Hermiticism
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I have heard it suggested before in a few places that in the beginning of one's magickal journey one should make the day as unexciting as possible so as not to interfere in one's work. This would imply Hermitism. It seems as though it would be beneficial in many ways. But, is it worth it? Let me know your opinions and experiences.
Thanks much,
93,
Kenneth -
@Techpries said
"I have heard it suggested before in a few places that in the beginning of one's magical journey one should make the day as unexciting as possible so as not to interfere in one's work. This would imply Hermitism. It seems as though it would be beneficial in many ways. But, is it worth it?"
I'm not the person fo offer advice on magical praxis, but the first thing that came to mind was II:24 from the Book of the Law...
*Behold! these be grave mysteries; for there are also of my friends who be hermits. Now think not to find them in the forest or on the mountain; but in beds of purple, caressed by magnificent beasts of women with large limbs, and fire and light in their eyes, and masses of flaming hair about them; there shall ye find them. Ye shall see them at rule, at victorious armies, at all the joy; and there shall be in them a joy a million times greater than this. *
Ecclesiastes also comes to mind. There's a time for asceticism, and a time for indulgence!
Steve
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@Techpries said
"I have heard it suggested before in a few places that in the beginning of one's magical journey one should make the day as unexciting as possible so as not to interfere in one's work. This would imply Hermitism. It seems as though it would be beneficial in many ways. But, is it worth it? Let me know your opinions and experiences."
Why does a boring day imply Hermeticism? You have me completely baffled on that one! Especially when I was a beginner, those things that most squarely come under the heading of Hermetics made my day almost saturated with curiosity and wonder. So, on that point I can't imagine what you mean.
[EDIT: Oops. I just realized I misread what you wrote. You wrote "Hermit-ism," and I read a misspelled "Hermeticism." Belay the above as irrelevant to your question, but I'll leave it here regardless.]
As for the basic question of whether, in the beginning of one's magical journey, one should make the day as unexciting as possible: If you are adopting a primarily meditative path, then having an undisturbed environment is advantageous. Otherwise, one's growth tends to be fed by richness of life.
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Although your days do not have to necessarily be exciting, there is much to be learned by simply observing and interacting with the world around you.
A thing I try to keep in mind : what you perceive is heavily influenced by who you are. So it is interesting to note, how as you change the world changes (yet remains the same).
Though there are times where I feel a need to withdraw and be by myself, to quietly contemplate.
You need to find the balance that suits you best
As,
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There's a time for asceticism, and a time for indulgence!
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Wasn't one of the points of Crowley's "John St John" work to show that one could lead a normal life and a magical life at the same time? (Of course, for Crowley, a "normal" life didn't include having a job.) (In fact, I'd better stop perusing "John St John", as I've fallen to doing, looking for tinder for my argument, and get to work.) ("John St John" is available at ISTA: www.sacred-texts.com)
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@gmugmble said
"Wasn't one of the points of Crowley's "John St John" work to show that one could lead a normal life and a magical life at the same time?"
Yeah, but that wasn't about a beginner!
That was Crowley's 6=5 self-initiation.