Two Things I Won’t Do
In Modern Magick, I discussed how to use a divination to prevent doing something that could have unwanted negative results. I wrote that the real reason that sensible magicians don’t do magick that can negatively effect you is not really because it’s “evil” or “black magick,” but because it would be foolish to do something that could actually harm you.
Well, I have a confession. That’s not always true. There are occasions where I would consciously choose to do an act that could negatively effect me through the actions of Tee-koon (a Kabalistic term for what non-Kabalistists refer to as “karma”). Tee-koon, like karma, is based on actions, not intentions. If I harm you—accidentally or on purpose—I have still harmed you and will incur Tee-koon as a result. It’s like a rock being dropped in a quiet pond. It doesn’t matter whether I intended to drop the rock or if it fell by accident, waves will still move out from where the stone hit the water.
If I consciously hit someone and harm them, I will incur Tee-koon. I avoid hitting people because I’m not stupid and don’t want to face negativity as a result of my action. However, if, for example, I saw a man attempting to rape a woman, I would do everything necessary to stop him. If I had to, I would harm him. I know I would face Tee-koon for my action, but that is my choice and I would do it without even thinking about it.
So are there any things I won’t do? Well, as you’ve probably figured out by the name of this post, when it comes to magick there are two things I won’t do, and I want to share why. The reason I’m discussing this is because I get snail mail and email almost daily asking me for one or both of these things.
THING ONE: Can You Recommend a Group?
I get asked this so often. Can I give them the name of a group in their area? They’ve looked but haven’t found anything. I’m sorry, but I just don’t do this. There is a two-word reason I don’t give out specific recommendations of this kind: groups change. Over months and years, a group that may have been very positive when I knew them might become, oh, let’s say, not so good. They may have even become abusive or criminal. One group I know of started out very positive. They wanted to practice the Golden Dawn system. Unfortunately, the leader, in my estimation, became a megalomaniac, involved in everything from scamming people out of lots of money to statutory rape. If I had recommended that organization to people I would have been getting them involved in something that I believe has become very negative.
So to avoid this I just don’t give out recommendations.
I’m sorry.
There are some organizations that have listings of groups and individuals who are interested in meeting you. The people at The Witches’ Voice have such listings. The people at Circle Sanctuary also have listings and contacts. I neither endorse nor don’t endorse any of the contacts. Instead, I suggest that if decide to link with others, take “baby steps.” Don’t jump in 100% at the beginning. Move to work with them just a little at a time. Listen to your head and listen to your heart. If something doesn’t seem right or “feel” right to you, back away. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the group, only that they’re not right for you at this time.
THING TWO: Can You Do a Ritual for Me?
About once a month I receive what I call “the letter.” It’s usually many pages long, sharing an entire sad story of someone’s life, ending with a request for me to do some magick for them, perhaps a ritual or a spell. These requests have ranged from healings to changing their appearance, from getting a girlfriend to winning the lottery. I get shorter letters requesting that I do magick for people, too.
I’m sorry. No. Nor will I accept money to do magick for you. You can try to bribe me, but it won’t work.
I’m sorry.
In virtually all of my writings and lecturing, I have one specific, ultimate goal: to empower you. Really. I want to help you achieve everything you want in life.
And you see, if I do magick for you I’m empowering myself, not you. I would have the power in your life and over you. That’s against all of my ethics and my goals in life. I’d like to empower all of us. I don’t want power over you. Not at all.
I will help you achieve your goals through magick. That means you have to read, you have to study, and you have to practice. Most of the information is in my writings or in my workshops. If something doesn’t make sense, I’ll be glad to answer questions. But it’s up to you to do the work and do the magick. It’s up to you to choose to make your life fantastic. I can’t do that for you. I can’t even make the choice for you.
If you’re willing to do the work and empower yourself, I’ll be glad to help.
Just ask!
that was well-reasoned, and well written. You ‘get to no’ gracefully.
Great post! It’s funny you should mention the divination in Modern Magick that is used to prevent doing something that could have unwanted negative results. I am a student of your system, and I am in lesson 1. I had a question about this very subject:
I am attempting to do readings every day like I should (along with the contemplation), but the hardest part of it for me is coming up with a question. I really can’t think of many subjects that I could consider for the purpose of doing “Grey Magick”. Is there anything else you could suggest that might help me along in my daily readings?
In the beginning work found in Modern Magick, the goal isn’t to do readings, but rather, to do the Tarot Contemplation Ritual. That doesn’t require coming up with questions or doing readings.
However, if you want to practice doing readings (and the more practice you get, the better the readings become and the more intuitive you become), remember that it doesn’t have to be any sort of mind-shattering question. It can be as simple as “What will be the results of me skipping breakfast this morning?” or “What will the outcome be if I don’t take a shower?”
Remember, when you first started to ride a bicycle you probably didn’t do too well. Once you learned the skill you could do everything to ride a bike well without even thinking about it. The same is true with the Tarot. At the beginning, you may not be too accurate. So don’t worry about complex or vital questions. Just ask anything.
And keep a record of the results. That way you can see your accuracy improve over time.
Thank you for your reply! I like your example questions. They’re light and funny. 🙂 I see now that the questions don’t have to be complex or vital, but can be about pretty much anything!
That is very helpful, Don, and I will integrate that. I appreciate the input. I guess I was mistaken about the importance of doing daily readings at this point. What caused me to think it was the paragraph after your sample split hexagram reading. In that paragraph it says, “Also try giving yourself small readings on a daily basis….Be sure to also continue with the Tarot Contemplation Ritual. Doing a reading or a ritual does not overcome the need for doing both.”
I will say that while I have had a hard time doing the readings every day, I have persistently kept up the contemplation ritual.