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If knowledge is an ocean, than the search for it must be an abyss.
Perhaps that's the key to the use of the Hebrew word "knowledge"
to refer to the gate of the Abyss and the underworld. This is not
exactly heartening news for the aspiring novice; especially when
facing the overabundance of information presented to him (or her)
in bookstores, libraries, and (worst of all) upon the internet.
Far from the times of the Dark Ages and the world before the
printing press, this is the Information Age and the time of the
Information Superhighway. One does not tend to get far in any
subject matter without a vehicle of some kind, and this especially
refers to the art which we still insist on referring to as
"occult" (ie- hidden).
All of the nifty catch-phrases aside, the occult is still very
much hidden. This time it's not guarded within dusty old books by
dusty old men, but is instead submerged within the millions of
megabytes of data available to the seeker. Over and over we see
students become lost within- or purposely diverted from- their
paths by bad information from less than honest "teachers". Books
and other texts aimed at beginners have flooded today's market,
all of which will make claims of one kind or another that the
beginner has no way of judging as true or false. The internet, in
it's turn, is filled with people who will support or warn against
any single text or author. None of them will agree, which perhaps
isn't surprising since the various beginner's books themselves
contradict each other. It is simply astounding that anyone makes
it through such a maze.
Perhaps this is as it should be. With such astronomical blockages
in place, only those under the direct supervision of their
Spiritual Guardians could hope to make it through. It's a
weeding-out process that makes sure only the best of the best have
a shot. It is the only thing left which allows certain people to
feel "elite" within their traditions even after all of their
material has long since been published for the world to see and
use. The majority will never make it past "Sabrina the Teenaged
Witch" or "The Craft". Those who are left will find themselves
stuck in endless patterns of what we call "armchair magery"- that
is when one studies an abundance of written material, but never
succeeds in making a practice of the mass of contradicting
information. The very few who pass this barrier will then go on to
enjoy varying levels of success- not all of them will become
Adepts.
You might feel that I have written the above for the sole purpose
of frightening you, and you would be quite right. Don't ever let
another tell you that the path you are considering is "easy". If
driving on this highway is difficult, then catching a ride on it
is nearly impossible. As I mentioned above, today's student of the
occult is in desperate need of a vehicle which will aim him (or
her) in the correct direction, and thrust him over the obstacles
and wrong turns that will constantly present themselves. This
series of essays is designed to be just such a vehicle. It is not
another beginner's course in magick, nor is it another "Q n A" or
an explanation of the "history of magick". This has all been done,
and more is being produced as I write these words. Some of these
sources will be bogus, and some will be well worth the time,
study, and practice (practice, and more practice).
What I am offering here is a guide-book of sorts. A novice's "do
and don't" in the realm of the occult. Like all other texts on
this subject, it will be agreed with by some, and disagreed with
by many. It is, after all, simply the opinions of one simple
aspirant who would share his secrets of success with others. It is
an attempt to provide you with a way past "Sabrina.", and perhaps
even to suggest a bridge or two over the pit of the armchair mage.
It will be up to you and your Guardians (as silent as They may be
to you at this time) to reject or make use of this text. The very
fact that you have stumbled upon it might even be significant.
There are five installments planned for this essay at this time.
The first will focus on finding a teacher. The second will discuss
the virtues of focus upon your path. The third will discuss the
subject of initiation (both by group and that of self-initiation).
The fourth will outline a full study-course for the solitary
seeker. It will feature- in my opinion of course- the best books
on the market, and (most importantly!) how to use them. The fifth
will be a kind of "pep-talk" entitled How to Avoid Failure
Regardless of Circumstance. Your religion or philosophy does not
matter. All you need for this ride is a wish to become a
practitioner of the art of magick.
Part One: Looking for a Teacher? (Or: The Virtue
of Silence)
The most common advice one will receive when it comes to learning
the art of magick is to search for a face-to-face teacher. There
is no better way to learn than by apprenticeship, or by joining a
magickal Order with a set course of study. The problem with this
advice presents itself when the student attempts to seek out a
teacher or magickal group. In ancient times, one might have to
search for many years to find one even willing to admit a
knowledge of magick, while today the student is bombarded with
those who would "teach" him (or her). You can go into any
magick-oriented area on the internet and find postings which
invite you- the seeker- to contact them for information. If you
fail to run across these, you can simply post a request, and be
sure of receiving multiple applications from would-be mentors. No
less is this the case when dealing with magickal groups face to
face.
This, in fact, is where most students are lost forever. They
simply do not know what to look for in a teacher, and are thus
captured by the predators. Some of these predators are literally
so- those who would see you brought to physical, mental, or
financial ruin for their own amusement and profit. Others will not
take anything tangible from you, but will certainly be happy to
accept the praise and loving adoration that most students will
cast at their feet. Meanwhile, the students learn nothing of use.
You can avoid these people, if only you knew how. Thus, this first
installment will focus upon teachers, and how you can tell the
mages from the evangelists. It will also deal with how you should
approach others- both in life and on the internet- in order to
gain the most from your experiences.
Approaching Others
First, I will begin with the internet, and how you should properly
and safely approach this beast. Even before you begin to seek for
the right person(s) to learn from, you need to make extra sure
that your first impression is not also your last. It is no
difficult task to be humiliated and ostracized from a group on the
internet from your very first posting. Many claim this is due to
elitism on the part of the on-line mages. In some cases it is, but
more often than that they are simply normal people who grow tired
of their Faith and practices being made foolish by children who
are "playing witch". Even if you are dead serious about what you
have to say, or feel, keep in mind that certain words and phrases
will get you ousted every time.
Let us say that you stumble upon a message base geared toward
"Magick" on a web server or a web page. Finally!- you think- you
have found a place where there might be others of your mindset.
People who will understand your feelings, and help you toward your
ultimate goals as a witch or mage. You load the page- and then
what?
First of all- you can do nothing worse than posting right away.
Keep well in mind that the realm of magick is more vast than you
have yet imagined. Also keep in mind that just because someone
uses magick does not automatically make them an open minded and
kind person. You are entering a community here, and you need to
make sure to check out the neighborhood. Before all else, make
sure to read the area description. If it does not say "Wicca",
then don't assume that you can post questions about Wicca. There
are plenty of people out there who practice magick well outside of
the Faith of Wicca, and some of them are even hostile to it. The
same goes for any other branch of magick or religion you might be
interested in studying. Try and see if the area description tells
you what the message base is for. Often they are too vague for you
(as a novice) to be certain about, but at least you can see what
is specifically not in the description.
Next, scroll back on the page as far as it will allow you, and
read the very first (oldest) message that is available. Continue
to read the messages from there up to the last (newest) message.
You don't have to read every last one of them, but definitely scan
through most of them. There are more advantages to this than you
have probably considered:
1) It will allow you to get a general overview of the subject
matter of the area- to help you determine what was left out by the
area description. People may be happily conversing on the subject
of Wicca, or they may be speaking such strange words as "Golden
Dawn" or "Thelema". They might be talking about herbs and candles,
or they might be discussing "Qabalah". Some of them might even
mention some of the very things in which you are most interested.
2) If you do have specific questions, they might already have been
answered and discussed at length in the area at an earlier date.
This will postpone even longer your inevitable (and vital) first
post, which can only work to your advantage. Plus, asking a
question which has already been answered a dozen times in the past
will only upset the members of the area, and give them a bad
impression of yourself. Magick takes long hours of study and
research, and those who refuse to read even what is available for
free on a message board are generally disrespected. At the same
time, those who have obviously been reading the older messages are
automatically granted a higher esteem. Don't hesitate to mention
that you have been doing so when you do make your first post.
3) You will also be able to get a good feel for "who" is posting
to the area. If you see nasty attacks, slander, and petty
name-calling (that is, if these posts are not made by only one or
two individuals), then you know you have found an area to avoid.
If you have done right, and read the previous posts in the area,
then you will begin to recognize a "core group" of members (ie-
those who seem to be doing the most posting, have been there the
longest, and are obviously familiar with each other). If these are
the ones doing the attacking, then run away as fast as your
cyber-legs can carry you. Take extra note of how they react to
newcomers in the area; not necessarily just beginners (who have a
habit of upsetting the membership), but also from those who come
in to share their own knowledge and experiences. The better groups
will welcome these, and those groups that do not are not for you.
I must also add an important note here. Do not, under any
circumstances, mistake a good-hearted debate as a "flame war" or
internet battle. Any good group will often engage in debates on
touchy issues, and most of the time they will get somewhat heated.
This should not frighten you in the least. Such debates are where
you will learn the most, as each member presents and attempts to
prove their side of the discussion. You will get practical tips,
books, book reviews, and not a few "secrets" about how magick
works that you never would have guessed otherwise. Simply scan
these debates for name calling and insults, as these are the flame
wars. If the participants are not getting personal, then stick
with it to see what is being said.
4) You might also take this time to look at the postings from
other novices like yourself. Watch how they post, and what they
post, and pay attention to the reactions they get from the core
members. You will quickly see which novices are welcomed, and
which are shown the door. You can make an effort to mimic the
styles of those who are welcomed.
There are perhaps other advantages that will present themselves as
you read through the past messages. The one thing you should not
concern yourself with is whether or not you can understand what is
being discussed. You, by definition as a student, will not be able
to understand most of the material. Very often this frightens away
seekers who feel "overwhelmed", and thus run off to find groups
who are speaking more on their "level". However, what they fail to
realize is that you can't learn the secrets of magick from people
who are on the same level as yourself- even if they claim to be
masters. What is being said should not concern you at this time,
but only how it is being said.
Finally, I must warn you of another extreme that tricks many
students into failure. You may often run across groups that make
you feel absolutely wonderful! They seem to embody everything you
are hoping for, with kind words, and wisdom about the Love to be
found in the Universe. They do not debate or fight, and they
welcome one and all into their loving embrace. Run from these as
fast as you would run from the flame-throwers. Those who would
attack you are at least doing you the favour of driving you away.
These people who seem to love you- no matter who you are- are the
predators I spoke of above. This does not mean that every group
that suggests kindness toward others is to be avoided! However,
keep in mind that predators are masters of camouflage. They know
what will make you feel good and draw you into their ranks. If you
are fortunate, they might only want your adoration. But it's not
likely that you will learn anything from them.
The only test I can suggest for this circumstance is to scan the
area for any message that deals with subjects that are "dark" or
unpleasant. Look for any posting that speaks of a subject that is
not considered "sweetness and light", and take a look at how the
core members react to it. If they attack it (though they'll do it
nicely) and speak against anything unpleasant, then they are
probably predators. Such uncomfortable posts are a threat to the
environment they are attempting to present to lure you in, and
they want them removed quickly.
In reality, there is much that is unpleasant in the study of
magick. It is, in fact, the most difficult (and often frightening)
path a human being could attempt to follow. Just as weight lifters
have to deal with sore muscles, the aspiring mage will also have
to encounter shadows upon his (or her) path. Your first lesson in
magick is that of balance. If you ever find yourself in one
extreme or the other (be it verbal attacks or smiling sweetness),
then you are in the wrong place. Magick is only to be learned on
the balanced pathway. As I said above, the good groups will not
call names, but they will roll up their sleeves and scrap over an
interesting topic. This is the realm of magick.
Now that you've read all of the old posts available (and you might
have done this a few times before you've found an area that
doesn't set your teeth on edge), it is time to consider your first
letter to the public. You should perhaps be warned, however, that
most of the true students (those who will someday be great) are
not posting at all. They are merely silently watching; an internet
art that we call "lurking". Just as you silently read all of the
back-logged posts, you can continue to read each new one that
comes in without anyone even knowing you are there. This, however,
shouldn't stop you from asking honest questions (and then sitting
back and watching the fireworks that these questions always
produce). The experienced lurker knows just how to push the
buttons of the membership- not in a bad way, but in a way that
will bring the entire area to life with discussion and debate. You
can learn this art as well, if only you take the time to read,
read, and read some more.
Let us assume, then, that you do wish to post a question. If you
are going to be a lurker (which is your best bet), then you do not
need to introduce yourself, or give any personal information at
all. Simply ask your question and it will get responses.
What you most certainly do not want to do is make any claims. Of
any kind! Even when you feel that your claims are true, you are
not in a good position to make them just yet. If you are going to
be a student, then you have to play that role. Whether or not you
are a natural witch, or even the antichrist himself (we do get
that one!), there is no need to inform the others. Practice
silence even when posting. Do not claim to know even what you have
already learned elsewhere. Play dumb- as if you know absolutely
nothing on the subject. Very often, even masters will use this
ruse to gain new insight and information from others. In time you
will be surprised at how little you really do know (which is, in
fact, something that every aspiring master learns in time). Ask
your questions, be to the point about them, and you will find
yourself in good standing with the core membership.
Along these same lines, it is very important for you to approach
the subject of magick itself with proper respect. Magick is not
"The Craft" or "Sabrina The Teenaged Witch". It is not what you've
seen on TV, and it is not what you've heard your friends talking
about. It is an art and a skill that takes serious study and
practice to master. Imagine that you are wishing to become a
doctor, and entering a message area geared toward medicine. Think
of how you would act around people with medical diplomas and
surgical experience. You ask for guidance (books, schools, etc),
you ask for answers to specific questions, you treat them with the
respect due to those who practice an art that you don't fully
understand. You would not demand that they teach you medicine, nor
would you ask them to send you pills and scalpels. Magick is no
different than medicine in this regard. I can not stress simple
respect enough.
There are further important pointers in this game: Do not request
others to e-mail their responses to you. If you post a question on
a message board, go back to see if it's answered. You are the
seeker asking for their time, and expecting them to contact you is
a show of great disrespect. Would you ask a potential employer to
call you rather than you going in for the interview? Also, do not
use "stylish" spellings. Nothing will get you less respect quicker
than asking for "spellz" or posting things such as "i would like 2
learn majique b4 2 long". Along these same lines, practice up on
your grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Remember that on-line,
your words and style of typing is much like how you dress on the
street. On the computer, the others can not see your face, but
they can see what you present with your words.
As a side note, I also wish to give you a small hint about magick
overall. Magick is a cumulative process of learning and
experience. Spells are not what magick is about. Spells are to a
witch or mage what the pills and scalpels are to the doctors. They
are the tools of the trade, but they are not the trade itself. Do
not ask for people to share their spells with you- and take no
interest in those spells that might be sent to you whether you ask
for them or not. No master would send you a single spell. Even if
they did, you wouldn't have a clue how to make use of it. Ask
specific questions, and most importantly ask for guidance. Ask
"how should I go about learning?", rather than "can you send me
spells to practice?".
Even in face to face situations, there is not much more that can
be added to the above. You can check your phone book for local
"pagan book stores", and make a point of being present in these
places as often as possible. Usually they offer classes, or open
group meetings and other events in the local community. You will
also meet predators in these stores- both of the dangerous, and of
the "love and light" kind; and do not be surprised if they might
even be the owners of the store. Here you must be that much more
careful about your personal safety, and the integrity of the path
you are attempting to traverse. You can look for all of the same
signs in others by simply watching them in silence, or by asking
them questions and seeing how they react. How another person
chooses to approach you will tell you much both on-line and in
real life.
Others Who Approach You
We have already covered some of this material. Standing back as a
third party to watch others interact is vital. However, there will
come a time when you personally interact with others, and there
are a few things that you can look out for when this happens.
Remember that anyone can claim anything, whether it is true or
not. In the realm of the occult, this is so much more the case,
since even the true masters can hardly "prove" the things they
say. All it takes is one who has read two or three books, and who
has a winning personality, to snare you into whatever games they
may be attempting to play. Do not make the mistake of listening to
their words. Instead, concentrate on what is hidden between their
words, and buried deeply within their actions.
First of all, take note of how you are first approached. Very
often you will meet people who can not speak for five minutes
without listing for you all of the great things they have done, or
the famous people they know. If someone is telling you these
things when you have not asked about them, it represents a
problem. This person has something to prove to you; Why? Their
words might sound wonderful, but their actions are not those of a
master. At the same time, keep an ear open for the kinds of claims
they are making. If there truly were underground organizations of
wizards who are working to save the universe from threats of
invasion from the stars, do you believe these people would share
their information with an outsider such as yourself?
The example above is extreme (but not as uncommon as you might
believe). The same can be said of those who claim membership in
real-life magickal orders like the Golden Dawn or OTO. They may be
telling the truth- but if they are, they will not be offended if
you respectfully admit you have no way of verifying their claims.
This in itself can be a perfect warning sign; if someone sees that
you do not believe their claims right away, they may well react
with anger or insult. They will stand tall and proclaim their
accomplishments, and tell you how long they have been in the
occult communities. Again, this is a predator who needs to be
avoided. Remember that the master is the man or lady in the corner
who nobody else realizes is there. They simply have nothing to
prove.
Beware, also, of those who wish to teach you. It is somewhat
common among teachers to refuse a student up to three times or
more before finally accepting them. Most of the true masters might
not ever agree to teach you one-on-one. The study of magick is a
fortress, and if you wish to gain entrance you are going to have
to knock long, hard, and loud. If you meet someone attempting to
sell themselves to you, then you want to be elsewhere. In fact, it
is most common for zealous students to rush out to find other
students to "teach" what they have learned themselves. You will
have to wrestle with this urge yourself in due time. This means
that the person asking to teach you might not be a "bad" person or
even a predator. But, even if they are not, they are in no
position to be teaching the arts.
Another interesting circumstance I've run across are those who are
"impressed" with you. They may see you post, or hear you say,
certain things, and then approach you with how taken they were
with your obvious knowledge, experience, or dedication. This on
it's own would be great, however what you have to watch for is the
next move: they invite you to join their group. Just as it is
impossible for a worthy teacher to accept you as a student without
knowing you very well first, so too is it impossible for a worthy
group to attempt to "recruit" you. Remember that a connection
between a student and teacher, or between members of a functioning
group or Order, is a very intimate thing. If you would not go to
bed with a person (this, of course, being simply to make a point),
then do not trust your soul with them. Groups that advertise (you
will see many of these on the Net, as well as other places), or
people who attempt to invite you into their "bedroom" without
knowing you as a close friend, are not to be trusted. Watch out
for correspondence courses as well, and those who would attempt to
promise you "astral initiations".
Instead, keep your eyes out for the quiet people. Predators can be
in the corners, too- but it is highly unlikely. The most likely
chance is that this is a student who has mastered the Art of
Silence as you should yourself, or it might be an experience mage
or witch whom you should keep your eyes on for future information.
Turn your back towards the noise-makers of the crowds, and insert
yourself (quietly) into the silent minority. By simply doing this
you will be increasing your chances for success- and safety-
incredibly. This one bit of information, above all else, is the
single most important piece of advice I could give you. It is the
Key of Entrance into the realm of the occult. If only you can
avoid those who spend all of their time talking, and trying to
"prove" themselves the best, then you can ferret your way into the
elite groups of masters and fellow aspirants.
As the classical texts of magick tell us: "Let those with eyes
see, and those with ears hear!". The thread which has run through
this entire essay is the simple idea of Silence. It is one of the
Virtues of the Sphinx: "To Know, to Will, to Dare, to Keep
Silent". And it is the first Virtue which the student must learn.
The vocal majority is where you will find the predators. Not all
of those who speak are bad people, and some very experienced and
knowledgeable people tend to enjoy the spotlight more than they
should. However, until you have learned enough to tell who is who,
it is best for you to keep to yourself and learn all you can on
your own.
If this essay has been about the Virtue of Silence, then the next
installment will concern the Virtue of Will. It will attempt to
guide you through the next maze you will face: which system should
you follow? There are more "traditions" of magick available to you
than you can shake a wand at, and you will surely find yourself at
a loss on which path to follow. Is there one out there that is
"true" over the others? Should you simply deny all traditions and
do what comes natural? What is it that "comes natural" anyway?
With these things in mind, I will leave you to your seeking.
Practice your Silence as often as possible, as the Sphinx assures
us that no human can be a master without each of the four Virtues.
Blessed Be.
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