My Magickal Motivations

Magick is one of my most favorite topics. As I get older, the more orthodox in my ways I tend to become, although I am torn between remaining silent and moving forward to teach the craft to others.

I was trained through both hermetics and Wicca. First, learning and then later attaining the right to claim myself a priestess and being involved in my community doing leadership tasks including teaching, marrying, counseling and the like. Then, I studied hermetics. I tend to lean more towards the Hermetic beliefs these days and most of my own beliefs stem from the 7 Hermetic principles.

When I was younger, I joined the Golden Dawn. During my time there, while I wasn't there too long,I learned enough that I know to do my Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagrams (LBRP) on a daily basis, I remember to express my gratitudes and I do my part to uphold my vows. I left the order due to finances and then I moved. Years later, I found all of the materials from the Order and I decided to go on with my studies. I had shunned Aleister Crowley for years, mainly because as far as the Order was concerned he was still a traitor and had released our sacred teachings to the world. I had made a hard line until I had to move and I lost my books. I was heartbroken and some of Crowley's thoughts became more pertinent. I like to think it is quotes like this. I think he may have been a bit crazy, but party and magick... I can be down with that.

Okay, maybe not that one. But, the fact is, the OTO is far more popular and Crowley is now more popular than Mathers. In fact, most people don't even know who Mathers is, which is sad in it's own right.

Here is a picture of him. Samual Liddel Mathers, also known as MacGregor Mathers. We will definitely be talking more about him in future posts because when we get to the point of learning about him. Mathers was definitely an influence on my own practices. He spoke multiple languages and it was his influences that helped to create tarot as we know it today. He was the first to translate Kabbalah Denudata into English and inflienced the practice of Egyptian mythology. He also contributed to the Z Documents, had a number of works published and helped to guide the Order to what it is today. He also was the one that broguht Crowley into the fold, thus the reason I ended up following his teachings years later and why I incorporate them into my own.

While all of this was going on, I was also going to school. There I originally started as an anthropology student and then changed to sociology. I read a number of occult works including a series of books by Helena Blavatsky. I also found the writings of Carl Jung.

Other influences of my practices include StarHawk and Scott Cunningham. I grew up in the 90s and was introduced to the craft at the time when the Craft was popular and Wicca was just busting out into the mainstream. This is where I received my training and took my vows. Yes, I said vows. They aren't as common now, but if you think about the time it was much different. I was trained in a strict manner and I submitted to the path of magick in all varieties.

Recent Revelations

Recently, I have been doing a lot of history studies. When I was learning all of this stuff, the internet wasn't actually as available as it is today. This was the day of the dial up while paying for minutes of connection at a coffee shop. I remember setting up classes and paying 20 bucks for the time I used the computer at my local cafe. I have been studying and working on a time line. I don't know how, but I didn't realize the connection of Jung, Crowley, Cunningham and Mathers. I also never realized how much each were connected, helping to create a new magical system.

I still maintain that there is a need for secrecy. I won't break vows by writing on here but I do feel there is a lot to know about the entirety of magick, as we know it today. Before we dig in too deep though, I wanted to talk a bit about my own aspirations and inspirations so that you know where I am coming from.

Thank you for reading! I can't wait to start breaking through some of the challenges of magick, sorting out my own thoughts on the subjects and sharing them with people who would like to discuss them.

Do You Practice? If so, feel free to share your views and practices! Let's open the discussion and get magick working for the betterment of ourselves and those around us!