Im new to everything, need guidance

[Mythic]

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to read this, and to not take up too much of your time I would like to give some basic background on what im aiming for and stuff like that.
Im studying the Goetic texts and Demonolatry, just learning and not doing anything from them, because I respect that this isn't stuff to be messing around with when I know nothing. I want to know how I should go about this when im starting out, I started meditating, but I want to consult the experts first. Is there anything you would recommend for me to do? Like other books to learn from? Im fine with being patient and I want to be as safe as possible while doing this.

As far as my aim goes, I am not looking for riches or anything like that, simply to learn about and experience the demons and spirits. I am very curious, and I seek knowledge and gain wisdom from the worlds spirits and demons.
So anyway, all im looking for is guidance. Where do I start? What do I do? I am in your hands

[Azazengar]

I would look into the Bible of the Adversary by Michael W Ford. I am a Luciferian so naturally I will recommend his works, though they are not practical for learning Magick. His rituals are more advanced and a basic framework is necessary before gravitating toward the Adversarial based rites and rituals. I would suggest reading BOTA just to see if the ideals and doctrines interest you and if you want to develop a Magickal practice, read Liber MMM, Liber Null, and Modern Magick. I can help you along with any questions you have if you are interested.

[Mythic]

Ahh yes thnx I just started reading up on Hermetics by S.Connoly, Psychonaut, and Liber Null (which you recommended and just so happened to be one I bought). These books are really fascinating, albeit a tad hard for me to understand at times and I need to write what the books teach in terms I understand in a notebook.
As far as what im researching though, im most interested in Magick itself, I would like to learn more on it and see what its like, so I am mostly looking for Chaos Magick, Elemental Magick and invocation of spiritual entities.
I would like to be as respectful as possible to the spirits in the practices though, I dont feel good forcing anything to be made to do my bidding, I would prefer a mutual understanding on what I would like to accomplish.

Oh before I forget: 1) are there any sources where I could learn the Lesser Banishing and Cleansing? I would prefer safety first. 2) Whats scrying?

Thanks again for helping me with this, and heres a little anecdote from me:
The reason I decided o the occult path is a funny reason (imo) I had a dream that I had sex with a dragon, so I reaserched some occult, then I had a dream of some super complex sigil, wbich was so big and detailed that it took up fields and it was painted jn a glowing red. Intrigued, I started on the occult and magick. Mow here I ak! I would like to find answers for these curious dreams and just learn. Well kudos for the advice and cya later!

[Mythic]

Silly me, i forget another thing [bummed] what books on Chaos Magick would you recommend? Im interested in it, but i dont want to waste time and money on books that won't work. A question on the Goetia as well: How do familiars work? Im not gonna try to get one yet, but do you just ask for any familiar and poof?

But yeah so far im studying Hermetics and Liber Null. Preparation for the nation!

[hyperion5225]

Howdy, friendly chaos mage here ( such a silly name , they need to get us a new one soon ). I would suggest looking up Phil hine. Most of his stuff is free on his website , I think he Is bloody brilliant. Liber null is good , some of it is symbolic ( im talking about the whole killing yourself to reincarnate faster ) and Carol is good all around , although he can be full of himself sometimes . Learn more than sigils , chaos is so much more.

Now , familliars. try servitors first. Much simpler with less chance to back fire. Look up lbrp , or the thelmic version . I preffer the invokeing ritual more but to each there own

[Haelos]

I recommend the books;
Initiation into Hermetics
Practice of Magical Evocation
Key to the True Kabbalah all by Franz Bardon

Book of Ceremonial Magick By Arthur Waite

Kybalion by Unknown/debatable

and the Three occult books by Henry Cornelius Agrippa.

Anything else I've found worth while has already been mentioned.
Also, just read everything in general. You seem to be on the right path.
Learn everything on a subject before you begin practice, especially when working with spirits.

[Mythic]

Thanks for the advice guys I love to learn. Im finding liber null and hermetics kinda hard to understand at times, so I need to write it up in a little notebook as notes, which helps me study them.

So what does chaos magick consist of exactly? I dont think you can spew fire from your palms, so what can chaos magick do exactly? Thnx

Oh and I gather that I need to study first, then practice magick? Like sharpen my mind and buff up mentally and whatnot right?

[Haelos]

Chaos Magick is essentially all types of magick thrown into one category and called a style of practice.
'Chaotes' make great use of sigils, because they're simple and easy to learn, and aren't very paradigm-restrictive. Anything else is usually borrowed from another'paradigm' (To my knowledge.)


At one point in time, it probably was possible to spew fire from the hands through sheer Will alone, but it's unlikely to be found in someone these days. And definitely not something you'll learn to do in any book, and no initiate could perform it, even if they knew the spell.

And, speaking of which, even if you knew the most powerful spell in the world, it wouldn't do anything for you unless you had the proper training and knowledge to use it.



Could you explain how it is you're having trouble understanding the material you're reading? Maybe we could recommend some easier books for you to start with. Most of these books (and I find most books in general) need to be read at least a few times over to truly comprehend everything the author is intending to portray, along with being able to take your own understandings from it.

[Mythic]

Thanks for the explanation there, its preety fascinating. As far as reading the books goes, its just the way its written that confuses me at times, but if I read over and put it into context I can then understand the concept.
I think I actually find it better this way, cause then it makes me feel like im making progress and im learning something new. Thanks for the information though but I think im gonna be fine, just gotta buckle down and apply myself.

I just gotta work hard! On the other hand though, if It does get too hard I wont hesitate to ask for easier books, but im just gonna see how it goes. Kudos!

[cyberdemon]

Goetia?
Find the Book Of Ceremonial Magick by A. E. Waite. Links to it are repeated around the forums, and also somewhere in our resources boards. I'm on mobile right now or I'd link you right here. It's literally the one and only book you'll need for a beginner in demonology.

[Mythic]

Ok thanks, im gonna check it out