Lessons
You May Not Find in Books
Author
Unknown
1)
Within a Circle trust is an absolute necessity.
If
you attend a ritual be SURE you trust those
involved. Many feel this, in today’s 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 convenient. Overuse of magic, like anything
else, becomes a crutch that can unbalance your life.
3)
Prophecy is a two-edged sword.
Remember
this, whether 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 occurred around them, even when very
simple non-magical answers existed to explain what had occurred. 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
boundaries 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,
separated 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
coherently? Does the person to be taught really want to learn it all and
are they sincere, or are they merely 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 grenade
to a three year old and expect positive results.
9)
Not all paths and philosophies are desirable.
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 McMahon 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!
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