To: FiatLVX (Elist for Magical Christians)
From: Nocifer (tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com)
Subject: Magick and Mysticism
Date: Kali Yuga 49941013 

The way I like to think that these vary from one another is in the location 
and identity of what Crowley called 'the Magical Link'.  Mages locate this 
fulcrum in a place somewhere accessible to their manipulations ("I am doing 
magick"), whereas mystics see it as residing beyond either their power or 
respect to affect ("if it pleases the divine").  

I notice that many mystics take what they understand of Magick to be a
sort of preparation or side-effect of the mystical path (dealing in power
and influence which side-tracks 'spiritual studies') while many mages
take what they understand of Mysticism to be a preparation or parallel
course of the magical path (dealing with self-discipline and alignment
with any powers greater than ourselves).

From what I can see there aren't really any consistent and clear definitions
for these terms and I am glad of it.  Not only does it keep us thinking in
new ways about the Work, it also keeps us from constraining ourselves with 
the language which we'd use to reflect upon and describe ourselves and our
paths.

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