T
he first section of this book has served to examine the use of linguistic magic in several of the more important traditions operant in the contemporary world. The cunning reader will already have gleaned certain very effective formulae of power through a careful study of these techniques.
It is the purpose of this second section of the book to provide the reader with the Keys that will enable you to find success in the everyday world, outside of the ritual chamber. How to make yourself heard, to make others agree with you, how to bewitch and mesmerise the minds of men to do your bidding, how to sway both individuals and masses, and how to protect yourself from the manipulations of others and the mischief they may sow.
You will find, with time and practice, that nearly all of your 'results' magic will come to be carried out in this way, by paying heed to certain psychological tricks and understanding how others walk into the verbal traps you set, and are only too happy to do so.
This type of magic, using psychological manipulation and trickery, is generally referred to as 'Lesser Magic', although in terms of actually getting things done and events moving in the world around you, it is a mighty tool indeed.
The basic principles of Lesser Magic are identical to those of Greater (ritual or ceremonial) Magic: the communication of the magician's Will to the world, leading to change which actualises his Desire, and brings his wishes into manifestation.
Since this is a book about words and their magical use, we will be focusing upon the ability to talk to people – or put your thoughts in writing – in such a way that they will be persuaded that your suggestions are good ones and the best way forward.
In the first section of the book, we examined how each magical tradition has its own Words of Power, its own Names which are invoked in order to effect the magic. In order to work magic, it is necessary to know the right words and to speak them correctly, communicating their message aright.
There is little difference with Lesser Magic: you will speak words to the right person (or persons) so that the things you Desire will be accomplished. But now you will be using your own native tongue, though it will remain equally important to choose the right words and the right intonation if you are to be successful.
Some will wonder whether these practices should be deemed 'magical' at all. Anything to do with the mind is magical, and let's make no bones about it: no matter how you may attempt to whitewash it (and quite a number of people have), when you practise Lesser Magic, you are trying to influence the thoughts and change the opinions of another person.
A Test of Nerve
Some people look down on Lesser Magic and seem to regard it as being somehow 'beneath them'. The magician's mind should be fixed upon loftier things, they insist. Well, perhaps they're right, perhaps that's why I channel all of my Greater Magical energies into the Work, perhaps that's why I'm driven to direct my powers into my Task instead of focusing upon getting rich. Or perhaps they're forgetting that the Left-Hand Path is for the powerful and the passionate, that our lives are supposed to be all pleasure and joy? Could it be that they're afraid, nervous?
You see, it's one thing to participate in a big group Working and step out afterwards, mopping your brow and feeling all self-important, saying “Well, that was a jolly fine to-do, wasn't it?” I have seen this happen so many times. It's easy to insist how well you've done when there's no actual measure of your success or challenge to your status quo. But with Lesser Magic you don't have that luxury, you are going out on a limb, exposing yourself to another person as you exercise your Will upon them directly, and when all is done there is no doubt at all whether you have been successful or not. Many people are afraid of this. Many people don't want to actually face the challenge of finding out whether they can actually walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
There are great rewards in the field of Lesser Magic. I have accomplished the near impossible with it many times, talking the most obstinate and pig-headed people round to my way of thinking. It takes you to the edge, forces you to rely upon your instincts and intuitions, to exercise every skill you have. As such, it brings you to that critical point where Initiatory change is possible.
It teaches you about yourself, building your confidence, charisma and power, even as it gets done what you want. And charisma is the chief magical tool of the magician, the power to direct the gaze of Apep and reshape the illusion of Reality.
In the Temple of Set, there was a very strict rule that the techniques of Lesser Magic were never to be used on another Setian. I have laid this rule aside since leaving the Temple, having recognised that a Master must always use such powers to open the mind of his student if Initiation is to be benefited in any way by their interaction. I don't mean conning or tricking the student,of course, but infusing him with certainty and raw charisma until his own Will ignites and kicks in.
Some people have the absurd belief that there is nothing 'magical' about their mother tongue.
Really? But if you use runes, and meticulously pronounce formulae in Old Norse, do you think that wasn't the language of everyday speech for the people who cast runes a millennium ago? Those mysterious ogham characters are based upon Old Irish phonetics, because the folk who used them in old Ireland spoke in Old Irish! There is no language more magical to you than the language which you have been taught since birth, the language in which you think, for it already contains the keys to unlocking your thoughts and emotions. Your very thought patterns are shaped by its linguistic structure. One of the key advantages, in fact, of learning a second (or third) language – something I recommend to everybody, by the way – is that it teaches you to think in different ways: the alternate word order and grammatical structure transforms the way in which you are accustomed to ordering your thoughts, a very valuable trick for a magician to learn.
This section of Words of Power exists to help you to craft your Lesser Magical linguistic tools and learn to apply them with skill.
Aspects of Lesser Magic
Some of the topics which we will be covering in our study in this section of the book are as follows:
The three hooks for grabbing and keeping attention: Sex, Sentiment and Wonder.
How to discover the true personality, likes and dislikes of the person you seek to
influence, and how to intuit their innermost hidden desires and weaknesses.
The methods and tricks by which you may have an individual agreeing with your
every word and eating out of the palm of your hand.
The techniques by which a large mass of people may be moved to agree with you
and work towards your aims.
How to write letters and articles which will persuade people to listen to you and
give heed to what you have to say.
The secrets of dress and presentation in assisting your words. How to exert an
automatic influence over someone before you have even said a word.
The ways in which the trickery of stage magic and popular trendy impressions of
'New Ageism' may be called into service to influence people.
The foremost secrets of all to bear in mind, however, are that it is important for you to stay awake, focused and conscious at all times, whilst knowing that nearly everyone around you will be on auto-pilot, reacting to unconscious triggers. Always remember that most people want someone to tell them what to do, even if they consciously refute the idea.