Response to Magical Academics, Evocation Options

Dear spirit evokers,

I thought that this particular post would be interesting, and have decided to ask you all for your impressions and opinions. Here it goes! Many us live in the United States of America and as some of you may well know, live in a culture that values academics along with activites and hobbies. After Johnny or Sally get picked up from school they usually head to karate, piano lessons, football, dance and so on. In the summer they usually head to camps or to compete in sport tournaments and competitions. College students will many times be working for money, take summer classes or go back to their parents' home (and enjoy a lazy summer). But here is my question.

How do you think children and parents would respond to an advertisement (say, in a newspaper) that advertises a sacred magical education for worthy students of the magical arts? Of course some of you may be thinking "oh no, Harry Potter!" Well you may be more right than you know. Our kind (magicians and witches alike) have advanced in the recognition of the public eye through fiction that has some reality in it indeed. Now kids know what the word "divination", "history of magic", "magical creatures", "herbology", (as it is called in J.K. Rowling's novel) and "potions", not to mention the very true reality of defending one's self against "dark magic." The list goes on.

Since this particular post is in the Goetic Spirits section, I would like to also add to the advertisement the exciting possibilities of the magical art of evocation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could teach this art and draw people in by telling them about the endless magical possibilities that can be brought about through hard work and dedication? Enticing? Does it sound like a company that could gain fame and wealth? That's up for you to decide. The vision I had in mind was not some closed off lodge that no one is able to access, but somewhere nearby and as frequently seen as state colleges. For two years I taught "magical mystical creatures" and actually gave students homework, had them invoke and work with some of the creatures, and even tested them! It was a pretty nice success because then they wanted to learn more about magic (I may be teaching the book by Oberon from the Grey Council). But evocation, would it be a hit? It would be awesome to think that you can control anything, but nowadays everything is contoversial. Imagine if the great evokers of our century (perhaps even some from this very forum) could combine to revolutionize magic and not keep it hidden away. It was meant to be shared, and taught academically by those who understand its elements. It really would be an amazing thing if people began to find an interest in what magic has to offer. Don't you think if we got kids interested in this early on it would develop an interest freely chosen by them in the future? These are things that really could be taught, starting in my opinion with the evocation of spirits. How many would be drawn to the Goetia? Evocation promises you anything. This almost like asking a genii for anything (only it's a bit tougher and more expensive). Evocation comes at a great price. How many would choose to follow this very difficult and perhaps even financially trying path? I would love to hear your opinions, thoughts, or recommendations.

Thank you for reading, and good day to you all!

Curi

Dear spirit evokers,

Do let me know what you think. It is a topic that, in my opinion needs to be explored. Should we introduce magical evocation to the public as an academic establishment and form future magicians through education in this magical art? This is not to be mistaken as a hobby, though.

Thoughts?

Curi

I don't see why it should be exposed to the public any more than it already is. Some of the information relatied to the occult sciences is a lttle difficult to obtain but it is by no means out-of-reach through a little good old-fashioned work.

I think this difficulty is important as it serves to seperate those who really want to learn from the dabblers. If everything is handed out piece-meal it becomes easier to be mistaken as a hobby which is what you want to avoid.

In the past info wasn't hidden and bound by vows to keep it from the public in a malign way. It was done so that those who truly wanted it had access and those who didn't deserve it did not. It also served as a protection of those who used the knowledge.


"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."-Matthew [7:6]


To show that this is not just a Christian idea I will quote from what could be the opposite.


"Let my servants be few & secret: they shall rule the many & the known."-LIBER AL vel LEGIS [1:10]

When the masses are ready they will seek it out until then it should not be revealed.

This post has been edited by chaoscrowley37: Jan 29 2006, 05:06 PM

Crime today is already is very harmful thing to the world... and that with criminals with no special powers.. Now Imagine the world with criminals of high powers!!! look back at mythologies, most of harm on earth was due to people with super powers...
Imagine nowadays, thieves could easily enter bank vaults... mind control important personalities etc etc... turn jedges on their favor etc etc...

look back at mythologies, most of harm on earth was due to people with super powers...
Imagine nowadays, thieves could easily enter bank vaults... mind control important personalities etc etc... turn jedges on their favor etc etc...

Oh my God... it'd be like they have some sort of evil gaze that could affect other people... and that.. we'd have to wear charms to protect ourselves... It'd be like... every other country in the world.

Thing is, there are already tons of places out there that claim to be magical colleges. They're exactly like seminary schools or Eastern monasteries. They teach a system of belief (another thing... which system of magic would you teach?) with a set doctrine (however malleable).

I'm sure that, if managed properly, you could make a handsome sum of money at it. You might even become renowned for bringing the mystical back to a broken country.

But.

As a person who's biding his time for cultural/economic collapse and a return to tribal life, I really don't think it's the right way to bring the occult to the masses.

This post has been edited by moonburn: Jan 30 2006, 06:23 AM

Dear spirit evokers,

Thank you all for your brilliant opinions! Chaoscrowley, well said indeed! Also, thanks for the insightful quotes. It is something worth pondering. There is much truth to your argument. You said, "In the past (magical) info wasn't hidden and bound by vows to keep it from the public in a malign way. It was done so that those who truly wanted it had access and those who didn't deserve it did not. It also served as a protection of those who used the knowledge." A great point. Sacred magic should never suffer the unworthy! But the problem is that there are many worthy souls who have great potential and it is quite possible that they've never heard of, say the powerful art of evocation. Yes, it is true that many are fortunate to find magic like you and me but what about those who are not? In other words, how do we make magic attractive without proclaiming it to the whole world? Or, does magic work for itself in this regard?

I also wanted to make a comment on the last couple of sentences mystick wrote to this forum post. It says, "But. As a person who's biding his time for cultural/economic collapse and a return to tribal life, I really don't think it's the right way to bring the occult to the masses." The original intent of bringing magic to the world would certainly not be to see as you say, a cultural/economic collapse or to go back to a tribal life. First off, the world (if the proposed idea were to materialize into a worldwide occurrence) would continue on its everyday path. The world would not, in my opinion, stop to ask (us) if scientific research should continue. The Catholic Church has been on earth for nearly two-thousand years. Yes, it has had it's share of problems, but the world has kept turning. I would never call a priest tribal only because he has a certain primitive, not scientifically based beleif and wears clothing that appears to be from the early middle ages (this can go for any other faith). Ceremonial Magic, likewise, should never be considered something primitive but something noble and honourable. Everything nowadays is contraversial. But our world is learning to accept what was, in the past generation unacceptable. Economy and culture would not fall in my opinion, it would simply have to adjust.

Thank you for reading, and have a pleasant day,

Curi

P.S. Feel free to continue posting your opinions on magical academics (most especially in the area of evocation and summoning Goetic spirits).

Hello,

I decided to bring this post back up because I was very interested in what people had to say regarding introducing summer courses on Magical Evocation to colleges and or universities. I wonder, would this idea bring about complete rejection? For example, in Northern Virginia Community College here in the States, there were classes taking place about healing with stones, and New Age thinking. If the idea of actually teaching a course on Evocation or any branch of magic for that matter were put into effect, how would people respond? Say, I were to teach a class on the History of Magic. Would it be considered a part of History or treated seperately? Here is a website I thought I might put on sacred-magick because it has an interesting article on Magical Education http://www.necronomi.com/projects/manifesto/

Feel free to post your thoughts.

Mr. Curi

This course was being run at University College London. I don't know if it is still active.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/history/materials/cou...056/MAmagic.doc

It's kinda interesting you brought up the topic. Closest real institute I can think of that "kinda" relates to what you're talking about would be Maharishi University of Management. Here's they're website http://www.mum.edu/. I'm not at all familar with it so you can look at their website yourself. Of course they also teach business, arts, and sciences as well.

When you say "History of Magic". Mr. Curi, you are refering to European ideas of Magic, yes? I ask because if you were to teach such a course, I hope that that would be noted, as what is taught as "history" in American schools these days is rather cheesy and the omissions are huge, teaching ignorance as the truth. My personal gripe. Not saying that you would do the same.

As for college level magic, perhaps you should contact Peter Carroll. He's a magician of the chaos bent who will be starting an online school called Arcanorium College. Here is his website, and a breakdown of the project Friend.


-F.F. (P.S. That John Michael Greer article is excellent. Thank you for putting it up friend)

This post has been edited by Frater F.A.M.E.: Aug 15 2006, 12:36 AM

Good day,

Of course! I'm very much glad you liked it. Yes, allow me to clarify what I meant initially. When I meant the History of Magic as a class/course at a university, I meant that it was not only limited to European Magic (as Western magic is as equally important in my opinion).

I would like to direct your attention next to bardwood.com because they have a school of Druidry in the making also known as Avalon College that will be specializing in many, but not all of the magical arts (evocation and much of Western magic is off the list).

I've always wanted to 'teach' magic to worthy students of the occult to help them fufill their credentials in a particular field (most especially in the evocation of the fallen spirits found in the Goetia and other grimoires, in Western Magic in general, and of course the History of Magic). These subjects are intertwined and inseperable it seems. I find that these subjects are beginning to creep up slowly but surely alongside our schools in the States and Europe as well. It's just a matter of time before this dream is made into a reality. Thoughts? Comments? Has anyone ever wanted to teach an occult subject in classroom setting before? Can it be done? I heard on the news not so long ago that a class was made available in a well-known university (I can't remember which) called the History of the Devil and Possessions 101.

Sincerely,

Mr. Curi

Arcanorium College has been launched (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At first look, I thought Kinjo designed it, lol! Great looking site (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Only time will tell if it's valuable.

I can say they need to work out a couple of really minor kinks from the site (question marks where commas should be, for example) but I think I may join up after December. (None of the current classes interest me.) This'll give me an opportunity not to be a Guinea Pig, lol!

-F.F.

This post has been edited by Frater F.A.M.E.: Sep 19 2006, 07:31 AM

I believe that teaching magic to everyone would ruin the 'spirit of the thing itself'. Just like in martial arts you have people promoted to ranks that they do not really achieve. Basically i believe that making it accessable to everyone would ruin the thought form of magick, and estoric things all together. I feel that the fact that it is hidden and must be sought out through dedication causes the collective spirit of magick to reveal it's self to the seeker.

Hi, Curi ~


Some of our readers might be familiar with Isaac Bonewits' *Real Magic*,
first published in 1971.

This book was an only slightly redacted version of his college thesis at
Berkeley, which gained him a BA in Thaumaturgy in 1970. You can see this
Wiki entry for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Bonewits

The loop-hole that enabled Bonewits to get that degree at Berkeley has
since been eliminated.

However, since November of 2004, it has been possible for academically
inclined practitioners of Astrological Magic to obtain a Masters degree at
Kepler College:

http://www.kepler.edu/

Cors in Manu Domine,


~ Khem Caigan
<[email protected]>