Being currently in the last days of October, the theme of Halloween must be in the air out there in the West. Although not much of that is felt here in Koh Phangan, Thailand, the theme provides a convenient opportunity to talk about magic. The reason I want to address this topic, is that there is an apparent link between Tantra and magic, and as a consequence, the two have been erroneously confused with one another. Tantra is mistaken for cheap magic more often than magic is mistaken with Tantra. With this in mind, I felt called and inspired to investigate the topic a little deeper. Before going into any further train of thought, let us say a few words about the two.

TANTRA

Tantra is a web of practices, rooting from either the Hinduist or the Buddhist tradition. Tantra is not a doctrine or a belief system. Tantra is actually closer to science than philosophy. Most tantric practices involve mantras  (mind protectors, sonoral representations of a given energy or power), yantras (visual, geometric representations of a cosmic power or energy), meditation, ritual, and other yogic practices. Traditionally, tantric techniques are handed down from guru to disciple by transmission and initiation. These days, it is often found in various diluted and adapted forms in New Age streams. Many people don’t really understand Tantra properly due to the brought upon deviations (among other factors which are not worth mentioning here). Also, there is the misappropriation of techniques. For example, mantras are meant to be used for enlightenment, and yet they are misused by some for selfish purposes. In Tantra, maya (the illusion) is a part- an expression, manifestation-,  of the Divine Consciousness which we can come into greater harmony with through Yogic practices and a better understanding of the world around us. That is why, in Tantra the study of the universe is encouraged, with the study of astrology being an excellent example of a widely applied science in Tantric circles. Tantra awakens a potential within us. As much as one can talk about it, one comes to truly learn and understand it through experience.

There exists the idea that one can manipulate the outcome of a situation for selfish purposes. However the higher, more Tantric form of magic is the one which is employed to come into resonance with beneficial cosmic forces, with the ultimate aim in mind being spiritual evolution. But when used without a spiritual background, without the guidance of a teacher or guru, they end up being used selfishly and often inappropriately, resulting in the outcome deviating from the purpose. Today, mantras seem to be “marketed” for particular goals, eg. “mantra for success” ..but the point is to use any acquired qualities for evolution, not for material gains. And so it is easy to get lost, it’s not for nothing that Tantra is considered to be a slippery slope if walked upon without vigilance.

MAGIC

Magic is a very subjective term. Everyone has an idea of what it is, yet there is no one concise, agreed upon consensus of its definition and how it should be applied….if even to believed in at all! In the Oxford dictionary, it is defined as “ the power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.” Note the use of the word “apparent” in that definition- it is not for sure! Most magic practices aim to indeed utilize supernatural forces involving rituals, the use of symbols, actions, gestures, and specific language. Beliefs in magic trace back to the earliest recorded history. In Egypt, papyri were found containing rapports of much of what later became part of the Western practical imagery of magic, such as using wands, saying particular words to cast spells, using symbols to call or send away spirits and so forth. When speaking of magic, it is inevitable not to mention witchcraft, also known as Wicca, or the Old Religion, which worshipped the Mother-Goddess and is the oldest religion in Western culture, although perhaps many esoteric circles of other religions and traditions work with magic and just keep it secret…

RITUAL & THE DIVINE FEMININE 
Just as is the case with Tantra, the concept of magic is often misunderstood. Both Tantra and magic have the aspect of ritual, and offering of prana (energy, life-force) therein. The worship of the Divine Feminine is a another commonality, with the idea being represented by Shakti in Tantra, and by the Mother-Goddess in The Old Religion. The concept of Shakti (dynamic manifestation) in Tantra is comparatively equivalent to that of the Great Mother-Goddess in The Old Religion. I consider Kundalini Shakti an epitome of a force of nature. Representing the fundamental force of our being,  She potentially moves and transmutes energy through our being and thereby elevates our consciousness.

As a side note, in Tantra, there is also Shiva (Consciousness). The male consort of the Mother-Goddess in the Old religion is the Horned God, however representations and stories about this deity are very different than those about Shiva. Again, Tantra and magic are not the same, I am merely aiming to point out certain correspondences. New Age movements of paganism are not to be mistaken with Tantra!

In Tantra, the Cult of the Feminine, Andre van Lysebeth: speaks further to their relationship: “Like Tantra, Witchcraft prescribes no dogmas, no strictly codified beliefs, and has no sacred books. The witch gets her instruction from nature.” The tantric adept, receives initiation from the guru, and if leading a harmonious yogic lifestyle likely to be in tune with nature’s cycles by means of resonance.

Magic in and of itself is mainly employed for earthly means, be it for entertainment, or to influence an event White Tantra is mainly practiced for spiritual means, and Red Tantra would come closer to magic since it is practiced to achieve personal, collective, or either way earthly goals.

At Agama, you’ll often hear “it is not Yoga without focus of the mind,” and: “where the mind goes, energy follows.”  In scientific experiments, the “experimenter effect” makes that the expectations of the experimenter influence the outcome of the experiment. Not to take away the power of the ritual, but this makes me think then, that the whole ritual around a ritual is exactly that: a ritual. It is a set of actions, procedures we perform to help us create a sacred space and get into it. The key however, lies in the intention. We need to understand that most of us see through a myriad of lenses that make up our personality and fog our view of the world. And yet our experience becomes real because we make it so.

For me, the highest example of the use of magic in Tantric ritual is doing spiritual practice with the Mahavidyas (Sanskrit for 10 Cosmic Powers), in which we offer our spiritual efforts, and make offerings with devotion to the Divine Mother, Maha Shakti. Yagnas are an example of a ritual offering practiced in Tantra as a way to communicate with Higher Nature.

ATTUNING TO NATURE 
Whether natural or supernatural, if we get to know forces of nature better and become better friends with them, we could potentially live more attuned to Mother Earth. This view has a bit of a shamanistic touch to it, but people don’t need to be practising shamans to live their lives in tune with nature. For time immemorial, many traditions root themselves in the connection with the nature, showing a kind of tantric approach to life in the sense of working with the energies of the universe for beneficial purposes.

When we tune in with nature, we intuitively tune into a kind of tantric practice. We have an inner knowing, we have just forgotten and need to remember who we are.  In Yoga, we want to bring the microcosm of our being in line with the beneficial energies of the macrocosm of the Universe. Although practising Yoga can be like working with the forces of nature, especially in regards to the energy aspect (collecting cosmic, telluric energy, that is yin/yang), the goal of Yoga is uniting our spirit and consciousness with the Universal Consciousness. There is a certain verticality to that practice, with the spiritual evolution always being the guiding factor to any action. Magic in itself, is then rather horizontal, and is more like working with Shakti.

Having spoken to the relationship between Tantra and Magic, and bringing to light the common worship of the Divine Feminine in both Tantra as in The Old Religion, I would like to end with the following thought:

Magic always starts within ourselves. There is nothing outside of us which we need to make us happy, or successful. The inner alchemy that can happen in the practice of Tantra is for me magic, because it entails the movement of an almost supernatural force that lies latent within us that transcends our human understanding. Tantra brings you to a place where the seemingly inexplicable becomes real, all we need to remember is that it is all already within us. As above, so below. The whole Universe is within us. What is here, is everywhere, and what is not here, is nowhere. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your intention, what you do with it, and with how much devotion. The energy of the emotion of devotion is powerful, it doesn’t need to be complicated, just follow your heart!

Thank you for visiting this journal, I hope you enjoyed this little mental journey I had to share with you this month!

With Love,
Aldona