms

What is a form?

A form is how the Spell Caster sees the rules of the Universe. This can be enlightened Science, Latin-based Invocation, Druidic blood-letting, sacrificial VooDoo, Chanting, Technomancy/Programming, virtually anything that is concise and can be viewed as all-defining to the caster. The important thing is that allows for the Spell Caster to trasnscend the limits of humanity and awaken to the Laws of High Magick.

How does this Awakening happen?

That is a tricky situation. It usually involves a crisis, or a mind-bending incident with Magick. Confronting the TRUTH (Veritas) of the Laws is often enough to open the mind and soul of a potential Spell Caster. But just as easily it can cause the mind to form an abstract artifact of mental resistance. Essentially blocking the potential awakening from every occurring. Some people go insane. This is referred to as "Opening the Third Eye" in most occult circles.

What about Spells themselves?

The act of discovering a rote to a specific effect is trial and error, once it is replicated successfully a process can be applied to recreate over and over. This called spell research. The final product is a Spell. The research is written from the perspective of the FORM and the METHOD that was used, and references a SOURCE as needed. Often the METHOD and SOURCE can be replaced with one's own understanding. This is dependent on Talent and Skill in the Magickal Arts. The ability of the individual practitioner.

Sources

What kinds of Sources exist? Infinity. There are no known limits to sources. The most common are life-force, time, mana (generic for energy), willpower, and memory.

Life-Force: every living thing has a resource that can be tapped into to power spell effects. This has been called blood, Chi (Qi), existence, and tantric energy by the Occult Community of the 20th Century. Understand that it can be used, but is often reckless.

Time: temporal reality is a fact of High Magick. It is a dangerous and unpredictable force, but it can be used to power Spells. Time can be borrowed, but it is never lost or spent, simply re-written. Spatial Co-location is a side-effect of Time Dilation. The so called "Folding" of Time and Space, creating a bridge from one place to another. This is reserved for high ranking members of the Lodge.

Mana: all energy is transformable. Fire becomes Ice, Earth becomes Air, etc. We refer to existing energy as Mana, and using rotes, methods, and spells we can alter or transform them from one to another. Direct change has a cost, the cost must be paid. The Law of Conservation of Energy cannot be ignored.

Willpower: the will of a being can be used to supply power to a Spell. This is the simplest Source, the one that is taught to Apprentices. It is also directly relative to the Awakening of a Form. Without the awakening your will can only power dreams and ideas. Not reality itself. Or Spells.

Memory: if there is one thing about Magick that should scare you is this: it wants your memories. You can bargain away pieces of your own self, your memories, to other beings in exchange for the powering of Spells. This is a dark and powerful reality, one that undisciplined practitioners will use to gain power too quickly, making themselves liabilities in the Universe.