QUANTUM MAGIC

 

                          QUANTUM MAGIC

REALITY AS DESCRIBED BY QUANTUM MECHANICS

In quantum mechanics, reality is described by waves defining the

probabilities of different outcomes from the same interactions.

These waves manifest as what we have been taught to call matter,

energy, particles, and/or waves when observed.    

These probability waves overlap and continue forever.  The

interactions between different entities constitute a single

structure of linked wave patterns, so that the entire universe

can be thought of as an unbroken whole.  The waves form a matrix,

with all parts of the system affecting all other parts.  Non-

local relationships exist between parts of the system that are

distant from each other [1].  It is impossible to distinguish 

two particles of the same type in a region of space in which they

may be found simultaneously [2].  Particles loose their

individual identity in such regions.  Thus, the physical universe

is fundamentally unified.

The basic equation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics is

Schrodinger's Wave Equation  [2]:

                       2         2            

  i h (p)Q /(p)t  = - h /2m Delta Q + V(x,y,z) Q

satisfying the normalizing condition:

  Integral      2     

  over all   |Q|  dx dy dx = 1

  space               

where:

       h = 6.63E-34 joule sec / (2 pi)

      pi = 3.14...

 

V(x,y,z) = Potential energy, as a function of 

           coordinates x, y and z

       m = Mass

       t = Time

      

     (p) = Partial derivitive of

                                                 2  

       Q = Wave function of the particle, where Q dx dy dz is    

           the probability that the particle may be found in the 

           volume element dx dy dz at a particular time.  Values 

           of Q are components of the "state vector."

Values of Q are quantum mechanically defined states and

constitute components of the "state vector."  These quantum

mechanically defined states define the probabilities of various

results from quantum mechanically defined interactions [2].  In

one orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics, a system exists

simultaneously in all quantum mechanically possible states until

an observer (or apparatus outside the system) interacts to

"collapse" the state vector" and obtain an observation.

Quantum mechanical systems can go from one configuration to

another instantly, without passing through any states in

between.  Quantum mechanical movement is discontinuous, with all

actions occurring in discrete amounts (quanta).

Schrodinger himself discovered one of quantum mechanics' more

distinctive features:  whenever two systems interact, the

mathematical waves that represent the two systems do not separate

but remain linked.  The link does not drop off with distance and

the link acts instantaneously at both locations, but the

specificity of the link can be diluted through interactions with

other objects  [7].

WHAT UNDERLIES QUANTUM MECHANICS?

There are lots of hypotheses on the nature of the underlying

reality described statistically by quantum mechanics.

o Some scientists are content with the hypothesis that there is

  no more subtle structure than the probability waves described

  by quantum mechanics; and reality, at its most basic level, has

  a large amount of randomness whose limits are described by the

  quantum mechanical wave function, making the wave function

  itself the fundamental reality.  This is called the probability

  doctrine.  It asserts that such indetermination is a property

  inherent in nature and not merely a profession of our temporary

  ignorance, from which we expect to be relieved by a future

  better and more complete theory  [2].

o Einstein speculated that there must be some underlying

  mechanism, some hidden variables,  that uniquely determines

  the outcome of the interactions quantum theory can only

  statistically predict.  

o J.S. Bell showed mathematically that, if such a mechanism

  exists, and the math of quantum mechanics is strictly correct,

  hidden variables must not have any functional dependence on the

  separation of events in space and time [3].

o According to David Bohm, from both a consideration of the

  meaning of the mathematical equations and from the results of

  experiments, particles can be understood as projections of a

  higher-dimensional reality.  This reality can not be accounted

  for by any force of interaction between independent entities,

  but can be understood as a process of enfoldment in a higher

  dimensional space  [1].  Information within the quantum wave

  determines the outcome of the quantum process.  This

  information is potentially active everywhere but only actually

  active when and where it enters into the energy of an observed

  particle, implying that all particles have complex inner

  structures [10].

o Recently, superstring theory has been proposed, describing a

  ten dimensional webwork of space-time at an incredibly small

  scale (1E-33 cm) underlying the phenomenon described

  statistically by quantum mechanics, relatively, particle

  physics etc. 

Some scientists consider speculation about the nature of the

underlying reality to be irrelevant, since the predictions of

quantum mechanical equations match the statistics of the results

of experiments.  To the best of my knowledge, experiments have

not been performed that unambiguously distinguish between these

alternative world-views.  On the other hand, experiments have

been proposed; and some work is underway to check some

predictions of superstring theory.  Eventually, from the results

of experiments, some of these hypotheses may be screened out and

others elevated to the level of scientific theory.

We are one and the same as the structures that underlie the

matter and energy that we manifest as; and that structure is

continuous, interconnected, and non local in nature.  Whatever

the underlying structure behind the interconnected wave pattern

described by quantum mechanics (if any), we are that.  

QUANTUM MECHANICS AND CONSCIOUSNESS

Getting back to established scientific theory, normal waking

consciousness occurs when the nerve cell firing rate (synaptic

switching rate) is high enough to spread out the waves associated

with electrons to fill the gaps between nerve cells (synaptic

clefts) with  waves of probability of similar amplitude.  This is

described mathematically by the quantum mechanical mechanism of

tunneling.  These waves are interconnected throughout regions of

the brain through resonances, resulting in a large, complex,

unified, quantum mechanically defined resonance matrix filling a

region in the brain.  The waves are interconnected with each

other and with information storage and sensory input mechanisms

within these regions of the brain.  

The nerve cell firing rate (v') at which this occurs has been

modeled mathematically by Evan Harris Walker (at the U.S. Army

Ballistics Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground) and corresponds to

the threshold between waking and sleeping consciousness in people

and animals.  For normal waking consciousness to exist, the

synapse transmission frequency for the brain (v') must satisfy

the condition:

                                        2/3

  v' must be greater than or equal to  N    /T

where:

  N =  The total number of synapses in the brain (in humans,

       about 5E11)

  T =  Synaptic transmission delay time (the time interval

       required for the propagation of the excitation energy

       from one synapse to another)

This theory ascribes consciousness to an association of the

events occurring at any one synapse with events occurring at

other synapses in the brain by means of a quantum mechanical

propagation of information.  The sense of individual identity is

an aspect of the continuity of the wave matrix residing in the

brain [4].  

QUANTUM MECHANICS AND PSYCHOKINESIS

By merely observing a phenomenon (resonating ones brain with it)

one can affect the outcome, since the physical mechanisms in your

brain are part of the wave matrix described by quantum mechanics. 

The information handling rate in resonance determines the amount

of effect, along with the elapsed time of resonance and the

probability distribution of the phenomenon you are observing 

[5].  According to Evan Harris Walker, quantum mechanical state

selection can be biased by an observer if [5]:

  W te  is greater than or equal to  -Log  P(Qo-Qi)

   Q                                     2

where:

     P(Qo-Qi) = Probability that state Qi will occur by chance   

                alone

          W   = Information handling rate in process in brain

           Q    associated with state vector selection (bits/sec)

  

           te = Elapsed time

            Q = Overall state vector

           Qo = Initial physical state of system    

           Qi = State that manifests "paranormal" target event

 

The effect of consciousness is incredibly small on macroscopic

systems; but it can be measurable when it occurs on quantum

mechanically defined and divergent systems, where a slight change

can amplify itself as it propagates through the system.  The

effect is about 1E-17 degrees on the angle of the bounce of cubes

going down an inclined plane.  Changes in the angle of bounce

result in changes in displacement of the cubes that increase

about 50% on every bounce, and the effect is measurable after

many bounces [6].  The theory successfully and quantitatively

modeled the differing amounts of displacement observed in

experiments on cubes of different weights and weight

distributions  [5].  

Walker also modeled information retrieval in "guess the card"

experiments.  Simple, classical, random chance would predict a

smooth, binomial curve for the probabilities of getting the right

answer versus the number of subjects making successful

predictions at these probabilities.  Walker's model predicts that

the curve would have peaks at certain levels of probability of

getting the right answer above those predicted by chance alone. 

Experimental data showed peaks at the locations modeled. 

However, more people were successful at the higher probability

levels than Walker's model estimated.  This is considered to be

evidence of learning enhancement  [5].

SCIENTIFIC THEORY

Mr. Walker's ideas and equations would only be hypotheses if it

weren't for the fact that they have been tested experimentally

and found to predict the results of experiments with reasonable

accuracy [4,5].  The evidence meets the usual rules of proof for

scientific theory, and this makes Walker's equations legitimate

scientific theory.  

The non-local underlying wave patterns beneath manifestations of

matter and energy that we hold in common with our surroundings

allow us to influence reality and to obtain information about it

using the power of the mind.  This underlying interconnecting

pattern is the very stuff of consciousness  and manifests, not

only as matter & energy, but also as psychokinesis, precognition

and other phenomenon that are only now beginning to be recognized

and embraced by some theories of modern physics. 

IMPLICATIONS OF QUANTUM CONSCIOUSNESS THEORY

Deflections caused by consciousness are not caused by force or

energy in the conventional sense; but by something more subtle,

namely effects within the underlying wave structure out of which

matter and energy are manifestations (collapse of the state

vector) [5].  

To psychically obtain information about a target or to

psychically influence events, one has to have one's brain

resonating with aspects of reality interconnecting the brain with

the target.  The more one's brain resonates with non-local

aspects of reality connecting with a target, the more

communication and direct influence one can have on it.

The more fundamentally diverse the potential outcomes of a

process targeted are, the more effect one gets from resonating

ones brain with it  [5].  Also, the more small changes in the

system tend to amplify as larger changes in the end result, the

more effect one can get.  This provides an explanation of why

patterns exist within seemingly random events and why successful

magic often results in a chain of synchronicities.

For a given subject (performing under optimum conditions and

having no difficulty visualizing the nature of the experimental

target nor psychological aversions to the target), the

magnitudes of the results obtained in tasks to affect the

readings on measuring devices (such as magnetometers, radiation

detectors, Josephson effect devices, balances, etc.) can be

related to one another by calculating the probability of the

reading based on the standard physical principles of quantum

mechanics  [5].

The sporadic nature of psi phenomena can be explained as a

matter of outside observers randomizing the process, causing

dilution of will data channels and randomizing the results  [5]. 

Thus, the need for secrecy in magical operations.

One can no longer maintain the division between the observer and

observed or between consciousness and the physical world. 

Rather, both observer and observed, along with both consciousness

and the material world, are merging and interpenetrating aspects

of one whole indivisible reality  [1].  

Whatever the subtle level of reality underlying matter and

energy, we are that (including our consciousness).  If hidden

variables exist, we are the hidden variables.  It has been

theorized that consciousness is an inseparable aspect of this

underlying reality.  When our awareness connects with the deepest

layer of reality interconnecting everything, we may experience

the level of consciousness beyond time and form reported by many

mystics.  It is this non local structure that we share with

nature that makes it possible to "attune to nature," to

psychically participate in nature, and to live in accordance with

it. 

What we are usually aware of (normal waking consciousness) is a

relatively superficial movement in the order of things.  Behind

the things we are aware of in waking consciousness are a vast

array of less strongly linked phenomena.  This latter realm is

commonly called the unconscious (and parts of it the

subconscious).  The unconscious is not very accurate, since it

forms a kind of ground of consciousness  [8].  Our awareness can

link with this ground of consciousness to gain information and to

influence events.

THE GODS, GODDESSES AND NATURE SPIRITS

At this point, I diverge from theory and describe some plausible

hypotheses.  Consciousness, at a fundamental level, is associated

with the continuity of the underlying structures out of which

matter and energy manifest.  Everything shares this continuous

structure; therefore everything has consciousness to some degree

(though not necessarily normal waking consciousness).  

Quoting from Evan Harris Walker (4):  "Consciousness may exist

without being associated with either a living system or a data

processing system.  Indeed, since everything that occurs is

ultimately the result of one or more quantum mechanical events,

the universe is 'inhabited' by an almost unlimited number of

rather discrete, conscious, usually non-thinking entities that

are responsible for the detailed working of the universe.  These

conscious entities determine (or exist concurrently with the

determination) singly the outcome of each quantum mechanical

event, while the Schrodinger equation (to the extent that it is

accurate) describes the physical constraint placed on their

freedom of action collectively."

In shamanic and in religious practice, one resonates with other

intelligences to get their assistance, inviting them to join in

the work at hand.  These intelligences can be thought of as

consciousness resonance matrices.  Some may be localized, as we

are (such as other biological intelligences, plant divas, power

spot spirits, some deities, etc.); and some may be non localized

(spirit animals in the other world, some deities, etc.). 

The personalities of the Gods, Goddesses and spirits that many

practitioners of religion relate to can also be thought of as

consciousness resonance matrices.  They can be very non-specific

and disperse, or very specific (such as the Orishas and other

deities that can manifest in full possession of those who invoke

them).

QUANTUM MECHANICS AND MAGICAL RITUAL

Consider a typical structure of magical ritual and its quantum

mechanical explanation:

o Purify one's mind  and one's surroundings, freeing them of

  interfering resonances, quieting the static so that one can

  get a clear and strong resonance on the target desired.

o Achieve a non-localized state of consciousness, often by

  resonating ones mind with ones inner being, with the Earth,

  the sky, and ones surroundings. 

o Meditate on the elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water)

  representing non-local essences.  This helps your mind to

  resonate powerfully non-locally.

o After reaching out with one's mind and connecting its

  resonance pattern intimately with the non-local web of wave

  patterns connecting everything, invoke deities whose natural

  function is related to the purpose of your ritual.  If

  successful, this connects your mind to a powerful,

  established, non-localized, intelligent resonance matrix that

  (hopefully) joins in the magic.

o Focus on the target of the work, connecting with the target. 

o While connected with the target, visualize the end result

  desired, thus creating a resonant template for the phenomenon

  one wants to achieve.

o Energize the resonance through dance, drumming, chants, pure

  channeling of will power, or other means.

o Release the energy into the target while strongly visualizing

  the target achieved (energizing the resonance in the target).

o Ground,  removing ones mind from the direct, resonant link

  with the target, so that the patterns you have set in motion

  in the target can continue with minimum interference  (to

  throw a ball, one has to let go).

o Thank and say goodbye to the intelligences one works with, thus

  disconnecting ones mind further from other resonance matrices.

There are other forms of magic, and much more detail to the

forms I described.  There are also ethical considerations.  This

paper provides a description of some aspects of the integration

of quantum mechanics with magickal thinking, but it does not

cover everything.

SO WHAT?

 

To read about theories of magic is like reading about sports.

You may pick up a few ideas; but to become proficient, you must

participate and play the game.  People have been teaching and

performing magic for thousands of years, without the benefit of

quantum theory.  Many magicians have had to separate their

scientific training from their magical practice.  Now, magical

theory has been merged with scientific theory, and more of the

mind of those trained in science can resonate with magic.  Also,

critics of magic can be shown the scientific theory and data

validating it, to show that there is more to magic than

superstition.

I have not seen any other quantitative scientific theories that

explain the results of experiments on psychokinesis, extrasensory

perception, and consciousness as accurately as Walker's theory,

or that give as satisfying of an explanation of the

synchronicities that I, as a worker of magic and a scientist,

have observed from personal experience.  This is not to say that

these ideas represent ultimate truth, that alternative theories

no not exist, or that flaws will not be found and that

alternative theories will not replace them.  I would welcome

hearing from others who have additional information and insight

into the applicability and limitations of the theories of modern

Physics as applied to the occult.

MULTIPLE UNIVERSES?

One interesting hypothesis is that of multiple universes.  As I

understand it, this hypothesis states that all of the alternative

possibilities allowed by quantum mechanics actually occur, but in

different universes.  Magicians can interpret their magic as

moving their awareness between these alternative universes.  I

have never seen the multiple universe theory set up

mathematically in a way that would allow it to be quantitatively

tested, using physical measurements (like was done with Mr.

Walker's theory),

It  would be interesting to determine if and to what extent the

multiple universe hypothesis can be integrated with Mr. Walker's

theory.  Consciousness, acting at a gross level, seems to be

relativistic - something experienced by observers relative to

their frames of reference.  Consciousness, at its ultimate level,

seems to be subtler than time and location.  

When two observers see the same thing, they both may have certain

experiences in common, they both may affect the thing observed,

and they may report some of the events the same and some

differently.  Experience may be categorized in a multiple

universe mode and/or in a single universe mode.  If would be

interesting to know which mode is most useful for various

purposes.  

It is obvious that some people have such a different personal

perception of reality as to be seemingly out of touch with the

world we experience around them.  Their self-world image becomes

more important than anything, and they adjust their memories and

perceptions to meet whatever emotional needs they have at the

time  [9].  Delusions of personal reality and the high

probability that such realities are real for the person

experiencing that reality can result in interesting questions

about what is real and what is unreal.

Although the universe may be a seamless whole, most physicists

describe it in two different modes, depending on whether things

are being observed or not  [7]:

 

o A classical, mechanistic mode for the definite attributes of

  observation, and 

o A statistical, mathematical, quantum mechanical mode for the

  wave patterns described by quantum mechanics.

David Bohm has begun to develop new terminology that integrates

both the process of observation and quantum theory  [1].

REFERENCES

1.     Bohm, David.  Wholeness and the Implicate Order, ARK

       Paperbacks, London, 1983.

2.     Merzbacher, Eugene.  Quantum Mechanics, John Wiley and

       Sons, Inc., New York, 1967.

3.     Bell, J.S.  "On the Problem of Hidden Variables in Quantum

       Mechanics, Review of Modern Physics 38, 447-452, 1966.

4.     Walker, Evan H.  "The Nature of Consciousness,"

       Mathematical Biosciences 7, 1970.

5.     Walker, Evan H.  The Complete Quantum Mechanical

       Anthropologist. U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratories,

       Aberdeen Proving ground, Maryland, presented at the 73rd

       Annual American Anthropological Association Meeting,

       Mexico City, November 19-24, 1974.

6.     Walker, Evan H. and Nick Herbert.  "Hidden Variables:

       Where Physics and the Paranormal Meet," Future Science,

       edited by John White and Stanley Krippner, Anchor books,

       Garden City, New York, 1977.

7.     Herbert, Nick. "Notes Toward A User's Guide to the Quantum

       Connection," Psychological Perspectives 38,  Jung

       Institute of Los Angeles, Spring-Summer 1988.

8.     Bohm, David. "Consciousness and Self-Consciousness-A

       Working Paper," Psychological Perspectives 38,  Jung

       Institute of Los Angeles, Spring-Summer 1988.

9.     Bohm, David. "Beyond Relativity and Quantum Mechanics,"

       Psychological Perspectives 38,  Jung Institute of Los

       Angeles, Spring-Summer 1988.

10.    Bohm, David and Peat, David. Science Order and Creativity,

       Bantam, 1987.

***************************************************************

Note that "E" in numbers like 5E11 stands for five "times ten to

the" eleventh power.