Sorcery

[Wolfmage13]

At present I'm training to be a Ceremonial High Magician, I want that to be the foundation of my path working. But ultimately I want to become a Sorcerer, described by some, as one who has the knack to know what tool to use in which situation. What I mean to say is, I want to branch out into other magick paths, such as Druidry, Witchcraft, Norse Shamanism, Hoodoo Voudou, Chaos Magick. Most magick paths can do pretty much the same thing, just in a different manner. However I do believe some are better at certain workings than others to cause an intended affect. I want to be ready for anything. Now all say intention is the most fundamental aspect of working magick. But I think belief is also paramount. You must believe the magick will work, it will just fizzle in your face. How is it possible with so many systems of magick that practitioners can can call on power to accomplish the similiar goals. What do you guys think. Is it just intent, or does belief play a big role also.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

IMO, chaos magic will teach you many of the principkes behind magic. Think of it as a meta-system. The clearest book for this is probably "Advanced Magick For Beginners' by Alan Chapman.

It teaches that magic requires a belief system, but it doesn't matter what that belief system is. The simplest belief system is just to believe in your own abilities as a magician.

Doubt and other conscious thinking about the magic will interfere with the process. (As will telling anyone before it's complete)

 

[Wolfmage13]

IMO, chaos magic will teach you many of the principkes behind magic. Think of it as a meta-system. The clearest book for this is probably "Advanced Magick For Beginners' by Alan Chapman.

It teaches that magic requires a belief system, but it doesn't matter what that belief system is. The simplest belief system is just to believe in your own abilities as a magician.

Doubt and other conscious thinking about the magic will interfere with the process. (As will telling anyone before it's complete)

I think I have that book, and thank you for your input it makes sense to me this is exactly how I see it. However how does one explain spontaneous manifesting? That happens to me alot, and it comes unbidden at the most random of times.

 

[giusma]

Intent gives the work direction, but belief gives it psychological and symbolic force. Still, belief does not have to mean blind certainty. In serious practice, confidence usually grows from repetition, discipline, and results.

Different magical systems can pursue similar ends because they organise attention, imagination, ritual action, spirit relationships, and cultural symbols in different ways. But I don't think they are simply interchangeable toolkits. Druidry, Hoodoo, Vodou, Norse traditions, and ceremonial magic arise from very different histories, communities, and assumptions. Learning broadly can make you adaptable, but depth should come before collecting systems. I had the feeling that the possible outcome could be just jumping from system to system, and that's it.

A good sorcerer is not someone who knows a little of everything. It is someone grounded enough in one tradition to recognise what another method can genuinely offer, and wise enough to know when not to use it.

 

[Wolfmage13]

Basically exactly just the other way around with regards to what I said about Sorcerors. And i don't plan on jumping from system to system. It's just going to be spiritually and magickally alot busier for me as I aim to keep growing in each path I add. It's gonna be alot of homework, I mean Hermeticism is about 3000 years worth already. And I chose those systems BECAUSE they are varied and apart from one another.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

However how does one explain spontaneous manifesting? That happens to me alot, and it comes unbidden at the most random of times.

I see it this way: Magic is an unexpected consequence of the process of normal human consciousness. Synchronicity is randomised magic, without conscious intent. Normally, all the random things cancel each other out, but occasionally one becomes like the butterfly flapping its wings and causing a storm , magnifying up to unlikely proportions.