Where does your magick come from?

[Tabbykitty]

Hi All,


I kinda recalled an incident that prompted me to ask this question. Sitting at a roadside cafe one day, I asked a young man where he thought all the energy he was using and experiencing was coming from. (ie. where was the source of his "magic")

The guy stared at me for 3 minutes and said he didn't know..... He eventually blurted out "Source" and I asked him ... so what's your "Source"?

The fact was, he didnt really know. He also didn't understand his own universal paradigm.... which he kept trying to explain to me. I guess Im a bit of a bastard to ask a 21-year-old a question like that... however, his philosophizing didnt seem to make much sense to me, as were his claims to mysterious power.... which.. again, I found a little dubious because

1. there was no track record of them ever working
2. he couldn't explain where they came from. If he had just said... "<Some deity> taught me" I might even have accepted that. His problem was, he didn't like the idea of there being a power higher/greater in magnitude than him at all.

Which brings me to the current question or rather list of questions I am asking:

"Where does your magick come from"

I asked that question a long time ago ... but I wonder what the answer for you all is..... So here they are:

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
2. What is the source of your spells?
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading....:) )
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

This should be an interesting discussion, so post away. :D

[MerryBe]

Hi All,


I kinda recalled an incident that prompted me to ask this question. Sitting at a roadside cafe one day, I asked a young man where he thought all the energy he was using and experiencing was coming from. (ie. where was the source of his "magic")

The guy stared at me for 3 minutes and said he didn't know..... He eventually blurted out "Source" and I asked him ... so what's your "Source"?

The fact was, he didnt really know. He also didn't understand his own universal paradigm.... which he kept trying to explain to me. I guess Im a bit of a bastard to ask a 21-year-old a question like that... however, his philosophizing didnt seem to make much sense to me, as were his claims to mysterious power.... which.. again, I found a little dubious because

1. there was no track record of them ever working
2. he couldn't explain where they came from. If he had just said... "<Some deity> taught me" I might even have accepted that. His problem was, he didn't like the idea of there being a power higher/greater in magnitude than him at all.

Which brings me to the current question or rather list of questions I am asking:

"Where does your magick come from"

I asked that question a long time ago ... but I wonder what the answer for you all is..... So here they are:

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
2. What is the source of your spells?
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading....:) )
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

This should be an interesting discussion, so post away. :D

Hmm, some questions are a bit confusing to me, but nonetheless I shall have a go at it.

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
Me

2. What is the source of your spells?
My Will.

3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain.
Not sure if I quite understand what you're asking here, however I shall try to answer the best that I can as I perceive the question.
I am in tune with Nature, as well as the afterlife.

4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
For Balance, or the lack of it.

5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?

Cleansing is good, to rid of negativity and other vibrations that I may have picked up along the way. Also, offerings as a thank you to any deity's that I might have evoked help from. It must be from the heart, or nothing at all.

6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

My path's goal is one of progression, learning, healing, Tolerance, Teaching, and using whatever gifts I may posess for the health and welfare of those who are sincere, as in caring about humanity and life on this planet.

My goal, hmm, would be nice to see World Peace but not sure I will see it in this lifetime.
Til then,

Brightest Blessings,
MerryBe

[Simply Puzzled]

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
2. What is the source of your spells?
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading....:) )
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?


These are all good questions. I hope my answers live up.

1. I have massive problems with the word "energy". That being said, I believe that the force that allows us to increase the probability of an event originates in our consciousness. It is important to note that the consciousness is not a generator, creating a field of electricity. Rather it is your Will that enacts a specific change,

2. [Continuing] so when I cast a spell, it is more like picking up a brick and moving it than sending out a burst of electro-magnetic-weak energy. My consciouness, my Will, if you will, is purposefully performing a specific task.

3/4. Man, whew, okay, to start with, I believe in a multi-leveled universe. There are an infinite number of realities that connect in an infinite number of ways. I can't tell you much about other planes, but we know quite a bit about our physical plane. It seems to be a chaotic system where events occur based on the motions of quantum particles that are impossible predict over long periods. I don't think it is a huge leap to say that the actions on other planes can affect this reality.

By creating certain things on other planes, it is possible to affect our chaotic system with some amount of accuracy. Exactly how this is done is ultimately unknowable, but we can know that ourselves, existing simulanteously on multiple planes, can influence worlds beyond the physical one. Certain techniques seem to help us get our Will to do its thing, but what that thing is...

It is important to note that we only exist on so many levels. For instance, we seem to exist at the intersection of planes representing the four elements. We do not ourselves exist on infininte planes, and thus I don't think we can ultimately explore all of those. For instance, I can communicate with, but not access, the realms containing the beings that I refer to as my gods. I cannot simply travel to the Olympian plane, though the presence of demi-gods suggests the gods themselves can grant that.

5. My regular practice does support this, but I won't get into all the boring details.

6. My goals are the Wiccan Mysteries.

[StarCraftLia]

Such an interesting topic! ^^

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?: My own will power, my spiritual helpers, nature, the watch tower guardians, and on occasion, my deites.

2. What is the source of your spells? You mean like the procedure for them? I usually make them up myself from what I think associates with my desired out come.. Like if I wanted to cast a spell for protection, I'd imagine trees or a big, heavy shield. Or if I feel like winging it, I'll ask someone else.

3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading.... ) I believe in all deities, every realm, all the magical mythical creatures.. Even if they were created by humans, I believe in thought forms, too. I believe that all creations are ultimatly one, which is the Universal source, which I don't really know too much about what happens before or after life (though I believe in the after life and in reincarnation). There's no good or bad, just the will of beings.

4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
I don't believe physical is the entire part of any life in our beings, I believe magic is a natural part of any creatures ideals and should be embraced. It doesn't need a spell or candle to use its will.

5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
Just basic respect for all things.

6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?
To discover what is this paradox I am in.

[Tabbykitty]

Hi MerryBe and Simply Puzzled,

thank you for sharing your views on magick with me and with everyone here. They are very interesting, especially Simply Puzzled's views on multiple levels of reality. :D No, I don't think what you have said is too far fetched at all... :)

Having said that, I guess its now time for me to answer my own questions:

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?

Well, I have to say that as a person who believes in past lives, I actually do remember using magickal energies from nature as well as from specific places and realities. My account of this can be read here < http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=96617 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=96617) >

However, I am now in the process of establishing a strong connection with my True Source.... that is... my creator, the divine, God.... if you will. I ensure that the energies that I am using now come from my source and not from some otherworldy dimension that has nothing to do with my source. The reason for this is that if it isnt from my source, then it is likely to be controlled by entities which may have their own agenda. If you read the account of my experience, I have in the past dealt with them, and in the end, despite being able to use the energy, I have done so to the detriment of my physical and energetic form and field.


2. What is the source of your spells?

Well, I don't know if I originally started out as a user of magick in my first incarnation, but in subsequent incarnations, I have frequently been a user of magick or witchcraft of some sort. I believe that 90% of my current knowledge of magick is the result of many many lifetimes' worth of magickal experimentation and learning. The reason I am able to access the knowledge of my previous lifetimes was because from the moment I was aware that I had previous incarnations, I took steps to learn how to regain that storehouse of knowledge, because I believe that the soul remembers everything that happened to it, and that what was once known by long-dead practicioners can once again be regained provided that my soul previously had that knowledge and that it is carried by the ancestral members of my magickal lineage or lineages.


3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading....:) )

My current universal paradigm is of a cosmos that has many layers of reality and dimensions. It is a universe where everything, including the physical form, can be defined in terms of energy (ie. think about your atoms and molecules). The links between the different layers of reality is an energetic one, and that many layers of reality and dimensions can exist in the same "space" (as we humans percieve it) concurrently with us.

And yes, I do agree that something done on one level of reality can affect all the others. The energetic links between different realities allow this to happen. The other realities and dimensions are not divorced from my current physical dimension, very very frequently, the energetic workings that occur in another level of reality do trickle over to my current physical reality. Like radio waves, different dimensions vibrate at different frequencies and the only way to get to them is to "tune in" to the vibration of that dimension. Which is the reason why only some people see entities and spirits as a part of the natural process. Clairvoyance occurs when a human being manages to awaken his ability to "tune in" to these dimensions. Meditation and putting the mind in an altered state of consciousness can alter the mind sufficiently to see the unseen.

However, a lot of people frequently fail to "see" because a lot of such skills take time to develop. Sometimes more than even the years allotted to a man in a single lifetime. A lot of those who do see, and see clearly, even at the physical level, owe their "talents" to multiple lifetimes of practice and cultivation. This is not a new theory as I have heard believers in reincarnation and certain schools of buddhism speak of it.

Having stated what I feel, how do I fit in all of this? Well, I believe that the person or being that I was was far greater in magnitude than the being that I am now. However, over the vast span of eons, I have fallen in consciousness, so that I have forgotten much of who and what I was. Over centuries, with each passing incarnation, I have gradually, because of karma and other stuff, lost a sense of who I was and have instead incorporated parts of those I have interacted with into my thought patterns and identity.


4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?

Well, I believe that there are many different types of "gifts" in the universe. And that every sentient being was made different and given different talents to make this creation a much more diverse and beautiful one.

Magick just happens to be my gift or curse or karma... whichever way you want to look at it. I come from a school of thought that places emphasis on ancestral lineage and karma. Because I was born with a certain type of karma and into a particular ancestral lineage, and that includes the magickal lineage, I too have karma that is similar to that which is carried by my lineage. For me, that means, that throughout my life, unknowing to my conscious self, I have been preparing myself for this particular karma.

Looking at the books I have read, and the people I have come into contact with, I'd pretty much say, I think that this idea of lineages is true..... for me.


5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?

I meditate regularly using meditation that focuses on active visualisation. I sometimes do spells, but most of this time, this only in conjunction with the needs of my path and eventual goal.


6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

Well, my eventual goal is nothing short of true ascension. That means the rebuilding my consciousness, energetic and physical self to meet the requirements of that goal. Im rather tired of constantly reincarnating.... almost without a break in-between. I want to become the person that I was in the very beginning and stop losing the understanding that I have accumulated throughout the uncounted ages.


Well, I hope I have adquately answered all questions. Hope to hear more of yours.... or.. if you wish to ask any questions about my path, feel free to post your views and comments.

[CzechWoods]

even if a magical energy source was located in a past life it still doesnt answer your own question, of where it origins

thought i d point that out

[Tabbykitty]

actually Czechwoods, I did mention where my current energy source comes from.

Quote: "However, I am now in the process of establishing a strong connection with my True Source.... that is... my creator, the divine, God.... if you will. I ensure that the energies that I am using now come from my source and not from some otherworldy dimension that has nothing to do with my source."


With regards to the energy source that caused me a lot of grief, I am no longer using it or practicing it. I don't want to talk about it too much because I fear someone might try to tap into it if they knew the exact location of its source.

I can only say that it comes from another "creation" or dimension where that type of energy is somehow natural for the inhabitants of that place.

Think of it in this way. The infernal energies of some kind of "hell" is natural for its inhabitants and all that originate from it.... but not natural for a person like me living on earth at this current period in time.

[CzechWoods]

actually Czechwoods, I did mention where my current energy source comes from.

Quote: "However, I am now in the process of establishing a strong connection with my True Source.... that is... my creator, the divine, God.... if you will. I ensure that the energies that I am using now come from my source and not from some otherworldy dimension that has nothing to do with my source."


.

Just to play tabbykitty on the 21 years old now, just now with me on you

you are aware that your vague
creator ... divine ... god
still does not state where the source lies.

i will translate it to a metaphor.

what country do you come from originaly
finland, asia , nebraska

hmmmmmmm :elf: :hehehehe:

[Tabbykitty]

you are aware that your vague
creator ... divine ... god
still does not state where the source lies.


well... I think the difference between my answer and the 21 year old's is that he blurted out "source" because he had no other answer.....

I quizzed him on his "source" and here's a rough transcript of what transpired....

Tabby:
How would you define your source?

21 year old:
erm..... something up there I connect to...

Tabby:
Do you mean that your source is a god of some sort?

21 year old:
..... no... well, I actually don't like the idea of a god or a higher being being above me... you know...

Tabby:
Is your source the universe? Or your higher self?

21 year old:
yes... well... no... maybe.. I don't know.... I just know I don't like the idea of some god-being or big guy up there controlling things....


The conversation went on and on in this manner for about half an hour. If he had just said... source was the universe or source was some god or divine being, even if unnamed.... I would have stopped there and then...
even if he had said source was his own will..... it would have been an adequate explanation.
I simply couldn't understand where this guy was getting his energy from. Because he wasn't sure it was even from the environment. And he didn't want to recognise the existance of a divine being, and he didn't even have enough confidence to recognise his own will as being a source of power..... so that left me to conclude ... he didn't know where he got his energy from.

My source on the other hand, is defined as God, my creator and maker, the divine, the one whom I owe my existance to. I am an adherent of a particular religion and I recognise the existance of a divine being. That is where my strength and energy originates.

For the better good of all in MW and to prevent needless theological debate and religious insults, I have purposely left out the name. I recognise that not everyone here has the same source or god, and indeed, my own source might not be the same as the source of the other posters. Neither do I want to impose the idea and theology of my source on others. Hence I have taken the most diplomatic route available to me.

Which brings me to ask. HOW ABOUT YOU, Czechwoods? What is your answer to the questions. Who is your source? I ask this out of pure academic curiousity.

[CzechWoods]

thats very easy to answer.

but as many things in magics, it is secret

i prefer to keep my stuff to myself

the academic curiosity does not do the trick for me as to spilling the beans

[Jolantru]

Fair enough, CzechWoods. I am sure that Tabbykitty created this thread so that everyone could learn from each other. If you deem your own path to be secret, so be it. I was actually quite taken aback by your initial tone of questioning. But that's just me.

Okay, on my part:

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?

-- I would say that there is more than one source when it comes to my magickal energy. That would be firstly God and secondly Earth Mother. --

2. What is the source of your spells?

-- The source of my spells comes from my will and my creativity. --

3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading.... )

-- Wow. The way I explain my universal paradigm is quite long. But I do see it in a more shamanic sense, in that the world can be broken up into Three Worlds (the Upper, the Lower and the Middle). I also view that there are also many dimensions, apart from the Three Worlds structure/philosophy.

Furthermore, I see the world governed, so to be, by a God. I am what some people call 'Christo-Pagan'. But with God, there is also the Earth Mother which I sometimes call the 'Goddess' (which, to me, is the same - but some might disagree).

Likewise, I see the world or the universe as interconnected, like an intricate spider or a tapestry. Everyone is connected to each other. So, principles/values like integrity and social responsibility are high on my list. What one individual does would affect others around him or her. --

4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?

-- Magick, to me, stems from Nature. I don't see it as magick-magick per se, but an energy. How it fits ... it's part of Nature and it should stay that way. What we do as shamanists are to protect the Earth, watch over our communities and heal the rift(s) within. --

5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?

-- Yes. --

6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

-- Ooo. The 6-million-dollar question! I do have goals. Self-enlightenment, self-growth and learning knowledge. Eventual goal(s)? To me, if I have helped someone who needs my help, my goal is achieved, because I do view my path as a path of service. --


Good questions!
Cheers,
Jolantru

[CzechWoods]

Fair enough, CzechWoods. I am sure that Tabbykitty created this thread so that everyone could learn from each other. If you deem your own path to be secret, so be it. I was actually quite taken aback by your initial tone of questioning. But that's just me.


Good questions!
Cheers,
Jolantru

I understand your feelings pretty well, Jolantru.

O the other hand, I felt it necessary to take party of the dashed-21-year-old, absent in this community to stand up for his/her own - therefore i took the position you found offensive

this has maybe something to do with my path

i dont see any deem to keeping secret, but than again, thats maybe just me

:hmmmmm: :elf:

[MerryBe]

well... I think the difference between my answer and the 21 year old's is that he blurted out "source" because he had no other answer.....

I quizzed him on his "source" and here's a rough transcript of what transpired....

Tabby:
How would you define your source?

21 year old:
erm..... something up there I connect to...

Tabby:
Do you mean that your source is a god of some sort?

21 year old:
..... no... well, I actually don't like the idea of a god or a higher being being above me... you know...

Tabby:
Is your source the universe? Or your higher self?

21 year old:
yes... well... no... maybe.. I don't know.... I just know I don't like the idea of some god-being or big guy up there controlling things....


The conversation went on and on in this manner for about half an hour. If he had just said... source was the universe or source was some god or divine being, even if unnamed.... I would have stopped there and then...
even if he had said source was his own will..... it would have been an adequate explanation.
I simply couldn't understand where this guy was getting his energy from. Because he wasn't sure it was even from the environment. And he didn't want to recognise the existance of a divine being, and he didn't even have enough confidence to recognise his own will as being a source of power..... so that left me to conclude ... he didn't know where he got his energy from.

My source on the other hand, is defined as God, my creator and maker, the divine, the one whom I owe my existance to. I am an adherent of a particular religion and I recognise the existance of a divine being. That is where my strength and energy originates.

For the better good of all in MW and to prevent needless theological debate and religious insults, I have purposely left out the name. I recognise that not everyone here has the same source or god, and indeed, my own source might not be the same as the source of the other posters. Neither do I want to impose the idea and theology of my source on others. Hence I have taken the most diplomatic route available to me.

Which brings me to ask. HOW ABOUT YOU, Czechwoods? What is your answer to the questions. Who is your source? I ask this out of pure academic curiousity.


Do you think perhaps, that this 21 year old man may have been a bit overwhelmed by your questioning his beliefs?

And that quite possibly he was being a gentleman in the manner in which he answered your questions?

Some men (or women for that matter) could have gotten quite rude in this type of scenario.

Did you know this 21 year old man prior to questioning him on his personal beliefs?

Just curious myself,
Brightest Blessings,
MerryBe

[Tabbykitty]

Do you think perhaps, that this 21 year old man may have been a bit overwhelmed by your questioning his beliefs?

I don't quite see it as questioning, more like trying to understand his beliefs. However, it was evident that he himself didn't understand it.



And that quite possibly he was being a gentleman in the manner in which he answered your questions?

oh I assure you, this fellow is no gentleman.
He was the same fellow who tried telling me how to practice my own religion in this account < http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=92623 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=92623) >



Did you know this 21 year old man prior to questioning him on his personal beliefs?


extremely well....
I don't think there is anything wrong with someone outside a particular religion asking a believer what it is that he or she believes in. Moreover, I did not tell him how to practice his religion or how to interpret it.

The reason I brought this incident up because I noticed that often, a lot of people, when asked what it is that they believe in, usually cannot provide a coherent answer. The example was used because issues become clearer when situations/examples are given.

Besides, the point of this thread is to find out what it is that everyone here believes in as a matter of academic interest and perhaps to make a comparative study on various beliefs and definitions.

I am surprised that its now turning into a "let's defend a (up till now) faceless 21-year-old person, whom we don't really know much about." What if the guy was an extreme fundementalist of any religion, would anyone here still defend him?

I meant no offense in the last paragraph, but it sure seems like that to me when I am reading the subsequent replies from various people. I was hoping that someone would discuss the views and beliefs of those who bothered to answer the questions.

[MerryBe]

I don't quite see it as questioning, more like trying to understand his beliefs. However, it was evident that he himself didn't understand it.



oh I assure you, this fellow is no gentleman.
He was the same fellow who tried telling me how to practice my own religion in this account < http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=92623 (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=92623) >



extremely well....
I don't think there is anything wrong with someone outside a particular religion asking a believer what it is that he or she believes in. Moreover, I did not tell him how to practice his religion or how to interpret it.

The reason I brought this incident up because I noticed that often, a lot of people, when asked what it is that they believe in, usually cannot provide a coherent answer. The example was used because issues become clearer when situations/examples are given.

Besides, the point of this thread is to find out what it is that everyone here believes in as a matter of academic interest and perhaps to make a comparative study on various beliefs and definitions.

I am surprised that its now turning into a "let's defend a (up till now) faceless 21-year-old person, whom we don't really know much about." What if the guy was an extreme fundementalist of any religion, would anyone here still defend him?

I meant no offense in the last paragraph, but it sure seems like that to me when I am reading the subsequent replies from various people. I was hoping that someone would discuss the views and beliefs of those who bothered to answer the questions.

You asked questions, and I voluntarily answered them, fully aware that you had not answered your own questions at that time.

I never said I would discuss anyone else's beliefs. You see, it is my belief that everyone has a right to believe in what they feel is right for them. I also won't sit in judgement of another's beliefs. Spirituality/ Religious beliefs are as personal as one's own thumbprint. I certainly have no objection to anyone asking me about my own beliefs, but by the same token, I do not want to defend my beliefs to anyone either.

I read the message in which you posted the URL for, the one in which you claim this 21 year old tried to tell you how to practice your religion.
It makes no mention of "how" he was no gentleman. Nor did I read what he told you to do, or not to do. I did not read that?

I also won't speak badly of someone who is not here to defend himself.

I am sorry the thread is not turning out as you had hoped. Perhaps your psychic abilities were blocked? Or perhaps your psychic abilities and my psychic abilities are completely different?

Either way,
Brightest Blessings,
MerryBe

[blackroseivy]

Magick is of the mind. Deity helps, but it is you who put it into motion.

I think it's too bad that people have to argue over this...

[Dragonladyofwater]

Which brings me to the current question or rather list of questions I am asking:

"Where does your magick come from"

I asked that question a long time ago ... but I wonder what the answer for you all is..... So here they are:

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
2. What is the source of your spells?
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading....:) )
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?

This should be an interesting discussion, so post away. :D

1. Depending on what type of magic I am performing it can come from the elements, my guardians, a higher source or myself.

2. Again depends entirely on the spell. But if you are asking for the source as in how I write them and prepare them it is me.

3. I started to type this all out and got to feeling less and less comfortable as I did it. I think for me this is such a personal question on such a profound level I'm not overly comfortable just blurting it our like it's the weather report to be read by the Gods and everybody who stumbles along. I realize that can be taken wrongly, but if it is sacred I feel I should show respect.

4. It is a tool as much as it is part of my being and part of the very air and energy currents that run all around us. It just is.

5. Hard to answer again, if you're asking for Sabbats and Esbats, no. If you're asking for personal ritual, yes.

6. To learn, to grow, to relearn and regrow, to teach and leave behind me a legacy better than the one I was left.

[Tabbykitty]

You asked questions, and I voluntarily answered them, fully aware that you had not answered your own questions at that time.

and I am glad that you had answered them.... thank you for sharing your views..



I certainly have no objection to anyone asking me about my own beliefs, but by the same token, I do not want to defend my beliefs to anyone either.

Actually I never said that you had to defend your beliefs... I was just a little frustrated with the way the thread was turning out, that I now I have to start explaining my case with the 21 year old




I read the message in which you posted the URL for, the one in which you claim this 21 year old tried to tell you how to practice your religion.
It makes no mention of "how" he was no gentleman. Nor did I read what he told you to do, or not to do. I did not read that?

I didnt really want to post what he said in my original post because it is theologically sensititve and I'm sure when people read it there will be a huge flame war. That is something I tried to avoid. (I hold to a highly unpopular interpretation of my religion and personal spiritual path.... it is so unpopular that even my local New Age community finds some of the ideas hard to swallow.... and were I to mention it... no matter how much I might stress that my views are just IMHO only... I will definitely be attacked for my beliefs.)

However I DID mention that he imposed upon my friend and I his interpretation of our religion and how HE would practice it. (he isn't a practicioner)

I consider this and his repeated attempts to secretly listen in on every other conversation regarding theology and occult theory that I had with people as being rather rude... and ungentlemanly... I mean, he could have just asked me outright and I would have given him an answer,.... which I did... many many times over, but he simply didn't like what I had to say and even thought I was hiding some great secret from him and was not giving him the full picture..... his motives for doing so are obvious if you read through the whole account.



I also won't speak badly of someone who is not here to defend himself.

I merely used the incident for illustration... I didn't think anyone was going to comment on it or speak badly of the person.



I am sorry the thread is not turning out as you had hoped. Perhaps your psychic abilities were blocked? Or perhaps your psychic abilities and my psychic abilities are completely different?

erm... I don't quite get your point here or how it relates to our discussion..... perhaps you might want to explain. I don't see how this line of conversation has anything to do with psychic abilities.

[Tabbykitty]

Magick is of the mind. Deity helps, but it is you who put it into motion.

I think it's too bad that people have to argue over this...

Well, although topics in religion, theology and magick have been points of contention for many, currently, I don't think there's an argument regarding the answers anyone gave to my original questions... however I was glad to be able to better understand the viewpoints of some of the posters who gave a good description.

[Tabbykitty]

3. I started to type this all out and got to feeling less and less comfortable as I did it. I think for me this is such a personal question on such a profound level I'm not overly comfortable just blurting it our like it's the weather report to be read by the Gods and everybody who stumbles along. I realize that can be taken wrongly, but if it is sacred I feel I should show respect.

that's okay..... some paradigms are rather difficult to express without a proper, well-written study... Also I realise some sacred things are secret... so I'll leave it to the discretion of each individual to post up whatever they feel is appropriate at this point int time.

I had some problems writing about my own personal paradigm too as I realised it covered quite a lot of areas... so I decided to focus on the areas that directly pertain to magick and personal development.

[halfwaynowhere]

1. What is the source of your magickal energy? Myself... I use the energy i generate
2. What is the source of your spells? I rarely use spells, but its the same thing... i try to focus my energies...
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading.... ) its too complicated i think... it changes based on what i learn, and how i feel.... besides the fact that i have been hanging around my sister and all her athiest friends too much, and their ideas are sort of rubbing off on me, although I basically felt that way anyways... not that i'm athiest, but i stand for a lot of the things that this particular group stands for. anyways, i don't see deity as an actual person or anything, its more of i see different parts of nature represented in different ways, by different figures, which make it easier for me to focus my energies correctly.
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm? well, "prayer" has been proven to work to an extent, but all that really is when you get down to it is wishing someone well, so you send your thoughts to them, which is basically energy, so its the same way i work magick... i ramble, i'm sorry... i know what i believe, but uts hard to put into words...
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm? no. i do what i feel... although i do believe in celebrating on certain occasions, because its thanking the earth/universe for what we have...
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal? No particular goals... i'm spiritual, i guess, and thats important to me, but i don't believe in organized religion, so there are no religious goals, and spiritually, i don't feel there is need for any advancement, so i'm good to go.

[Dragonladyofwater]

I tried to answer as honestly as possible, and as I reread my answers I realize those answers don't even begin to cover it all, but that's what you get for being a simple, complex, witch. :steppy:

[Viseux]

1. What is the source of your magickal energy?
The 5 Basic Elements... Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and The Void (or Spirit if you will.)
2. What is the source of your spells?
I do not use spells and consider myself a "Elemental Magickan."
3. What is your universal paradigm. Pls explain. (This might be long so please break down the explanation into paragraphs for better reading.... )
I am a Gnostic Pagan. I do not believe in the God/dess as physical entities. I practice my "Spirituality" in the hope of attaining Gnosis. I search for "God in me." And...
I know that I do not know.
4. How does magick fit into that universal paradigm?
It is a tool that can be used to help others as well as myself.
5. Are there any rituals you have to regularly observe to support your universal paradigm?
No, but I sometimes use Ritual to refresh my Spirit and to Connect with the Devine within myself, others, and the world around us.
6. What are the goals of your path? Do you have any eventual goal?
Attaining Gnosis. Finding "God in me."

Blessings,
Viseux