Magic, like any other art or practice, can be divided into categories based on its ethical implications. The concept of ethical magic refers to the practice of magic that is aligned with moral principles and values, focusing on using magic to promote good and positive outcomes. On the other hand, unethical magic refers to the use of magic for harmful or negative purposes, disregarding ethical considerations. Ethical magic encompasses practices such as healing, protection, and spiritual enlightenment. Practitioners of ethical magic strive to use their abilities and knowledge to bring about positive change and upliftment for themselves and others. They adhere to a code of ethics that emphasizes respect for free will, non-interference in the lives of others, and the importance of using magic responsibly.
They adhere to a code of ethics that emphasizes respect for free will, non-interference in the lives of others, and the importance of using magic responsibly. In contrast, unethical magic involves practices such as manipulation, control, and harm. Those who engage in unethical magic often seek to gain power, control, or personal gain at the expense of others.
Radical Pantheist: Defining Unethical Magic
Witches, pagans and muggles alike need to stop using the terms “black magic” and “dark magic,” because they oversimplify conversations around magical ethics and enforce problematic stereotypes.
Black and dark are not synonyms for bad. In a piece titled That Old Black Magic: Getting Specific about Magical Ethics, author Judy Harrow explains how the usage of these terms is problematic.
“Saying ‘black’ when we mean ‘evil’ is nasty nonsense,” wrote Harrow. “In the first place, it reinforces the racist stereotypes that corrupt our society. And that’s not all. Whenever we say ‘black’ instead of ‘bad,’ we repeat again the big lie that darkness is wrong. It isn’t, as people who profess to love Nature should know. Darkness can mean the inside of the womb, and the seed germinating within the Earth, and the chaos that gives rise to all truly new beginnings. In our myths, the one who goes down to the underworld returns with the treasure. Even death, to the Wiccan understanding, is well-earned rest and comfort, and a preparation for new birth. Using ‘black’ to mean ‘bad’ is a blasphemy against the Crone.”
“Using ‘black’ to mean ‘bad’ is a blasphemy against the Crone.” Image via Pexels.
Traditionally, people use these terms to refer to negative or unethical forms of magic, generally spells that impact the free will of others, spells meant to cause harm, spells to restrict or control the actions of others and spells that involve invoking spirits traditionally seen as negative. Yet it’s not always so easily cut and dried.
What is Unethical Magic?
One could say all magic impacts others’ free will and decision making, and this is undeniably true to an extent, but clearly all magic isn’t unethical. When it comes to using ethically-questionable magic, there are cases of protection and self-defense and there are cases of manipulation and revenge.
As with any type of magic, the intent is everything. Let’s go through some specific examples and examine the ethics involved.
Person X casts a spell to bestow career success and financial stability on their unaware friend.
Obviously here the intention is positive, so I would expect the energy Person X receives back and the spell’s results to be relatively positive. Still, some say it is wrong because Person X did not get consent from their friend, infringing on their free will. The specifics of the spell also matter. Did person X wish their friend general career success, or did person X focus on a specific career, potentially ensuring their friend will only gain success in that specific career, one they may wish to change?
Person X, after seeing pictures of their ex on a date, casts a spell to make their ex come back.
Even if the intention is to bring them both happiness, the nature of this spell is very manipulative. Many people question if it is even true love if you hexed someone to fall for you, and it would seem the intent of this spell is rooted in jealousy, which would not yield positive energetic results.
Let’s say person X is feeling extremely depressed, like they can’t live without their ex, and desperately casts this spell to make life more enjoyable again.
It’s still manipulative, but the intention is not to cause harm. Using magic, in this case, would be irresponsible, not necessarily evil or bad.
Person X casts a spell to cause harm to their ex after they broke up in a trivial fight.
Clearly, the intent is negative and done in anger in this example. For me, this is the definition of unethical magic.
Person X casts a spell to cause harm to their ex, who sexually and emotionally abused them.
Again, there are often blurry lines between what magic is considered negative and what isn’t. In cases like these, the use of magic to inflict pain is very understandable and relatable, but that does not make it ethical. In these cases, I don’t wish negative karma on the spellcasters, but I fear it may be an energetic consequence of their magical actions since they are based in revenge. Of course, this is no comparison to the karma the abuser will face. And to be clear – abusers always deserve to suffer consequences.
Energetic consequences might be severe. Photo by it’s me neosiam via Pexels.
Person X casts a spell intending to kill a well-known billionaire war criminal.
I feel like I wrote this example to challenge myself. This is another case where I understand the intention and the anger behind it, but believe the energetic consequences might be severe. Would his death prevent the deaths of countless others? Is the existence of a mega-powerful billionaire class inherently evil and violent? The answers are yes. So, it’s about intention. Is the intent to cause immense suffering to the billionaire – understandable, but again based in unethical revenge – or to liberate the people he exploits?
Person X casts a spell to bind a person’s ability to buy the house next door because Person X prefers the silence.
Spells like these are self-serving and petty. Person X’s desire for silence is not more important than others’ ability to find a secure home. An empty house should not go to waste in a world with so many homeless people.
Person X casts a spell to bind the actions of a well-known billionaire war criminal.
The intent of this spell is not to cause harm, but rather to prevent those in power from causing or contributing to harm. Binding spells placed on dangerous individuals in the name of safety are extremely reasonable. Even though they infringe on free will, I support mass political binding spells and don’t believe they should cause much, if any, negative energetic repercussions on spellcasters.
Person X invokes a very violent spirit without adequately containing it in order to gain tremendous wealth.
This is unethical because it endangers any innocent bystanders and is the intent is inherently self-serving at the expense of others.
Person X invokes a non-violent demon and enlists the spirit’s help to enact revenge.
Again, some revenge is petty and some is born of valid anger, but I would say this is still textbook unethical. I understand and support why Person X would want a spirit to seek revenge on a rapist, even though it could create bad karma. Seeking revenge on a mean coworker is clearly wrong.
Metaphysicians have interacted with all sorts of spirits for ages. Image by freestocks.org via Pexels.
Person X invokes an aggressive spirit in order to study it and adequately contains it.
For me this is ethical. There is no malintent here. Metaphysicians have interacted with all sorts of spirits for ages, and it’s how they learn.
Person X invokes a violent spirit to ward off hexes or viruses.
While this can be dangerous, I wouldn’t call it unethical. The actions here only affect Person X and are not intended to cause harm.
These examples demonstrate just how blurry the lines are between what one considers positive and negative magic, and why lumping several types of magic together under the title “dark magic” is problematic and inaccurate. When doing any task, it benefits to ask “what is my intention?” and “what are the consequences?”
I'm sure there are other questions to be asked here, and equally sure that they will be asked as this thread progresses. I just figured this was a subject worth exploring.
This includes acts such as casting spells to manipulate someone's thoughts or emotions, using magic to cause harm or injury, or engaging in practices that infringe upon the free will of others. One of the key distinctions between ethical and unethical magic lies in the intention behind the practice. Ethical magic seeks to align with the greater good and to promote harmony and balance in the universe. The aim is to work in cooperation with the natural flow of energy and to respect the boundaries and autonomy of all beings. Unethical magic, on the other hand, is driven by selfish desires, personal gain, or a desire for power and control. It disregards the impact on others and the potential negative consequences of its actions. It may temporarily achieve results, but often at the cost of creating disharmony, karmic repercussions, and negative energy. It is important to note that the classification of magic as ethical or unethical is not absolute or fixed. Context and individual perspectives can influence the categorization of a particular magical practice. What may be considered ethical in one cultural or spiritual context may be seen as unethical in another. Therefore, it is crucial for practitioners of magic to reflect on their intentions and the potential impact of their actions. They must strive to engage in magic that is aligned with their personal values and ethical principles, while being mindful of the consequences it may have on others. In conclusion, ethical magic aims to bring about positive change, healing, and spiritual growth, while unethical magic focuses on manipulation, harm, and personal gain. The intentions behind the practice play a vital role in determining whether magic is ethical or unethical. Practitioners should be aware of the consequences of their actions and strive to use magic responsibly and in alignment with their personal values and ethical beliefs..
Reviews for "The Role of Ethics in Magic: A Comparative Analysis of Various Perspectives"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Ethical vs unethical magic" as I am a big fan of fantasy and magic novels. However, I found this book to be a disappointment. The concept of exploring the ethics of magic was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and the storyline felt predictable. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Overall, it was a lackluster read that failed to deliver on its promising premise.
2. Sarah Smith - 1 star - I was expecting "Ethical vs unethical magic" to be a thought-provoking and morally complex novel, but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. The plot itself was predictable and lacked originality, not offering any surprises or twists. The writing style was also quite simplistic, which didn't do justice to the depth of the ethical questions raised. Overall, I was left unimpressed and frustrated with this book.
3. Emma Thompson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Ethical vs unethical magic," but it turned out to be a disappointment. The concept of exploring the ethical implications of magic in a fantasy world was interesting, but the execution felt superficial. The characters lacked depth and were often inconsistent in their motivations. The plot was predictable, and there were missed opportunities to delve into more complex moral dilemmas. While the writing was decent, it couldn't compensate for the shortcomings in the story and characterization. Ultimately, it fell short of its potential and left me wanting more.