"A fellow spellcaster--how wonderful! I'd love to hear about what you do."
"Oh, ya know, I've done some spells and stuff, and one time I went to this open circle..."
Okay, to be quite honest, this is a terrible start. But I'm hopeful.
"Yeah? That's great. What did you think of the circle?"
I don't go to open circles, and would enjoy hearing about personal impressions, so this could be a great topic!
"It was okay. My friend Alice and I went in college so I don't remember a lot. But I'm doing a lot of my own stuff these days, so it's no big deal."
Alright. Fine. No talking about that, I guess. But it could still turn around; creativity is totally my thing. Lets talk about it!
"Your own stuff? Like what--writing, art, a coven?"
"Um, like, I make up spells sometimes. I don't really like books and groups and stuff."
"Oh."
Next.
This raises so many questions. Do people just not consider ahead of time how to describe their magical selves in the event they meet another caster? Is it shyness that makes them downplay their experiences to a detrimental--not to mention boring--degree? Is this a bluff to keep weirdos like me from finding out their secrets?
This example is far from unique and represents a sad gap in our community. I try, I really do, but if I'm going to keep up with any witch they're going to need one thing above all else: ambition. A shot of this to the occultist's vein and you have a dynamo, no matter what they end up doing with it.
Without Ambition, What is Life?
We're here for more that just muddling through another work week. This goes double for witches. Why bother delving into the great sprawling world of magic if you're not going to use a map but instead ramble around at your leisure? Are you on a 70 some-odd-year holiday, or are you living an adventure?
Sometimes I leave things open to your own interpretation, but not here. This is not a "should" situation, it's a "must." You simply must endeavor to do something with the time, talents, and resources available to you.
Knowing What you Want is Next Door to Getting It
Start today. Start now. If you don't know what you're good at or what you'd really like to do with the talents you are already familiar with, get out a notebook and start writing. Figure yourself out. What haven't you tried but would enjoy? What did you love about magic when you first began? What other parts of your life can be tied into magic but haven't been yet?
Witches are traditionally knowledgeable, not only about the world but also about themselves and about human behavior in general. You walk in illustrious footsteps when you seek out to learn what makes your particular skill set perfect for the life you might lead. To refuse this opportunity is to close the door on splendor and inner (and possibly outer) riches that have been set aside for you alone.
If Your Goals in Life are Meager, Quit Magic Now. It's Not for You.
A beer on Saturday night. Being able to get the latest gen. iPhone. Don't get fired before your car's paid off. These are small ideas for small people. Occultists aren't small; they can't be. The job is so massive that it requires a massive personality with equally broad desires. Let them unfurl, don't be afraid! You're supposed to expand! If you have dreams that start a fire in your every time you think about them, take up the wand and cauldron.
All Your Ambitions Have Magical Importance
Not only do spells get the things we want in life, they also teach us that we can have whatever it is week seek. Our wishes matter and have potential.
Spells help us to improve our inner world by rearranging and experimenting with the outer world. Will more money make you a better person? Will you really be happier if you have a romantic partner in your life? Will your problems actually end if you finally move out of your current home? Let's find out!
After each trial, each change, improvement, and mistake, we learn something new about ourselves. We respond and grow and adapt. Magic gives us an amazing ability to evolve at an accelerated pace.
And You Know Who is Afraid of This? Everyone Else.
Socrates taught us that the unexamined life is not worth living. It's been my experience, however, that it's also fountainhead of a lot of fear and that leads to anger, aggression, jealousy, pain, and confusion. People who don't know themselves and who aren't working toward a goal are often defense and short-tempered with those who are.
Happily, none of that touches the path you're on. People like that can't harm your goals--they're not even within reach of themselves--so they are no threat. Just keep going; you've got someplace to be.
Images from:
stagandserpent.com
stagandserpent.com
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