Magickal Addiction Options

I'm not sure exactly where this topic should fit in, so if you can think of a better place for it feel free to move it. I know that a lot of writers and directors use magick as a metaphor for drugs (Joss Whedon comes to mind) and I was wondering what your thoughts were on addiction to magick. Do you think that people can actually get mentally addicted to using magick? And, if so, have you had any experiences either directly or indirectly

This post has been edited by Thorn: Dec 9 2006, 12:03 AM

The ego can indeed become addicted to the power of magic, which is one reason that transcendance of ego is so important to a Magus. When the ego gets in the way, it interferes with the faith and intention of the working, which then causes a disharmony in the energies and disrupts the work at hand.

Generally the feeling of astonishment and surprise towards the results must also be repressed or they will also distract from our intention the same way the ego does. It removes our focus on our faith and intent. When doing any magical work, it is preferrable to go into it with a "willing suspension of disbelief" and assume that it will work. Then, when it does, the mind stops going "OMG it's working!!!" because it already expects it to.