Magic as an Academic Field

Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley

famously stated that Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with WillMagick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will

Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will


–Aleister Crowley, Book 4, Part III

This is a famous quote from Aleister Crowley, and for good reason. The...
. I am not sure I entirely agree with him. Does magic necessitate change? I am not sure. However I do agree with his assessment that MagicMagic

What is Magic

A taxonomy of Magical Techniques
The central operation of Magic is the alignment of the magician with their true will
Magic is still necessary]...
is both an art and a science. Magic is a science in the way that a classical painter is a sort of scientist. In art there are theories that can be applied to create illusions of depth and form and light. In magic there exist also theories which can be applied to create other desired effects (and affects).

Magic as artform can be created as a fine art or an applied art - we can study its applications in culture similar to folk art.

Magic as a broader field of study is rich and wide and I am surprised at its exclusion from the academic world. My dream is to see Magic treated with the same rigor and breadth as Art and Art History.

This line of thinking leads to considering possible curriculum for a degree in Magic and Ritual. Here is a rough idea of what that curriculum could look like

b.f.a in Magic and Ritual Performance

  • History of Western Magical Traditions
  • World Religions and Mysticism
  • A focus on a single cultural expression of folk magic
  • credit hours in 101 level theater courses
  • credit hours in any arts field
  • Anthropology
  • Semiotics
  • psychology
  • anthropology of ritual and symbol
  • modern applications of ritual
  • technical writing
  • science fundamentals (the scientific method and the ideas of academic rigor)
  • philosophy

For the keystone project the student would have to create a symbol set (or use an existing one) and demonstrate proficiency with applying the symbol set in ritual performance or installation piece. The intended effect of the ritual should be clearly defined- and the results should be tracked and tested. The final assessment will be both on the aesthetics of the performance or installation, the thesis statement and demonstrated knowledge of the chosen symbol set, and of the record and paper written on the results of the ritual.