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Lessons The Books Haven't Spoken Of
By Joseph Teller
Before I begin, for those who don't really know me well, I wish to
preface this short piece by explaining that I am NOT a teacher, as many
like to claim of themselves. I am a student who likes to share what is
learned. The world has too many 'authorities' who are such purely for
reasons of perceived power or financial gain within the craft - I have no
wish for such falsities to rule and destroy me as it ultimately does those
who fall pray to its lure.
The following are lessons learned in circle or outside it from my own
personal experience and those shared with me by others I have been close
to, plain and simple. Take them as such and value them as you wish. They
are not numbered to show importance, only to organize my thoughts in some
format.
1) Within A Circle Trust is an absolute Necessity. If you attend a
ritual be SURE you trust those involved. Many feel this, in todays
society to be archaic. It has always proved out when I have tried
to work with unknown people, those I was unsure of or who were in
some way unsure of me, failure, disaster or heated debate resulting
in dissent has always been the end point. Know a person before you
are willing to enter sacred space with them.
2) Never spellcast too soon. Magic should not be a first resort. The
use of non-magical means should be applied when possible and
convient. Overuse of magic, like anything else, becomes a crutch
that can unbalance your life.
3) Prophecy is a two-edged sword. Remember this, wether you read Tarot,
I-Ching, Runes or whatever other means of divination or personal
analysis. Be prepared to have the reading to go in directions you
do not expect and be prepared for them NOT to be in a way you will
like. Remember the Lesson of Cassandra (in Greek Mythology) that
sometimes you can change the future and sometimes you cannot, and
only time will tell which is which. If you cannot deal with the
possibility of your personal wants or expectations being wrong, then
you should not be consulting a means of divination. I have seen even
long-time craft-folk who forget this lesson in the heat of emotion.
4) There is not a magical answer behind everything. I have known some
folks who became so obsessed in their personal paranoia of some
form of 'magical attack' or 'magical influence' that such became
their excuse for everything that occured around them, even when very
simple non-magical answers existed to explain what had occured. The
number of magical practitioners at present is VERY small, and most
have a range of influence that doesn't extend far on their own. The
gathering of hateful or vindictive emotional energy to achieve a
magical attack on another is not done easily or quickly, and tends
to harm the attacker more often then the target. Look with logic on
a situation.
5) Diversify. Don't depend on or look into only a single philosophy or
magical application - a specialist is usually someone who is refusing
to grow beyond boundries they have set for themselves.
6) A single Teacher Is NOT enough. You will spend a lifetime as a real
student, even if others one day declare you a teacher, leader or
High Priestess. Gather from many to find what your lifepath is. Do
not let anyone tell you there is ONLY one true belief system, one
true Divinity, one way to approach a situation or one teacher to
follow.
7) In the End you ARE Solitary. All Magickal workers are eventually
forced to depend upon their own company, seperated from the many
communities and groups by distance, time or belief. You will probably
spend more time solitary then in a group. Be prepared to face this
when it happens. The Pagan Community is too small to be everywhere
for everyone or to even always help its own (though trying to do so
is a goal I feel vital to expand the community). You must become
sufficiently balanced and grounded to deal with being alone and to
practice your beliefs alone, especially in times of hardship and
adversity.
8) Don't be too fast to assume the role of a teacher, or to assume that
a student cannot teach you something in return. Can you really
explain what you believe and do within your belief coherantly? Does
the person to be taught really want to learn it all and are they
sincere, or are they mearly curious or on a 'power trip'? Learning
to know when someone is ready to learn is one of the hardest lessons
you must learn if you purposely teach. Don't give a hand gernade to
a three year old and expect positive results.
9) Not all paths and philosophies are desireable. There are many that
are self-destructive, purely self-indulgent or a combination of both.
If a path cannot teach you some form of inner peace with yourself
and what you are doing in life, or is devoted to manipulating others
to achieve your personal benefits, then it is a 'dead-end path', one
that is a cul-de-sac on the path of growth.
10) Don't do what feels uncomfortable. If performing a ritual, using a
magic form, reciting a chant/prayer or performing an activity feels
personally painful, uncomfortable or 'wrong' then it is not for you
to be involved with it at that time. Listen to the inner voice of
your spirit and follow its lead. Intuition is a powerful gift, don't
waste it by always opposing it.
11) You will have to take chances. Magic doesn't work on its own, and
positive karma won't help you if you fight it when it seeks to
restore balance around you. It is not enough to cast a prosperity
spell and then sit home and wait for a letter in the mail from Ed
MacMahn with a check in it! You must take non-magical action to help
things along. Cast a spell for a new job? Sure, but then don't turn
down a chance to read job listings, mail resumes or attend an
interview! Working to heal a sick spouse? ok, but make sure they
are getting medical advice, enough to eat, attention, care, therapy,
etc. to help the magic on its way!