Naturally, categorising things helps newbies to understand them. That is why we use colours they associate with evil, nature, good, etc.
Black = ''Bad'' magick. Anything that manipulates free will.
White = Magick spells for the helping of yourself or others, ''good'' spells.
Grey = A mixture of the two above.
Green = Nature magick. Using a lot of the earth elements, and earth/weather/etc spells.
Of course, there are many other types listed by colours too; but it would take forever to mention them all! Nevertheless, as I said earlier, categorizing makes thinga easier for people to understand. This is why we give each type of magick a label, although they dont have a colour.
In my understanding, grey is not 'the middle road'. It actually refers to death magick and could be viewed as more dangerous than 'black' magick. It really depends on your path. :)
I like viewing it in terms of intent. White magic has pure intentions, while Black magic is done out of cold-hearted malice. Grey fits somewhere in the middle- for example, a spell that knowingly causes negative effects to enact a greater good later on. Red magic is done out of passion- spells cast in anger especially, or any time one is overcome with emotion. Green magic is done in the interest of growth, ect.
This way makes more sense to me personally. A spell cast in good intentions is still white magic, even if it has unexpected negative consequences.
Re: white and black magic By: WhiteRav3n / Knowledgeable
Post # 13 Jun 28, 2011
What black, grey and white magick is truly a personal opinion.
There are so many versions of it, it can be quite confusing.
This is the simplest and probably the most accurate in describing them.
White magick believes in harming none and promoting free will.
Black magick believes in doing what you will.
Grey magick (although in some beliefs can be death as was pointed out) is generally used to describe a balance between both white and black based off of the best course of action decided by the practioner.
White magick if you summon an enitity (sorry but the word demon mean nothing to me) like Bael for asking knowleadge is white magick.
Black magick is if you summon the same entity for controlling people, winning the lottery, or inducing in love someone is black magick.
Magus choices.