The Pragmatic Circle
As I have previously written here Celts and Celtic cultures have a work ethic and pragmatic approach to all things. Even down to magick. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't matter how pretty it is. If it is a mash of borrowed bits and it does, do that. This is not done out of an irreverence for their own culture, magick or workings, but because the point is that it works.
Pragmatic magick means learning to use what you have, especially if it is close to nothing. It means working harder for it, walking, working or making it from scratch, so be it.
It's what you find in hedge rows and attics, it's stones from the beach. It's taking white thread and colouring it yourself. It making things that might not look like you would want to buy it at a shop that do the job.
Pragmatic Magick is growing things yourself (because you can't afford the big expensive plants but you can afford some seeds). It's finding fresh herbs in the supermarket on sale and planting those, or drying them.
It's in picking sheep's wool from the barb wire fence. Or finding what you need in the thrift store, charity shop or flea market. It's taking brass potpourri holders and re-purposing them into an incense burner.
It is of course connected with The Land.
Much of what you find or cultivate will be connected far more directly to where you are, it's power and magick than buying from somewhere. The first magick I remember doing I used an old white feed bucket full of rain water, a stick, and the herbs I found in the garden. I used the bucket as cauldron and drum. (It made a satisfying whomp when I hit it with my stick especially when full of water) I raised my arms and lifted my chin. I gave water to the earth, so the rain would pass us by, just for one day.
I wove garlands of wild flowers and long grass and gave them to my tree and to the "stone" (a standing stone at the other end of the farm).
This is the best kind of Pragmatic magick I can think of.
It's raw and wild and messy, but it's powerful. Not only because of how much of yourself and the land you put into it, but because there is a beauty in the "MacGyver" approach.
There is a sort of Pintrest aesthetic which can be beautiful can make people reluctant to even try their own magick because it seems to fall so short from that "perfect" magick.
The practice of "perfect" spell work, ritual or song or only doing it when it "looks" right misses the point.
Change. Magick is change. Doing it imperfectly (which is not the same as doing it half-heartedly or without research) is about directing change.
The other aspect of Pragmatic Magick is that it should make the lives of you and those around you better. The idea that you can't or shouldn't use your power to benefit your life or that of those around is some weird pseudo Christian hangover. It lies in this false belief that to have plenty means to take from someone else, when there is more than enough. That's not to say you should curse from sun up to sun down (that is it's own kind poison) or to try and control other people (it just doesn't work and will never make you happy). It is charming your lipstick to draw the "right" one. Placing heather as a pot plant on your desk (red for pep and white to keep you calm). Or carrying a crystal or stone when you feel you need protection.
The magick you weave is an expression of your aliveness, and being. It takes hard work to be good at it (like anything else) but no-one should tell you not to use it. After all doing a little magick today might stop you from having to do a lot of magick later! This is why Daily Practice is important. It connects you with yourself and your magick. 5 minutes every day is far better than an hour once a week and an hour once a week is far better than 6 hours once a month.
You have the power and the right to bring change into the world. It is a responsibility and you will mess up sometimes (as with all things) but that doesn't mean you should hobble yourself for the appeasement of others.
Here is short check list of whether you should cast:
Does your gut scream to?
Can you nip something in the bud?
Is there a need?
Is there harm if you don't?
Does it make your life or someone else's better?
From a short blessing of your tea, to the finding a parking space, or magickally cleaning your space: let the power, your power flow into your life!
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