‘Black Magic’ is commonly used to depict the use and engagement of spiritual forces or the supernatural in order to obtain an often specific (or on occasion unspecific) benefit.

This advantage can come in the form of an undue degree of control or influence, obstruction or any other malicious, self serving or malevolent form. It has been argued that in the modern era, the term ‘Black Magic’ has become distorted to cover an all-inclusive description of any ceremonial, ritual or magical practice that the establishment disapprove of.

Black magic and White magic have two close relatives in primitive shamanism and alchemy and this can be traced back to ancient Egypt, ancient Mongolia and Siberia. Here ritualistic worship of spirits and efforts to connect them with the mortal world were commonplace and were recognized as being of supreme importance and value. Whereas white magic typically has the aim of benefitting the universe generally, black magic has been developed to call upon parallel spirits but for the benefit of individuals (normally themselves), families or even corporate entities.

The efforts of the magus to align spirit with the short term motives of often self-serving individuals or entities were often frowned upon and led to the practice being labelled as ‘Black’ magic to denote the fact that it is the polar opposite of ‘White’ witchcraft. It should be noted that the terms black and white have nothing to do with the skin colour, religion or race of the persons either doing the magic or the patrons for who’s benefit the workings are performed. Spirit never discriminates on any of those bases.