Alignment & Intention
Magick isn’t about pulling rabbits out of hats or shooting fireballs from your fingertips. It’s a toolset for directing your personal will to influence reality. At its core, magick is about intention, understanding what you want, why you want it, and what you’re willing to do to get it. This isn’t just mystical fluff; it’s grounded in the belief that the mind is a powerful agent for change. Aleister Crowley, arguably the poster child for modern magickal thought, defined magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.” That’s not "willpower" in the sense of resisting a second slice of cake, it’s about aligning your entire being with a focused purpose.
Intention-Driven Practice
Crowley’s Thelema boils this down to “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” It’s not an invitation to be selfish or chaotic, but a directive to figure out your true purpose, your "True Will", and pursue it. This means cutting through societal conditioning, personal insecurities, and whatever other noise might drown out your inner drive.
Chaos magick takes this even further by ditching dogma altogether. Instead of rigid systems and elaborate rituals, chaos magick embraces adaptability. Sigils, for example, are popular in chaos magick because they’re simple, effective, and stripped of unnecessary mysticism. You draw a symbol that represents your intention, focus on it until your subconscious takes the hint, and then let go of the outcome. It’s magick for people who hate rules.
In all these approaches, intention is king. The ritual, the tools, and the belief systems are secondary. They’re scaffolding, not the building. What matters is clarity of purpose and the willingness to see it through. The implications are vast, ranging from self-improvement to societal change. Once you understand that your intentions can shape reality, you start to wonder how far that influence can reach.
Ninefold Alignment
The ninefold alignment system in Dungeons & Dragons has been a staple of the roleplaying scene for decades, shaping how players understand morality and character behavior. It’s a grid, because nothing screams moral philosophy like a tidy chart. The axes are Law vs. Chaos and Good vs. Evil, with Neutral hanging out in the middle to muddy the waters.
Lawful types follow rules, traditions, or some kind of higher code. Chaotic types prioritize personal freedom, creativity, and disruption of the status quo. Then there’s Neutral, the moral wildcard that can mean anything from apathy to pragmatism. Overlaying that is the Good vs. Evil axis, which is pretty self-explanatory, Good characters are altruistic and empathetic, while Evil characters are selfish and destructive. Neutral on this axis means you’re just here to vibe, or, more likely, you’re self-interested without being outright malicious.
What makes the alignment system fascinating is how it influences character behavior. A Lawful Good paladin isn’t just a shiny knight, they’re bound by both moral goodness and the rules of their order. They’re probably the sort who won’t jaywalk even in a deserted village. A Chaotic Evil warlock, on the other hand, would set that village on fire just to see how it burns. The system also forces players to consider their actions in the context of storytelling. What does a Lawful Neutral character do when the laws they follow clash with their personal sense of fairness? How does a Neutral Evil character justify betraying their allies? These questions shape not just characters but the narrative itself.
The alignment system’s staying power lies in its simplicity. It’s easy to grasp and provides a shorthand for ethical dilemmas. But it’s not perfect. The grid’s binary oppositions can feel reductive, and it sometimes turns morality into a matter of mechanics rather than meaningful decisions. Worse, it can reinforce problematic ideas, like "killing orcs is okay because they’re Chaotic Evil." That kind of mindset smacks of colonialist justifications for violence, which deserves scrutiny.
Why This Comparison Matters
At first glance, magickal philosophy and the ninefold alignment system might seem worlds apart. One’s about self-directed change and mystical empowerment, while the other is a tidy grid designed for a tabletop roleplaying setting. But there’s a common thread: intention. Both frameworks force us to confront what we want, why we want it, and how we’re willing to act to achieve it.
Magickal philosophy asks practitioners to align their actions with their intentions. It’s not enough to want something, you have to direct your will and take deliberate steps to make it happen. Similarly, alignment in roleplaying is a lens for understanding a character’s intentions and how those intentions play out in the world. A Lawful Evil villain doesn’t just do evil, they have a code that guides their actions, however twisted that code might be. Their intentions shape their actions, and those actions, in turn, shape the story.
Using magickal philosophy to explore alignment adds depth to both. It reframes alignment as more than just a moral shorthand, it becomes a tool for understanding how intention drives behavior. A Chaotic Neutral rogue isn’t just a free spirit; they’re someone who prioritizes personal freedom and spontaneity, driven by their own internal compass. #alignment can illuminate how magickal intentions play out in the real world. A magickal practitioner operating with Lawful Neutral energy might focus on balancing forces and adhering to universal laws, while someone with Chaotic Good intentions might use their will to disrupt oppressive systems and uplift others.
This comparison also highlights the ethical implications of intention-based actions, whether in roleplaying or real life. Just because you can manifest something doesn’t mean you should. What are the consequences of your actions? Who benefits, and who suffers? These are questions both magickal practitioners and roleplayers would do well to consider.
How to Use This Book
This book isn’t just for roleplayers. It’s for anyone who’s ever wrestled with questions of intention, morality, or the blurry line between "good" and "evil." The structure is flexible, letting you pick and choose what’s useful without committing to the whole thing. Want to explore how magickal philosophy can inspire your storytelling? Skip to those chapters. Interested in how alignment can serve as a lens for self-reflection? There’s a section for that, too.
If you’re a roleplayer, use this book to craft characters with more depth and nuance. The alignment grid isn’t a cage, it’s a starting point for understanding your character’s motivations and moral conflicts. Magickal philosophy can add layers to those motivations, helping you create characters with believable, intention-driven actions.
For storytellers, this book is a tool for worldbuilding and narrative design. Magickal philosophy can inspire conflict, drive character arcs, and shape the metaphysics of your setting. Alignment, meanwhile, provides a framework for exploring moral dilemmas and character relationships.
If you’re here for philosophical exploration, treat this book as a jumping-off point. The connections between magick and alignment might spark insights into your own beliefs and behaviors. Use it to question how your intentions shape your actions, and how those actions shape the world around you.
In the end, this is a book about stories, the ones we tell ourselves, the ones we create with others, and the ones that shape the worlds we live in. Whether you’re casting spells, rolling dice, or just trying to make sense of it all, the intersection of magick and alignment is fertile ground for exploration.
Disclaimer
This book is a thought experiment, an interesting way to look at fantasy roleplaying, and an exercise in creativity and imagination. It’s meant to spark ideas, not upend your worldview or convince you to start casting spells in your backyard. If you choose to take any of this seriously, that’s entirely on you, don’t come blaming us if your interpretation of reality starts to shift or you suddenly feel the urge to chant at the moon.
142 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Magick isn’t about pulling rabbits out of hats or shooting fireballs from your fingertips. It’s a toolset for directing your personal will to influence reality. At its core, magick is about intention, understanding what you want, why you want it, and what you’re willing to do to get it. This isn’t just mystical fluff; it’s grounded in the belief that the mind is a powerful agent for change. Aleister Crowley, arguably the poster child for modern magickal thought, defined magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.” That’s not "willpower" in the sense of resisting a second slice of cake, it’s about aligning your entire being with a focused purpose.
Intention-Driven Practice
Crowley’s Thelema boils this down to “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” It’s not an invitation to be selfish or chaotic, but a directive to figure out your true purpose, your "True Will", and pursue it. This means cutting through societal conditioning, personal insecurities, and whatever other noise might drown out your inner drive.
Chaos magick takes this even further by ditching dogma altogether. Instead of rigid systems and elaborate rituals, chaos magick embraces adaptability. Sigils, for example, are popular in chaos magick because they’re simple, effective, and stripped of unnecessary mysticism. You draw a symbol that represents your intention, focus on it until your subconscious takes the hint, and then let go of the outcome. It’s magick for people who hate rules.
In all these approaches, intention is king. The ritual, the tools, and the belief systems are secondary. They’re scaffolding, not the building. What matters is clarity of purpose and the willingness to see it through. The implications are vast, ranging from self-improvement to societal change. Once you understand that your intentions can shape reality, you start to wonder how far that influence can reach.
Ninefold Alignment
The ninefold alignment system in Dungeons & Dragons has been a staple of the roleplaying scene for decades, shaping how players understand morality and character behavior. It’s a grid, because nothing screams moral philosophy like a tidy chart. The axes are Law vs. Chaos and Good vs. Evil, with Neutral hanging out in the middle to muddy the waters.
Lawful types follow rules, traditions, or some kind of higher code. Chaotic types prioritize personal freedom, creativity, and disruption of the status quo. Then there’s Neutral, the moral wildcard that can mean anything from apathy to pragmatism. Overlaying that is the Good vs. Evil axis, which is pretty self-explanatory, Good characters are altruistic and empathetic, while Evil characters are selfish and destructive. Neutral on this axis means you’re just here to vibe, or, more likely, you’re self-interested without being outright malicious.
What makes the alignment system fascinating is how it influences character behavior. A Lawful Good paladin isn’t just a shiny knight, they’re bound by both moral goodness and the rules of their order. They’re probably the sort who won’t jaywalk even in a deserted village. A Chaotic Evil warlock, on the other hand, would set that village on fire just to see how it burns. The system also forces players to consider their actions in the context of storytelling. What does a Lawful Neutral character do when the laws they follow clash with their personal sense of fairness? How does a Neutral Evil character justify betraying their allies? These questions shape not just characters but the narrative itself.
The alignment system’s staying power lies in its simplicity. It’s easy to grasp and provides a shorthand for ethical dilemmas. But it’s not perfect. The grid’s binary oppositions can feel reductive, and it sometimes turns morality into a matter of mechanics rather than meaningful decisions. Worse, it can reinforce problematic ideas, like "killing orcs is okay because they’re Chaotic Evil." That kind of mindset smacks of colonialist justifications for violence, which deserves scrutiny.
Why This Comparison Matters
At first glance, magickal philosophy and the ninefold alignment system might seem worlds apart. One’s about self-directed change and mystical empowerment, while the other is a tidy grid designed for a tabletop roleplaying setting. But there’s a common thread: intention. Both frameworks force us to confront what we want, why we want it, and how we’re willing to act to achieve it.
Magickal philosophy asks practitioners to align their actions with their intentions. It’s not enough to want something, you have to direct your will and take deliberate steps to make it happen. Similarly, alignment in roleplaying is a lens for understanding a character’s intentions and how those intentions play out in the world. A Lawful Evil villain doesn’t just do evil, they have a code that guides their actions, however twisted that code might be. Their intentions shape their actions, and those actions, in turn, shape the story.
Using magickal philosophy to explore alignment adds depth to both. It reframes alignment as more than just a moral shorthand, it becomes a tool for understanding how intention drives behavior. A Chaotic Neutral rogue isn’t just a free spirit; they’re someone who prioritizes personal freedom and spontaneity, driven by their own internal compass. #alignment can illuminate how magickal intentions play out in the real world. A magickal practitioner operating with Lawful Neutral energy might focus on balancing forces and adhering to universal laws, while someone with Chaotic Good intentions might use their will to disrupt oppressive systems and uplift others.
This comparison also highlights the ethical implications of intention-based actions, whether in roleplaying or real life. Just because you can manifest something doesn’t mean you should. What are the consequences of your actions? Who benefits, and who suffers? These are questions both magickal practitioners and roleplayers would do well to consider.
How to Use This Book
This book isn’t just for roleplayers. It’s for anyone who’s ever wrestled with questions of intention, morality, or the blurry line between "good" and "evil." The structure is flexible, letting you pick and choose what’s useful without committing to the whole thing. Want to explore how magickal philosophy can inspire your storytelling? Skip to those chapters. Interested in how alignment can serve as a lens for self-reflection? There’s a section for that, too.
If you’re a roleplayer, use this book to craft characters with more depth and nuance. The alignment grid isn’t a cage, it’s a starting point for understanding your character’s motivations and moral conflicts. Magickal philosophy can add layers to those motivations, helping you create characters with believable, intention-driven actions.
For storytellers, this book is a tool for worldbuilding and narrative design. Magickal philosophy can inspire conflict, drive character arcs, and shape the metaphysics of your setting. Alignment, meanwhile, provides a framework for exploring moral dilemmas and character relationships.
If you’re here for philosophical exploration, treat this book as a jumping-off point. The connections between magick and alignment might spark insights into your own beliefs and behaviors. Use it to question how your intentions shape your actions, and how those actions shape the world around you.
In the end, this is a book about stories, the ones we tell ourselves, the ones we create with others, and the ones that shape the worlds we live in. Whether you’re casting spells, rolling dice, or just trying to make sense of it all, the intersection of magick and alignment is fertile ground for exploration.
Disclaimer
This book is a thought experiment, an interesting way to look at fantasy roleplaying, and an exercise in creativity and imagination. It’s meant to spark ideas, not upend your worldview or convince you to start casting spells in your backyard. If you choose to take any of this seriously, that’s entirely on you, don’t come blaming us if your interpretation of reality starts to shift or you suddenly feel the urge to chant at the moon.
142 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Magick isn’t about pulling rabbits out of hats or shooting fireballs from your fingertips. It’s a toolset for directing your personal will to influence reality. At its core, magick is about intention, understanding what you want, why you want it, and what you’re willing to do to get it. This isn’t just mystical fluff; it’s grounded in the belief that the mind is a powerful agent for change. Aleister Crowley, arguably the poster child for modern magickal thought, defined magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.” That’s not "willpower" in the sense of resisting a second slice of cake, it’s about aligning your entire being with a focused purpose.
Intention-Driven Practice
Crowley’s Thelema boils this down to “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” It’s not an invitation to be selfish or chaotic, but a directive to figure out your true purpose, your "True Will", and pursue it. This means cutting through societal conditioning, personal insecurities, and whatever other noise might drown out your inner drive.
Chaos magick takes this even further by ditching dogma altogether. Instead of rigid systems and elaborate rituals, chaos magick embraces adaptability. Sigils, for example, are popular in chaos magick because they’re simple, effective, and stripped of unnecessary mysticism. You draw a symbol that represents your intention, focus on it until your subconscious takes the hint, and then let go of the outcome. It’s magick for people who hate rules.
In all these approaches, intention is king. The ritual, the tools, and the belief systems are secondary. They’re scaffolding, not the building. What matters is clarity of purpose and the willingness to see it through. The implications are vast, ranging from self-improvement to societal change. Once you understand that your intentions can shape reality, you start to wonder how far that influence can reach.
Ninefold Alignment
The ninefold alignment system in Dungeons & Dragons has been a staple of the roleplaying scene for decades, shaping how players understand morality and character behavior. It’s a grid, because nothing screams moral philosophy like a tidy chart. The axes are Law vs. Chaos and Good vs. Evil, with Neutral hanging out in the middle to muddy the waters.
Lawful types follow rules, traditions, or some kind of higher code. Chaotic types prioritize personal freedom, creativity, and disruption of the status quo. Then there’s Neutral, the moral wildcard that can mean anything from apathy to pragmatism. Overlaying that is the Good vs. Evil axis, which is pretty self-explanatory, Good characters are altruistic and empathetic, while Evil characters are selfish and destructive. Neutral on this axis means you’re just here to vibe, or, more likely, you’re self-interested without being outright malicious.
What makes the alignment system fascinating is how it influences character behavior. A Lawful Good paladin isn’t just a shiny knight, they’re bound by both moral goodness and the rules of their order. They’re probably the sort who won’t jaywalk even in a deserted village. A Chaotic Evil warlock, on the other hand, would set that village on fire just to see how it burns. The system also forces players to consider their actions in the context of storytelling. What does a Lawful Neutral character do when the laws they follow clash with their personal sense of fairness? How does a Neutral Evil character justify betraying their allies? These questions shape not just characters but the narrative itself.
The alignment system’s staying power lies in its simplicity. It’s easy to grasp and provides a shorthand for ethical dilemmas. But it’s not perfect. The grid’s binary oppositions can feel reductive, and it sometimes turns morality into a matter of mechanics rather than meaningful decisions. Worse, it can reinforce problematic ideas, like "killing orcs is okay because they’re Chaotic Evil." That kind of mindset smacks of colonialist justifications for violence, which deserves scrutiny.
Why This Comparison Matters
At first glance, magickal philosophy and the ninefold alignment system might seem worlds apart. One’s about self-directed change and mystical empowerment, while the other is a tidy grid designed for a tabletop roleplaying setting. But there’s a common thread: intention. Both frameworks force us to confront what we want, why we want it, and how we’re willing to act to achieve it.
Magickal philosophy asks practitioners to align their actions with their intentions. It’s not enough to want something, you have to direct your will and take deliberate steps to make it happen. Similarly, alignment in roleplaying is a lens for understanding a character’s intentions and how those intentions play out in the world. A Lawful Evil villain doesn’t just do evil, they have a code that guides their actions, however twisted that code might be. Their intentions shape their actions, and those actions, in turn, shape the story.
Using magickal philosophy to explore alignment adds depth to both. It reframes alignment as more than just a moral shorthand, it becomes a tool for understanding how intention drives behavior. A Chaotic Neutral rogue isn’t just a free spirit; they’re someone who prioritizes personal freedom and spontaneity, driven by their own internal compass. #alignment can illuminate how magickal intentions play out in the real world. A magickal practitioner operating with Lawful Neutral energy might focus on balancing forces and adhering to universal laws, while someone with Chaotic Good intentions might use their will to disrupt oppressive systems and uplift others.
This comparison also highlights the ethical implications of intention-based actions, whether in roleplaying or real life. Just because you can manifest something doesn’t mean you should. What are the consequences of your actions? Who benefits, and who suffers? These are questions both magickal practitioners and roleplayers would do well to consider.
How to Use This Book
This book isn’t just for roleplayers. It’s for anyone who’s ever wrestled with questions of intention, morality, or the blurry line between "good" and "evil." The structure is flexible, letting you pick and choose what’s useful without committing to the whole thing. Want to explore how magickal philosophy can inspire your storytelling? Skip to those chapters. Interested in how alignment can serve as a lens for self-reflection? There’s a section for that, too.
If you’re a roleplayer, use this book to craft characters with more depth and nuance. The alignment grid isn’t a cage, it’s a starting point for understanding your character’s motivations and moral conflicts. Magickal philosophy can add layers to those motivations, helping you create characters with believable, intention-driven actions.
For storytellers, this book is a tool for worldbuilding and narrative design. Magickal philosophy can inspire conflict, drive character arcs, and shape the metaphysics of your setting. Alignment, meanwhile, provides a framework for exploring moral dilemmas and character relationships.
If you’re here for philosophical exploration, treat this book as a jumping-off point. The connections between magick and alignment might spark insights into your own beliefs and behaviors. Use it to question how your intentions shape your actions, and how those actions shape the world around you.
In the end, this is a book about stories, the ones we tell ourselves, the ones we create with others, and the ones that shape the worlds we live in. Whether you’re casting spells, rolling dice, or just trying to make sense of it all, the intersection of magick and alignment is fertile ground for exploration.
Disclaimer
This book is a thought experiment, an interesting way to look at fantasy roleplaying, and an exercise in creativity and imagination. It’s meant to spark ideas, not upend your worldview or convince you to start casting spells in your backyard. If you choose to take any of this seriously, that’s entirely on you, don’t come blaming us if your interpretation of reality starts to shift or you suddenly feel the urge to chant at the moon.
142 pages. PDF and epub files included.