Greetings Mediocracy! (IMG:
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I can see your point but if you are, in fact, a newbie to magic and you wish to use a system then you should try the 'recipe' first before launching into substitutions. Chaos Magic will work when one understands the underlying principles and has enough wherewithal to know themselves, etc. But a large number of chaote wannabe's as well as traditionalists end up failing or not getting results because they haven't taken the time to do the homework. It took me a number of years to minimalize my tools and working environs to permit successful results. The principles of Chaos magic will nicely encompass most systems of magic as long as the magician understands the basics. An xacto blade can sub for a sharp knife/boline etc., even an astral knife can work. There are some 'tools' that are necessary, either in reality or figuratively. When looking for physical manifestation one must use, at times, physical props...as the magicians maturity has yet to catchup with the ritual requirements. I don't know many magicians that are able to materialize their results in a physical way. So instead of pushing for shortcuts first, let's try understanding just what it is that is required. Skipping to the final chapter is just impatience and feeds the Instant Gratification Syndrome! The Journey is the best part, else why write the book to begin with?