A sure fire way to test your magick theory is by practice. Theory and practice are two sides of a coin that go hand in hand. However, a heavy emphasis is often placed on developing a robust theory first. I’d like to encourage students to acknowledge a definitive way to know is by practice and direct experience. Don’t be shy. Practice informs your theory.

As mentioned in So You Want to Practice Magick?, Many students begin by being what is coined as an “armchair magician.” He buys several books to read, seeking to grasp the material that will help him build out a mental map about magick. This is often how one first begins to wrestle their hands around the jaws of Magick to try to pry open its enchanted mouth. I have a fondness for the word mental map, for without knowing what we are navigating, we sometimes lack the confidence and footing to go forth. Reading also introduces and connects our mind to mental sphere influences we may not have been exposed to previously. Yet, too much theory consumption can lead to stagnation. Like a hamster wheel, one can get stuck on the wheel of new books, the web of authors saying go this way or that, dabbling in magical practices and trends without really getting anywhere. All of these can end up bogging the student down, and he or she realizes 6 months or many years later that a bunch of platters were sampled but you didn’t receive anything of substance.

Often this is the approach because students haven’t found their groove yet. Unless you happen to go directly into your core system, many occultists will try to get a lay of the land by engaging with several orders and/or systems. There is nothing wrong with engaging in several paths and tasting the buffet before fully committing yourself to a path, be it as a beginner or experienced practitioner. It’s one way to come to know yourself and what you’re about. Sometimes a new system or approach can be what we need to take our practice to the next level. What I want to point out, however, is that this can open a trap door beneath your feet if you don’t have a good head on your shoulders. The trap door is never developing yourself towards anything.

Initiation contains elements of surprise and the unexpected. What we conceptually imagine is often very different from actual, direct experience. So make sure you are jumping in and practicing. Regularly.

To apply an example from my personal life, I have a graduate degree in law. Sure I studied the greater scope of application and have exposure to several elements of legal theory. What I actually do day-to-day though comes from on the job training. What I know informs what I do, but what is really examined is what I do. Someone might think I am more qualified because of education, but it really boils down to the work product produced. We find our true qualifications “when the rubber hits the pavement.”

Similarly, you can practice magick whether or not you know an entire library of occult theory – even more so if you have someone walking you through the essentials to complete a magickal operation. Don’t get caught in the lair of talking heads. Studying something doesn’t necessarily inform what you are capable of as a magician.

In the article Why Study Western Magic – at IMBOLC? Frater Acher says, “How much does mastering magic matter to you? Knowing your personal, your real answer to this is essential…” Without knowing your motivation, it’s hard to consistently apply oneself. Similar to holding the  Urim and Thummim (Biblical divination devices to “determine the will of God”), you must have something precious to hold onto that inspires and drives you. That gives you your answer. Your reasonings and intentions may evolve over the years as you gain more experience and illumination, but hold onto whatever will give you the kick in the rear to stay committed.

Similar to an orange, you have a lot of potential in what you become as a magician or practitioner of the magickal arts. An orange can become orange juice. Orange jam. An orange popsicle. Orange cake. Orange chicken, etc. Similarly, you can stay in your native state, like this orange pictured, or transform yourself into something else by application. Magick is one science & art that truly allows man to tap into his potential.

Above I mentioned how gaining practical, magickal experience is even easier when you have someone walking besides you. That isn’t always available or preferred. There is a plethora of communities for the many practices available should one be inclined to work with others. For those who don’t have access to or a desire to do group work, my next post will be for solitary practitioners.