Deluded Fools, occultist who've proven their just nuts Options

Has anyone met in person or on the internet claiming to be something only to start coming off as being crazy as a near total nutjob?

Allow me to step up on a soap box because this is a favorite topic of mine.

There are several reasons why an occultist would loose touch with physical reality.

They could be suffering from a late onset mental illness. Sanity and what is real is a matter of perspective. I'm sure some rational people who have experienced magick have been put into institutions. (In fact I know one. Which is a good reason "To remain silent.") However, a well grounded occultist can experience other realities, dreams, and visions but understands this information is not meant for everyone. They are cautious about who they share this information with and if they do they discern how much information needs to be imparted.

Let's say an occultist is working in a haunted office. It isn't prudent to tell every co-worker about the spirits in the lounge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Simply keep some salt or other protection that looks like office decoration at your desk and if anyone mentions the problem then perhaps open a dialog.

However, serious time and universe altering magick isn't for the faint of heart. It takes a strong will and stoborness to do that. Not only to accomplish the goal but to stand your psychic ground and deal with it. There also has to be a serious need.

This is one reason why major workings need a begining and an end. Even if it is spontaneous. Steps are needed to ground the energy, re-focus and become aware our physical surroundings. Move the body to fully reintigrate. And take as much time to digest what just happened. So the unbelievable can be processed.

A shamanic break is one term for a period of time when a magician can't tell the difference between events on other planes and their own, or spirits from physical people.

It would seem there are people who get stuck in that mental state for a very long time.

Magick can also become addictive. Nothing like the rush of having the power of the universe pour through you. A way to keep that in check is to remember that everything we touch changes us and we change it. One of the first people I worked with would cast a spell everytime someone annoyed her. And when she had to deal with the consequences she got even more pissed off. There are the lunatics and there are the crazy egotists.

So many teachers and books emphasize balance, balance, balance. It is the occultists who do not keep the delicat balance between mind, body, and spirit who leap off the deep end.

This post has been edited by Masery: Nov 5 2006, 07:35 PM