The Call

[Mycelial_Adept]

This is something I think of now and then and thought I would share.

Everyone can learn the mechanical processes of magic, but few people are truly suited for the work. I have had the opportunity to show many people a glimpse of the powers all around us and I have noticed a pattern. Almost everyone I have helped experience magic immediately disavowed the practice or anything else to do with the art of it all.

There is a big difference between an empty action often performed as magic, and one where you touch the divine powers, and quite frankly, it can and often is terrifying in a deeply intrinsic way. Even when you are dealing with a power we would associate with "good". The power is a force, just like a boulder hurdling towards you would fill you with fear because it could crush you if you did not know the right ways to move. The power of somethings can dwarf your ability to comprehend them. You find yourself in the midst of real magic, not "just psychology" but world changing forces that you could reach out and touch as much as you could touch the wall or anything else.

Here is where the difference comes into play. I refer to this as "The Call".

When a person meets whatever powers they have called on, they are forever changed. they will either run from them, or be consumed by the desire to go deeper into the wilds of the art, to become entrenched in the works and study of the powers all around us. These people find their soul aches for more.

These people have heard "The Call" and truly begin the climb of the mountain of initiation.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

Robert Anton Wilson referred to this experience as "navigating Chapel Perilous" - either you deny it happened, become deluded that you are all-powerful, or, as you say, begin the climb of the mountain of initiation.

Everyone can learn the mechanical processes of magic, but few people are truly suited for the work.

I always say that not everyone becomes a magician for the same reason not everyone becomes a brain surgeon.

 

[Hastrologer]

Everyone can learn the mechanical processes of magic, but few people are truly suited for the work. Some people would call you an elitist after such statement. The thing is, if we accept that some people run faster, has more stamina or lift more weight than most of us, we could also accept without being bother or hurt, that some people have a natural inclination towards the process of studying, researching and executing magic. I would not call it "The Call" or "The gift", though. It sounds too dramatic. I would refer to it simple as: "The natural curiosity". Nice post btw!

 

[Grayhoss]

This has been known for centuries among Medicineworkers.
Some just aren't suited, at all. Some have the gifts, but lack the proper psychological or emotional qualities.
Some are suited and receive the call and the training, and accept, entering upon the Good Red Road.
The second group, tragically, usually ends up bonded to malign spirits and becomes what we know as 'workers of evil'. This is why my Father told me that some who have the paranormal talents aren't called: Its better by far if they don't end up in a twisted spiritual union with a depraved entity, rather than a healthy one with a spirit devoted to the Gods and Ancestors.

 

[Hastrologer]

The second group, tragically, usually ends up bonded to malign spirits and becomes what we know as 'workers of evil'. This is why my Father told me that some who have the paranormal talents aren't called: Its better by far if they don't end up in a twisted spiritual union with a depraved entity, rather than a healthy one with a spirit devoted to the Gods and Ancestors.

Hello Grayhoss! The aftermath of bonding with a rebellious spirit doesn't need to be "tragic". You should know there many factors in play. For example; People of good nature bonding/learning/commuting with a insurgent entity vs misguided people bonding/learning/commuting with a chaotic energy. In my opinion, the big downside of committing to "the call" is that, it's a lonely path. Luckily we have this forum! Cheers!

 

[Mycelial_Adept]

The path of the practice of magic being called The Lonely Road, is well named for so many different reasons. If we look at

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, we can see the ascent of the practitioner, and the challenges they must face with those who choose to stay in the cave, how little and meaningless the world of the shadows of the cave mean. It makes a person separate from the majority of people in many specific ways. It is nice to have places like this where you can find others who have left the cave or are seeking to leave the cave.

Hastro, I agree that the term for I use for the urge to leave the cave, ("the Call") is a bit dramatic, but when you are standing in the fullness of reality and are consumed by awe and longing for more, dramatic language sometimes is called for. I do try to avoid it in general but sometimes you need the dramatic to point towards something that's a bit out of our ability to put into words.

 

[Hastrologer]

Hastro, I agree that the term for I use for the urge to leave the cave, ("the Call") is a bit dramatic, but when you are standing in the fullness of reality and are consumed by awe and longing for more, dramatic language sometimes is called for. I do try to avoid it in general but sometimes you need the dramatic to point towards something that's a bit out of our ability to put into words.

Hi Mycelial! You were inspired and it was raw, that's why it's a nice post.