This kind of reasoning leads to what is known as the ‘armchair magician’; a very well-read and educated magician who speaks on topics within the occult from a position of authority without ever having practiced their craft.

You might think you could not get far as an armchair magician; but that simply is not the case, many of them hold positions of authority, and it can be nigh on impossible to spot the difference. Ultimately, it does not matter whether you can identify them or not; because you are only responsible for one persons’ spiritual path walking; Your own.

I am not about to tell you that you should waste your time and effort trying to tear down other magicians who may or may not have based all their magical knowledge on study, because to do so is a waste of your time and energy.

I am not about to tell you not to study everything you can get your hands on; because, ultimately I love books, and deepening the intellect is a pursuit in mental acuity worthy of any magician. You can discover new ideas, debate philosophies, broaden your horizons all from the comfort of that armchair.

What I am suggesting is that there is a trap in stopping there. Magical theory, whilst fascinating and engaging, is not enough; the mental realm must merge with the physical as we put magick to the test – we practice, we discover, we find the proof of the mystery.

There is far too much debate around semantics and theory, whilst personal gnosis is looked down on as though it were illegitimate. There is a tendency towards arrogance as individuals are ridiculed for discussing their experiences.

Often by those who feel their knowledge of the way magic “should be” practiced (you know, the way those books tell you to do it) is under threat.

Perhaps instead of assuming that ‘knowledge’ is simply ‘study’ we should evolve our understanding to include the practice and action.

Knowledge is not simply a mental exercise but also includes the experiences we have as we push the limitations of ourselves.

We can only ascend by breaking down our perceived limitations; and magick is a sure fire way to do this.

Rituals where we confront our mortality, where we place ourselves in the uncomfortable, the unknown, or even the dangerous give rise to knowledge about ourselves that can be gained nowhere else.

Reading about being buried up to your neck in the woods for a necromantic ritual, or hanging from a tree for insight, is nowhere near the same as experiencing these things first hand.

The dangers of life have been sanitized for much of the West, and War and Death are removed from sight; out of sight and out of mind, so to speak.

The almost refusal to interact with these energies is cloying; life becomes almost a tedious exercise in routine without the risks our ancestors faced.

Magick is not a path of safety. It pushes you to the brink of understanding, forces you to reconsider what it is that you think you ‘know’ and demands authenticity in its working. Without these traits, magick is a buzzword in the idea of a powerplay.

While on topic of "getting dirty"...

I take safety and survival very seriously. Let me ask you a few questions that no one else will:

• Have you been a victim of assault, harassment, betrayal, fraud, or any other gross evil? In other words, have you been abused?

• Do you desperately need protection and safety from your abuser?

• Have you tried traditional legal measures but received no help?

• Do you deserve justice?

I will summon the merciless warch of the Death Goddess Morrigan and she will inflict an astral war against your enemy... and they will *never* know you did it. Let me bring closer to your toxic relationship. Click this button below to find out more:

I will talk to you again soon...

Darkest Blessings,