This post might be controversial. Because I have always believed that Magick is not a substitute for hard work and taking responsibility, and some Pagans might not like that idea!
Roots in the Asphalt
The Magickal 5 Step Plan.
1. Work out what is it you really want your life to look like. I mean really, truly and deeply examine your motivations. Do you want to change your job because you truly desire to be a Circus Performer or do you want to change your job because you are being bullied by your boss? Because your true motivation makes a big difference to how you plan to make your change. If this part of the process gets uncomfortable then that is a sign that you really, really need to do it!
2. Start immersing yourself in the culture of that new life, read books, hang out on web forums with like-minded people, make new friends who are living that life, listen to podcasts, watch TV shows, learn the jargon and imagine how you fit in with that. This step is vital to expanding your horizons of what you think is possible and achievable. By spending time with people who are doing it then you will begin to believe you can do it too (and you probably can!).
3. Surround yourself with a core group of people who believe in you and believe in your change. You will have enough of your own doubts to cope with, without taking on the doubts of others. That support network will help you to build on the work in steps 1 and 2 and get you through dark days when nothing seems to be changing, or perhaps it is changing and that frightens you.
4. Take active steps to manifest your new life. I am not suggesting quitting your job in the hope of attracting the job you want. More that if you want to be a Banker, you need to starting making applications to Banks; if you want to be a writer, you need to be writing; if you want to find love, you need to contact and meet people. When I was 17 I applied to the most prestigious university in the UK. Several people told me to expect disappointment and to each person I replied "The only way to guarantee failure is if I don't even try". The thing is this is a scary step and some people find more comfort in staying where they are than risking failure. Sitting on the sofa and dreaming about travelling the world involves no risk...and it takes you nowhere. You might fail, the first, second or even third time, but what if you could have succeeded. I surprised everyone by getting a place at that university, and if I hadn't, I could have applied again.
5. Do your Magick ritual and make sure it is a good one!
"Hey Antara, this is a cheat. You aren't really telling us how to use Magick to change our lives. Only point 5 is about *Magick* and that isn't helpful."
Oh really?
Magick runs through our whole lives and no amount of spells or rituals or hand waving will change your life if you don't put the groundwork in. In this blog there are already some technical tips on doing Magick rituals that work and there will be more. But none of that means anything if you don't follow steps 1-4 above. If you aren't ready for change then nothing will change your life for you. Magick isn't something we keep in a special sandalwood box and get out once a month, it is a part of everything you are. Being effective in life and being great at Magick are simply two sides of the same coin.
Magick is damn hard work and requires discipline, courage and effort. If you aren't putting discipline, courage and effort into the rest of your life then you won't have it for Magick.
1. Work out what is it you really want your life to look like. I mean really, truly and deeply examine your motivations. Do you want to change your job because you truly desire to be a Circus Performer or do you want to change your job because you are being bullied by your boss? Because your true motivation makes a big difference to how you plan to make your change. If this part of the process gets uncomfortable then that is a sign that you really, really need to do it!
2. Start immersing yourself in the culture of that new life, read books, hang out on web forums with like-minded people, make new friends who are living that life, listen to podcasts, watch TV shows, learn the jargon and imagine how you fit in with that. This step is vital to expanding your horizons of what you think is possible and achievable. By spending time with people who are doing it then you will begin to believe you can do it too (and you probably can!).
3. Surround yourself with a core group of people who believe in you and believe in your change. You will have enough of your own doubts to cope with, without taking on the doubts of others. That support network will help you to build on the work in steps 1 and 2 and get you through dark days when nothing seems to be changing, or perhaps it is changing and that frightens you.
4. Take active steps to manifest your new life. I am not suggesting quitting your job in the hope of attracting the job you want. More that if you want to be a Banker, you need to starting making applications to Banks; if you want to be a writer, you need to be writing; if you want to find love, you need to contact and meet people. When I was 17 I applied to the most prestigious university in the UK. Several people told me to expect disappointment and to each person I replied "The only way to guarantee failure is if I don't even try". The thing is this is a scary step and some people find more comfort in staying where they are than risking failure. Sitting on the sofa and dreaming about travelling the world involves no risk...and it takes you nowhere. You might fail, the first, second or even third time, but what if you could have succeeded. I surprised everyone by getting a place at that university, and if I hadn't, I could have applied again.
5. Do your Magick ritual and make sure it is a good one!
"Hey Antara, this is a cheat. You aren't really telling us how to use Magick to change our lives. Only point 5 is about *Magick* and that isn't helpful."
Oh really?
Magick runs through our whole lives and no amount of spells or rituals or hand waving will change your life if you don't put the groundwork in. In this blog there are already some technical tips on doing Magick rituals that work and there will be more. But none of that means anything if you don't follow steps 1-4 above. If you aren't ready for change then nothing will change your life for you. Magick isn't something we keep in a special sandalwood box and get out once a month, it is a part of everything you are. Being effective in life and being great at Magick are simply two sides of the same coin.
Magick is damn hard work and requires discipline, courage and effort. If you aren't putting discipline, courage and effort into the rest of your life then you won't have it for Magick.
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