I am always up for a good mail session. It gets me thinking about what I should write about next.
Basically, heka is the magic of Kemet, Kemet being the ancient Egyptian word for their home. I use the words I use because they are deeper and more than their modern terms, but they still encompass the modern meanings. I call myself a Kemetic practitioner because I base much of my practices off of those of Kemet, or at least what we know of them. No, I do not claim to practice exactly the same, I merely attempt to keep to the traditional aspects as much as possible and when I cannot do so, I keep to the spirit of the traditions. Yes, I use practices there is no direct evidence for, but based on my research, it is no far reach for me to see them doing things like astral projection.
Heka is more than what most will call magic on this site, in that heka doesn't restrict as much as some paths do. I can destroy relationships, run around stealing husbands from wives and vice versa, I can use it against my enemies without a blink, I can do anything with no real limitations beyond nature's laws. Why? Because, heka is natural. Heka is no perversion nor manipulation of the natural world, heka was given to man by Re to protect himself from the dangers of the world (when I get the chance I'll find the actual quote for that). It is speaking, it is thinking, it is doing. In heka, even the words I type now are a form of it, regardless that I attempt to describe and define it. Heka makes the world entirely a place of magic, even for those who don't believe in it or fear it.
I like calling my magic heka, because I don't cast spells, at least, not the ways other people cast them. My heka can be as simple as smiling at someone, as easy as surveying sending energy laced with positive thoughts of healing towards a random stranger. I would rather confuse people with a term more dear to my heart than magic, than not be true to what it is I do.
And yes, heka is also normal magic like using amulets and figures, drawings and words. And I like to use it that way as well. It is just, somehow more than many of those completely new to magic will see it as. It is deeper than how I used to see it as, and I'm sure as the years go on, it will continue to get deeper and more profound than when I first started.
So, maybe I should call heka a process towards a higher understanding of yourself and the world, if I feel the need to be accurate.
It seems heka is more commonly known as strict energy work. I guess it smells just as sweet. The basics may not be required, but remember, whatever you call it, you are using some form of the basics. Many push them on newcomers to help them be able to identify with what is being discussed. They also provide a solid foundation for those who have a tough time realizing the existence of the basics in their everyday life. Personally, by the time I knew there were "basics", I pretty much had them down. It's all about how you process your truth.
Heca is not only energy work, as was said in Kebs post. Anyways, what she was getting at is there is no need to practice the basics religiously. Yes, basics can helps new comers, but they aren't always relevant, at least not all of them. Magick is natural, everything we do, say, even think is magick. That being said, psi balls, circle casting, and ect are great, but not needed. The main point I believe Kebs is trying to get at is that it is not needed. You don't "have to practise the basics all day every on a dialy basis until you give up magick." Because Magick is natural, it is a force of nature, and it is nature itself. I personally do find "The basics great" but there is a saying... "If you are not looking forward, you are looking backwards" meaning, once you are done with your basics you don't have to keep practicing them unless you want to. Your basics should be in the things you do anyways, otherwise, what really would be a point to them? If you don't use the basics when you perform magick, then perhaps you need to re-think what the foundation of your magick is.
