Terry Martin

Magick & Religion

I think it was Aleister Crowley who decided that spelling 'magic' with a 'k' gave it more power, and it certainly helps to distinguish it from conjuring and stage magic. My dad was brought up a Baptist, whatever that means, and didn't allow us to go out to play on a Sunday. Well actually that's not true. We could go out to play but we had to wear or Sunday best - which meant we daren't go out to play else we'd ruin our best clothes. I followed my brother into the Crusaders - a boys' Sunday School; a bit like a Christian boy scout movement, but without the fun. I've still got my bible (it's actually stuffed between The Golden Dawn and Dion Fortune's Psychic Self-Defense on my occult book shelf) with its delicately thin pages and old english translation that gave it an air of mystery. A modern bible is just another book to me but my old one still carries some reverence.

Like a lot of people I had always had an interest in the occult. Then one day I met a Qabalistic magician. Didn't plan it, it just happened. I became a member of the Order of the Poenix (maybe CJ Rawlings heard about us!) although, you'll be surprised to know, I didn't realise it until many years later (I hadn't been initiated in the way I expected). But the two leaders of the group split and I moved with the pagan side and joined a coven. Nothing evil or nasty - although it can be whatever you want. Had a few interesting experiences which I might get around to telling you.

My top bookshelf.

More to follow . . .