Prosperity, Money, and Treasure Magick
The Ancient Greeks
Part 2
Ancient Prosperity
Here’s where we get into what I find to be the really interesting mechanics of magick. As I mentioned before, magick is the story of people in disadvantaged positions trying to turn advantages to their favor and solve their problems. They are still effective as ever for the most part, because we largely face the same challenges as our ancestors with some subtle changes in technological nuance. Still, the topic was hot on the mind of citizens of antiquity who were not themselves sure of the outcome of their circumstances. Given what we know of their lives, their petitions were more likely to come from a place of need, not exclusively want. So what we find are intricate observations on the nature of the trials they sought to overcome so that they could most effectively tackle them, likely given that life and death was more often at stake. Though that is not to say desire and even greed didn’t play an integral part in the prosperity magick of the ancients.
The philosophy of most Greek magick was likely imagined to be similar to “attraction.” The word they used was “binding.” So what they were doing to create a manifestation was that they were binding the thing to themselves and to their field of perception. The Greek Magical Papyri details the use of talismans, either worn on the body as jewelry or left out in a space of its own, to bind and collect the energy and conditions needed to achieve prosperity. The Greeks were incredibly intelligent about this, because when they asked for divine intervention, they didn’t just ask for the money they wanted. They specifically left open channels by which these things should be made possible, and that they themselves would be on the lookout for should the gods find their cause worthy to help.
“Individuals may have specialized where possible to
carve out a niche. Many invested in social capital — defined
variously as reputation, trust, esteem, and social networks — sup-
ported by these factors and by shared norms that facilitated,
among other things, access to information about goods, cus-
tomers, and colleagues, which can reduce transaction costs.” — Wealth, Profit, and Social Capital in the Greek Magical Papyri, by Philip F. Venticinque[2]
In this lovely article published by the Duke University online library, attention is brought to the savvy held by the Greek practitioners who would use these spells. Wealth and abundance was not just measured by money, but by overall social favor, connections, and attention to one’s business source of income. This speaks to magick being used with financial literacy, as they recognized that money is not something which is simply given. Rather, it is seen as taken by way of convincing another party to depart from their own coin. Their is also conscientiousness of the cost of doing business, and how to cut those costs. Income from a workshop would operate like a machine. If an owner wished to yield the most profit possible, they would have to find ways to get better deals on ordinary costs, and engineer the machine to run as smoothly as possible.
Realizing that money can be lost as quickly as gained would also lead them to search for avenues to invest their capital. Wise investments would keep the money more automatically returning to them, thus requiring less thought to maintain. In their magick, it’s one thing to acquire the money, but it’s another matter entirely to provide themselves the insurance that their family wealth be kept safe and moving steadily.
Network was beneficial to that investment. Many of the spells in the Greek Magical Papyri facilitated a desire to brush shoulders with the already rich and influential. That, or at the very least making contact with helpful patrons and acquaintances who would then help elevate the status of the enchanter.
Alternatively, the individual skill of the owner would surely play a part in garnering profit. Not only was efficiency and favor emphasized, it was custom to also bind the improvement of personal mastery of craft needed to make all positive changes come about. Traditionally they did not see abundance as something which simply could appear. They were eager to and recognized necessity in shouldering the responsibility needed. This was fine and perfectly expected if the appropriate monetary reward and renown for their work also came about. The transactional relationship between them and the universe has a note of service and pursuit of personal improvement.
Greek Talismans
Talismans can be integrated as either enhancing personal abilities or being an out of sight, out of mind object which is constantly engaged in the activity it was programmed to perform. How specific the programming needs to be depends on the enchanter, but should always remain consistent to their sensibilities. From there, the energy is assumed to behave as though intelligent and doesn’t need further instruction on how to do its job. From the previous source are examples of both types of talismans.
“Favor (χάρις) for its wearer is also among the powers of a ring fashioned according to instructions in the same roll (XII 270–350). The spell claims that a wearer will not only accomplish all that is desired, but will also be trusted and pleasing (ἐπίχαρις) to all(279). The spell also offers financial boons along with other qualities that would lead to what seems to be the ultimate goal of the text: to be famous (ἔνδοξος),great (μέγας), admired (θαυ-μαστός), and rich (πλούσιος) — or to produce friendships with the rich and powerful(271–272).”[2] p.417
Exhibited in this text is an example of a talisman of personal augmentation; a special ring enchanted with the power to make one a stellar socialite and putting them on the path to fame. Wearing it might serve as a constant reminder of its properties, but it is always present on the wearer and one may or may not assume it only takes effect when worn. Fortune may change in the circumstances concerning its purpose where the object is present. In this case it is attracting events and boons which may boost finances or public opinion, as well as attracting friends in high places. Anyone have a lucky pair of socks they love to wear at important events?
The second talisman I’ll mention is an example of a stationary talisman. Similar to the ring it is always active in its purpose. It is a statue of beeswax calling for the inscribing of multiple names, prayers, and sacrifices. Processes like this are the “charging” of a talisman, the energy invested into it which makes it behave as it is meant to. This spell was named “The Little Beggar.”
“The spell directed the practitioner to model a man ‘in the position of begging’ so that customers will be attracted either to a workshop (ἐργαστήριον) or a house (οἰκία) — two foci of commercial activity.13 The spell also claims that the figurine will work wherever you put it and assures that by virtue of possessing it wealth and success await:”[2] p.419
Under this line of thought, the Greek craftsmen knew that they lived in an economy of attention. Purposing the magick to go forth and elevate one’s status required them to be aware of their current position in the economic hierarchy. If upward momentum was the goal, Greek magick was usually mindful about the current means of the user. Education, attention, and practice were precursors to the rising of ranks. Finally, when money did come through the summoned intelligent energy, it did so in a way that was mindful to the current means of the person doing the work. This emphasizes my point in my article on Angelic Theurgy, that the energy doesn’t really need specific instructions, it is capable of as much as making sure that opportunities for advancement happen within reasonable margins of the enchanter’s current power.
As was mentioned in part one, it is not realistic to assume that with the use of magick one will win the lottery tomorrow or otherwise have a stack of cash appear. What I was taught is that the spells habitually take the path of least resistance. Miracles happen when the supposed laws of probability or physical possibility are defied. As much as it takes the glamor away from magick, this is usually not the case, especially for a novice practitioner. The results could certainly be seen quickly, but in a manner that is incremental and within a realm of possibility which makes the least waves, so to speak. More often the changes are subtle and require a sharp perception and swift action to take advantage of.
Key Takeaways
To further refine the approach to prosperity magick, this is the knowledge I would find to be most beneficial.
- Wealth magick will take the path of least resistance. It will opt to improve the conditions which prelude money. Attention, contact with helpful people, acquirement of skill or education.
- Talismans are a good way to boost abilities and have another force “working” for you. For those who don’t wish to constantly pay attention to their own magick, it’s a method to make it work independently.
This is Part Two of a four-part series, each sharing a very unique take on the inner workings of prosperity.
Follow my page to be the first to learn more about the history of magick, occultism, religion, and philosophy. I will try to delve into the minds of these ancient people in a scholarly platform, and give a perspective on magick which can still be applied to modern times. I will also share my own takes based on firsthand experience as a practitioner of magick, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of all the sources used.
