This answer would be best described in length in Private conversation, but for the general purposes of amusement, i will post the following.
Stage illusion is meant to entertain, to construct a world view which is different, which is the grandest forms, where there is no difference in what can be what could, and what is. The modern forms of it since the 1500s when they were burning jugglers and illusionists at the stake alongside those versed in herbalism and assorted other things. The book Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginauld Scot changed all that.
However there are deeper roots to illusory magicks which prey on the senses, yes there are strings and there are wires reported to have been at play in the Oracle of Delphi, yes there are props and tools for any good ritual. the idea behind it is to condition the mind to think and feel, taste and touch, smell and see everything that the one on the "stage" is doing. Modern satanism as brought to us by the departed Anton LaVey, encourages this drama to allow individuals the needed pomp to ascend to their own hedonistic persona. Where as there is equally pompous ceremony and production gone into every catholic ritual, every buddhist ceremony, and every major religious function, they are all choreographed and developed to evoke within the individual those ideas, those feelings which would have the observer become instilled with a feeling of connection to that force. Where the stage magican admits to his audience that it was all a trick of the mind to see what they want you to believe. that it was safe to go home knowing it was fake. The Ceremonial Magician will not tell you that it was false to have those feelings, but will instead instill you with the notion that what you have just witnessed will alter your world view if only partially, that for the doing of the ceremony you are different for it, changed. As we are all aware Change is what is Not safe for religions and persons who wish to remain in power structures of old orders. So thus is claimed for things it is not.
So for the different forms of Magick Necromancy, Conjuring, Druidry, and so on. Its how they apply the ceremonies, how they make use of their tools and their environments to create the changes within their psyche that subconsiously alter the worlds around them. Magick exists, but people expect it to be the grandest of things all the time. But really people....To take solar light and have the plant convert that into energy to grow to give us fruits, and natural processes of yeasts and condensations and refining to extract from it fine wine. That is magick. So to is a single thought within the mind, because it will eventually come to be.
Somethings are vulgar, low and should not be thought, but there are those who think them. There are those even now reading this, and like Oh because I can think it makes me a witch, sorcerer etc...NO....You are a child impersonating someone who has earned their title, and been recognized for their skills in a category by their peers and their elders.
To be under a label such as the type of art you do, is not just to be of that art, but is to apply all forms of that art.
Does not a painter apply the skills of one who draws, blending together their colors like the clothier who dyes the clothes, has the perspective of the architect, the mechanical skill of a surgeon, and the mindset of a priest and scholar to be able to encompass all of the symbolism without words and through images alone. The same goes for one who studies the art.
There are levels of proficiency, levels of a form of mastery. One can be better at it then another because of the amount of effort they put into the proper correspondences, and the proper timing, bringing to life their will through their actions. Not everyone can do this. Not every one should do this. Exactly like not everyone should be a surgeon, or a cop, or put in some position where peoples lives are on the line. Because some people are just petty pieces of shit and dont have the self control. labels in the art are good so long as they do not limit you.
To be a Witch, or Vampire is the same as being a Slave in the BDSM community, a Dyke or Faggot, it is a level of description of who you are. Not some feminist woman who identifies as a man, No A Lesbian woman who emboldens their own masculinity through their jeans, and leather, and short hair. A Witch/Wizard/Mage is someone who has put in the time, and effort to be the best in all areas of their life, to do what it takes to be better.
Any idiot can pick up a pencil and draw on paper and call themselves an artist. So to can a punk teenager who has no respect for nature have some minor success with the symbols and words connecting them to the higher forces. They are ripe cannon fodder, they are the ones who are loudly proclaiming they are what they are. Because they offer nothing else. They do not offer one a means to think outside the box, they do not offer their services amongst those who might aid them. If they do there is no professionalism amongst their works, there is no consistency. Their life can be measured by their debts more then by their gains, and their plagiarism is marked by their claims.
So be different, is the moral of my little dissertation. Be aware of your capacity and know that it takes study, and practice, getting out of the library to become what it is you seek to be. To not be part of a religious movement, but to have that religion move you, become you in every moment of your life, that you are better because of your beliefs. If you dont you miss out on quality of life, you may be busy with drama and friends, but your overall life sucks. Hope you enjoyed my rant.
