Sexual Magick
Sexual Magick
By Mike Garofalo
Bibliography Glossary Home Links Quotations Resources Introduction Methodology
23 September 2010
Nearly everyone is interested in sexual activities, therefore numerous magicians, sorcerers, alchemists, mystics, and spiritual explorers have utilized the intense energy of sexual acts to enhance, enliven, amplify, direct, and focus their magickal activities. Ancient and modern religions all have beliefs, rules and taboos regarding sexual activities.
By "Magick" is meant using rituals, spells, prayers, sigils, signs, invocations, art, evocations, ceremonies, offerings, rites, celebrations, etc., to influence the present or future course of events to some advantage for the practitioner or practitioners. Some magicians and sorcerers utilize such magickal practices to achieve altered states of consciousness, special powers, mystical insights, and spiritual advancement and transformation. Frequently, but not necessarily, magick involves calling upon supernatural, astral, chthonic, nature spirits, or other spiritual beings or forces to assist the magician in accomplishing his intentions, fulfilling his Will, and realizing his objectives. Sexual magick involves using the power of sexual energy to assist with the magickal processes or acts, or using magick to improve or enhance sexual experiences.
In this webpage, it is assumed that the sexual activities used in sex magick are a solo practice by an adult, or sexual activities between consenting adults (women and/or men) who have reached the age of majority. Reasonable safe sex practices between adult sexual partners should always be observed to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and prevent pregnancy unless raising children is a commitment of the partners. Relations between free and consenting adults should be honest and truthful; and, sexual partners should agree on the sex magick practices. Magicians and sorcerers can equally be women or men, and the use of "he" in this webpage should be taken to mean a woman or a man, women and/or men.
Practitioners of sex magick should be fully aware of the customs, majority beliefs, and laws of their society regarding sexual acts and/or magick; and, to avoid serious problems, keep these spiritual endeavors a private practice between consenting adults. Many people have strong negative feelings and beliefs about sex and magick due to their monotheistic religious beliefs; therefore, it is best to keep your sexual magick practices secret. Nowadays, in many modern societies, where freedom is respected, where civil liberties are observed, and where liberal attitudes prevail, more openness is tolerated; however, this situation can change quickly, so caution and discretion are still advised.
There are two divergent paths with respect to the practice of sex magick. Some discourage sexual activity, and others encourage sexual activity. Those that discourage sexual activity tell us not to masturbate, be celibate, don't orgasm, don't have premarital sex, and limit one's sexual activity to relations between a husband and wife, legally married, and only for purposes of procreation. Sexual activity is frowned upon, considered animalistic, licentious, immoral, and sinful, and regarded as totally inappropriate for spiritual and/or religious progress. Generally, magicians and mystics from Christian, Buddhist, and Islamic backgrounds favor this approach. At the other end of the spectrum, we have more open-minded and experimental magicians and mystics who utilize a variety of types of sexual activity: masturbation, heterosexual and homosexual sex acts, polymory, Tantra, and kinky or fetish activity. They favor a view of the Body as Sacred, and sexual pleasure and erotic ecstasy as a gift of the gods - a view shared by the author of this webpage. Those that discourage sexuality, sometimes called followers of the Right Hand Path, are in the majority and, unfortunately, they frequently attempt to impose their views on others via secular/religious laws that restrict or prohibit various sexual or magical activities. Those that encourage sexuality, followers of the Left Hand Path, are in the minority and tend to keep their sexual and magickal activities hidden, and mind their own business, so as to avoid harassment or punishment from the prudes and "True Believers" of the world.
Sexual activities are inherently mysterious, marvelous, mind-altering, and magical. Sexual excitement produces a unique and profound altered state of consciousness; and, orgasm and ejaculation are often associated with bliss, ecstasy, euphoria, wonder, liberation, mystical reveries, and joy. Sometimes orgasm has been called the "little death" because of its transformative effects. Since the ability to focus, concentrate, and create a fantasy are essential to successful solo sex, it is no surprise that the use of intentionality and fantasy in magick are sometimes linked with sexuality. Also, unquestionably, the use of magick to obtain sexual partners and sexual satisfaction is an ubiquitous phenomenon, e.g., love spells.
The emotion of "love" is a complex topic. Some types of love are not sexual in nature; but many are closely related to sexuality. The power of love, the intense energy created by love, the connection of loving and creativity, fertility rituals, and the varied symptoms and psychological manifestations of love are intertwined with the kind of desire and intentionality that are essential to implementing magickal powers. One influential magus of the 20th century, with a voracious sexual appetite, Aleister Crowley, advocated Thelemic principles such as "Love is the law, love under will; and, do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law."
Solo masturbation is the most common type of sex act utilized in sex magick. Solo masturbation is safe, harmless, free, pleasurable, and private. All sexual magick practitioners and authorities have provided information on the use of solo masturbation in sexual magick activities and rituals.
Heterosexual relations are the second most frequently occurring type of sexual activity used in sex magick. Numerous books, articles, internet resources, and groups exist which provide information on how to use the sexual energy between heterosexual lovers to accomplish magickal and mystical workings. Most erotic activities of heterosexual couples are also engaged in by homosexual couples (gay or lesbian).
BDSM "sexual" relations, kinky sex, and fetishism are a fertile ground for creative activities to use in sexual magick and mysticism. In the past forty years, small and courageous publishers in free countries, and the Internet, have provided us with considerable valuable information and anecdotes regarding how kinky sexuality is used in spirituality and magick. Historically, many of the practices of contemporary BDSM were also used by members of religious cults: flagellation, fasting, kneeling, sacrifice, piercing, ritual ordeals, pain, strict obedience, discipline, etc..
Before I discuss various techniques and procedures for the practice of sex magick, I need to outline the kind of mental viewpoints, attitudes, and philosophy that one should consider adopting to improve one's chances for success in the practice of sexual magick.
1. Knowledge of sex magick requires actual practice, real actions, bodily experiments, and carnal experience. We know by doing, not by thinking about doing. The emphasis must be on experiential learning, rather than on conceptual understanding. You must be physically able to become erotically aroused, or sexually excite someone else. [Dawn and Flowers, 2001, p. 27-9
2. Be open to alternative interpretations and multiple explanations. Don't over-emphasize logical thinking, either/or options, or true/false dichotomies. Remain mentally flexible. Complexity is closer to the truth in these matters of the flesh and spirit. Adopt a pluralistic viewpoint. Be more open-minded and creative in your thinking. [Easton and Hardy, 2004, pp. 24-25].
3. Be careful of over-reliance on and uncritical acceptance of "authorities" and "experts." Consider a variety of viewpoints. Research the backgrounds, training, qualifications, and experience of the "experts" you are using as guides in the practice of sexual magick. Also, don't dismiss the viewpoints of a possible sex magick guide just because they don't share your religion, or their personal or moral lives don't meet your "higher" standards of behavior, or their sexual preferences are not your favorites.
4. As above so below, and as below so above. Physical rituals involving the body and senses impact the mental, astral, and spiritual realms. Likewise, thoughts, intentions, and spiritual insights impact the physical body and senses. There are casual relationships between multiple realms of being that don't correspond to what we normally understand as material causality in the scientific sense. These relationships are not fully understood by the rational mind, but pragmatic results need to be carefully heeded.
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Sex Magick, Sex Magic, Sexual Alchemy, Spirituality and Sex
Bibliography, Links, Glossary, Resources
Adamu: Luciferian Tantra and Sex Magick. By Michael W. Ford. Illustrated by Elda Isela Ford. Succubus Publishing, 2006. 196 pages. ISBN: 1411690656.
All Magick
is Sex Magick. By Donald Michael Kraig.
Aphrodite:
Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty Aphrodite
(Greek) = Venus (Roman)
April: Poetry,
Quotations, Lore, Fertility Rituals
The Art of Sexual Ecstasy: The Path of Sacred Sexuality for Western Lovers.
By Margot Anand and M. E. Naslednikov. Illustrated by leandra Hussey.
Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1989. 450 pages. ISBN: 0874775817.
The Art
of Sexual Magic. By Margot Anand. Tarcher, 1996. 384
pages. ISBN: 0874778409.
Atavism to
Zos: Spare's Philosophy and Magic. By Mark Plinkington.
Austin Osman
Spare and His Theory of Sigils. By Frater U:.D:.
BDSM Index - Wikipedia
BDSM Themes = bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism, dominant
and submissive, flagellation, kinky sex, ordeals, sexual slavery, fetishism.
Book of
Pleasure (self-love): The Psychology of Ecstasy. By Austin O. Spare.
Book of
Results. By Ray Sherwin. Lulu.com, 1978, 2005. 88 pages.
ISBN: 1411625587.
Carnal
Alchemy: A Sado-Magical Exploration of Pleasure, Pain, and
Self-Transformation. By Crystal Dawn and Stephen Flowers.
Second revised and expanded edition. Smithville, Texas, Runa-Raven
Press, 1995, 2001. ISBN:1885972040. BDSM Themes. VSCL.
The
Celibate Seeker: An Exploration of Celibacy as a Modern Spiritual Practice.
By Shawn Nevins. TAT Foundation, 2009. 58 pages. ISBN:
0979963036.
Celtic Sex Magic: For Couples, Groups and Solitary Practitioners. By
John G. Hughes. Destiny Books, 2001. 240 pages. ISBN:
0892819081.
Chaos Magick: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations,
Notes
Conjugal Spirituality: The Primacy of Mutual Love in the Christian Tradition.
By Mary anne McPherson Oliver. Sheed and Ward, 1994. 170 pages.
ISBN: 1556123124.
Crowley and Sex Magick. By Vadge
Moore. Christ, the Templars, OTO, and Crowley.
Dark
Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM and the Ordeal Path. By Raven Kaldera.
Photographs by Bridgett Harrington. Lulu Press, 2006. 438
pages. ISBN: 1847288928. BDSM Themes, Neo-Pagan rituals. VSCL.
Dionysus
(Bacchus) - Wikipedia
Dreaming the Dark: Magic, Sex, and Politics. By Starhawk. Beacon
Press, 1997. 15th anniversary edition. 280 pages. ISBN:
0807010375. Starhawk is an excellent and popular author on topics such as
witchcraft and magic.
Ecstasy Through Tantra. By Jonn Mumford. Llwellyn Pubs., 2002.
208 pages. ISBN: 0875424945.
Ecstatic Ritual: Practical Sex Magic. By Brandy Williams. Megalithica Books, 2nd Edition, 2008. 148 pages. ISBN: 1905713258.
The
Enochian World of Aleister Crowley: Enochian Sex Magic by Aleister Crowley,
Lon Milo DuQuette, Christopher S. Hyatt. Illustrated by David P. Wilson.
Original Falcon Press, 2009. 160 pages. ISBN: 1935150278.
FetLife: BDSM and Fetish Community
Freyja:
Lady of Magic, Sexuality and Battle
Gardner, Gerald (1884-1964) Scire. Founder of modern Gardnerian Witchcraft.
Gods of
Love and Ecstasy: The Traditions of Shiva and Dionysus. By Alain
Danielou. Inner Traditions, 1992. 264 pages. ISBN: 0892813741.
High
Magic: Theory and Practice. By Frater U.:D.:. Llewellyn Pubs.,
2005. 480 pages. ISBN: 0738704717. VSCL.
Introduction to Sex Magic (PDF, 24
pages). HTML.
By Anja Heij.
Joy of
Solo Sex. By Harold Litten. Mobile, Alabama, Factor Press, 1993.
193 pages. ISBN: 0962653144. VSCL.
June: Poetry,
Quotations, Lore, Fertility Rituals
July: Poetry,
Quotations, Lore, Fertility Rituals
Kink
Magic. By Taylor Ellwood and Lupa. Megalithica Books,
2007. 232 pages. ISBN: 1905713118. BDSM Themes. VSCL.
Lords
of the Left Hand Path. By Stephen E. Flowers. Runa-Raven, 1997.
2nd Edition. 260 pages. ISBN: 1885972083.
Love, Sex and Magic: Exploring the Spiritual Union Between Male and Female.
By Sirona Knight. Citadel, 2000. 224 pages. ISBN: 0806520434.
Love
Under Will: Sexuality, Magic and Liberation. By Phil Hine.
A
Manual of Sex Magick. Edited by Louis Culling. St. Paul,
Minnesota, Llewellyn Publications, 1971.
May: Poetry,
Quotations, Lore, Fertility Rituals
Modern
Sex Magick: Secrets of Erotic Spirituality. By Donal Michael Kraig.
Minnesota, Llewellyn Publications, 2002. Bibliography, index, 400 pages.
ISBN: 1567183948. One chapter on BDSM themes. VSCL.
More
Joy: An Advanced Guide to Solo Sex. By Harold Litten. Mobile,
Alabama, Factor Press, 1996. 190 pages. ISBN: 0962653187.
VSCL.
The
New Flesh: Sexuality, Magic and Transformation.
Essays by Phil Hine
New
Flesh Palladium. By Robert North. 2007 edition.
O.T.O. Rituals and Sex Magic. By Theodor Reuss and Aleister Crowley.
Edited and complied by A.R. Naylor. 498 pages. ISBN:
1872189938.
Download Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
The
Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power. By Alain Danielou.
Inner Traditions, 1995. 128 pages. ISBN: 0892815566.
Practicing
Sex Magic. By Anja Heij.
Randolph, Paschal Beverly
Randolph (1825-1975)
Reich, Wilhelm
Reich (1897-1957)
Radical
Ecstasy. By Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy. Oakland,
California, Greenery Press, 2004. 215 pages. ISBN: 189015962X. BDSM
Themes. VSCL.
Red
Book: Aberrations in Sex Magic. Volumes 1: Principes de Convoitise.
By Joshua Seraphim and Soror Laailah. Leilah Publications, 2009. 76
pages. ISBN: 1449956475. There are also Volumes 2 and 3 of the Red
Book.
Relgion and Sexuality
- Wikipedia
Rites of Pleasure: Sexuality in Wicca and Neo-Paganism. By Jennifer
Hunter. Citadel, 2004. 240 pages. ISBN:
0806525843.
Sacred
Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond. By Lee Harrington.
Lulu Press, 2009. 420 pages. ISBN: 055721176X. BDSM Themes.
Sacred
Pleasure: Sex, Myth, and the Politics of the Body. By Diane T. Eisler.
ISBN: 0062502832.
Sacred
Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage. By Tim Alan
Gardner. Waterbrook Press, 2002. 240 pages. ISBN: 1578564611.
A Christian perspective on sexuality and the holy life.
Sacred
Sex Rituals: Aphrodite's Temple BDSM Themes.
Sacred Sex: Sexuality,
Liberation and Consciousness
Satanic
Bible. by Anton Szandor Lavey. Avon Books, 1976. 272
pages. ISBN: 0380015390. There are numerous other books on rituals
and magic by this popular author, and even Satan's followers enjoy sex magic.
Schrek, Zeena (1963-)
Interview
Zeena Galatea Schreck (née
LaVey)
Secrets of Western Sex Magic: Magical Energy and Gnostic Trance. By Fater U.:D.:. Llewellyn Pubs., 3rd Edition, 2001. 240 pages.
ISBN: 1567187064.
Sex and
Magic. By Fra.:Apfelmann.
Sex and Sex
Magick: Liber Conjunctus/Liber Two, By Nigris, O'
Sex and
Spirituality: Ecstasy, Ritual and Taboo. By Clifford Bishop.
Thorsons, 2004. 184 pages. ISBN: 0007692609.
Sex for
One: The Joy of Self-Loving. By Betty Dodson. Three Rivers
Press, 1996. 208 pages. ISBN: 0517886073.
Sex
God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality.
By Rob Bell. Zondervan, 2008. 208 pages. ISBN: 0310280672.
Sex Magic Primer. By Don Webb.
Sex
Magic, Tantra and Tarot: The Way of the Secret Lover. By Christopher
S. Hyatt and Lon Milo DuQuette. New Falcon Publications, 2008. Third
revised and expanded edition. 192 pages. ISBN: 1561840440.
Sexuality, Magic and Perversion.
By Francis King. Feral House, 2002. 207 pages. ISBN:
0922915741.
Sexual
Magick in the 19th Century: Paschal Beverly Randolph. By T. Allen
Greenfield.
Sexual
Sorcery: A Complete Guide to Sex Magic. By Jason Augustus Newcomb.
New York, Weiser Books, 2005. 240 pages. ISBN:
1578633303. I find this book one of the most useful
introductions to the practice of sex magick. Includes quite detailed and
informative writing on practical rituals. VSCL.
Shiva:
The Wild God of Power and Ecstasy. By Wolf-Deiter Storl, Ph.D.
Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions, 2004. Index, notes, bibliography,
296 pages. ISBN: 159477014X. VSCL.
Sigils - The Art
of Magick A Powerpoint presentation.
Sigils - Invested Belief in
Altering Reality
The
Spirituality of Sex. By J. Harold Ellens. Praeger, 2009.
185 pages. ISBN: 0313362610.
The
Spirituality of Sex. By Michael Schwartzentruber, Lois Huey-Heck, and
Mary Millerd. Northstone, 2009. 160 pages. ISBN: 1896836909.
Taboo:
Sex, Religion and Magick. By Christopher S. Hyatt and Lon Milo
DuQuette. New Falcon Publications, 2001. 2nd Edition. 224
pages. ISBN: 1561841609.
Taoist Sexual Practices - Wikipedia
Temple of the Darkside
Goddess
Thelemapedia: The Encyclopedia of Thelema and Magick
Trance-Formation (The Cosmic Tao of the Sexes). By Matthew Webb.
VSCL = Valley Spirit Center Library, Red
Bluff, California
Weor, Samael Aun (1917-1977), Víctor Manuel Gómez Rodríguez
The Ultimate Male
Masturbation Resource
Uncle
Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path. By Don Webb and
Stephen E. Flowers. Runa Raven Press, 1999. ISBN: 1885972105.
Explanation of the Temple of Set philosophy: individualism, constructive
antinomianism, radical transformation beyond good and evil.
Urban
Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leather Sexuality. By Geoff Mains.
San Francisco, Gay Sunshine Press, 1984. 20th Anniversary Edition,
Daedalus Pub., 2002. Footnotes, 185 pages. ISBN: 1881943186.
Gay BDSM Themes. When I first read this book in 1985 I was impressed with
the authors attempt to explain the biochemical physiological basis of
masochistic pleasure, and the "spiritual" aspects of the leathermen he
describes. VSCL.
Venus:
Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. Aphrodite (Greek) = Venus (Roman)
The
Yoni: Sacred Symbol of Female Creative Power. By Rufus C. Camphausen.
Inner Traditions, 1996. 134 pages. ISBN: 0892815620.
Witch in the Bedroom: Proven Sexual Magic. By Stacey Demarco.
Llewellyn Publications, 2006. 312 pages. ISBN: 0738708445.
Return to the Main Index of this Webpage
Gustav Klimt, 1862-1918
Kiss of the Whole World
Quotations
Sex Magick, Sexual Magick, Sexual
Alchemy, Sexuality and Spirituality
"Without auto-erotic practice it is impossible to achieve anything in sex
magic! Auto-eroticism is of central importance because it is the ideal
practice and playground. It constitutes a powerful technique in itself,
and it makes us independent of partners. Especially in the beginning it is much
easier to explore, prolong and amplify orgasmic trance states. For this
very same reason it is possible to do effective sex magic with a partner who
knows nothing about it, but working with a partner who is equally trained in
this art is ever so much more effective. Most amateurs believe that sexual
magic is something that solely happens between partners in a ritual, but in
reality the vast majority of sex magical arts are performed auto-erotically."
- Fra.: Apfelmann,
Sex and Magic
"Sex magick means using your sexuality in order to work
magick. This technique is not new nor outrageous; although usually kept secret
many esoteric systems use sexuality for spiritual and magical aims. Examples of
such traditions are witchcraft, shamanism, alchemy, Buddhist and Hinduist tantra
and ancient Egyptian religion. A probably more known form of sex magick is the
ceremonial sexual union of man and woman on the land to ensure a good crop.
Their fertility act should encourage the land to deliver a rich harvest. Western
sex magick has its roots in Hebrew kabbalah and is spread further through
several occult doctrines like the knights Templar and the free masons. Nowadays
sex magick is a beautiful way of giving sex back its rightful place of sacred
sexuality. It is a firm invitation to leave the trail of the sneaky,
hidden-in-the-dark and 'sinful' sex most of us have grown up with. It is a call
to stop fighting this most powerful human force and to make use of its
possibilities. Since sexuality is a gift from God/the Goddess it has to be
divine. Within an open and respectful sexual relationship we can experience
ourselves in all our aspects: the animal part, the human part and the divine
flame within. Thus the beast-man-God is connected, as well as the
beast-woman-Goddess. During sexual arousal an enormous amount of energy can be
channeled upwards from the genitals along the spine to the top of the head. On
its way up this energy fills and cleans blockages in the chakras, caused by
emotional and psychological wounds. This explains why several spiritual paths
view sexual yoga as a shortcut to enlightenment."
- Anja Heij,
Introduction to Sex Magic
"Dionysus or Dionysos (Greek:
Διόνυσος or Διώνυσος) is the ancient Greek
god
of wine, the god
who inspires ritual madness and
ecstasy,
and a major figure of
Greek mythology.
He is included as one of the
twelve Olympians
in some lists. Dionysus is typical of the god of the
epiphany,
"the god that comes". He was also known as Bacchus, the name adopted by
the
Romans and the frenzy he induces, bakkheia. In addition to
winemaking,
he is the patron deity of
agriculture and the
theater. He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios),
freeing one from one's normal self, by madness, ecstasy or wine. The divine
mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music of the
aulos and to
bring an end to care and worry. Scholars have discussed Dionysus'
relationship to the "cult of the souls" and his ability to preside over
communication between the living and the dead."
- Dionysus
"Sex magic or Sex magick is a term for various types of
sexual activity used in
magical,
ritualistic,
or otherwise
religious and
spiritual pursuits. One application of sex magic is using the energy of
sexual arousal and/or orgasm to visualize an image of a desired result. A
premise of sex magic is the concept that the sexual energy is the most potent
force the body contains, and harnessing the unique states that arise through
sexual activity may provide an experiential conduit for the
transcendence of an individual's normally perceived
reality.
One application of sex magic concerns the use of the
orgasm, as some
practitioners base their use of sex upon the power that they believe the
orgasmic release contains. An example of this type of sex magic is the
Great Rite
of Wicca, a
ritual that involves either symbolic or actual
sexual
intercourse and orgasm. This union between the
High Priestess and the
High Priest can represent the union between the Maiden
Goddess and
the Lover God.
English author and
occultist
Aleister Crowley
used and wrote about sex magick in relationship to his religion and belief
system, Thelema,
and also used the orgasm as a magical tool. According to author
Samael Aun Weor
and other practitioners, not having an orgasm is preferred, even for periods of
months or years, and their form of sex magick is to mentally direct all of the
sexual energy created during a
mutual
or solo
sexual act into what they believe are higher forms of
creativity
and
spiritual energy."
- Sex Magic -
Wikipedia
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By Mike
Garofalo
One Druid's Journey: The Notebooks of the Green Wizard
Eight Sacred Times of the Year
Cloud Hands: Mind-Body Movement Arts
