Well Hello There! >Insert Obi-Wan Kenobi Gif Here<

[therootbeersprite]

Greetings. I'm TheRootbeerSprite. I've been practicing various eclectic witchery on and off basically my whole life.

I am particularly adept with divination, especially with my personal Geomancy method, and with Elder Futhark Runes. I'm starting to work with Tarot as well, now that I have obtained a deck physically small enough to fit in my itty bitty baby-sized hands. It's ironic, really, that divination is my strongest innate talent, since I'm not always so curious and don't often know what to ask. (My tarot cards have "scolded" me several times already for not asking specific enough questions.)

I consider myself an "art witch", as I physically "build" all of my spells, and my anthame is a palette knife.

Creating sigils is another speciality of mine, though I admit to leaning heavily on Elder Futhark. I should probably incorporate more Theban Script into my sigils, now that I think about it.

I don't usually do very well with using other people's spells. (Ask me some time how I accidentally made a cursed object from following a Valarie Worth cursebreaking spell...) However, I do heavily analyze other spells to try to understand the reasonings behind certain components. This has led to me being very effective at building my own spells. My process is to identify the goal, find the best "type" of spell for the job (I usually incorporate multiple), research, research, research, design the spell, physically create the spell, empower the spell, document everything that I have done, and document any noticed outcomes. ("Remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down.")

I don't work with spirits. With my mental health concerns, I would never be able to distinguish if I am interacting with a spirit or my own self, and I could do myself a real harm, so I just don't go there. That being said, I find "Gods" and "spirits" to not be the same thing, and I do worship several of the Greek Pantheon, especially Dionysos, Athena, and Posiedon. Though, again, I must be careful to put my mental health first. If I'm not sure of reality, I can't do properly focused spellwork or veneration.

I am of the mindset that common sense must be a part of a witch's arsenal, and that the mundane must be ruled out before the magical is invoked. For example, no amount of magical shielding is going to protect me from carbon monoxide poisoning.

I am VERY interested in WF's library. I find that even when a text is too introductory for me, I still always learn SOMETHING because every path has a different way of looking at things. And a quick persual shows me that there are a lot of non-introductory texts available. I'm so excited to dive in that I'm physically bouncing.

So, that's a bit about me, I suppose. Tell me a bit about yourself?

 

[IllusiveOwl]

You are a bold one. CoUgH hAcK cOuGh

Star Wars jokes aside, welcome to the forum! I look forward to hearing about your craft as it develops, it seems like you've got a good handle on what you're doing and what works for you, your contribution is very welcome to Forum discourse.

Tell me a bit about yourself?

I'm a student on track for a PhD in Psychology in the mundane, practicing Chaos / Draconian Magician at heart with Shamanistic roots, you can thank Jung's little white rabbit tail for leading me down that hole.

That being said, I like to get very out-there and explore a lot of unorthodox ideas when it comes to perceiving / working with reality, it may be good to avoid some of my posts and journals, I don't want to accidentally push you into psychosis.

Either way, the library here is phenomenal, happy hunting!

 

[therootbeersprite]

I'm a student on track for a PhD in Psychology in the mundane, practicing Chaos / Draconian Magician at heart with Shamanistic roots, you can thank Jung's little white rabbit tail for leading me down that hole.

Whuuf, PhD work can be a LOT, from what I have heard from my peers. Best wishes to you with that. Are you using any study incense? I have a recipe that I put together based on the writings of Scott Cunningham, if you would like it? And I have a study sigil that I put on the lid, when I made it for a friend, though I have to double check that it isn't specifically keyed to her, but I don't remember it being so... ('m offering the recipe and sigil for free, not as a transaction, so I don't think I'm breaking WF's rules? If I am, please let me know ASAP.)

That being said, I like to get very out-there and explore a lot of unorthodox ideas when it comes to perceiving / working with reality, it may be good to avoid some of my posts and journals, I don't want to accidentally push you into psychosis.

I'm pretty good at keeping clear of what might trigger me, but thanks for the warning. I find that if I just read about someone else's workings, I'm okay as long as I don't enact them myself. And I never know what tidbits I may find to incorporate into my own craft, even if they're just inspired by someone else's workings, or removed from the context of that information as a whole. I once heard to take what works for you and leave the rest, and as an eclectic witch, well, yeah pretty much exactly that. I build my own path, and as I mentioned above, I do far worse when I try to follow the workings of someone else.

 

[IllusiveOwl]

study sigil

That's very kind of you to offer, thank you, but I'll have to decline. I prefer to implement use of Will over Sigils; to exercise the Will and force myself to study hardens my determination and makes me a stronger being as a result. I wouldn't want to externalize things to make them easier, the more difficult and straining the conditions, the better.

 

[therootbeersprite]

(To clarify, I am not trying to induce you to taking the sigil. I fully respect your declension.)

I like your use of the Exertion of Will to become a stronger being. How do you define Strength? What does it mean to become Stronger?

I do not agree with you, however, that a Sigil is an externalization separate from the Will. Indeed, U.D. Frater writes about Austin Osman Spare's sigil theory:

According to Spare's short instructions, [the sigil] should be destroyed after its internalization. Thus, you will either burn the parchment, wipe it out in the sand, etc. Spare's basic idea is that the sigil, together with its meaning, must be planted into the unconscious. Afterwards, the consciousness has to forget it so that the unconscious can obey its encoded direction without hindrance. When the sigil is ready, it is activated by implanting it into the psyche.

As such, a Sigil does not do the work externally of oneself, but helps in the focus of one's own energy. Though, perhaps it is different when one creates their own sigil, versus using one that someone else has created? I admit that I never have used a sigil that I did not myself create. I have yet to find one that "jives" with me. Perhaps this is because it is the act of creating it which allows the focus of my intention?

 

[IllusiveOwl]

How do you define Strength? What does it mean to become Stronger?

To me strength of Will is really the only strength that matters, with it comes determination, compassion, empathy, chivalry, veneration, dignity. The weak willed aren't able to maintain these qualities genuinely, and so to become stronger you increase your own agency, your own Willpower. To become stronger means you act entirely from within yourself, you exist within the world and are a part of the whole, but it in no way pressures you to act against yourself, whether through physical or emotional torture. Any ideal is upheld with this kind of strength, and I believe it is where true Saintly unyielding selflessness comes from.

I admit that I never have used a sigil that I did not myself create.

Yes, I create my own sigils as well, either through art or from asking for one from a divine Patron, I have received several from mine to bring me good fortune strictly to perpetuate The Work.

The magic of sigils is done unconsciously, maybe externalization was not the right word, but the sigil just sits there and makes your life easier, I don't like doing that more than I have to.

 

[therootbeersprite]

I really like that way of looking at strength, to exist within the world as a whole, but to have agency and not have to act against yourself. When I was at my lowest, I broke my personal Code, and when I am at my best, the qualities that I value flow out through me. I see why The Chariot is your personal tarot card right now.

I understand your dislike of Sigils, if you feel that they reduce your agency towards working towards your goals. Do you also dislike Runes? Where is your line where The Work makes things easier or not? Where does The Work end and The Will begin?

 

[IllusiveOwl]

they reduce your agency towards working towards your goals.

It's less they reduce the agency, it's like using AI to do your homework for you. When the semester is up, and you need to take the big final, you won't have gained the strength you were meant to during the class, even if you had the same grades as the successful students. I only employ it when I need a large change, like a new job or a better location, never for small things like studying or focusing.

Do you also dislike Runes?

From my understanding, Runes are similar to Tarot mixed with Yoga postures and hieroglyphic meta-symbolism, I've read some stuff from the Rune-Gild, but Norse iconography never grabbed me. I mostly use Tarot for any kind of divination simply because of how well I know the cards by now.

Where does The Work end and The Will begin?

The Will is stoked and engorged to perpetuate The Work. The Work doesn't make things easier, it is the hardest thing an incarnate being can do, it is also the only thing of value, everything else is just imaginary games and toys on a playground.

 

[therootbeersprite]

It's interesting to me that you see sigils as having the AI do the homework for you. I see it the exact opposite way, that the act of creating a sigil IS doing the homework. The goal of the spell is the essay prompt, research that goes into making the spell is the assigned and supplemental reading, creating the spell, including a sigil, is writing the essay, and the outcome is your grade on how well you did. But then perhaps using someone else's sigils or spells is like using an essay that someone else wrote. You can certainly discuss with your peers how they would tackle the problem, you can read other essays on the topic to see what you can learn from them, you can go to office hours and ask questions of your teachers, but ultimately, you must write your own essay.

One of the things that I love about the esoteric is that there are so many different Paths, and everyone walks their own, each is distinct, but we are all Walking.

What is the goal of The Work to you? What IS The Work to you? I think we may be talking past each other on this concept.

 

[IllusiveOwl]

that the act of creating a sigil IS doing the homework.

Originally, you had offered me a sigil to help with studying. I don't see how that is just as much work as... just studying, if it's just as much work and not an easier solution, why bother with it at all in the first place? You have two people who go through a class, one uses sigils to help enhance their ability to study and memorize, the other does it on their own, both pass, but which do you think comes out having grown more?

What is the goal of The Work to you? What IS The Work to you? I think we may be talking past each other on this concept.

I outlined my goals and philosophy in the "What kind of Wizard are you?" Thread. In terms of The Work, I am referring to the Crowley definition, or the Setian Xeper / Remanifest.

 

[therootbeersprite]

I don't see how that is just as much work as... just studying

When I studied in high school and college, much of my studying was making "pretty" study guides, because as I compiled and organized my notes, read the textbook for clarity, and looked at other sources, I came to better understand the material. Making them into something WAS my form of studying. Offering a sigil or an incense recipe isn't offering to do the studying for you. It's like offering you a copy of my class notes. You still have to read them yourself and see how they compare to your own.

both pass, but which do you think comes out having grown more?

I think they both learned, both grew. I'm neurodivergent, so I learned when I was really young that there are many different ways to study, learn, and grow, and they don't have to be the same to be effective. My way of studying and your way of studying are clearly very different, but we are both learning and growing, on our own Paths.

In terms of The Work, I am referring to the Crowley definition, or the Setian Xeper / Remanifest.

Ah, I'm not well-read enough to know these definitions. If you have the time and the spoons, would you be willing to give me a quick run-down, or else point me towards a specific reading or two?

 

[IllusiveOwl]

would you be willing to give me a quick run-down, or else point me towards a specific reading or two?

It's difficult to do that, it's something that should be discovered and striven towards naturally, something is compelling me not to discuss it further. Some suggested reading would be The Upanishads, Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and It's Attainment by Steiner, and Uncle Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path, for starters.

 

[therootbeersprite]

Thank you for the reading recommendations. I look forward to the new knowledge.