There was a message on one of my many occult boards that I wish to address. I didn’t address it at the time because I wanted to think about it for a while. The topic was the types of people that magick traditionally attracts. The author stated that it had been their experience that magick attracted “Losers, and miscreants, ill adjusted and so called bottom of the barrel types.” They went on to state that even though they themselves fit into these categories in their youth that they had sought to better themselves.
This statement disturbed me for several reasons. One, because at first glance, I could see how this would be applicable. The individuals, who speak loudest and make themselves visible, are often those of us who have social issues, or have been booted from other social circles. The path of the unknown, is sometimes the only one left for those who wish to remain conscious, and continue learning their will. Secondly, it bothered me because we do have a higher rate of mental imbalance, and depression than other social or religious groups. But most importantly it bothered me because it discounted the larger reasons for these symptoms in culture as well as the massive population of people who have been attracted to the occult out of a need for higher learning.
When an individual is born with a bit more curiosity, or intellect than his family or social group encourages, and then he or she runs the risk, and likelihood of being marginalized. If one is born into a strongly religious family, yet likes to talk to trees, or prefers to work in the theatre, then they by definition become a “Loser” within that social context. If we are born smarter than the school system we are subjected to then we become “ill-adjusted” If we choose to follow the path of philosophy, rather than business law then we are outright “Crazy”. I asked a teacher about the predatory instinct that I have sensed in some of our younger ones, and he told me that in all great magicians, he has noticed an early tendency to prey on the environment, and those around us, to get what we need. This instinct of survival sometimes comes off as a negative thing, and if we don’t choose to grow out of it by learning other ways to have our needs met, then it can become unhealthy. But it in and of itself is not a negative quality. There is a reason that most of our most worshipped animals are hunters. I have experienced in our communities an overwhelming desire for more than what society and organized religion has provided. There seems to be a driving sense of need to discover, and become closer to the divine, to our true will. Depression, mental imbalance, and social ill adjustment are all side effects of a broken society, and can be overcome if the will is there.
We as a culture are in our infancy. We can choose to make our own rules of acceptable behavior and standards.
The last comment that I would like to make is that there are second and third generations of people who have been brought up in a culture of understanding and compassion, who are being allowed to develop their visions and beliefs in an atmosphere of acceptance rather than of fear. We also have elders who are willing to guide us if we only ask them. There are legions of healthy although not necessarily sane individuals who make up our colourful group. We should hesitate to use cultures labels upon ourselves, which considers such random violence and fractured home life as a vision of “Normal”.
-“I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” Bene Gessurit saying
Maegdlyn Morris
1950 W 8th St.
Cinti. OH 45203 (513)251-7396
