Recently I was asked what my philosophy of minimal magic is, and how it works in the practice of magic. My philosophy behind minimal magic is informed by an essay written by William S. Burroughs, called Do Easy, where he discussed taking the path of least resistance. He applies this approach to life in general, and its one that can be very useful under the right circumstances. In my process of magic taking the path of least resistance means that you use the resources already available to you and that you only use what is needed.
In magic, I apply the practice of minimal magic to a given magical working by using a few principles that embody the practice of do easy. You can apply these principles to your magical work and you’ll discover that they enhance the results you get.
Principle 1: Magic works best on the basis of understanding
One of the occasional pieces of advice I see shared in the occult is that you don’t need to know how magic works. Just do it (with a swoosh) and go on your merry way. The problem I have with this advice is that it diminishes the curiosity of the magician about what’s happening and why its happening. It also leaves a lot of what’s happening in the air.
When you understand what you are doing and why, it increases your overall understanding of what is happening magically and how the magic is interfacing with the world and you. This contributes to the efficacy of the magic and also allows you to let go and let the magic happen, instead of wondering if its working.
Principle 2: Every action should serve a purpose that contributes to your understanding
If you don’t understand why you are doing a given action, then you don’t know how that action is contributing to the magic. If I tell you to do an action, but I don’t explain the purpose of the action, it leaves room for doubt and that doubt works against the magic you are weaving. When you understand an action, then you are able to fully buy into the magical work and actions you are doing. You trust the process.
Principle 3: Your understanding of the working creates the causality of the result
Your understanding of what you are doing and why you are doing it creates buy in and momentum for your magical work. It creates the internal energy that helps move the magic out into the universe. When you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it, you connect the magical working to the causality of the universe and this creates additional power for the magic.
Principle 4: The Result becomes your identity through the magical work you do
The Result is a change in identity. Too often we treat results as separate from ourselves, because there is an external manifestation. But the result is an entanglement of the external manifestation and your inner sense of being. Your sense of being contributes to the manifestation of the result. If some part of you is resistant to the result you will undermine the result, because that part of you doesn’t align with the result. Understanding what we are doing in magic, why we are doing it and what the overall purpose of your actions is significantly contributes to the success of your magic. You are creating internal acceptance of what you are doing and matching it up to the change of identity that your magic creates.
