I'm an atheist so it's no surprise that I agree with you. Magic likely requires the use of will, strength of will, to move the forces of nature. That's the Occam's razer conclusion, anyway. Thus, godforms are a way for us to form a structure of magic in our minds because that's simply what humans rely on... structure and explanation.
Personally, I think, well, no, I KNOW (on a subjective level not susceptible of objective proof,) that magic can be effective solely on a personal level, without the involvement of the Divine, just as I KNOW that it can also be effective with the involvement of the Divine. So no, deity is not required.
The more interesting question, to my mind, is why a given individual would choose one mode of engaging with magic over the other.
Me, I do all of my magical work, what little I do, in conjunction with my office as priest to the Gods whom I serve. But that's by my deliberate and conscious choice, in no little part because it serves as a check on my wanting to work magic for ends of which my Gods would not approve.
>The more interesting question, to my mind, is why a given individual would choose one mode of engaging with magic over the other.
Well, I know for me, being a godless heathen, there are no divinities I interact with or serve, so any magical workings are mine and mine alone. Kind of by default.
I've done both, and both work. I have no problem using a direct kind of magic when I don't feel it's necessary to involve the Gods. I've done this especially with Chaos Magic type experimenting. I also have no problem asking the Gods for direction or assistance when I feel like some guidance (etc) would be helpful. Sometimes this is done very informally, but the relationship is already there and it's not unusual to get a response of some kind. Depending on how it's done, I don't always consider this "magic", though. If I only ask and do not do any spellwork then I don't consider it magic. But if I ask for guidance or for them to be a witness to something and then do spellwork, it is.
Some of me wonders how magic - or anything - could operate without the presence of Gaut or the like ;)
actually, within my path - magic is very much separate from any kind of "deity". It's shortcuts - or different ways of working with how the way the world works.
I'm still not sure how to answer the question. I see the very act of breathing as a form of magic.
I'm firmly on the fence with this one. I believe that some styles of magic lend themselves more to being self-powered while others lend themselves to having deity involved.
I must admit I would tend to go to the Akhu (ancestors) first and the gods second but most of my practice has not been self-powered. Unless you count my enthusiastic participation in therapy as magic. It certainly has altered my perception of reality.
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The more interesting question, to my mind, is why a given individual would choose one mode of engaging with magic over the other.
Me, I do all of my magical work, what little I do, in conjunction with my office as priest to the Gods whom I serve. But that's by my deliberate and conscious choice, in no little part because it serves as a check on my wanting to work magic for ends of which my Gods would not approve.
Other people can do as they see fit.
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Well, I know for me, being a godless heathen, there are no divinities I interact with or serve, so any magical workings are mine and mine alone. Kind of by default.
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Damnit, somebody throw a friggin' chair already! ;)
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I have no problem using a direct kind of magic when I don't feel it's necessary to involve the Gods. I've done this especially with Chaos Magic type experimenting.
I also have no problem asking the Gods for direction or assistance when I feel like some guidance (etc) would be helpful. Sometimes this is done very informally, but the relationship is already there and it's not unusual to get a response of some kind. Depending on how it's done, I don't always consider this "magic", though. If I only ask and do not do any spellwork then I don't consider it magic. But if I ask for guidance or for them to be a witness to something and then do spellwork, it is.
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actually, within my path - magic is very much separate from any kind of "deity". It's shortcuts - or different ways of working with how the way the world works.
I'm still not sure how to answer the question. I see the very act of breathing as a form of magic.
Reply
I must admit I would tend to go to the Akhu (ancestors) first and the gods second but most of my practice has not been self-powered. Unless you count my enthusiastic participation in therapy as magic. It certainly has altered my perception of reality.
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