I was reading an article on the net the other day asking the question “When did Chaos Magic Die?” Here’s my thoughts:
First, the short answer….Chaos Magic(k) didn’t die. It’s alive and well. Most of the “first generation” Chaos Magicians, Peter Carroll included, are not only still around, but are teaching classes on Arcanorium College. TheIOT’s still around, too. In short, the idea that “Chaos Magic(k) is dead” is just silly.
Before the long answer let me say, though, that I do feel that, to an extent, “Chaos Magic(k)” has been swallowed up by more “Traditional Magic(k)”. From Wicca to whatever, elements of Chaos Magic(k) are pretty much everywhere in the current occult community.
Which brings me to the long answer, and it’s totally from my individual point of view. I think the majority of people who claim “Chaos Is Dead”, not to mention a fair amount of people who consider themselves “Chaos Magicians” have a faulty understanding of what Chaos Magic(k) actually is.
My understanding is that Chaos Magic(k) is a theory (or a set of theories, rather) as to how all Magic(k) works, instead of a type of Magic(k). This reminds me of a funny story…….
During my divorce my ex-wife was “seeing” me and her current husband. Either because of her or his own internet sleuthfulness, or a combination of both, he found out I was into the occult and particularly chaos magic. It so happened that he had a friend who was into “something”. I can only presume it was Wicca or maybe “Modern Magick” Golden Dawn type stuff. His friend told him I was into scary dark shit and he should be afraid of me. While I’ll agree he should have been scared of me, because I’ve admittedly done wicked things, this shows a rampant misunderstanding of what chaos magic(k) is all about, at least in my opinion.
CMT (Chaos Magic(k) Theory), for me, is based on a very few simple ideas. They are:
Belief is a tool Multiplicity of Self The Gnostic State Paradigm Shifting Creative Ritualism
But even before that, I simplify Chaos Magic(k) to a simple equation, given in Liber KAOS, by Peter Carroll:
M = G x L(1-A)(1-R)
Magic(k) equals Gnosis and a “magical Link” multiplied by two negative factors, things working against you, your conscious awareness of the desired result (1-A) and your unconscious resistance to achieving it (1-R)
Let’s start with Belief is a Tool. We’ve seen a lot in the news lately about Belief. What people fail to realize is that it’s only a belief. Beliefs arent absolutes. (from wikipedia) Chaos magick theory says that belief is an active magickal force. It emphasizes flexibility of belief and the ability to consciously choose one’s beliefs, hoping to apply belief as a tool rather than seeing it as a relatively unchanging part of one’s personality.[9] Various psychological techniques are employed in order to induce flexibility of belief.[10] Other chaos magickians suggest that people do not need “belief” to work magick.[11] Austin Osman Spare asserts in The Book of Pleasure and various other works that Will formulates Desire which promulgates Belief.
Real, honest to goodness Chaos Magicians do, in fact, change beliefs. It’s a thing. Most people, if they take the time to think about it, might wonder how that’s possible, which is a start. I can only speak from my personal experience, so here goes:
Try E-Prime. Start by deleting the verb forms of “to be” that E-Prime excludes includes, the words: “is, are, were, was, am, be, been,” and their contractions. Try reading like that. Try writing like that. Try thinking like that. It’s an interesting exercise. (Studious readers will note I don’t write in E-Prime, but I assure you I think in it)
Play the “Devil’s Advocate”. Take a stance on an issue you’d normally disagree with. Educate yourself on the mindset of the “other side”. Debate. Make your case, dammit. You’ll learn from it.
Ponder these axions:
Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted. Have you ever considered there may be no absolute truth? Effectiveness is the measure of Truth
