Sulum Factum Magus

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must decide who or what they serve. Do they serve only themselves, do they serve their Deities, do they serve some ideals, their family, their country, the company, or what? Most people bumble along doing what is expected of them, without making any particular conscious choice, and this is fine as far as it goes. But sooner or later one is always confronted with a situation where one must choose. Whose interests will prevail?

Human beings are very good at aligning their personal interests with those of the people around them. Often there is no conflict between one’s own interest and the interest of one’s family, country, employer, etc etc. But sooner or later there will be, and in making the choices that must follow, we show what kind of person we are.

For the most part, it is a juggling act, trying to satisfy the different interests that we have given a stake in our lives – children, partners, work, hobbies, charities, community, wider family, friends, and also for Pagans, we often have relationships with Deities and other-world contacts to consider as well. Some people manage to keep juggling for much of their lives, before being confronted with the necessity of choice. Others are driven to it much sooner by the impossibility of satisfying all these potentially conflicting interests.

The way of the wise is to know thyself – the true self, the soul intelligence that struggles, usually, to exert its guiding influence over one’s life, which for most is managed from the seat of reason, according to the scripts learned in child-hood. When one is in contact with the true self, the conflict between one’s own self interest and the interest of others, human and non-human, disappears. There is simply the right thing to do, at the time. The Buddhists have the concept of “Right Action”, or Dharma, which transcends principles, laws and moral guidelines. Right action is perceived directly by the luminous intelligence which is both individual and collective. It may take considerable courage to enact it. Indeed, in respect of Right Action, we may say there are three sorts of people. Those who don’t see it at all. Those who perceive it, but aren’t able to follow through with it, for whatever reason, and those who see it and act upon it. Most are in the first category. Those who begin to work on themselves spiritually, and start opening up their hidden faculties, first find themselves in the second category. That is they begin to perceive their right action, but lack the means, the commitment or the courage to act upon it. Thus begins a long, difficult and painful journey, of putting what they perceive into practice, of living their right action. At the end of this journey, with the blessing of the Ancient Ones, they may find themselves in the third category, of living the Right Action that they perceive. Such a one appears to others as a Mage or Saint, or a person of accomplishment and integrity, having achieved alignment between their lives and their spiritual vision and faculty. The rest of us struggle on, as best we may, aware of the gulf between our perceptions of right action, and the lives we actually live, but committed to closing the gap as we gain in skills, confidence, understanding, and spiritual independence. And in this journey, we are assisted by our Deities and inner world contacts, who provide a mechanism for contacting the numinous sphere of existence, and opening the perceptions to the true self.

BB

Robyn :)

Here is a second installment in my series of suggestions for developing magical practice for busy people. The secret is to make magic and magical awareness a part of everything you do. In this post, I suggest how you might deepen your relationship with the elemental energy of Fire.

Fire is the second of the four elements in the cycle of becoming, and represents the transition to action. Where Air is cold, Fire is hot, representing the addition of energy, passion, enthusiasm, and enlivening spirit to put plans into action.

Fire is the source of heat, and an Earthly representation of the heat-giving, and hence life-giving energy of the Sun. Fiery personalities don’t stop and think, they jump right in, doing or saying something without pausing to consider the consequences. In magical terms, Fire is often associated with the magical will, which is the impulse to effect change, the magical prime mover of all that takes place through magical means. Fire is energy. In terms of the human body, fire represents the blood, and the cellular metabolism which burns Oxygen to Carbon Dioxide, releasing energy for action in the body, and creating heat. Someone who has the will to succeed, a real go-getter, is sometimes said to have a “fire in the belly”. Fire is associated with the human passions, such as anger, sexual attraction, and any other type of burning enthusiasm. Like a fire, these passions can burn us and those arround us when we let them rage out of control. When kept in check and expressed in a controlled fashion, they serve us every bit as usefully as Fire itself. Where Air was associated with superficial things and appearances, Fire is a little deeper, concerned with the energy and motivation beneath appearances. Fire is associated with the hottest part of the day, midday, and the hottest time of year, mid-summer. Bright colours like orange and red are said to be warm, and encourage activity and enthusiasm. In Pagan terms, they are associated with Fire.

Todays’s exercise is to adjust the level of the Fire element whenever necessary during your day, by means of focussed intention and visualisation. You may find yourself feeling unmotivated, and lacking in energy for a necessary task. Say to yourself, “I call thee element of Fire, I call thy energy and motivation, energize me to perform necessary task (name task) for the greatest good of all.” Visualize a flame burning in your belly, filling you with energy and enthusiasm, and the impulse to action. It should take no more than a few seconds. It can be done eyes open or closed, depending on your circumstances. You may be part of a group where people seem to be endlessly talking (Air), and nothing actually is ever done. Next time you meet, call in some Fire energy, and be prepared for action!  For example, visualize a circle around the people meeting, and visualize a fire burning and radiating its energy out from the centre of the circle. Always have “for the greatest good of all” as part of your intention, and respect people’s free will and personal integrity. It goes without saying that to work in this way is a declaration of responsibility for adjusting and constructing the subtle atmosphere in which you are operating. We all have this responsibility, but few have the awareness or desire to act upon it. There is a delicate balancing act, as in any act of magic, between creating a constructive and enthusiastic atmosphere, and manipulating the way people feel to achieve one’s own ends. In my view, the way to successfully juggle this is to adopt a personal ethos of respect for each person’s integrity, and right to self determination. 

The same visualization can be applied to oneself of course, if you  feel the need for more fire energy in your day. But do remember the importance of balance. The Lady Brighid of the blessed flame, is also the Lady of the healing well. 

When the seems to be no enthusiasm, or motivation for something important, it is sometimes worthwhile to reflect on the possible reasons, rather than to seek first to increase the energy of Fire.  Perhaps the time isn’t right, or feelings and intuition suggesting an alternate course are being ignored. Sometimes we need to recognise that Fire follows Air in the cycle of manifestation. If Fire has trouble getting started, perhaps it’s because there has been insufficient planning…Fire needs Air! If so, perhaps call some Air and do some planning first!

Let me know how you get on!

Blessed Be,

Robyn