Have you ever lit a candle, whispered an incantation, and watched something uncannily fitting happen days later? Was it magic, or just a well-timed coincidence? In the world of esoteric practice, we are trained to notice patterns, to read signs, to find meaning where others see randomness. But what if some of those connections aren’t what they seem? What if we’re mistaking correlation for causation, and calling it magic?

In this video, we’re diving into the most seductive illusion in both magic and conspiracy thinking: the leap from “this happened” to “I caused it.” Drawing on philosophy, psychology, and the history of occult thought, we’ll explore why our brains are wired to see patterns, how magical fallacies take root, and how to practise with both conviction and discernment. If you want to refine your craft, sharpen your thinking, and avoid the traps that turn meaningful magic into wishful thinking, stay with me. This might just be the most important spell you ever learn.

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RECOMMENDED READINGS 📖

REFERENCES 📚

Barkun, M. (2013). A culture of conspiracy: Apocalyptic visions in contemporary America (2nd ed.). University of California Press.

Boyer, P. (2001). Religion explained: The evolutionary origins of religious thought. Basic Books. (Hachette Book Group)

Bruno, G. (1986). De magia; De vinculis in genere (A. Biondi, Ed.). Biblioteca dell’Immagine. (Original work published 1590). (philpapers.org)

Conrad, K. (1958). Die beginnende Schizophrenie: Versuch einer Gestaltanalyse des Wahns. Georg Thieme. (PubMed)

Corbin, H. (1972). Mundus imaginalis, or the imaginary and the imaginal. Spring, 1972, 1–19. Spring Publications. (springpublications.com)

Dukes, R. (2001). SSOTBME: An essay on magic (Rev. ed.). The Mouse That Spins. (splendorsolisbooks.com)

Evans-Pritchard, E. E. (1937). Witchcraft, oracles and magic among the Azande. Clarendon Press. (Wikipedia)

Hanegraaff, W. J. (2012). Esotericism and the academy: Rejected knowledge in Western culture. Cambridge University Press. (Cambridge Assets)

Hui, Y. (2016). The question concerning technology in China: An essay in cosmotechnics. Urbanomic. (urbanomic.com)

Hume, D. (1748). An enquiry concerning human understanding. A. Millar. (davidhume.org)

Hutton, R. (1999). The triumph of the moon: A history of modern Pagan witchcraft. Oxford University Press. (cmc.marmot.org)

Jung, C. G. (1960). Synchronicity: An acausal connecting principle (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton University Press. (cmc.marmot.org)

Kripal, J. J. (2006). The serpent’s gift: Gnostic reflections on the study of religion. University of Chicago Press. (University of Chicago Press)

Latour, B. (1993). We have never been modern (C. Porter, Trans.). Harvard University Press. (Original work published 1991). (hup.harvard.edu)

Midgley, M. (2001). Science and poetry. Routledge. (Routledge)

Popper, K. (1959). The logic of scientific discovery. Hutchinson. (philotextes.info)

Stenger, V. J. (2009). Quantum gods: Creation, chaos, and the search for cosmic consciousness. Prometheus Books. (Simon & Schuster)

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