Sex+Magic


 * __Sex Magic__**

Sex magic refers to the spiritual and ritualistic motivations for sex. It is esoterically believed that the features of sex can be utilized to connect with a higher being. The premise of sex magic is that the strength of sexual energy is not easily matched, and can be harnessed and funneled into prayers and/or rituals (Trull, 2007).
 * //Definition//**

It is important to know the proper motivations of sex magic. Some confuse link the term “sex magic” with Tantric sex. Sex magic’s motivation is religious with intentions of connecting with a god or gods on a deeper level in order to achieve a level of command. While Tantric sex is usually about harnessing sexual energy to enhance one’s sexual experience.
 * //Theology and Misconception//**

“By //sexual magic// I mean not simply the use of sexual union as a metaphor for spiritual experience but, rather, the explicit use of sexual intercourse and genital orgasm as a source of creative magical power that can be harnessed and manipulated by the practitioner ” (Urban, 2004). Typically the practitioner is somewhat of a “sex shaman” with religious motivation. Let us not confuse sex magic with fictional magic. Magic simply refers to the utilization of the intense energies of sex for spiritual purposes.

**//Origin//** Paschal Beverly Randolph is noted as the pioneer of sex magic. Randolph was born in 1825 as a free colored man in Virginia. He traveled to Europe as a young adult. There he studied Rosicrucianism, a secret society whose ideas are built on esoteric beliefs incorporating spirituality and the universe. Those beliefs guided Randolph’s pursuits and are the basic foundation for the concept of sex magic (Yronwode, 2003). Randolph claimed that “'true Sex-power is God-power', and stressed orgasm as 'the most intense and powerful experience in human life, for it is the moment when the soul is suddenly opened to the divine realm and the breath of God infuses life into this world'” (Pearson, 2005). It is with these theories that the basis of sex magic is built on.

Wicca refers to the religious cult of modern witchcraft, esp. an initiatory tradition founded in England in the mid 20th century and claiming its origins in pre-Christian pagan religions. According to Pearson, there are two sides to Wicca. There is a dark side and a light side. The dark side consists of sacrifices, dangerous sexual acts, and other coercive practices. The light side, or “white-washed Wicca” is “invoke the allure of Witchcraft, retaining its dark and sexual connotations and, importantly, its aura of power, elements of the Western Christian stereotype of the witch constructed in the fourteenth century and embellished ever since” (Pearson, 2005).
 * //Wicca//**

Wicca is influenced by the work of Aleister Crowley, an English mystic and ceremonial magician. Similarly to how Randolph emphasizes the power of sex as being “God-power”, Crowley sees experiencing orgasm and sexual pleasure as the key to magical power. He believes so strongly in this power that he defines it as cosmic with no bounds.

Magic is mainly motivated by command, and having control over one’s self and the environment; this can be specified to achieve a certain goal or fulfill an ambition. For example, Webb claims that one of the first things people use power for is self-change. The idea is to use the powerful, sexual experiences as forces to drive a person to better himself (Webb, 1995).
 * //Motivations//**

This is also where the idea of “dark magic” is derived from. The idea of changing the environment, or having insurmountable command is compared to the biblical saying “bring Heaven down to Earth and lift Earth up to Heaven.” Though, biblically, Heaven is thought to be divine and holy, while Earth contains both beings who are Heaven-worthy and beings who are evil. Some may use sex magic towards the downfall of others in order to achieve their goals. Sex magic can be used in altruistic and self-enhancing ways, but as for any power, if in the wrong hands it can mean disaster for any number of people.

Otherthan the two-sidedness of power, Eastern Tantric sex is used to enhance one’s sexual experience. There is no deeper desire to control one’s environment or have control over anyone else’s fate. Eastern Tantric sex is simply used by people who are looking to either improve their personal sexual experiences, or couples who are trying to ignite their sexual lives through passion and spirituality. Typically Tantra is practice by people who are tentative in their sexual desires due to internal and external inconsistencies. Although it is mainly used for heightened physical arousal, Tantric sex can be used to eliminate these inconsistencies. This aspect links Tantric sex to “white-washed Wicca”, but only if intentions are more intricate than enhancing physical pleasure.

The ambiguousness of the term ‘power’ leads not various sex magic practices. To some, power simply means having authority over another. The majority of these believers are feminists. Their practices are less related to sex magic itself, and more closely related to sadism and masochism [S&M]. Sadism and masochism are forms of philia, and give women sexual power over their partners. For sadists and masochists, they do not have intentions deeper than briefly fulfilling their desires to be either in complete command or helpless.
 * //Ap//****//plications//**

Eastern Tantric sex uses similar practices as both light and dark sex magic. Both partners feed of one another and align themselves in such a manner that boosts their sexual experiences, and usually results in multiple orgasms. Tantric orgasms are achieved over time and with much practice. Aspects include breathing techniques, various positions, specific aromas, etc.

The more common definition of sex magic defines power as an intangible, spiritual force. Don Webb defines magic as, “The art or science of causing changes in the world through will alone” (Webb, 1995). This is the definition of power both Crowley and Randolph interpreted and implemented in their studies of sex magic. Webb reminds us that magic is not typically understood and generally disregarded, due to a lack of passion. Sex is the source of passion for sex magic. Individuals must be conscious of this source of power and each partner has his own spiritual intentions. Power of such magnitude cannot be achieved alone; partners must feed off one another’s energy.


 * References**

Pearson, Jo. (2005). Inappropriate sexuality? sex magic, s/m and wicca (or 'whipping harry potter's arse!'). Theology & Sexuality: The Journal of the Institute for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality, 11(2), 31-42.

Trull, Charles L. (2007). Sex and the postmodern magician. Journal of Sex Research, 44(3), 305-306.

Urban, Hugh B. (2004). Magia sexualis: sex, secrecy, and liberation in modern western esotericism. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 72(3), 695-731.

Webb, Don. (1995). A sex magic primer. Retrieved from 

Yronwode, Catherine. (2003). Paschal beverly randolph and the anseiratic mysteries. Retrieved from 