Update 9402 KREEPING FAQ Question #3 (How do I get started in magick?) Ceci writes: This is a question I asked myself about a year ago. Since then I'm one year wiser, and maybe I can help you. About a year ago I asked about how to get started in magick in this forum. Most of the answers I got were book recommendations. I've read some of these books, but not nearly as many as I would like to. So, books are one answer. There are actually books which try to take you from your first tentative attempts at relaxation into holding a ritual. Israel Regardie's _One-Year Manual_ comes to mind. I've read it and tried it, but it didn't work very well for me. Maybe it will for you. I seem to remember something like this by Dion Fortune or Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki aswell. Maybe they could help you. Other than that, it's a matter of Reebok rhetoric: Just do it! If you like to, you can see this as one of the very first exercises in Will; you Will yourself into making a ritual. And just as with sex, the first time you'll feel pathetic, clumsy and silly, but if you keep on learning, you'll improve. And of course, make sure that you won't be interrupted, and practice "safe magick". If you found a ritual in a book that you feel comfortable with, try it. But at least try to think of something personal. Try to visualize yourself doing it, daydream about it, and if it still feels ok, carry it out physically. Start out small. Learn to crawl before you go for the marathon. Don't talk about it with people who won't understand what it means to you. The fourth power (of the Sphinx) is there for a reason. Ceci, playing the Crone ceci@lysator.liu.se __________________________________________________________________ Bran writes: You start by starting. Pick any ritual from any book you've read that appeals to you. Try it. Then try another one. Pay attention to what you experience, and modify the rituals to better fit you. Read some more, practice some more, create some more...keep going until you die. It really is that simple. But simple is not the same as easy. Magic is hard work, but it's worth it for me. Br'anArthur ________________________________________________________________ Tyagi writes: You ask about learning magick and how to proceed. This would depend on how you learn best. These are some good references online: alt.magick alt.pagan Chaos Magick Email Group (postmaster@tatertot.com) Thelema Email Group (Thelema-list-request+@andrew.cmu.edu) Arcana Listserv Ftp sites: ftp.lysator.liu.se /pub/magick (good and improving) quartz.rutgers.edu (good) ptero.soar.cs.cmu.edu /occult (very good) slopoke.mlb.semi.harris.com /pub/magick (very good but convoluted) netcom.com /pub/caw (new and neopagan-centered) Email with people you may see on alt.magick may be the best way to start. Alternatively, study and ask questions on the nets. Also, though it is outdated, check out _A Mage's Guide to the Internet_ if you've any interest in networking cyberspace. Tyagi Nagasiva Tyagi@HouseofKaos.Abyss.com _____________________________________________________________________ Readings suggested: _First Steps in Ritual_ by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, Aquarian Press. _Ritual Magic Workbook_ by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, Aquarian Press Leigh ------------------------ I highly recommend "The Ritual Magic Workbook" by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, published by Aquarian Press (ISBN 0-85030-467-9). I believe it's currently in its 5th printing. Amanda Walker ------------------------ _Transcendental Magic_, by Eliphas Levi _Magick Without Tears_, by Aleister Crowley _Book Four_ ('Magick', 'Magick in Theory and Practice'), by Aleister Crowley _Real Magic_, by Isaac Bonewits Various, by William Gray Tyagi -------------------------- The Practical Qabalah - Charles Fielding The Mystical Qabalah - Dion Fortune Garden Full of Pomegranates - Israel Regardie The Middle Pillar - Israel Regardie If read in this order, I think you will see a logical progression of topics. However, the Fortune book may bog you down, but read it carefully. Also, just about anything by W.E. Butler, especially Apprentice to Magic and The Initiate, his training and work, provide good info., but I would read them after the four above. (and) Found the book I have been thinking of but couldn't remeber. It has lots of juicy little tidbits of basic info. I'd call it Intro to Magick 101. It covers QBL, ceremony, meditation, all quite well and contains the ever popular _Art of True Healing_. Its _Foundations of Practical Magic: An Introduction to Qabalistic, Magical and Meditative Techniques_ by Israel Regardie. A basic primer for anyone interested in getting a good general knowledge. Bob Farrior ----------------------- I can't speak for anyone else, but I am a Christian. Good books, in my opinion: _Modern Magick_ by Donald Michael Kraig _The New Magus_ by Donald Tyson Brent Irvine *************************************************************************** This is from a series of continually-updated posts responding to recurrent questions in this newsgroup. Please debate anything in here which seems extreme and add your own response to these questions after the post. I'll integrate what I can. Thanks. Tyagi Nagasiva Tyagi@HousEofKAos.AByss.com (THE KA'AB) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Some more books for getting started: "The Magical Philosopy Series" - Dennings & Phillips (3 vols.) (excellent material, from beginning to advanced) "The Tree of Life" - Israel Regardie (great overview of the diverse range of ceremonial) "The Middle Pillar" - Israel Regardie (detailed exercises for spiritual "quickening") Love is the law, love under will. -- gpeters@netcom.com