Magical Imagination, Part 1

(This is the first part of a two part post.)

Imagination is a very powerful tool in our magical workings. It is also often misunderstood. Imagination can be easily confused with fantasy and, therefore, rendered ineffective. Even though it is a powerful tool, it is not the only tool and we can not just use the imagination. It must work with others as well. This evening we will be looking at the imagination as a tool, how it differs from fantasy and how we can use it in our magical practice. 

So what exactly is the imagination? What does it do and how can we use it? Well, obviously, imagination is a function of the mind. It is a creative aspect that allows us to produce amazing things. Anything and everything ever created ha first been created in the mind. That is a very powerful and magical statement. Everything from the computer or electronic device you are reading this on, to the chair you are sitting in, to the clothes you wear, to the wheel that evolved into the four that are on your vehicle all started as an idea, a thought, an imagined reality in the mind of someone. 

There is a Hermetic Principle that states “As above, so below”. It states, in essence, that the physical world is a mirror reflection of the divine world. This is very true in regards to our imagination. Just as the divine and spiritual worlds created the material world, we are a reflection of that creative ability. According to cosmologies involving angels and archangels, this is what sets humanity apart from them. They are workers. They are not creators. 

The material realm of creation, from the vastness and limitless of space to our own bedrooms, is but a small part of creation. In fact, in metaphysics it is referred to as the microcosm, or “little universe”. The spiritual and divine realms are known as the macrocosm, or “large universe”. This is a very important point to keep in mind when we are talking about the imagination and its creative ability. We have less influence than creation as a whole. Our ability to create, while still impressive, is still small and governed by higher processes and principles. Our microcosm can not override the macrocosm. It can work with it, and can influence it, but not override it. 

So, what is the process of imagination? What does it actually do? Well, imagination creates an image on the higher levels of existence where the mind operates. This may be on the Astral level or the Mental level of existence depending on the thought that is used in the creation of the image. We do this by thinking about it, and we do it all the time. In fact, we are very good at it. Even so, most of the images of things created at this level fade quickly. They are fleeting, just like our thoughts that are easily turned from what we are currently thinking to “Oh Look! A squirrel!” Therefore, they have no real substance or creative ability.

However, a mental image can be created and strengthened through the proper process that can produce results in our world. Just like the fleeting ones mentioned above, we do this all the time too, without consciously thinking about it. There are a number of factors that go into strengthening these images: clarity of vision, emotional connection, and repetition being the most common. The more we think about something, the clearer we see it, and the more emotion we pour into it, the more real it becomes and the more we create it in one form or another. 

Now, for the word of caution: If what you create is always negative, you will create negativity. If you always take the role of the victim, then that is what you will create for yourself. Likewise fear, oppression, anger, resentment and disappointment are things that we create. In fact, it is easier to create these than to create positive things. Often these negative things are not created with us as the subject, but are about other people, groups, cultures, objects and situations. These are strengthened through repetition and emotion until they become our reality. Our mind becomes trained and conditioned to seek them out, missing the positive that is out there. Clearly, the same thing can happen with the positive and we disregard the negative at our own expense. This is the true importance of balance in our lives. 

Now, let us talk about the flip side of imagination: fantasy. Let me start by saying that I have nothing against fantasy. I am The Nerd. Notice I did not say a nerd. I read fantasy novels, I love fantasy and sci fi movies and culture, I play Dungeons and Dragons, and have since I was about 8. I love fantasy. I also understand that fantasy is exactly that: fantasy. It is not reality. It has a time and a place, but it is not every time and place. Many of us are drawn to magic by fantasy. I was. But I quickly learned that there is a difference between the magic of fantasy and real magic. Many do not learn that lesson or refuse to accept it. 

So how do we differentiate imagination from fantasy? Simple. We look to nature. Everything that can exist, does. The Universe is infinite. We can sit outside and see life. We can see everything from nuclear reactions to the smallest chemical changes. We can observe everything that is possible in the world, from flight to invisibility to calling upon other forces all in our back yards if we know what to look for. If we imagine something that is not observable, chances are that it is fantasy. 

This brings up the question of things like fae, dragons, demons, angels and the like. They are not directly observable. Certainly, their influences can be felt or observed. So, are they fantasy or reality? The answer, most confusingly, is yes. And no. These are the anamorphic personification of forces that we can not directly observe. We know today that the sun rises and sets because of the rotation of the Earth on its axis. In ancient Greece, it was because of Apollo driving his flaming chariot across the sky. The imagination of Apollo became something that was useable and accessible by people. So, it is with all deities, mythical creatures and the like. 

Fantasy can not become reality. 200 years ago the concept of an airplane was considered fantasy. However, flight was certainly observable. Birds did it. Insects did it. So, the principle was sound. Science just had to figure out how. In this case, the science developed to allow the imagination to become reality. What is more, a greater mind must have imagined flight for birds and insects to be able to do it. This brings us to the next of our Hermetic Principles. “Everything is Mind.” There is a larger, universal mind or consciousness that must be imagining reality. After all, we are a reflection of it, and it is within that framework of that higher imagination that our imagination must function. Trying to move outside of that higher imagination is fantasy. 

Let me state as a caveat that I do feel that the Universe is infinite. In an infinite universe it is more likely that everything we could imagine exists somewhere in it, than that any one thing does not exist. So, somewhere out there, there are dragons, elves, Cthulhu, an honest politician and anything else we can fantasize. However, we are here. And here we are bound by the limitations that are imposed on this world, in this time and with the current set of circumstances. Remember, we are bound by what we can observe in nature, not on the big screen.