Since I was 14 I’ve practiced ritual magic. It’s a beautiful art. And, honestly? I’m pretty damn good at it.

When I say Lúnasa Days is about a young man who cast spells for a living, it’s not entirely fiction. I’ve been that man. The story isn’t autobiographical… but it could have been.

The problem I ran into as a magician-for-hire was crazy people. There are lots of normal people who’d like magic in their life, but also some unbalanced ones. Maybe they’re deluded about what magic can and cannot do, or maybe they have clearly non-magical problems (schizophrenia? epilepsy?) that they blame on demons.

Either way, it’s no fun being the one to tell them no.

For a long time I stopped offering my services. But the truth is I love working magic. It’s one of the few things—like writing, or the sea—that really energizes me. I wanted to start again, but avoid the cray cray.

So I made art.

I founded altmagic, my digital atelier where I sell artwork based on traditional magical sigils. Each piece is enchanted with real spells. The result is something that looks good on the wall and also—if you believe in that stuff—works its magic for you.

It gives me a lot of control over the process and, being online, an automatic buffer from unwanted customers.

Of course, I’m not sure I believe in that stuff. I’ve lost any faith in the supernatural. At the same time, my experiences with magic leave me convinced it tends to work.

Some experiences are so intense that it’s like touching prana with your bare hands. It makes me think it’s real all over again.

Most of the time I remind myself that it’s psychogical: the rituals, the symbols and—in this case—the artwork lead to changes in our behavior and outlook. In turn, lives change.

So now I’m a skeptical magician. I’m not sure that even my familiar spirits are real, yet I enchant with them anyway and I keep getting results.

Today is digital Monday: the day most people goof off at work and do some online shopping. If you want to see my work, support a self-employed artist and add magic to your life, please take a look at altmagic.

Magic spells make a great addition to anyone’s life, and they also make unforgettable presents. Consider giving one as a gift this holiday season.

What do you guys think?