To consciously and successfully practice magic, one needs to draw upon the cosmic influences and patterns of creation through the law of correspondences and apply formulas like the three secrets to activate specific creative processes. One needs to have a real, authentic, and reliable connection with the creative forces to do this, and a strong relationship with whatever respective celestial, ancestral, elemental or nature spirits they are working with to do so. As simple as it may sound, this is not as easy for the majority of the general populace.
Most people are inundated by lower emotional states and mental garbage on a daily basis. Most cannot even transcend the lower astral levels, let alone access the different solar and lunar aspects of their soul- and very few can connect to higher levels of spirit let alone function beyond the astral in the higher spiritual realms of consciousness to contact these archetypal energies, the forces and patterns of creation.
This is why it helps to have a boost from a lineage. An authentic lineage links one into a direct current and in a sense acts like a shared bank account one can draw from. It can be hard to find an authentic lineage that has a real, living, current that links to higher spiritual energies that extend beyond the lower astral realms (where most other lineages and traditions are rooted in) especially in the modern times we find ourselves in. Most existing traditions are merely empty shells that have lost the living current or function through mere egregores. Many of these traditions have been corrupted entirely, or were corrupted already from the start and are merely anchored in the lower astral. This is unfortunately the case with many Western traditions. Not that this in anyway invalidates the Western traditions- some of these contain very powerful concepts and techniques from Hermeticism, Gnosticism and Kabbalistic systems which are each very potent and can lead one to very real attainment - yet today they are so poorly understood and misapplied that they lose their essence and practical applications. Plenty have tried reconstructing these ancient currents of magic in neo-traditions but have no real foundation and thus have no real, living current that would feed those who are initiated into them.
There are several real and authentic Eastern sources that have unbroken magical traditions dating back over 4000 years or more years. However, these sources are not readily available to come by, and most are not accessible to the public. And those that are found in the public have typically been corrupted as well and only continue to exist as empty religious forms, practices or rituals that have lost the inner essence of the teachings and the actual applications, or their popular forms have been hijacked by the new age movement and completely misunderstood or misapplied by the consumerism-fueled new age movement and its erroneous ideas.
Authentic Mysticism and Magic is more than scribbling random sigils on paper, lighting some candles, or putting flowers, fruit and incense on an altar. It is TRANSFORMATIVE.
It does deal with the forces of creation and destruction. This of course includes sex and death, the most powerful forces which, when truly understood, are those which transform the most. Yet amazingly, they are more or less repressed by most modern systems. Repress sexual energy or become celibate without proper practice and you’ll become a powerless husk devoid of creative life, and even worse it will reverse, amplify and inflame the shadow aspects within oneself. Ignore death, and you’ll live in fear and remain driven by lower impulses seeking self-preservation, attached to mere outer appearances and consumed with never-ending aversions.
So - where do we begin? Honest self evaluation and introspection. Both Daoist magic and Mikkyo traditions begin with looking in the mirror. Similar gazing and scrying practices can be found all throughout the world both in the West and even in the Ancient Americas.
Why do you want to do this? What do you really want?
If you want power, prestige, or fancy robes that’s fine, but it’s veneer. The real work is the inner cultivation and self transformation, to unveil the true spark of the Divine within you, unleashing your highest potential.
It’s not all love and light, rainbows and butterflies that you find in fluffy cookie cutter - new age spirituality. You will delve deep into your aversions and fears, you encounter demons, ghosts and face the shadowy projections all within your own psyche, you experience disappointment and challenges, and you face the wrathful deities as well as the sweet ones.
You build the Philosopher’s stone, the hard jewel of fixed Qi. This is the Mercury that needs to be solidified and stabilized through the hot cinnibar of discipline and consistent practice.
It takes commitment and hard work. You have to serve others selflessly even when you don’t want to. You’ll be criticized and called eccentric, confused, dark, cultish or even crazy…
The real Mystic knows both Heaven and Hell. Without them you are incomplete. Training begins with KNOW THYSELF.
