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Article:Magic:
An Aid or Hindrance?
published
in the Mabon 2002Paganet
News
Can the
practice of magick be a hindrance to the development of spiritual
practice? Many of us who defend this beloved practice would
be quick to answer no. We might argue that it is an important
part of practice. But, there are some who claim that magickal
practice is, indeed, a hindrance to spiritual development. They
are often the ones who claim a difference between the words
“Wiccan” and “Witch.” It has been stated
that a witch is one who practices magick while a Wiccan is one
who focuses more on spiritual development. There are many, however,
who use the words interchangeably. The question remains, then.
Does practicing magick interfere with spiritual development?
I believe
the answer may be more complicated than the question and depends
greatly on how you approach both subjects. Growing spiritually
is, to me, a development that occurs from within and then
extends outwards. Learning a skill or topic begins by grasping
mental concepts. We learn terms. We develop an understanding
of meanings and relationships. The same is true of spiritual
learning. But spiritual growth cannot end there. It must entail
knowing more than terms and vocabulary. Spiritual advancement
is about learning to live, learning to relate to others and,
as pagans, learning to live with the energies and workings
of the earth and of the cosmos. Spiritual growth requires,
then, that one learn to apply these concepts through practice
and experimentation.
We must
each become our own alchemist struggling to refine our own
raw materials. This advancement must begin with the self.
Through meditation, healing practices, divination, and other
methods, one begins to develop an understanding of these difficult
concepts. True advanced learning does not stop at that point.
The next stage must be to learn how to apply these experiences
to oneีs daily life and to interactions with others. We come
to understand how we can make our lives better, richer, more
meaningful and, hopefully, we learn how to help others do
the same. I do not mean that we should be proselytizing about
our experiences. I am saying that we learn to help others
and, thereby, help improve our total environment. Thus, we
develop first from within and then expand outwards. The Buddhists
use the symbol of the lotus that rises from within dark waters
up to the surface so that it may open up and reveal to the
world its beautiful blossom. In our form of spirituality,
we might say that advanced practice requires that we go beyond
the understanding and development of the self. We might suggest
that the goal is to try and connect to what the gods require
of us as members of a sacred wholeness.
Here
is where the conflict with the practice of magick may appear.
If we are to judge by the great number of books available
on magick and spells, it seems that magick is all about getting
what you want. You know the ones I mean. They have titles
such as “How to turn your favorite rock star into your
own personal love slave and weekend chauffeur in three days.”
If magickal practice is going to be part of the serious pagan
student’s plan for spiritual growth, it must work towards
similar goals - development of the inner person toward the
outer world. Spells cast only for personal gain can leave
one stuck in the realm of a “me-only” mentality
- forever cut off from a greater spiritual connection. You
cannot at once be self-indulgent and be prepared to receive
the lessons being offered to you from the universe. This is
the reason that I said that the answer to my original question
depends on how you define your spiritual and magickal practices.
The practice of magick can be an important tool in the work
of an advancing Wiccan but only if the goals and purposes
of that practice are aligned with the goals of advanced spiritual
learning.
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