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Go here if you wish to read the Apocryphal books as well as some other supposed "Lost Books". Actually, that site also goes over the topic of this thread if you wish to read that also.

So what you're saying is (I'm not putting words in your mouth with this, just trying to make it clear.), that it's not the magic itself that is "light" or "dark" but the product of it, in which case I would agree.

Some of the lost books were recently found. It is important to know the actual date of when it was written, and by whom it was [really] written. The most important thing to remember, is does it contradict or compliment the already accepted books of the Bible?

First of all, why would you feel God is leading you towards using magic? Magic is not of God, not in the same way that answered prayers or laying on of hands and all that is (I know we have a thread about this somewhere). Magic is using your own energy or the energy of the environment to benefit or harm yourself or others. Why would God want anyone to do that? He is the Sustainer, the Creator, the Source of all life. Why would He even think, "Hey, let me direct this person to something outside of myself"? I would do some more soul-searching and be absolutely sure that it's God opening you up to this realm of magic and not someone else who would rather lead you astray.

I firmly believe magic exists and I admit that it could be useful and probably is for those who seriously practice it. But that's not the point. The point is that you are turning to another source to get things done, whether or not God provides an ample enough base to jump off of to use this other source.

Now, as far as magic utilizing angelic forces and all that I'm not too keen on, since I have no background in angelology. I've had friends who say they've been visited by various archangels through dreams and there is an entire guild dedicated to discussing one's encounters with them (I was totally a member for the sake of discussion but it started to get a little too weird and occult for me). Then there's the question that if you are receptive and open to receiving powers from angels, who's to say the same isn't true of demons or fallen angels? Because once you start making contact with one side the other side generally follows close behind.

The spirit realm is not something to be taken lightly (not that anyone in here is necessarily doing that) and outside of God it isn't something you should want to delve too deeply into. God has ensured your safety and your life and has bought your soul with His blood; He is the only one we can be sure of. Everything else should most definitely be taken with a grain of salt.

Now, if I've totally misunderstood something, let me know. I'll be checking this thread every time I'm on Gaia cuz this topic is very intriguing.

It can also be used to help others, what better than to pray, then ask for energy to direct to the purpose you just prayed about. (I want to point out it is highly advised never to work magick for someone without their express permission)

There is a reason I formed a shield around myself. It can be scary, yes, but thats where faith comes in. My fate is in God's hands, I am protected by both my shield, form in a ritual that ask him for energy, but I've got the protection that he himself( or through guardian angel) provides as well. Half the fact that I've not been attacked or encountered any of that is my faith. The other half is that I've done nothing to provoke anything, my shielding is the only magic I yet use.

(Developing a habit of quoting you)
I agree, and believe that these abilities Need to be reawakened in our society. Besides how much more fun would it be to reach out and touch your friend's mind rather than dialing their number on your cell phone. (only practical over short distances unless after extensive training)

This is all assuming that people were in fact created with these energies and abilities. Is there anything biblical to even back it up besides warnings against it? Again, in the Garden, Adam and Eve had everything they would need, provided by God. Did he add the ability to use magic as an afterthought when they were banished from the Garden? I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. It's hard for me because I've only ever experienced the negative of this kind of stuff, and while I believe the positive exists, I just can't think that God would allow us to depend on anything other than Him. He allows His Spirit to enter us to use us, to get His will done, but anything else could be used selfishly. Magic can be quite a destructive force and I just can't see God trusting us that much. sweatdrop

Humans are spiritual beings, yes? Trapped in a physical, human husk that really only exists to allow us to interact with the world we were given. We were originally supposed to be caretakers of an entire planet. If we're given that much responsibility, why not give us access to things that would shield us from everything that can't hurt the physical body? Granted, there are always going to be people that use it for harm. But really, God knew when he made us that there was going to be murder, rape and torture, the unwarranted killing of unborn children, and for some, complete and total separation from him. And yet, he created us anyway, gave us all the gifts he could and sent us on our way. Could knowing and being able to use our own energy not number among those gifts?

As for Biblical backup... we have nothing. I don't know what the full Biblical definition of magic is, but I don't consider what I do magic. Maybe I'm right, maybe it's rationalization. But even my massage therapy teachers - and every massage therapist I've ever met - had admitted that humans are energy beings. There are reasons reiki works so well. There are reasons so many people are in tune with someone else's intuition.

I want to ask you something. An affiliate of mine from another guild is teaching a class of sorts to beginngers in energy. I'd like you to read through it. You don't have to try any of the classes, just read the responses and what it takes to evoke what we're trying for. Read it, and ask if God wouldn't give this to us when we were made. Maybe having it laid out and simplified in a directive manner will shed some light that pure discussion won't.

Classes 1-3