Magic Black and White
The use of the word "Magic" in connection with Mental Influence
is quite ancient. Occultists make a clear distinction between the
use of Mental Influence in a manner conducive to the welfare of
others, and its use in a selfish, base manner calculated to work
harm on others. Both forms are common and are frequently mentioned
in all occult writings.
White Magic has many forms, both in its ancient manifestations
and in these latter days of revived occult knowledge. The use of
Mental Influence in this way generally takes the form of kindly
"treatments" of persons by others having their welfare at heart. In
this particular class fall the various treatments of the several
cults and schools of what is known as Mental Science, or similar
names. These people make a practice of giving treatments, both
"present" and "absent," for the purpose of healing physical ailments
and bringing about a normal Physical condition of health and
strength. Similar treatments are given by some to bring about a
condition of Success to others, by imparting to the minds of such
persons the vibrations of courage, confidence, energy, etc. , which
surely make for success along the lines of material occupation, etc.
In the same way one may "treat" adverse conditions surrounding
others, bringing the force of the mind and will to bear on these
conditions with the idea of changing the prevailing vibrations and
bringing harmony from in-harmony, and success from failure.
The majority of persons, not informed along these lines, are
surrounded by a mental atmosphere arising from the prevailing mental
states, thoughts, feelings, etc. , and also arising from the
thought–currents which they have attracted to them by the Law of
Mental Attraction. These Mental Atmospheres, when once firmly
settled around a person, render it most difficult for him to "break
away" from their vibrations. He struggles and fights, but the
prevailing vibrations are beating down upon him all the time and
must produce a strong effect upon even persons of strong will,
unless indeed they have fully acquainted themselves with the laws of
Mental Influence and have acquired the power of Concentration. The
habit of a lifetime, perhaps, has to be overcome, and besides the
constant suggestive vibrations from the mental atmosphere are
constantly bringing a pressure to bear upon the person, so that
indeed he has a might task before him to throw off the old
conditions, unaided and alone. And, so, while individual effort is
preferable, there comes a time in the lives of many people when "a
helping hand," or rather a "helping mind," is of great service and
aid.
The person coming to the mental aid of a person needing his or
her services is performing a most worthy and proper act. We hear a
great deal about "interfering with other people’s minds" in such
kind and worthy "treatments," but in many cases there is but little
real interference done. The work of the helper is really in the
nature of neutralizing and dissipating the unfavorable. Mental
Influence surrounds the other person, and thereby giving the other
person a chance to work out his own mental salvation. It is true
that everyone must do his or her own work, but help of the kind
above indicated is surely most worthy and proper.
In these White Magic treatments the person giving the treatments
forms the Mental Picture of the desired condition in his mind, and
then sends his thought–currents to the other person endeavoring to
reproduce the Mental Picture in the mind or thought– atmosphere of
the other person. The best way of doing this, of course, is to
assert mentally that the desired condition actually exists. One may
be of great help and aid to others in this way, and there is no good
reason why it should not be done.
And now for the reverse side of the shield - We wish it were
possible to avoid even a mention of this hateful form and
manifestation of Mental Influence, but we feel that ignorance is no
protection, and that it is useless and foolish to pursue the policy
of the ostrich which sticks its head in the sand when pursued, that
not seeing the hunter the latter may not see him. We believe that it
is better to look things in the face, particularly where it is a
case of "forewarned being forearmed."
It is a fact known to all students of occultism that Black Magic
has been frequently employed in all times to further the selfish,
base aims of some people. And it is also known to advanced thinkers
today that even in this enlightened age there are many who do not
scruple to stoop to the use of this hateful practice in order serve
their own ends, notwithstanding the punishment that occultists know
awaits such persons.
The annals of history are full of records of various forms of
witchcraft, conjuration and similar forms of Black Magic. All the
much talked of forms of "putting spells" upon people are really
forms of Black Magic, heightened by the fear and superstition of
those affected.
One has but to read the history of witchcraft to see that there
was undoubtedly some force at work behind all of the appalling
superstition and ignorance shown by the people of those times. What
they attributed to the influence of people "in league with the
devil" really arose from the use of Black Magic, or an unworthy use
of Mental Influence, the two things being one. An examination of the
methods used by these "witches," as shown by their confessions,
gives us a key to the mystery. These "witches" would fix their minds
upon other people, or their animals, and by holding a concentrated
mental picture there, would send forth Thought–Waves affecting the
welfare of the persons being "adversely treated," which would
influence and disturb them, and often bring on sicknesses. Of
course, the effect of these "treatments" were greatly heightened by
the extreme ignorant fear and superstition held by the masses of
people at the time, for Fear is ever a weakening factor in Mental
Influence, and the superstitions and credulity of the people caused
their minds to vibrate in such a manner as to render them extremely
passive to the adverse influences being directed against them.
It is well known that the Voodoos of Africa, and similar cults
among other savage races, practice Black Magic among their people
with great effect. Among the natives of Hawaii there are certain men
known as "Kahunas," who pray people sick, or well, whichever way
they are paid for. These instances could be multiplied had we the
space and inclination to proceed further with the matter.
And in our own civilized lands there are many people who have
learned the principles of Mental Influence, and who are using the
same for unworthy purposes, seeking to injure others and defeat
their undertakings, or else trying to bring them around to their own
(the "treater’s") point of view and inclinations. The modern revival
of occult knowledge has operated along two lines. On the one hand we
see and hear of the mighty power for good Mental Influence is
exerting among the people today, raising up the sick, strengthening
the weak, putting courage into the despondent and making successes
of failures. But on the other hand the hateful selfishness and greed
of unprincipled persons in taking advantage of this mighty force of
nature and prostituting it to their own hateful ends, without
heeding the dictates of conscience or the teaching of religion or
morality. These people are sowing a baleful wind that will result in
their reaping a frightful whirlwind on the mental plane. They are
bringing down upon themselves pain and misery in the future.
At this point we wish to utter a solemn warning to those who have
been, or are tempted, to employ this mighty force for unworthy
purposes. The laws of the mental plane are such that "as one sows so
shall he reap. "The mighty Law of Attraction acts with the accuracy
of a machine and those who seek to entangle others in a net of
Mental Influence sooner or later are caught by their own snare. The
Black Magician involves him to pieces. He is sucked down into the
whirlpool of his own making, and is dragged down to the lowest
depths. These are not idle remarks, but a statement of certain laws
of nature, operation on the mental plane, which all should know and
heed.
And to those who may feel appalled at this mention of the
existence and possibilities of Black Magic we would say that there
is one thing to be remembered, and that is that GOOD always
overcomes EVIL on the mental plane. A good thought always has the
power to neutralize the Evil one, and a person whose mind is filled
with Love and Faith May combat a multitude whose minds are filled
with Hate and Evil. The tendency of all nature is upward and toward
Good. And he who would pull it back toward Evil sets himself against
the law of Spiritual Evolution, and sooner or later falls a victim
to his folly.
And then, remember this,Thought–Waves find entrance only to those
minds that are accustomed to think similar thoughts. He who thinks
Hate may be affected by Hate thoughts, while he whose mind is filled
with Faith and Love is surrounded by a resistant armor which repels
the invading waves, and causes them to be deflected, or else driven
back to their senders. Bad thoughts, like chickens, come home to
roost. Thoughts are like Boomerangs, in their tendency to return to
their sender. To the poison of Black Magic Nature gives the antidote
of Right–Thinking. |