Do you have to worship a deity to learn magic?

[Yitagus]

I have yet to see anyone worshiping statue instead of worshiping a being that is represented by statue. Are you sure that you got those people right? Because this statement, that people worship statues, sounds like as if you had no idea what those people do and never asked them.

In forums related to magic in our country, most posts are inquiries about spirit communication and the worship of statues of deities. You are right, I haven’t seriously tried to understand the specific practices of how they worship deities and statues. From my perspective, to take a recent example I saw, people discuss whether the deity they are worshiping likes the alcohol they bought this time, or similar questions, or what is so-called, 'I suddenly feel pain in my arm today, does it mean the deity is not pleased with me?' I have even seen cases of people having romantic relationships with deities. I can’t believe such things; frankly, I feel that such things are unlikely.

Post automatically merged: Saturday at 11:36 AM

You don't have to worship any deities, demons, angels or other entities for the sake of―well, whatever you have in mind; be it simple practice, self-development, spells, curses, healing e.g. Yes, you still should respect them, stay genuine and approach with clear intent, but worship is not something you must aim for.

An unpopular note I rarely see mentioned; most entities prefer not to be worshipped, at all.
Most worshipp is shallow and 'dry', they empty of any potency.

The benefit of a decent 'work connection' (or just bonding in general) with mutual respect and offering is not less than what a droid like worship with no genuine affection and dedication towards the entity itself could offer. In fact, it is often far less. The quality of your time, emotions, thoughts, energy and offerings towards them is real, and if you do 'worship' an entity for the results, you worship the results, and not the entity. Deities don't need this kind of approach, you won't fool them, and no one should fool themselves either.

The question is, do you want deities, demons, angels etc. by your side while you walk on the path of magic and if so, why? For you don't need entities to do that, at all. It can help, and it has multiple benefits, but nothing is impossible without them, either.

In fact, while I have almost two decades of practice with magic, the deitites, demons and entities around me are here for bonding (they called for me, I accepted), rather than pulling out 'anything fancy', and I spend most of my times with them; there's always someone (if not more) around me for decades, and I did not have them here for work at the first place, but because I love them. I did my magic 95% of my time without seeking for any help or suggestion from them.
Their presence, the process of bonding and the benefit coming from it helped me to improve without aiming for the result directly, and the pure genuinity is empowering this process, but, again, it is not necessary.

If you personally feel like that worshipping in a more formal manner would help your mind focus on the task, and allow you to slip into the right mindset and psychic stance, then go for it. It'll be profitable for your magic, mostly.

Just remember:
Just be honest.
Be clear.
Be willing to do the work.
and always show respect.

Thank you for your explanation, which was like guiding me through a maze; I truly felt your love for magic. What you said makes sense, and I will strive to approach your enthusiasm for learning. In any case, thank you.

Post automatically merged: Saturday at 11:37 AM

You don't have to worship any deities, demons, angels or other entities for the sake of―well, whatever you have in mind; be it simple practice, self-development, spells, curses, healing e.g. Yes, you still should respect them, stay genuine and approach with clear intent, but worship is not something you must aim for.

An unpopular note I rarely see mentioned; most entities prefer not to be worshipped, at all.
Most worshipp is shallow and 'dry', they empty of any potency.

The benefit of a decent 'work connection' (or just bonding in general) with mutual respect and offering is not less than what a droid like worship with no genuine affection and dedication towards the entity itself could offer. In fact, it is often far less. The quality of your time, emotions, thoughts, energy and offerings towards them is real, and if you do 'worship' an entity for the results, you worship the results, and not the entity. Deities don't need this kind of approach, you won't fool them, and no one should fool themselves either.

The question is, do you want deities, demons, angels etc. by your side while you walk on the path of magic and if so, why? For you don't need entities to do that, at all. It can help, and it has multiple benefits, but nothing is impossible without them, either.

In fact, while I have almost two decades of practice with magic, the deitites, demons and entities around me are here for bonding (they called for me, I accepted), rather than pulling out 'anything fancy', and I spend most of my times with them; there's always someone (if not more) around me for decades, and I did not have them here for work at the first place, but because I love them. I did my magic 95% of my time without seeking for any help or suggestion from them.
Their presence, the process of bonding and the benefit coming from it helped me to improve without aiming for the result directly, and the pure genuinity is empowering this process, but, again, it is not necessary.

If you personally feel like that worshipping in a more formal manner would help your mind focus on the task, and allow you to slip into the right mindset and psychic stance, then go for it. It'll be profitable for your magic, mostly.

Just remember:
Just be honest.
Be clear.
Be willing to do the work.
and always show respect.

Thank you for your explanation, which was like guiding me through a maze; I truly felt your love for magic. What you said makes sense, and I will strive to approach your enthusiasm for learning. In any case, thank you.

Post automatically merged: Saturday at 11:39 AM

I have yet to see anyone worshiping statue instead of worshiping a being that is represented by statue. Are you sure that you got those people right? Because this statement, that people worship statues, sounds like as if you had no idea what those people do and never asked them.

It is not about worshiping statues, but treating the statues as if they were Buddhist sculptures to be venerated.

 

[Denise13]

Depends on the kind of magic. Some spells (especially those activated by rituals), may require an actual god. And even then, not all gods require worship.

(this also opens the question: is offering a favourite food/drink worship or simply respect, the same you would offer to a friend who is helping you with a project? Is repayment worship? Is cooperation worship?)

There's a long tradition of offering food and drink to nature spirits/fairies, but they make no claims to godhood.

 

[lonkia]

Not at all. While devotional magic and working with deities is a valid and popular path, it is only one branch of a much larger tree. The statues are simply focal points, not the source of the power.

 

[Reizo]

This is a definite no from me, Solomonic practitioner here. Stephen Skinner has also strongly said as much repeatedly in interview appearances.

 

[JJB5]

Nope, not a requirement

 

[neilwilkes]

In our forum, the topics most discussed and studied are the worship of statues of deities and mediumship. Most of the communication revolves around one's inner sanctuary and personal talents. Participants often showcase their statues and share the detailed conversations they have with the deities to demonstrate their spiritual progress. I've seen people worshiping statues of Lucifer, Lilith, and Zeus. Is it necessary to worship statues when studying magical practices, and are there any practices that do not require worshiping statues?

In a word, No.
To paraphrase a quote from Crowley, it is immaterial whether you believe in a single god or multiple gods along with pixies, leprechauns & the whole nine yards of what Dee termed 'spiritual creatures' - by doing certain things, certain results follow.
Magick is the science and art of causing change in conformity with your Will, which leads to the obvious caveat that you are going to have to develop your Will to the point where it is strong enough to cause the changes you require. Think of a professional athlete or sportsman - they practise daily in the gym to build physical strength (we are looking to develop our Will, of course) and they don't only ply their art/trade in the big events. They work up to it - you don't start running and decide to enter the Olymipc Marathon Race, or start playing Cricket & open for England at Lords the following week. It often takes years & years of practise & sheer hard work.
It's worth the effort though, it really is