The Source of Magick: Discovering Where Magickal Correspondences Come From

Photos by Magenta School of Magick

As a spiritually minded person, you will no doubt recognise how magickal correspondences are integral elements within the practise of magick. They provide practitioners with a kind of framework for understanding how different symbols and materials interact. It is thought by some that these correspondences can connect various aspects of the natural and metaphysical worlds, allowing you to harness forces that align with your intentions. We feel that incorporating magickal symbols is more psychological, but we certainly borrow from the esoteric when using magick as part of our wellbeing offer. 

You may encounter correspondences that relate to colours, herbs, crystals, astrological signs, deities, sigils….the list is literally endless. Each magickal association between an object and your intention possesses unique attributes that can enhance your magickal workings. This works because these correspondences function as a language of symbolism, where each element holds specific meanings and associations. You may find that these connections resonate deeply with your personal experiences and beliefs, making them powerful tools for your magickal practise. Understanding where these correspondences originate can enrich your practise, and it’s important to know the historical context as some of it can be difficult to justify its continued use.

The Historical Roots of Magickal Correspondences

Magickal correspondences and where they come from, can be traced back to ancient cultures that sought to understand the universe and its interconnectedness. From the earliest civilisations, people observed the world around them, developing systems of thought that sought to explain natural phenomena. These observations laid the groundwork for a variety of correspondences that would later be formalised into magickal practises.

One notable example can be found in ancient Egypt, where the practise of magick was deeply entwined with their culture. Egyptians developed a rich tapestry of symbols and correspondences associated with their gods, rituals, and sacred texts. This intricate system not only served as a means of understanding the world but also provided practitioners with tools to communicate with the divine. This sort of historical context has influenced modern magickal practise, establishing a golden thread of knowledge that likely continues to inform your understanding today.

It’s important to recognise that the historical evolution of magickal correspondences is not limited to a single culture or tradition. So many civilisations, such as the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, contributed to the development of correspondences through their own unique perspectives. Each culture brought its own symbols, deities, and practises, weaving a complex web of associations that, thanks to exploration, culture exchange and/or conquest, are all mixed together over time. By studying these historical roots even a little, you can gain insights into the diverse influences that have likely shaped your current magickal practise, and you can make a choice about how you continue to use them.

The Role of Astrology in Shaping Magickal Correspondences

For example, astrology has played a pivotal role in shaping magickal associations throughout history, and for us in particular because astral magick is our speciality. Each astrological sign is linked to specific traits, creating a rich well of correspondences that can enhance your magickal practise. When we use these planetary correspondences in our astral magick we are tapping into more than just the correspondences. Because we blend psychological concepts into our humanistic magick, we are also utilising the collective unconscious and millennia of human belief in astrology to add another layer of depth.

Astrology has weaved its way across all sorts of other forms of magickal practise, from Tarot to Ceremonial magick, so it’s important to be aware of where these threads begin and where they go next. For us, we tend to make use of the original forms of astral magick, insofar as we can. We can at least aim to use our astral magickal practise in the hope that this was culturally exchanged, rather than taken. 

The Influence of Folklore and Cultural Traditions

Folklore and cultural traditions have played a significant role in shaping magickal correspondences, reflecting the values and beliefs of various communities. As you explore this for yourself, you will no doubt uncover a wealth of symbols, rituals, and associations that have been passed down through generations. These stories often contain kernels of wisdom that can inform your magickal practise and deepen your understanding of the world.

For example, many cultures have specific plants, animals, and natural elements associated with particular qualities. In Celtic traditions, the oak tree is revered for its strength and endurance, while the willow is connected to intuition and healing. Additionally, the rituals and customs within cultural traditions often carry their own set of correspondences. Seasonal celebrations like Samhain or Beltane are rich with symbolism, each associated with unique energies and intentions. By participating in these rituals or adapting them to fit your practise, you can connect with the collective unconscious of your ancestors, enriching your context for where magickal correspondences come from.

It’s also important to be aware of the cultural traditions of others being used in Western magick. Be aware of the various historical contexts for their use in modern practise and understand whether certain correspondences have been shared through a cultural exchange of ideas, or taken through conquest. 

Hermetic Principles and Their Impact on Correspondences

The Hermetic tradition has significantly influenced the development of Western magickal correspondences, emphasising the interconnectedness of all things. Rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, Hermeticism offers principles that explore the relationship between the microcosm (the individual) and the macrocosm (the universe). This foundational concept underlines the idea that the same patterns and correspondences exist on both levels.

One of the central Hermetic principles is found in an ancient grimoire called the Emerald Tablet, which states, “that which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below”, often paraphrased as  “as above, so below.”

The “as above, so below” tenet has a golden thread through history when practitioners have developed magickal correspondences based on natural observations as “empirical evidence”. We see this in astrology, of course, but also the changing of the seasons often correlates with specific energies and themes, which grew into herbalism thanks to the observation of plants and their properties, and their value in healing the body. 

Elemental Contributions to Magickal Correspondences

The four classical elements of earth, water, air, and fire were believed by ancient scholars from many different cultures to make up everything in the observable universe. In a magickal sense, we are often seeing the result of Indian and Greek philosophies and Chinese medicine being harnessed in modern magickal practise. By understanding where these magickal correspondences come from, you can better align your intentions with the energies at play in your workings.

Modern Interpretations and Adaptations of Correspondences

In today’s world, modern interpretations and adaptations of magickal correspondences have emerged, reflecting the evolving nature of spirituality and practise. As you engage with contemporary magick, you may find that many practitioners draw inspiration from a variety of sources, blending traditional knowledge with personal experiences and insights gained from chat rooms and other forums. 

It’s probably wise to approach this cautiously, which is why we will urge you to research historical contexts for any of the practises you come across on the Internet. The rise of digital technology has facilitated the sharing of information and ideas, leading to a global exchange of knowledge. Online communities and social media platforms allow practitioners to connect and share their interpretations of correspondences. This amalgamation of cultural ideas allows for a more inclusive and diverse understanding of correspondences, but it can also lead to the inappropriate practise using correspondences that were not originally openly shared.  

This is why we set about creating our own correspondences, which is all about the incorporation of psychological principles into magickal practise. Humanistic magick explores the relationship between the unconscious mind and its role in wellbeing, and we use magickal expression to achieve our outcomes. When it comes to correspondences, we use ideas from ancient history where they were culturally exchanged in the form of grimoires and we use modern psychological approaches. We have adapted, and moved away from the tables of correspondences co opted from other cultures by the Golden Dawn.

Developing Personal Magickal Correspondences 

Developing personal magickal correspondences is a transformative process that relies heavily on your intuition and practise. As you engage with various symbols, materials, and energies, you will begin to cultivate a unique understanding of how they resonate with you. This personal connection adds depth to your practise, allowing you to work with correspondences that align with your individual experiences and beliefs.

To start developing your personal correspondences, consider keeping a magickal journal. In this journal, you can document your observations, experiences, and insights related to different symbols, elements, and energies. Over time, you will likely notice patterns emerging that reflect your personal associations with these correspondences. 

You could make a start with documenting what colours mean for you, and seeing how that resonates when you use magickal tools of a certain colour that you allocate meaning to. 

Where Magickal Correspondences Come From

This exploration of where magickal correspondences come has only scratched the surface. We can already see that a golden thread quickly becomes lost in a knotty tapestry woven from all the threads of history, culture, personal experience, and so much more. 

As you will discover, these correspondences are not static and it’s never easy to fully back track the origins, but we can do our best to understand the historical roots, and various cultural influences, so that you can cultivate a more profound, and honest, relationship with the energies and symbols that resonate with you. 

As you continue to develop your practise, just remember to trust your intuition and embrace the ongoing evolution of magickal correspondences. Don’t be afraid to leave the stuff behind that you can’t justify using so that you can create a magickal practise that is both deeply personal and authentic.

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