tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post2899133020528973670..comments2024-03-28T17:17:52.949+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Magic and will-power across the ages (or, How to do White Magic - as of 2021)Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-86670214165533743592021-01-15T03:38:48.881+00:002021-01-15T03:38:48.881+00:00This may be a rabbit hole you have no interests in...This may be a rabbit hole you have no interests in tumbling down ,Bruce, but I’ve been listening to an excellent podcast called Lord Of Spirits, which explores the most “supernatural” aspects of Orthodox Christianity (Angels, Demons, the Nephilim, etc) . It’s hosted by 2 (Tolkien obsessed!) Priests. Anyhow, your reference to Egypt here reminded me of an episode in which they discussed the role/nature of fallen angels before & after Christ.I don’t know if this could be squared with a Barfieldian view of consciousness, but it does seem like the scaling-up of the size/scope of the Covenants (from individuals (Adam/Noah) to tribes/Nations & finally in the universal covenant of Christ) could have had an effect on consciousness ~ it did on Angels, we are told; a change in metaphysical reality may (must?) effect essentially everything <br />I apologize if this is way out of left field!<br />I’ve been reading your blog for years & have learned much!<br />Thank youHatcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16344862088009351461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-59037266049853308342021-01-14T06:46:13.113+00:002021-01-14T06:46:13.113+00:00@Wm - That certainly sounds right. To fear is to b...@Wm - That certainly sounds right. To fear is to be lacking in faith. <br /><br />To put it the other way around - I think Modern, adult, white magic requires 'confidence' (confidence could here be seen as an opposite of fear, a product of faith). <br /><br />We need to know *that* we know, need to be aware of our 'participation' - only then will we personally be contributing something from our-selves. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-22924143796825213492021-01-14T04:40:50.603+00:002021-01-14T04:40:50.603+00:00Something tells me our humble senses won’t exactly...Something tells me our humble senses won’t exactly know when the white magic has been successful - as far as time & place of the desired result, anyways. Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12830536705434382379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-89644255644910686012021-01-14T03:19:06.409+00:002021-01-14T03:19:06.409+00:00I've been working on a long post about magic, ...I've been working on a long post about magic, which I hope to finish sometime this year if the sync fairies will let up enough to give me time to write it.<br /><br />In the meantime, let me just say that magic happens when you stop being afraid. That's one of the reasons magic has a certain inherent tendency toward the black. Being motivated by the Good is one thing, but if you're only "good" because you <i>shy away</i> from daring damnation, you're doomed to lead a non-magical life.<br /><br />Perfect love casteth out all fear. White magic. So does perfect nihilism. Black magic.<br /><br />Of course fear is one of the main things that motivates people to <i>try</i> magic, which is why so few of them succeed.Wm Jas Tychonievichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446790072877463982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-59012913237832878052021-01-13T15:40:10.743+00:002021-01-13T15:40:10.743+00:00A self-professed Christian, American rapper Kendri...A self-professed Christian, American rapper Kendrick Lamar went into explicit detail about this Faustian bargain in his song "Lucy" (Lucy obviously referring to Lucifer):<br /><br /><i>"My name is Lucy, Kendrick<br />You introduced me Kendrick<br />Usually I don't do this<br />But I see you and me Kendrick<br />Lucy give you no worries<br />Lucy got million stories<br />About these rappers I came after when they was boring<br />Lucy gone fill your pockets<br />Lucy gone move your mama out of Compton<br />Inside the gi-gantic mansion like I promised<br />Lucy just want your trust and loyalty<br />Avoiding me?<br />It's not so easy I'm at these functions accordingly<br />Kendrick, Lucy don't slack a minute<br />Lucy work harder<br />Lucy gone call you even when Lucy know you love your Father<br />I'm Lucy<br />I loosely heard prayers on your first album truly<br />Lucy don't mind 'cause at the end of the day you'll pursue me<br />Lucy go get it, Lucy not timid, Lucy up front<br />Lucy got paper work on top of paper work<br />I want you to know that Lucy got you<br />All your life I watched you<br />And now you all grown up then sign this contract if that's possible" </i><br /><br />Similarly Kanye West -- who recently converted to evangelical Christianity:<br /><br /><i>Told the devil that I'm going on a strike<br />Told the devil when I see him, on sight<br />I've been working for you my whole life<br />Told the devil that I'm going on a strike<br />I've been working for you my whole life<br />Nothing worse than a hypocrite<br />Change, he ain't really different<br />He ain't even try to get permission<br />Ask for advice and they dissed him<br />Said I'm finna do a gospel album<br />What have you been hearin' from the Christians?<br />They'll be the first one to judge me<br />Make it feel like nobody love me<br />They'll be the first one to judge me<br />Feelin' like nobody love me<br />Told people God was my mission<br />What have you been hearin' from the Christians?</i><br /><br />These artists are likely unfamiliar to many here, but together they have a following of more than two billion human beings. Both men are attempting to balance vast fame and fortune against their self-acknowledged bargain with the devil, and then again against their latter profession of faith in Christ. Let us pray for them.Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.com