"We have Laws about that sort of stuff, Well not laws, rules. Well they are Guidlines really."
Most of us are probably familiar with that Prachettism. And it allways raises a wry smile when I read that phrase-Followed by the Character doing exactly as he/she pleases.

Theres the 3Fold law of Witchcraft which under close scrutiny dosen't stand up to any sort of Logical Examination. Theres this whole endless arguing over Black/White Magic-People using the Rules to justify their behavior or to condemm others.

Thing is I'm of the opinion that Magic and Ritual is too caught up in the Rules and Laws of the Art and not enough in the results.
I've counted on my bookshelf and between me and OM there are 20 books of Magic, some of which I refer to on a regular baisis some of which I havent opend for ages. Now most of these books have one thing in common, They were written by someone who had practiced the spells/rituals and gotten some results. Those books are not so far removed from the Magical Diary that every good Witch and Magician is supposed to Keep. (Yes I have one, you can read it after i'm dead cos it details some pretty honest stuff) Those Books from Crowley to West are nothing more than Accounts of their own Experments and results.

We need those books as a grounding, as a way of understaning what has been achived through that certain persons style of Magic. And as away of learing what is Possible and what isnt. Or maybe a way of Learing what they managed to achive and what they didn't.
We refer to the books for reassurance for the "Am I doing this right?" which pops up every so often as we evolve in our art.
Questioning what we are doing, How we are doing is a part of our Art, Every so often we get out the yardstick to measure ourselves. And hopefully to see the areas in whch we can improve.

Magic like ourselves is allways evolving, Its not Static, Witchraft didn't stop in the 50's when Garnder published his work, or in the 80's when Saunders popped his clogs. CM didn't reach its pinaccle in 1947 when Crowley died (although there are many who try and keep it set in that era and mindset.) Talking about Lessons learned, Crowley died a heroin addict and virtually destitute-Hasn't stopped people trying to emulate him for the past 60 years.

We do require some rules and truisms, and then we require the self belife to break those rules

Otherwise Magic is just part of the Publishing Buisness and Pagansim is a fancy dress club.

Well said.

We need reminded that what we are doing should be to some degree empirical research.

Honestly JO?

I cant really relate to this at all. I do what I do and I have zero books on it and I dont think I have ever gotten my yard stick out and this mentioned by Fred...



What? Why?

Is it maybe to have something to do with the whole.. CM thing?? Dont shout at me!!! I've been reading your blogs honest!!! I just dont feel this at all.

No Worries Xalle, its a question of each to their own.

There are laws I work with, though none seem to be constructed by practitioners. I discarded those (things like someone else's correspondences) a long time go. The sort of thing I mean is working with wyrd.

To me, it's like the difference between recognising that gravity exists but declining to feel you have to wear a particular form of shoe because someone says that's the only way to deal with gravity if you want to walk.



TBH, I've never tried someone else's formulas in that way. I've never read of their results. I've just done the magic that felt right to me. I used a few recommendations - say, that this herb should be used for that purpose - in the past, but nowadays, if I want to use something I take note of what it means to me. Or else I consult folklore or the books of real herbalists.



If I get the results then, as far as I'm concerned, I'm doing it right.

Interesting.

The woman is content to get on with what she knows works and to do what she knows she's good at.

The man has to tinker and take things apart to find out how they work and if they could be made to work better.

Succinct Andy. You know you'll upset someone with that, but not me

Sorry cant resist. Is this not what I was driving at in the "Men and Women in Magick" ?

*runs and ducks into trench*

Heh. And that's why women don't have to pursue education and practice (or read books) to become great, they are just born 'knowing' what they can do and be good at it ( and have never made any discoveries ) and men have to waste all that time learning stuff and have made all the discoveries and fine Arts.

And that's why we need more dogma and texts so the men can keep up with what women are born knowing! ( so that the men can discover a better way of doing what the women all ready know how to do but are inherently incapable of improving upon it).


Marto

The only rule I have is that I ask myself, if you could do it without magic and get a way with it, would you? If the answer's yes, get on with it. If the answer's no, leave it alone.

Thats an interesting viewpoint especially in this modern age of "equality" and "diversity" not one I can agree with obviously, there are those of us in the male lines that do quite well enough for ourselves thank you without any outside influences...

Go with what works for you, as I keep on saying everything we do boils down to the intention of the act, this requires that YOU have associations etc with what you are utilising. It is the connection you make that matters, books are great as insight and guidelines but dont contain any real answers.

"We shall be seekers all our lives, for once initiation has occurred there is no turning back- it is not a thing that should be undertaken thoughtlessly"
Ly de Angelo