I'm sure you've seen the word "magic" spelled as "magick" before. Legend has it that adding the K to the end of the word was the work of Aleister Crowley, in an effort to differentiate ritual results-related magic(k) from the slight-of-hand illusionary magic of the stage. In the modern-day Pagan-Wiccan-Witchy world, you will find the word magic(k) being spelled both ways, all at the personal choice of the person who is doing the magic(k)al spelling - no pun intended!
The return of Old Ways...
Historically speaking, before the English language was standardized, the magic(k)spelled both ways. In that sense, the spelling of magic(k) with a K is really a reintroduction from times past rather than a modernization. In terms of etymology, the word is derived from the Greek word magikē, through Latin to magicus/magica, to the French magique, which was then adopted as magic(k) in Late Middle English. Interestingly, the Greek derived the word magikē from magi, as a way to describe the ritual workings of the magi priesthood of the Zoroastrianism Order, an ancient religion that originated in Persia around the time of the 6th Century, BCE.
Magi(k) and the Number 11
Another interesting point is that as the eleventh letter of the alphabet, K is in the position of being one of only three Master Numbers in the school of Numerology, encompassing the qualities of illumination, enlightenment, and karma. Eleven is also considered a magic(k)al number due to it's existing beyond the "perfect ten" of our numerical system, suggesting that this position represents the ability to access unseen or hidden energies and beings. Pretty compelling stuff, really.
Before I had looked into this, I had always preferred to spell magic(k) without the K - to be honest, I felt that adding it on made the word look kind of cheesy, and magic(k) being a sacred thing to me, I didn't wish to compromise that by spelling the word in a way that wasn't visually appealing. I also do not feel the need to differentiate my magic(k)al workings from stage magicians - I know my own work, and that is enough. That said, knowing what I know now, adding the K has grown on me to the point where I find myself wanting to tack that extra letter on to the end of the word, my current compromise being to bracket it in parentheses as I have throughout this post... Hey, it takes time to grow into these things!
Before I had looked into this, I had always preferred to spell magic(k) without the K - to be honest, I felt that adding it on made the word look kind of cheesy, and magic(k) being a sacred thing to me, I didn't wish to compromise that by spelling the word in a way that wasn't visually appealing. I also do not feel the need to differentiate my magic(k)al workings from stage magicians - I know my own work, and that is enough. That said, knowing what I know now, adding the K has grown on me to the point where I find myself wanting to tack that extra letter on to the end of the word, my current compromise being to bracket it in parentheses as I have throughout this post... Hey, it takes time to grow into these things!
How do YOU spell magic(k)?
Now here's the fun part - I want to know how YOU spell the word magic(k)! Feel free to add additional comments in the text box below the survey, or in a comment... You might let me know about your particular vein of magic(k)al practice, discuss why your prefer to spell magic(k) the way that you do, or make a compelling argument to petition me to drop the parentheses... Honestly, I could use a shove.
I'll be sure to share the highly unscientific results in a future SoS blog post - until then, stay magic(k)al, my friends!