Digital Sigil Magick: The relevance of sigil magick in contemporary art and culture

Many contemporary art and cultural practices in the United States and Europe trace their origins to the Western Mystery Traditions, which are rooted in ancient esoteric philosophies from Greece and Egypt. Video mash-ups and audio sampling derive from cut-up methods used by Beat poets and artists, who were influenced by Surrealists. Early twentieth-century artists like Austin O. Spare employed magickal practices from Renaissance figures such as John Dee and Giordano Bruno. Methods using graphical imagery to access insight from alternate realms continue to draw on Gnostic and Hermetic philosophies. The persistent influence of these ancient beliefs is evident in contemporary logos, symbols, art, and music.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Many areas of contemporary art and culture in the United States and Europe can be shown to have a direct lineage to the rich history of the Western Mystery Traditions, rooted in ancient esoteric and magical philosophies of Greece and Egypt. Video mash-ups and audio sampling have inherited the cut-up methods of Beat poets and artists, who in turn were influenced by the Surrealists and their contemporaries. Early twentieth-century artists such as Austin O. Spare drew upon magickal practices derived directly from renaissance practitioners such as John Dee’s use of The Key of Solomon and Giordano Bruno’s Art of Memory. Methods of employing graphical imagery for the purpose of accessing insight or influence from alternate realms continue to draw upon Gnostic and Hermetic philosophies of ancient Greece and Egyptian antiquity. We can easily see the persistent influence of these ancient beliefs and practices in the contemporary use of logos and symbols of popular culture as well as in contemporary art and music.