What is holding you back in magick?

[Shaman]

I just have such little interest in material things and not enough enemies. I can't really test out my magick or skills because of this.

 

[Xenophon]

I just have such little interest in material things and not enough enemies. I can't really test out my magick or skills because of this.

"Any man what wants enemies and ain't got none is a shiftless varmint. You wan' a nememy? I'm your huckleberry."---Doc Holliday

 

[pixel_fortune]

I just have such little interest in material things and not enough enemies. I can't really test out my magick or skills because of this.

Is there anything non-material you want? Some things that can be enchanted for (just as examples, even if you don't want these specific things - i don't know your life)

• increased motivation
• notice beauty more in your day to day to life
• notice more things that make you laugh
• notice things you are grateful for more
• notice synchronicities more
• better dream recall
• interesting and fun dreams
• more joy
• less anxiety
• appreciate what you have more
• better able to feel the love of others
• able to see the value in work
• enjoy doing chores and admin
• enjoy and look forward to physical exercise
• more accurate picture of your own strengths and weaknesses

Etc. No one's psychologically completely well rounded, self-aware and happy, there must be something non-material improvement you'd appreciate


And in the slightly more materialistic:

• more clearly communicate what you're trying to communicate (other people can hear you better)
• people give you the benefit of the doubt in uncertain situations
• when you are being honest, that honesty is radiated and believed
• your good work is noticed by your boss, your mistakes go unnoticed

Another good category is finding a very good professional whenever you need to hire one - good doctor, good electrician, non-asshole landlord

Post automatically merged: May 2, 2024

If you go through the motions, you start believing too.

I go for the Kurt Vonnegut version: "We become what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be."

 

[Shaman]

Is there anything non-material you want? Some things that can be enchanted for (just as examples, even if you don't want these specific things - i don't know your life)

• increased motivation
• notice beauty more in your day to day to life
• notice more things that make you laugh
• notice things you are grateful for more
• notice synchronicities more
• better dream recall
• interesting and fun dreams
• more joy
• less anxiety
• appreciate what you have more
• better able to feel the love of others
• able to see the value in work
• enjoy doing chores and admin
• enjoy and look forward to physical exercise
• more accurate picture of your own strengths and weaknesses

Etc. No one's psychologically completely well rounded, self-aware and happy, there must be something non-material improvement you'd appreciate


And in the slightly more materialistic:

• more clearly communicate what you're trying to communicate (other people can hear you better)
• people give you the benefit of the doubt in uncertain situations
• when you are being honest, that honesty is radiated and believed
• your good work is noticed by your boss, your mistakes go unnoticed

Another good category is finding a very good professional whenever you need to hire one - good doctor, good electrician, non-asshole landlord

Post automatically merged: May 2, 2024

I go for the Kurt Vonnegut version: "We become what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be."

I actually do a bulk of my work on self-improvement.. For example healing my mind and making me more happier. I ask spirits for this the most and manifest this the most. I just have no enemies so am kinda pissed I can't see my baneful work go to fruition. But eitherways thanks for the advice, I will look in to the tips you gave me <3

 

[pixel_fortune]

I actually do a bulk of my work on self-improvement..

It sounds like you do have a way to test out your magic and skills then! Just not the baneful ones

 

[Vandheer]

Holding me back: I still have the book/research-gluttony problem.

I'm not an armchair magician, especially at the moment. I'm doing ~1.5 hours of ritual every day, but somehow there is still always more to learn, more to read, and I know that, while some of this has value, there's a law of diminishing returns, and that my attitude is one of curiosity-as-greed. I would be better off saying "that's enough learning for now" and turning that time to meditation or prayer - or even physical fitness or cleaning or learning to paint or play music or socialising (with the right friends), making a more 3-dimensional life and building different neuron pathways, which I think all feed back into magic eventually.

I have had that issue before, for years. I must have read only 5 percent of books I have ever downloaded and even then I was reading a decent amount, with one odd twist, if a book had steps of praxis, I wouldn't read further than the step I was in. Weird, I know

Over time more than most of the books lost value to me since I have progressed in the magick, they would either repeat each other or were behind of what I could do. With that came dwindling interest in books. I don't enjoy them really anymore. I could slurp a 600 page sci-fi novel but I have been struggling with Lords of Left-Hand Path for the last two months, to give an example.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

Over time more than most of the books lost value to me since I have progressed in the magick, they would either repeat each other or were behind of what I could do. With that came dwindling interest in books. I don't enjoy them really anymore. I could slurp a 600 page sci-fi novel but I have been struggling with Lords of Left-Hand Path for the last two months, to give an example.

You know things are getting serious when you are reading a book on quantum physics and find yourself going "You fools! You'll never understand my work!"

 

[Xenophon]

You know things are getting serious when you are reading a book on quantum physics and find yourself going "You fools! You'll never understand my work!"

I had that happen whilst multitasking between a logic book and a fifth of Jose Cuervo. I scribbled out a brilliant series of notes about logical deduction being all backwards. And, come morning, you are right: I did not understand my work. I suppose though that the problem you're talking about might be slightly other.

Actually there's a problem holding back some would-be, could-be magi: believing that slapping the label "quantum leap" on any unexplained change confers scientific rigor upon meandering magickal musings.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

Actually there's a problem holding back some would-be, could-be magi: believing that slapping the label "quantum leap" on any unexplained change confers scientific rigor upon meandering magickal musings.

That is a good point. After all our discussions about this kind of 'scientism' in another thread, the idea that it might actually be a hindrance to one's magical work. All magical models confer limitations of some kind or another, but scientism is really neither one thing nor the other.

 

[Promise]

To Shaman's thing about not having enemies, what about the those you may not care about that much but perhaps could use a magical boost, the homeless person pan handling, clerk - batista- sever, person in the car next to that looks stressed, etc. If you want somewhere outside yourself to toss some magick at to see what effect it has those are some possibilities.

Another one is to go to a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, any place where you can warch people interact and pretend to be self absorbed, but really be watching for someone that either is 1) being a jerk - viola instant "enemy" to toss some minor curse at, or 2) someone that could a little magickal helping hand - boost of confidence or creative inspiration, a couple that maybe needs a little boost to their chemistry, etc..

Do the magickal intervention, and see what happens. Troubleshoot magick if needed ( here is where you probably learn the most).

Repeat as desired. Your goal is to test out your magick, so do as ma y of these as you can. Since you probably will only have a bit of info to go on,, go light on the cursing. Although, why not do a divination first to get a better read on things if the situation is unclear, that way you exercise more magical skills in the process.

Another variation would be decide in advance some spell to bless or curse, and use it on as many people as possible.

One thing I'll do for example, if I pull up to a light where someone is pan handling I'll see if I can "magickly grease the prosperity wheels" for them. I've had some times where many of the waiting drivers would roll down their window and hold out multiple bills for the person.

Actually, I'm gonna do more of this myself, so glad I thought of it.

Enjoy ,
Promise

 

[Shaman]

To Shaman's thing about not having enemies, what about the those you may not care about that much but perhaps could use a magical boost, the homeless person pan handling, clerk - batista- sever, person in the car next to that looks stressed, etc. If you want somewhere outside yourself to toss some magick at to see what effect it has those are some possibilities.

Another one is to go to a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, any place where you can warch people interact and pretend to be self absorbed, but really be watching for someone that either is 1) being a jerk - viola instant "enemy" to toss some minor curse at, or 2) someone that could a little magickal helping hand - boost of confidence or creative inspiration, a couple that maybe needs a little boost to their chemistry, etc..

Do the magickal intervention, and see what happens. Troubleshoot magick if needed ( here is where you probably learn the most).

Repeat as desired. Your goal is to test out your magick, so do as ma y of these as you can. Since you probably will only have a bit of info to go on,, go light on the cursing. Although, why not do a divination first to get a better read on things if the situation is unclear, that way you exercise more magical skills in the process.

Another variation would be decide in advance some spell to bless or curse, and use it on as many people as possible.

One thing I'll do for example, if I pull up to a light where someone is pan handling I'll see if I can "magickly grease the prosperity wheels" for them. I've had some times where many of the waiting drivers would roll down their window and hold out multiple bills for the person.

Actually, I'm gonna do more of this myself, so glad I thought of it.

Enjoy ,
Promise

I will give it a shot! I will try to manifest a home for a homeless person or something like that. Or heal a person who's suffering and see how it goes, this is a good way to test out abilities indeed. I just have to be careful cursing, I have done physical damage like breaking a leg to a person through a curse.

 

[Jorge_Velasquez]

Another curious thread, but maybe it will help contemplate upon our shortcomings, so why not?

So whats holding you back in magick? Are you just lazy as fuck? If no, despite training enough why do you think you aren't there yet? Karma? Mundane life problems interfering too much? Do you have a condition thats holding you back? Maybe you just aren't cut from a quality cloth?

I can answer this question. My heart is closed. I became cynical at anything. Childlike wonder I had once is diminished. I can't enflame myself in prayer no matter how hard I try. Though I don't believe that I am unskilled and I train a decent amount of time. But I wouldn't say I am complete, especially when it comes to faith.

What do you think it is for you?

Jorge is missing his staff that he had many moons ago. If he had it then unspeakable things could ensue, so he chose to bury it somewhere far away.

 

[HoldAll]

Jorge is missing his staff that he had many moons ago. If he had it then unspeakable things could ensue, so he chose to bury it somewhere far away.

Wrong subforum? Wasn't that comment meant as a profile post? If not, it's seriously off-topic.

 

[Vandheer]

Jorge is missing his staff that he had many moons ago. If he had it then unspeakable things could ensue, so he chose to bury it somewhere far away.

How about you go back and stay larping on your profile before I do some unspeakable things to you eh?

Disclaimer for anyone taking what I said seriously: Don't.

 

[Robert Ramsay]

Jorge is missing his staff that he had many moons ago. If he had it then unspeakable things could ensue, so he chose to bury it somewhere far away.

I'm pretty sure that referring to yourself in the third person will hold back your magical progress.

 

[Diluculo_DelFuego]

Perhaps trying to focus on the material is my problem. Perhaps self limiting beliefs.
In short, @pixel_fortune in the first reply made very cool interesting points and gave great ideas on what else Magick can be used for.

 

[Xenophon]

Wrong subforum? Wasn't that comment meant as a profile post? If not, it's seriously off-topic.

Either that or we're un-initiated in to his lingo and that's holding us back.

Post automatically merged: May 3, 2024

To Shaman's thing about not having enemies, what about the those you may not care about that much but perhaps could use a magical boost, the homeless person pan handling, clerk - batista- sever, person in the car next to that looks stressed, etc. If you want somewhere outside yourself to toss some magick at to see what effect it has those are some possibilities.

Another one is to go to a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, any place where you can warch people interact and pretend to be self absorbed, but really be watching for someone that either is 1) being a jerk - viola instant "enemy" to toss some minor curse at, or 2) someone that could a little magickal helping hand - boost of confidence or creative inspiration, a couple that maybe needs a little boost to their chemistry, etc..

Do the magickal intervention, and see what happens. Troubleshoot magick if needed ( here is where you probably learn the most).

Repeat as desired. Your goal is to test out your magick, so do as ma y of these as you can. Since you probably will only have a bit of info to go on,, go light on the cursing. Although, why not do a divination first to get a better read on things if the situation is unclear, that way you exercise more magical skills in the process.

Another variation would be decide in advance some spell to bless or curse, and use it on as many people as possible.

One thing I'll do for example, if I pull up to a light where someone is pan handling I'll see if I can "magickly grease the prosperity wheels" for them. I've had some times where many of the waiting drivers would roll down their window and hold out multiple bills for the person.

Actually, I'm gonna do more of this myself, so glad I thought of it.

Enjoy ,
Promise

I like the minor curse idea, but in another thread someone advised that curses tend to snowball. His point seemed to be that a curse was like shooting someone with a small-caliber pistol. "Small" or not you can still kill, even if you're just trying to wing the guy. Bottom line: be careful what you curse for? Or, like you already warned, "go light."

Post automatically merged: May 3, 2024

I'm pretty sure that referring to yourself in the third person will hold back your magical progress.

Really? The goetia-gang is that slow on the uptake? Asmodeus: "Malfoy said, 'Give Hermione the hots for Malfoy?' Does he mean himself? We got another Malfoy somewhere? I'm confused! Unspecific spells go to the end of the queue."

 

[Promise]

True, about potential unintended consequences of cursing.

Personally, the game I like play is to either:
1) Use divination to get a deeper understanding of the root cause of a person's behavior, and the use some sort of magickal blessing to heal / transform / fix that.

2) Use the semi Jungian notion that "Perception is Projection" , and own that if I'm perceiving it there must be some way that I'm actually projecting that in some - probably subtle way. a) Look for how am I like that. Or, if I don't find any ways that I think I'm like that, I can look for a more abstract way that I'm like that. The question, "What is the behavior _ an example of?" I may need to ask that question a few times to arrive at a description of the behavior that I feel is true for me.

Hypothetical Example:
Let's say I'm sitting in a bar, and I notice a guy being very rude to a girl that he entered with holing her hand. So I think to myself "How am I rude like that? How is that sort of rudeness something that is true of me?", but I'm really a very nice person, and I can't find a way that I'm ever rude in any way close to the same degree.

So, I then ask myself, "What is that kind of rudeness an example of?"

My answer, "It's a mean-spirited way of acting."

Again, I don't find any ways that I think I'm mean - spirited.

So I ask again, "What is mean spirited behavior an example of?"

This time my answer is, "A lack of compassion." Well I can find a lot of ways that I lack compassion.

Ok, I now have something I can work with. So, I now do some divination to better understand my lack of compassion.

Then I do some series of magick to handle the causes of my lack of compassion and to be more compassionate.

THEN I look to see if that guy that was rude has become more compassionate.

This is a backdoor to influence magick. This can be surprisingly effective.

 

[HoldAll]

APEICS = Abramelian Prayer Enflammation Inability Syndrome

Another idea would be to approach the problem from the other side and use magic to overcome your shortcomings (so you could do better magic obviously) which is not so nonsensical as may sound. Or come to think about it, maybe it is. Anyway, in his "Magickal Servitors" Damon Brand writes: "You can fashion a servitor to establish or enhance a personality trait, such as confidence, creativity or intuition. Alternatively, a servitor can subdue, suppress or even remove a negative personality trait."

I wouldn't want a goody-two-shoes spirit like an angel though, chasing me out of bed and ordering me to meditate & do the LBRP asap like a good sorcerer's apprentice but a servitor, an entity entirely under my control… It would be a delegation of responsibility of sorts but could it really work? Or a road opener spell? Appealing to Ganesha to remove obstacles? 10,000 repetetions of an Anahata mantra? A Tiphareth-centered ritual? In short, why not employ magic to deal with your blockages?

 

[Xenophon]

APEICS = Abramelian Prayer Enflammation Inability Syndrome

Another idea would be to approach the problem from the other side and use magic to overcome your shortcomings (so you could do better magic obviously) which is not so nonsensical as may sound. Or come to think about it, maybe it is. Anyway, in his "Magickal Servitors" Damon Brand writes: "You can fashion a servitor to establish or enhance a personality trait, such as confidence, creativity or intuition. Alternatively, a servitor can subdue, suppress or even remove a negative personality trait."

I wouldn't want a goody-two-shoes spirit like an angel though, chasing me out of bed and ordering me to meditate & do the LBRP asap like a good sorcerer's apprentice but a servitor, an entity entirely under my control… It would be a delegation of responsibility of sorts but could it really work? Or a road opener spell? Appealing to Ganesha to remove obstacles? 10,000 repetetions of an Anahata mantra? A Tiphareth-centered ritual? In short, why not employ magic to deal with your blockages?

Actually the notion strikes me as perfectly sensible. Like hiring a personal trainer.