Just some fascinating writings I thought I’d share. Perhaps they could lend some inspiration if you’re in an existential rut as a musician. I know I am.
First link is about concepts of Ritual Magic and Limitation. But I noticed the ideas can easily be applied to creating art.
Second link is a master’s thesis on ritual magic and music production.
Is Ritual Magic and Cermonial Magic the same thing?
Cermonical Magic is based around Hermeticism if im not mistaken.
Mat McNerney has been in some great bands (Hexvessel, Beastmilk, Dodheimsgard, Code) so maybe it works 
I’m sure there are many who would argue the semantics of it, however, I think the greater unsaid point of my post is that magic is simply a tool, and it can be liberated from it’s historical identifications with convoluted religious and occult ideas. Magic is for everyone, like the earth itself, and how you choose to engage with it is up to you.
Oh, and that some sort of synergy seems to exist between magic and music/art when combined together.
This book has a good primer on Chaos magick as well as lots of anecdotes and stories about avant garde music in the late 20th century
Wow, hold on a sec, wooooooow! This was probably the best YT video I’ve seen in a few weeks. I think it hits home for me because I have a love/hate relationship with rituals, and this has made me loosen up my biases.
I love RFB!
There is a huge possibility of this kind of stuff turning into (and even more likely originating from) image building. Also personality cult. Gen with the TOPY definitely ended up being a great example of this.
I think that in the end it’s just marketing and often times pretty unimaginative as well.
I mean promoting one self as someone who’s “in the know” while recycling those old occult cliches. Oftentimes there’s not much behind that.
This is not to take anything away from magic but instead the tendency of making it an overtly public thing.
But I digress…
Sure, whatever floats your boat.
I’m all for experimenting with altering brain states and taking control of creating the kind of reality one wishes to exist in etc, and was rather pointing out that if you publicly portray yourself as a level five mage of occult stuff and act accordingly, there is a great chance of it leading to larping and intense stupidity.
Sound, music and religious ramblings are incredibly powerful ways of changing ones mood, emotions, thoughts and whatnot, so I just find it a bit silly to explicitly point that out to separate ones music from all the other stuff out there.
Personally I cannot think of a better way to spoil the ritualistic and magical potential than pointing it out as the main message.
isn’t this the plot of Jennifer’s Body?
Certainly there is always the chance for egotistical frauds to hijack the aesthetic and play the part of some guru. This is just an ever present aspect of human nature, someone always trying to be the expert.
But my intention was merely to present another way to approach music creation, a way that might be inspiring for those who are more predisposed to mysticism and magical thinking. It’s not for everyone. It’s a deeply personal approach and there is no instruction manual or expert guide. But it’s something that could bring a needed touch of depth and purpose to the process of art creation. A needed spiritual exploration and connection. I need it. I’m sharing my need and interest for others who may need it but maybe they didn’t know.
FaRt!
Placebo has such a negative connotation in todays society… I view Placebo more as a window of what incredible things our mind and body can do when tuned correctly.
