Greetings Alarum!
Thank you for your take on magic. Which, believe it or not, is very similar (but not the same) as my own. But then, after reading your statement I'm again led to ask why are you using such a negative focused lens to play with magic(k)? I do disagree with the premiss that all the entities/demons/angels, etc. are merely components 'within' us. (BTW, fish etc. do have a conciousness that is cognate. You are edging closer to humanocentric thinking here.) Mankind is only one living thing in this multiverse!
As to the 'why?' in reference to my thought that you may be on the verge of doing yourself some harm: The scenario that you introduced is based on the book by Sennitt that openly declares itself and its contents to be deadly. That alone should give you pause. But you are correct, you have every right in the world to believe and practice what you will, including suicide if that is your aim. I voiced concern over what I considered reckless behavior. So tell me (or any of us) just what aspect of Sennitts work that you find particularily poignant in regards to your views (quantum and otherwise) about magic(k)?
Since we've started this dialogue I've noticed that when pushed you have responded with a VERY interesting theory on magical mechanics. No, I mean it! (IMG:
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Now you have engaged my interest beyond those of concern (well placed or not). It (your posts) have blossomed with some thought (....quite often younger people are just so enthusiastic about new things that they just react instead of thinking). I'm still dying to know, why Sennitt? If you'll note madness plays a heavy role in most Lovecraftian writings. Do you have a method that you'd think will circumvent/diffuse this problem? There are others here that work with similar systems that would be very anxious to brainstorm with you and discover such safeguards.
There are things out there that have the ability to eat you alive, all whilst you are repeatedly screaming at them that they are figments of your imagination. A fun example of this was illustrated in the SF movie 'Forbidden Planet' (which I heartily reccomend!). You yourself made claim: "The whole temple is astrally constructed and so this will be something very new to me." Again, you are willing to experience someone elses construct without fully understanding just what you may be getting yourself in to.
Make an old man happy and at least, think about it. Again, I am interested in discussing your findings and even more so, your theories on magic(k).
My quote about the validity of a fictionalized system of magic is being presented here out of context. I did go on about that in the next paragraph. Literary dissection is alot like statistics, they can be shaped to whatever end you'd like. We are here to learn....pardon me for needing explanations, I didn't have "this debate" with you before. I hope that we can discuss things in depth sometime. Thanks for your post!
I have editted this from the previous draft. Hopefully the (in)famous author named is now spelled correctly. I apologize.
This post has been edited by bym: Apr 21 2005, 11:25 PM