Archive for Thursday 27th June 2002 - Philosphy and magic

When you study philosophy and bring it into your life, certain facts come to light. Here are three of them.

i. Like attracts like.
ii. Things in contact become like each other.
iii. The world is a mirror. You experience it the way you imagine it. The first is apparent in the company we keep. Everyone is naturally drawn to their own kind. It begins in childhood when we like to be with our own age-group. Later, the mind takes over, and we become friends with people who think as we do.

The second fact is obvious. We are always influencing each other – following the same ideas, fashions, ways of speaking and so on. You can see it in funny ways – how often people get to look like their dogs, or vice versa. The third fact is demonstrated by coincidences. If you set your mind upon a subject, information about that subject floods in to you. And if you have an open, trustful view of the world, you are likely to attract good luck.

These are metaphysical facts, not learned from science but from human experience. They are the basis of magic. Once you see how easily you can influence other people, and the world in general, you have the secret of magical power. Great dictators rise through that knowledge. But misuse of your power brings terrible punishments – fear, misery and hell on earth. That is where philosophy comes in. It teaches the art of self-government and secrets of a good life. Without those you are not fit to govern anyone or anything.

John Michell