Llewellyn Journal - What Path Should I Take: Part II

Precis: In a recent article entitled "What Path Should I Take: Part I" by Carley X., the writer asked for help and advice, ending with the questions: "How do I start? What about the God and Goddess? How do I deal with friends? How do I deal with relatives? What path should I follow?" Here, the editor of The Llewellyn Journal gives a response.

WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE?
Part II
By Donald Michael Kraig

Preface: The article below was completed many days ago. However, we received dozens of emails directed to Carley so we decided to post some of them first and wait to post this one. If you have not viewed those emails already, we urge you to scroll to the bottom of Part 1 of this article and read them to see what others have said.

Dear Carley, and all other people who have these questions:

Thank you for emailing us and asking these important questions. I've been asked questions such as these many, many times, so I think giving some suggestions for dealing with these issues may not only be of service to you, but also to others. You should not assume that my responses are the only answers to your questions; they are simply things that have worked for many of my direct and indirect students over the years. It is my hope that other people will give alternative answers which may also be life affirming and helpful.

It seems to me that there are three basic aspects to your questions. The first is, "What path should you follow?" The second is, "How do you start on that path?" And the third is, "How should you deal with others?" Once you answer the first question, the second will become clearer, so let's start there.

To begin, although there are many systems of magic, there are some major differences between natural magic, as is practiced by many Wiccans, and ceremonial magic. This is not to say that one system is better than another, only that they are different. It seems, then, that the first part of the answer as to which path you should follow is to determine which of the two general paths interests you most. From there, you can narrow things down.

The first of the general paths I just mentioned is what I call magic with spirituality. This is the path of ceremonial magic. With ceremonial magic, the practices form a technology, a system that anyone can practice. One of the underlying concepts of this is a type of nondenominational spirituality. In short, you can follow many spiritual systems, including numerous forms of Christianity, and still perform magic.

The other general path is what I call spirituality with magic. This is the path of Wicca and Witchcraft. Just as there are many Christian sects, so, too, are there many sects or "traditions" of Wicca and Witchcraft. The vast majority of them have some form of spirituality at their core. Some worship a God and Goddess. Others worship just a Goddess or a God. Some don't worship either, but honor and revere the Earth. As part of many of these traditions, magic is considered a viable technology. You do not have to do magic to be a Wiccan or Witch, but many, if not most, do some form of magic on a regular or irregular basis. The actual specific practices and frequency of doing magic would depend upon the tradition you choose to follow. As a note, some people consider "Wicca" to be a spiritual system while Witchcraft consists of the magical techniques used by Wiccans.

To sum up, Wicca and Witchcraft have sets of spiritual beliefs — frequently concerning a God and Goddess — and often consider the use of magic as part of their tradition. The core is the spiritual system of each tradition. Conversely, you do not have to believe in any particular religious system to practice ceremonial magic. The use of the techniques, methods, and technology is what forms the core of the various ceremonial magic system. In my opinion, these are the basic similarities and differences between these two general paths.

As I said, within Wicca and Witchcraft there are many traditions. The same is true of ceremonial magic ("CM"), although I believe that currently there are far fewer paths in CM than in the Pagan traditions. So at this point you might be interested in either Wicca/Witchcraft, or CM, or both. But within each of the broad categories, how do you make up your mind which way to go?

I suggest that you might like to decide which path you wish to follow initially. This does not mean you can't change your mind later, but when starting out you may find it easier to follow just one tradition in either of the two major paths. Some people may disagree with me over my contention that you should initially follow just one path or tradition. The reason I advise this is really quite simple. Since you do not have a great deal of experience, it is good to learn one system and master it. This way you will learn the jargon and techniques of that system and not be confused by slight variations, different terms, and different methods used in other systems. After you master it, by all means look at other systems. You may find a different path that will suit you better than the one where you started. Or you may wish to follow more than one system. Although some people disagree, I believe that there is nothing wrong with following more than one system if you can keep them separate. However, when a person is starting out, I encourage the study of one system so the student can get a firm foundation and have a center from which to explore other possibilities.

So let's assume that you have decided to study either CM or some form of Wicca or Witchcraft. How do you begin your practice if you have not yet decided which specific tradition you wish to follow that lies within those general forms? My response would be to find sources with information that is ecumenical (that is, rather than just describing one system, it promotes a general, inclusive set of information and techniques which can be used in or adapted to many traditions). Such ecumenical sources would support the basics of numerous specific traditions within the two general paths. In this way, you would get the information you want and need without previously having to pick a specific path. To this end, I would like to recommend two resources that have helped many tens of thousands of people.

MAGIC AND SPIRITUALITY

Ceremonial magic is often focused on an early version of the spiritual system that eventually became represented by Judaism and Christianity in the West. However, believing in either religion is not necessary to be a successful ceremonial magician. Features of the traditional system include the wearing of robes, fancy altars and ritual tools (which may be expensive), the use of a form of universalized Jewish mysticism and magic known as the Kabalah (don't be confused if you see it spelled in different ways), and long rituals. More recent ceremonial magic traditions have added new aspects and tried to simplify some of the complexities of the system.

If you think ceremonial magic may be the right path for you, I respectfully suggest you consider Modern Magick as a book to study. Modern Magick is specifically designed for people who have never done any magic before. It takes you from knowing nothing to being able to do a great deal. It is set up as a series of lessons, each one building on what you learned in previous lessons. That way you'll be able to go at your own speed. While it doesn't have everything about every ceremonial magic system out there, it does give you the training and information you need to understand and begin practicing just about any such system.

Modern Magick does not suggest that you need to believe in any particular spiritual system, although it does present concepts that differ from mainstream Judaism and Christianity. You're free to choose what to believe and what to not believe. What it does stress is the notion that personal responsibility — that you are responsible for all you do — is of vital importance to ceremonial magicians.

That alone is something to deeply consider. Each of us is responsible for everything we do. Did you yell at someone today? Even if you think you were right to do so, you're still responsible for yelling at them. Did you forget to complete some of your work because something drew you away? You're responsible for not doing it.

In the new, second edition of Modern Magick I list some things that younger people can do when practicing magic at home is simply not possible. However, several of the items are valid not just for young people, but for all beginners in CM (and even for some of the people who have been performing this art and science for a long time. Here, then, are some suggestions that will help you prepare for the study of ceremonial magic (these are quoted from pages 527-529):

Magicians need to have sharp minds and be able to communicate well... [L]earn as much as you can. Study everything — English, foreign languages, history, math, computers and the sciences. The more you know on a wide variety of subjects the more you will be able to bring to your magical training.
Magicians need to be creative. Study some "artistic" things — sculpture, drawing, painting, woodwork, music, creative writing, acting, computer graphics, etc. Not only will these practices help your creativity (excellent when trying to figure out how to make a talisman or construct magical tools), but it will also make you a more interesting, well-rounded person.
Magicians need strength and agility. Be sure to get plenty of exercise. This should include aerobics for your heart and lungs, resistance training (of some sort) for muscles, and stretching for flexibility. Also study martial arts, fencing, dancing or a similar activity for agility and grace. Are grace and agility necessary? No, but shouldn’t we do our best before the Divine?...
Magicians are popular. Contrary to the popular impression, most magicians today are sociable — sometimes very sociable — people. There are several reasons for this. First, humans are social creatures by nature. We need input from others to stay healthy. Second, the knowledge by some people that you are interested in magick might lead them to mock you. As you get older it could prevent you from getting desired jobs. By being able to determine what you can tell somebody of your interests you can, as it were, “hide in plain sight.” Everyone can see you but they won’t know your real interests. Finally, by being sociable you are able to meet people and hear what they have to say. It’s possible that some of them have interests similar to yours and an eventual friendship, as well as a circle of friends, may develop...
Magicians have a strong Will. Make up your mind to do something on a regular schedule and then keep to that schedule. Remember, however, that no one is perfect. Instead of using a missed activity as an excuse to stop, make it a reason to try harder!

There are multiple levels of doing this. The first is physical. So, for example, make up your mind to do a particular physical action. You might choose to always open a door with your left hand. If you err by using your right hand to open a door, simply make a mark in a small notebook which you carry for that purpose. Or you could keep a rubber band around your wrist and snap it so that it slaps you for going against what you wanted to do.

The next level is verbal. Make up your mind that you will not use a specific word. For example, you might decide that you will not use the word "I" for a week. Make marks or snap the rubber band when you go against your Will.

The most difficult level is thought. Make up your mind that you will not think of something specific for a week. For example, you might decide not to think of watching television for a week. Use the rubber band snap or book marking when you think about watching TV.

You will notice that the first day of each level will be filled with snaps or marks in your book. But as you go through the week your control will become greater and the marks or snaps will decrease. This is tangible evidence that your control of your Will is increasing.

This last section is based on a more severe technique by the occultist, Aleister Crowley. Together with the other suggestions above, they form a good start to prepare yourself for doing magic, dealing with friends and family, and beginning to find your own spiritual path.

SPIRITUALITY AND MAGIC

If you are looking for a spiritual path, especially one that honors and worships the male and female aspects of the Divine — The God and The Goddess — and if you are interested in the magic of Witchcraft instead of that of ceremonial magic, the book I respectfully suggest you consider studying is the new edition of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland.

There are so many books on Wicca and Witchcraft that you may wonder why I suggest you begin with this one. There are several reasons for this. Like Modern Magick, it has a structure of several lessons. This makes it easy to study and easy to learn. However, the main reason I suggest it is that is it ecumenical rather than focusing on just one Wiccan path. At the same time, it gives practical and specific techniques and instruction.

You asked about the God and Goddess. I think that what this book says about the names of the Deities gives a clear indication of how expansive the book is:

...[T]he names for the deities would vary depending upon locality — and not only locality. With the Goddess, especially, the question of names could become quite involved. For example, a young man with problems in his love life might worship the Goddess in her aspect of a beautiful young woman. Yet a woman in childbirth might feel more at ease relating to the Goddess as a more mature "middle-aged" female. Then again, an elderly person would tend to think of the Goddess as herself being elderly. So there we have three separate and very distinct aspects of the same Goddess, each having been given a different name, yet all being the same deity. As if that were not enough, the deities would have names known to the general worshippers but also other, secret names (often two or three), known only to the priesthood. This was a protective measure.

In Witchcraft today there are many traditions that continue this multiplicity of names. Traditions with degree systems, for example, frequently use different deity names in their higher degrees than in their lower. Gardnerian [Witchcraft] is one example of this.

So we have this idea of an Ultimate Deity, an incomprehensible power, and in trying to relate to it, we have split it into two main entities, a male and a female. To these aspects we have given names. It would seem that by so doing we are limiting what is, by definition, limitless. But so long as you know, and always keep in the back of your mind, that "It" is limitless, you will find that this is the easiest path to follow. After all, it is pretty difficult to pray to a "Thing," a Supreme Power, without being able to picture someone in your mind...

...[T]hose we know as the God and Goddess are our intermediaries. Different traditions use different names, as already mentioned. These are the names used for the "understandable forms" of the Supreme Power, the Ultimate Deity. They are the deities honored and worshipped in the Witchcraft rites. (p. 20-21)

This is just a small part of this new, greatly enlarged and revised book. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft includes information on religious and spiritual aspects, including how to do many spiritual rituals of Paganism. You will find, of course, that various forms and sects of Wicca and Witchcraft have differences with Buckland's book. But this book gives you the basics you need to help you understand and begin the practice of any Pagan spiritual tradition.

The book also includes information on and the rituals of many styles and forms of Pagan magic. With this book, you will get the spiritual and magical methods used (in this form or in a modified form) by Wiccans and Witches all over the world.

BEGINNINGS, NOT ENDS

I look at both Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft and Modern Magick as being a possible beginning of your magical and spiritual studies. These books, filled with rituals, background, and information, can give you the grounding and basics you need so you can move on to more specific ceremonial magic techniques or Wiccan spiritual systems.

By studying either or both of these books I believe your questions with one exception, will be answered. That exception is your query as to which path you should follow. I regret that I cannot answer this question; only you can do so.

Both of these books have extensive bibliographies, so you can continue your studies by reading some more of the books they suggest. You may choose to stay a "solitary," relying primarily on your own studies, reading, web surfing, research, etc. You might also think about joining a group to see if that group is "your path." When it comes to joining groups I respectfully offer this advice:

For me, joining a new group or beginning to follow a new path is like sticking your head through a door into a darkened room. If you stick it way inside, and a blade suddenly comes down, you're going to lose your head. If, on the other hand, you just put your head in a tiny bit, the most you'll lose is a little hair — and that (usually) grows back.

I know that I would rather lose a little hair than my entire head. That is why I advise people thinking of joining a new group or following a new path, to "Take baby steps." You can always back out if things don't seem right to you. What would be signs of things not being "right?"

If they ask you for lots of money.
If they tell you not to keep your friends.
If they tell you not to read newspapers or study things you want to study.
If they tell you that you must work long hours for them for free.
If they tell you they are the only way.
If they spend lots of time denouncing others.
If they claim their leader is the only person with a direct connection to God.
If they try to convince you to do things you don't want to do.

If any of these come up, it may not be right for you to join the group.

But perhaps the best way to prevent getting taken in by a group or path that isn't right for you is to use the most powerful discernment tools of all:

You can listen to your head.
And you can listen to your heart.

Editor's Note:

Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland are © Llewellyn Worldwide. All quotes are used by permission.