(x-post)

On 22 May, 21:30, Chade  wrote:
> A meaty chapter I've split into two parts.
>
> “Over the centuries a collection of basic magical and mystical axioms
> has surfaced in culture after culture throughout the world, even in
> cultures that were totally isolated. These we can, and will, call the
> laws of magic. Like the law of gravity or the law of diminishing
> returns these are not legislative acts (as some theologians have tried
> to make them) but rather they are descriptions of the ways that
> phenomena in a field – in this cases magic – seem to interact and
> behave.” - Issac Bonewits
>
> “But these laws are purely descriptive laws...Kepler gives no reason
> why his laws should be as they are. The observation and recording of
> laws is the first step in scientific procedure. Science begins by
> hunting for uniformities amongst natural phenomena. The scientific man
> finds, for instance....unsupported stones fall to the ground. In this
> way he introduces a sort of order into whole groups of happenings. And
> this sort of knowledge if often quite sufficient for practical
> purposes. Indeed, in many cases of great practical importance science
> has not yet advanced beyond this knowledge.” - Sullivan, The
> Limitations of science
>
> Bonewits makes an analogy between an occultist and magician and a
> physiologist and an athlete. When a golfer takes a shot the
> physiologist may have studied the names of the muscles contracting and
> relaxing but that doesn't make them a good golfer. The golfer probably
> can't name all the names, but he knows how to make a putt.
>
> The laws Bonewits gives include:
>
> The law of knowledge, “understanding brings control”. Sub-law: self
> knowledge, most important kind.
>
> Law of names, knowing names give control. A name is a definition of
> that which is named, the better the definition (and so understanding)
> the greater the control. It's also an associational device. Sub-law:
> words of power, certain words can influence the inner and outer
> worlds.
>
> Law of association, if things have something in common, then that
> commonality can be used to influence them both. Sub-laws similarity
> (effects resemble causes) and contagion “things once in contact
> continue to interact after separation”.
>
> Magic is a function of the mind. The brain forms pattens by
> associating different things. Thinking, feeling and memory are the
> result of associations between already organised pattens and the new
> data being received. A lock of hair, or whatever, is another handle to
> yank on a pattern, says Bonewits.
>
> More soon...


The law of identification, if you identify with another entity enough
you can operate from it's point of view.

The law of synthesis, the synthesis of two opposing ideas or data will
produce something new and 'truer' than the first two.

The law of polarity, anything can be split into two opposite
characteristics, each containing the 'potentiality' of the other.

The above two 'laws' are related to mechanisms that can be used by the
brain to ease the changing of beliefs.

Law of balance. To develop properly keep balanced.

Law of infinite data, always more to learn.

Law of finite senses, there's stuff we can't sense.

Law of infinite universes, there's an infinite number of ways to view
the world.

Law of pragmatism, if it works it's 'true'.

Law of true false hoods, how the mind can deal with paradoxes.

Law of personification, people have a tenancy to personify things.

Laws of Invocation and evocation. You can conjure personifications of
mental patterns from within and without.

Apologies for the 'whistle stop' nature of the tour, we'll return for
more detailed discussion of these laws later when it's more
appropriate. Over to co-conspirator Kisai for chapter two, where we've
room for more discussion.