Magical Intent

When people talk about “magical intent” and write it off as unimportant, it is evidence of the “semantic” problem we have in occultism.

If I say I intend to do something, it means I really MEAN to do something, like it’s planned, I will TOTALLY do it, but just I haven’t yet is all.

If that’s all people think about when they think of “intention,” then of course they’re right, that kind of “intention” is the paving stones that are used to pave the path to hell.

But that’s not the same thing as the “intention” of a magician that Agrippa talks about in Book 3 of the Three Books of Occult Philosophy.

In chapter 26, he says:

“and these names being thus distributed according to the proportioned numbers to the Starry account, compacted or joyned, and changed letters, although unknown in sound, and significative, we must of necessity confess may do more by the secret of the chiefest Philosophy in a magick work, then significative names, whilest the mind being astonished at the obscurity of them, and deeply intent, firmly believing that something Divine is under it, doth reverently pronounce these words, and names, although not understood”

Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book 3, chapter 26

And in chapter 27, he says:

“Lastly, the very ardent intension [intention] of the invocator, by which our intellect is joyned to the separated intelligencies, causeth that we have sometimes one spirit, sometimes another, although called upon under the same name, made obsequious to us.”

Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book 3, chapter 26

Note that with every mention, it’s not just thinking thoughts that makes it a magical intent, Mind being astonished. Deeply intent. Firmly believing. Very ardent intention.

it is the thinking of thoughts with strong emotion, firm conviction, and faith, BELIEF in the accomplishment of the desired outcome.

BUT WAIT. It’s not just belief though, oh chaos magicians: hold thy horse. 😀

It’s belief in WHAT?

“… firmly believing that SOMETHING DIVINE IS UNDER IT.”

“It is not I, but Christ compels you!” screams The Exorcist.

It’s not just believing in the words, or thinking the thoughts, it’s KNOWING there’s a GOD behind the scenes DICTATING THIS MUST BE SO.

The Intent of the Magician is not just thoughts thought about things in passing, plans made about cool ideas that would be neat if they happened, oh no, it’s not that.

The Intent of the Magician is the Will of a God.