This is my paradigm for understanding and for categorizing Magick especially when pertaining to learning the practices, and understandings of it. This paradigm of categorization is inspired by the 4 classical elemental system, and is also inspired by the layout of the Temple of Witchcraft series by Christopher Penczak. This is a system of not only categorizing magic into four separate distinct categories that will be based off of the attributes of the magickal practice, but is also a learner’s guide for the general understanding of magick, and the occult.This understanding was first written about in my post on beginning your magickal journey, but will now be extrapolated on more in-depth here in order to flush out the paradigm, and to see more of what it covers. This entire post will pretty much be my personal understanding surrounding the categorization of magick as a whole.
The four categories of magick:
Pyrosophic, geosophic, hydrosophic, and aerosophic are the four names for the four categories of magick in the paradigm. The order in which that I believe they should be learned from my experience is pyrosophic, geosophic, hydrosophic, and then aerosophic. This is primarily, because I feel like the one that precedes always will flow nice, and evenly into the other. Always allowing a good jumping-off point, and a way of using what you learned in the previous category to advance what you are learning in the present one.
Pyrosophic:
Pyrosophic is associated to the element of fire, and the sun. Pyrosophic forms of magick, and understanding are fundamental, and active. They are sources that emanate outwards, and act as axioms, and supports for other knowledge, and practices. They are simple, but effective, and are the first things I believe a practitioner should know when they are starting out learning magick. Pyrosophic is very knowledge-based, and energetically based, and it is the foundation that we build upon all other knowledge. It is the first emanation of any particular knowledge, before it incorporates any other advanced features. It contains a lot of beginner information, and energy work.
Some pyrosophic practices, and understandings:
Journals (book of shadows, dream journal, book of shadows, book of mirrors)
Types of practitioners
Different magical and spiritual traditions
Categories of magick
Authentic thaumaturgy: the laws of magick
The Law Of Contiguity
The Law Of Continuous Association
The Law Of Contrast
The Law Of Least Resistance
The elements (fire, earth, water, air, spirit)
Understanding liminality
Understanding UPE, USPE, CE, UPG, USPG, CG, VPG, and Lore
Hermetic principles of the kybalion
Theurgy and Thaumaturgy
Magic Vs. Magick
Theories on how magick works
Planes of existence
Dimensions
The subtle bodies
(Masculine and feminine energy), and (yin and yang)
Magickal names
Understanding spiritual energy (chi, ki, Mana, PSI,)
Understanding magickal intention
Energetics system
Visualization
The Law Of Attraction
Centering
Grounding
Affirmations
Ki breathing
Psychic bubble of Light
Power hand, and receptive hand
Charging, and opening the energy centers in the hands
Energy Ball / Ki Ball / Psi Ball
Programming spiritual energy
Pushing, And Pulling Energy
Absorbing Energy
Seeing auras
Seeingenergy in the air
Energetic cleansing
Spiritual Energy Scanning
Telepathy
Energetic Blockages
Energetic Overflow
Energetic Burnout
Energetic processes
The kinesis
The Soul Star, and The Earth Star
Reiki level 1
Geosophic:
Geosophic is associated to the element of earth, and the planet mars. Geosophic are things that are a little bit more complicated, and work off the understandings that are figured out in pyrosophic. It takes the fundamental understandings, and gives you tools in order to advance what you already have. Geosophic builds upon the foundation that was solidified by pyrosophic, and makes it a little bit more complicated bringing in object, symbols, and correspondences to work with. A lot of forms of folk magic and thaumaturgy are going to be here in this category, because of its incorporation of tools, and symbols to manifest it’s desires
Some geosophic practices, and understandings:
Magickal tools
Crystal magick, and crystal correspondences
Herbs magick, herbalism, and herbs correspondences
Candle magick
Nature cycles, and lunar phases
Astrology
Color magick, and color magick correspondences
Taglocks, and magickal Links
Invoking, and banishing the pentagram
Invoking, and banishing the spiral
Casting, and closing a circle
Setting up an altar
Divination
Sigilcraft
Making your own spells, and rituals
Curses
Creating a wand
Creating a staff
Enchanting Items
Hex Bags, And Mojo Bags
Witches bottle
Crystal Grids
Gem Elixirs
Emoji Spells
Alphabet of Desire
Alphabet Of Binding
Reiki level 2 and 3
Numerology
Weather Magick
Lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram
Greater ritual of the pentagram
Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram
Greater Ritual of the Hexagram
Gnostic pentagram ritual
Hydrosophic:
Hydrosophic is associated to the element of water, and to the moon. Hydrosophic focuses on internal knowledge through the acts of meditation, and altered states of consciousness. It allows you to learn more about yourself, and the inner workings of you through the practices, and understandings that it holds. This encompasses everything that takes place within, and that interacts with the inner being that is you.
Some hydrosophic practices, and understandings:
Focus meditation
Clearing your mind meditation
Mindfulness meditation
Journey meditation
Shape-Shifting meditation
Finding your Sacred Space
Dream work
Create an Astral Temple
Spirit guides
Thought-forms
Communicating with your higher self
Past life regression
Shadow work
Daemonism
Soulmates
Twinflames
Internal Alchemy
Aerosophic:
Aerosophic is associated to the element of air, and is connected to the planet mercury. Aerosophic encompasses understandings, and the practices of theurgy, and the higher knowledge of the universe, and source. It is focused on understanding the outer world beyond the practitioner. This encompasses everything that takes place without, and looks for the higher meaning in the whole of reality.
Some aerosophic
practices, and understandings:
Triangle of Art (Solomonic triangle, Triangle of Evocation)
Occult Aspects 