Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts?

[bluefoot]

I'm completely new to working magick. Never done it before, read up a little on Thiestic Stanism, read a little about Aliester Crowley and would like to get into magick. This book has been heralded by many as "the best book on magick for a beginner", one reviewer even said if you could only buy one book that would be it. So I ordered it from the library and I'll have it in a day or two. Thoughts and opinions on it?.. My purpose for getting into magick is basically just for casting an attraction spell. I'm a 25 year old virgin, never had a girlfriend and so I, willing to try an attraction spell. Although, that's my main motive I'm still very much intrigued by the occult and would like to just learn and be enlightened.

[Sypheara]

Most branches of the Occult offer the basic spellwork necessary for such a feat. I can't say I started in the occult with a concrete desire to actually do any workings for material gain (rather more of a being pulled into it) , but many on this board did from posts I read. So you are definetly not alone in how you have approached it!

Magick and Occult are very broad terms however; you will need to consider greatly what kind of path is best for you, which requires a certain amount of personal alchemy and inward introspection, as well as alot of learning about what is out there. You can't really do that with one book, I recommend that you do not stick with anything or start practicing anything but basic meditation / visualisation / dream recall at first. Couple this with alot of research with anything you can get your hands on by reputable authors (nothing by Llewellyn, they are too variable for a beginner i would say in quality).

From another thread i responded in might help you out:

For the complete beginner i'd recommend Paul Husons Mastering Witchcraft, as as his guide to Herbalism I cannot recommend the name of.

I am glad to hear you are interested in necromancy, for an introduction to the subject on a historical level, i'd recommend Daniel Ogdens Greek and Roman Necromancy as a good start to give you the grounding in how its been carried out in the past.

For most necromancy work you are going to need to read outside of western sources though I am afraid, as most of our traditions of it died out, being kept alive maybe in some catholic rites of saint veneration at a very abstract level. As such for that I recommend you look into African Traditional Religions, so stuff like Vodou, Palo mayombe, Santeria, and Quimbanda.

There is also some more modern cults of Necromancy that are euro based but their stuff is incredibly difficult to get a hold of.

As for your specific book, it might be good, might not, I have not read it. But i can say that it is not the end all and be all of your research.

Happy hunting

[bluefoot]

Hey, thanks so much for replying. Magick and occult is so expansive it's overwhelming! Like before your post I hadn't even heard of personal alchemy. I took a test and my results were Lunar: 18, Solar: -11 Hermetic 6 Overall 13. I figured one book couldn't contain EVERYTHING. Can you reccomend a book or sight to get me started on meditation or dream recall? By meditation do you just mean simple yoga?

[RoseRed]

You don't need High or Ceremonial Magick for an attraction spell.

Low Magic (or practical magic as some call it) is better suited for this.

[Procel]

Any reason is a good reason to seek a spiritual path. I have that book but haven't read it yet. I'm also fairly new to this, and it does come well recommended and it certainly seems (from a little skimming) to be a good book.

May I ask, are you hoping to cast an attraction spell to meet the girl, or just meet a girl?

[bluefoot]

You don't need High or Ceremonial Magick for an attraction spell.

Low Magic (or practical magic as some call it) is better suited for this.

Can you recommend where to find some?

[bluefoot]

Any reason is a good reason to seek a spiritual path. I have that book but haven't read it yet. I'm also fairly new to this, and it does come well recommended and it certainly seems (from a little skimming) to be a good book.

May I ask, are you hoping to cast an attraction spell to meet the girl, or just meet a girl?

I want to improve my odds of finding one/meeting one

[Procel]

You don't need High or Ceremonial Magick for an attraction spell.

Low Magic (or practical magic as some call it) is better suited for this.

Can you recommend where to find some?

You don't need magic, you just need conversational skills. Practice remembering people's names. No one likes it when someone doesn't remember their name, everyone likes it when you do remember their name. Make a point of listening more than you talk. Mention something that someone said last time you saw them. You don't have to adopt the other person's interests, but if you show an interest in their interest you create an opening for them to light up about whatever it is that lights them up. While you are practicing your listening, make a mental note about something someone likes and say nothing, just remember it. Next time you see them, say "(their name), I saw ____ and it made me think of you, because you mentioned you like____." Guaranteed conversation starter. Make sure you did see whatever it was that "reminds you" of them. Don't lie, but the connection between them and your observation can be thin. It's most important that you thought of them and tell them so. Pay random compliments to strangers. It doesn't matter if they are romantic prospects or just people in line at the market. "Nice shoes." "beautiful puppy." Anything at all to start a few moments pleasant conversation. Never, ever try to start a conversation about your opinion. Just don't.

If your just not meeting people, find any reason to get out the door. Shut off all your electronics and interact in real space. Take a class. Go to a fund raiser dinner at the fire station. Meet anybody and make a few moments peasant conversation about anything or nothing. Meet anybody you can. Even and at first especially people you aren't romantically interested in. There is less nervousness, it's good "socializing practice", and they may introduce you to people you are interested in.

Whatever you identify as your "weak points" or anything you see as why you aren't meeting the right women is crap you don't need to think about. Think about good things, and only good things. If you don't see yourself well, change that. It shows. Find something good to say about yourself, and repeat it to yourself in your head over and over and out loud when you are alone. Practice seeing good in yourself, and looking for and finding it in others. It shows, and people are drawn to it.

[Rin]

Bad idea. Hit the gym, pay better attention to your grooming and dress sense, socialize more, take up some hobbies that would make you interesting to women, and see a psychiatrist for whatever psychological issues are impeding your attainment of a healthy sex life.

Taking up magic is the work of a lifetime, not an easy tool to gain shortcuts because you can't bring yourself to do things by what seems like the hard way (but is, in reality, much easier). All of the things I mentioned previously could be achieved in a fraction of the time it would take for you to reach the point where you could use magic to attract and maintain a relationship - and any relationship gained in such a manner would be based on a lie in the first place.

Work on self improvement, become the kind of man that women would want to be with, that will get you a girlfriend much faster than trying to use magic will (and with much more reliable results).

[Sypheara]

Whilst the above two posters are on the whole right, low magick on a daily basis can help you obtain this goal of becoming more 'luminous' for lack of a better term..

This could be anything from magickal candle burning to repeating mantras before and after waking of what you wish, then going through with the detailed self improvement process.

When it comes to the opposite sex, don't think about impressing them. Infact dont think about it at all after you have done your low magick - just focus on becoming a stronger person, mentally and physically, and learn to move within a social space more fluidly.

I can tell you this helped me, especially after my lowest period, and now it is much easier. There are plenty of low magick examples on the internet, but if you wish, I could come up with a very basic one or even perform it for you if you wish. Its important you focus on low magick that improve yourself however, and then use basic attraction spells to supplement them rather than skipping straight to the attraction spells. That is all they will do - attract, not bind.

Hit me up via pm? I might take a bit to reply mind as i am very busy.

[Procel]

Point of clarification, my advice on improving yourself and practicing social skill is not instead of practicing magic, it is in addition to.

[bluefoot]

Someone said to "hit the gym, pay better attention to your grooming and dress, and socialize more. " I already go to the gym three times a week, I groom myself daily and wear nice close.

Also to the person who said I need better conversational skill and remembering peoples names.. It seems like that's just not enough. Doing things like remembering what was brought up in the last convo or facts about the person or being nice simply isn't enough these days. I'm thankful for the tips and I'll have to start paying random people compliments as I see them, you make a few other valid points but again. A lot of these things I already do, and it's not working for me.. I've been diminished to frequenting the strip club I get so lonely and feel unvalidated. That's why I'd like to turn to magic. Not to just hand everything to me, but as assistance.

[EternalReturn]

I had problems with girls. I'm people-pleaser, sociable man, and in addition tend to be pretty popular amongst my friends. But I had problem with girls. And what I did was learned body language. After that it was just experimentation.

I could make it a 3 faze process: verbal - physical - emotional. Speak to her, make physical contact, mirror her gestures, try to find topic you both enjoy. When you're having fun, crack a joke, but don't force it. Be as funny as you are. If she laughs at anything you say, and lets you in her personal space, and lets you touch her all's good. Open body language is great sign, if she wets her lips, she is ready for the kiss etc. You have a great deal of topics about body language which can help you.

And of course, if you stress out, she'll feel it too. Be relaxed no matter what you say. Be it stupid or scary - that's a sign of stress and it doesn't serve you good. You'll feel stress, but let it flow through you leaving you in control.

My opinion is, concerning use of magic in something like this; this I won't do. If I get the girl served on the plate I think I will treat her like that. If not like an object, I would respect her less no matter what I say to myself.

When you feel the intensity of the "game", courting, somehow the respect for the other person rises. The fear of losing the game, that's what drives you. That's the friction between two persons which can give you greatest high you have ever felt in your life. You give her the power to decide, you are equal. If you take that away, what makes you think that you won't do that again when hard times come, and I assure you they will? Will you try to be in control and fix it all by yourself? Will you throw away everything like used product only to seek another? Or is it better to be equal and work on it equally, with understanding that there is nothing but utmost respect and love for the other person?

That's what I live by. I recommend playing the game because that's what it really is. To play it better, work on your communication skills. If you did, and you haven't made any progress, you didn't work on your communication skills enough.

I don't mean to disrespect anyone or make you angry. I'm just sharing an advice which can sound like an attack, but I assure you it isn't pointed towards you.