Exploring Different Styles of Magick: Which Path Calls to You?

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Magick is as diverse as the witches who practice it. Whether you're drawn to structured rituals, intuitive spellwork, or blending multiple traditions, there's a style of magick that resonates with your soul. In this guide, we'll explore four prominent styles of magick: Ceremonial Magick, Folk Magick, Chaos Magick, and Eclectic Magick—along with book recommendations to help you dive deeper into each tradition. Hopefully this guide can give you a better understanding of just how diverse magic is as well as help you explore something you hadn’t even considered before.

Ceremonial Magick: The Art of High Ritual

Ceremonial magick, also known as high magick, is a structured and ritualistic form of spellwork that often involves sacred geometry, astrology, divine invocations, and complex rituals. Rooted in Hermeticism, the Kabbalah, and Western esotericism, ceremonial magick emphasizes symbols, correspondences, and precision. Practitioners often work with grimoires (old magickal texts) and may invoke spiritual beings such as angels or deities.

Best for: Those who enjoy ritual, structure, and esoteric wisdom.

Book Recommendations:

**I’ll be honest, I have not read these books. However, I did get these book recommendations from a few practitioners who have been practicing ceremonial magic for quite some time.**

- “The Golden Dawn” by Israel Regardie – A foundational text for ceremonial magicians.

- “Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts” by Donald Michael Kraig – A beginner-friendly guide.

- “The Kybalion” by Three Initiates – Explores the Hermetic principles that underlie ceremonial magic.

- “The Middle Pillar” by Israel Regardie – A deep dive into energy work within ceremonial magic.

Folk Magick: The Practical, Ancestral Craft

Folk magick, also known as low magick, is a results-driven form of spellwork deeply rooted in cultural heritage and tradition. It includes voodoo, hoodoo, brujería, Santeria, Appalachian conjure, and other regional practices passed down through generations. Folk magick often focuses on protection, healing, prosperity, and love spells, using simple, everyday ingredients like herbs, charms, and household items. Unlike ceremonial magick, folk magick is informal and adaptable, relying on oral tradition and intuition.

Best for: Witches who value ancestral wisdom, practicality, and working with everyday materials.

Book Recommendations:

**I won’t be suggesting any books on voodoo, hoodoo, or Santeria as these are closed practices and I am not entirely familiar with them. You should only consider exploring these practices if you know you come from a lineage of ancestors in one of these specific practices. **

- “Of Blood and Bones” by Kate Freuler – Explores folk magic with a darker edge. I absolutely love this one, and think it’s perfect for integrating shadow work while also diving into baneful magick.

- “Besom, Stang & Sword” by Christopher Orapello & Tara-Love Maguire — This book gives a great understanding of regional traditional practices; specifically of the North American region.

- “Plant Witchery” by Juliet Diaz — I absolutely love Juliet Diaz and how she writes. This book is my go-to for common and not-so-common plants, their folk origins and understanding how they can best be incorporated in your craft.

- “American Brujería” by J. Allen Cross - This was one of my first ebook downloads when I started practicing my craft. It is thanks to this wonderful author that I understand a lot about my Latin American culture and where my family and ancestors have gotten their traditions from. Brujería is sacred to the Latin people and, although it isn’t a closed practice, (because its simply a broad term for Latin witchcraft practices) it still is very commonly advised to only explore these practices if you have Latin roots.

Chaos Magick: The Rebel’s Path

Chaos magick is an experimental, belief-shifting approach to magick that emphasizes personal experience over tradition. Emerging in the late 20th century, chaos magick encourages practitioners to use what works, borrowing from various systems without strict adherence to any single doctrine. Sigils, belief manipulation, and energy work are common tools in chaos magick, making it one of the most flexible and innovative forms of witchcraft.

Best for: Witches who value creativity, adaptability, and personal experimentation.

Book Recommendations:

**Just like with ceremonial magick, I am not entirely familiar with these books. However, I did get these book recommendations from someone who loves to practice and teach chaos magick.**

- “Condensed Chaos: An Introduction to Chaos Magic” by Phil Hine – A beginner-friendly introduction to chaos magic.

- “Liber Null & Psychonaut” by Peter J. Carroll – One of the most well-known books on chaos magic.

- “Advanced Magick for Beginners” by Alan Chapman – A modern take on the philosophy behind chaos magic.

Eclectic Magick: The Free-Spirited Blend

Eclectic witches take inspiration from multiple traditions, creating a unique and personalized practice. They might incorporate elements of Wicca, folk magick, chaos magick, and even ceremonial magick, choosing what resonates most with them. Eclectic witches are not bound by any one tradition but instead craft their own path based on experience, intuition, and spiritual connection. My personal practice has always been very intuitive based simply because that is what feels natural to me. Trusting my intuition in this way has really helped me strengthen my connection to my intuition and build on my psychic abilities.

Best for: Witches who love blending traditions and personalizing their craft.

Book Recommendations:

- “The Witch’s Book of Self-Care” by Arin Murphy-Hiscock – A great guide for crafting a personal, intuitive practice. This was one of the first books I picked up and although I don’t follow everything step by step, it definitely has helped me understand that I can curate my practice however I want.

- “The House Witch” by Arin Murphy-Hiscock – A mix of folk magick, kitchen witchery, and personal spellwork. I honestly think this is a perfect one if you love to cook and using herbs but don’t want that Wicca structure integrated into it.

- “The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft” by Kelden – A blend of different magickal influences with a focus on traditional witchcraft. This one is perfect for those who are very new to the craft.

Which Path Speaks to You?

The beauty of magick is that there's no single "right" way to practice it. You may find yourself drawn to one style or a combination of several. Follow your intuition, explore different practices, and remember that magick is a deeply personal journey.

Which style of magic resonates with you the most? Let me know in the comments!