Pagan Academic Network:Forums

[orion]

Otherwise known as the "Rules of the Magus": To know, To Will, To Dare, To Keep Silent.

The first three of these seem to reaffirm the statement that magic(k) operates as the formulation of intent behind an "astral form":

To Know -- Both in the sense of knowing what it is that one wants to do, but more importantly (IMHO) in the sense of being comfortable with the mechanics of magic so as not to be hesitant to proceed, and also to have a broad range of symbols at hand.

To Will -- This is where I think the goal comes in. To know what you want is a part of wanting it. If you do not desire the outcome, it's hard to put the will behind it. I think the feeling of desire is important.

To Dare -- In two senses: 1) If you dare not, you won't have the intent. 2) I think the mindset of one who realizes that they're asking for the intervention of powerful (beings/forces) should be cautious -- just a little alarmed -- requiring just a bit of daring so that (whatever is there) knows that your intent is not formulated haphazardly or spuriously.

The preceeding three "rules" can thus be (IMHO) understood in terms of
providing emotional signs that your magical end is sufficiently well-thought-out: You know what you will do, you really want the outcome, and
despite the seriousness (and consequences) you have decided to proceed.

So...how does the last one fit in? Why keep silent? The only explanations I've read take the rules to be prescriptive (i.e. these are what you have to do for magick to work) where my view is rather descriptive (i.e. these are the things we have found to be true of successful magick)

I have two thoughts, but am not happy with either.
1) This is to preempt those who would work magic just so that they could brag about what they did. Or, more subtlely, because one should be confortable with the magic they perform, and shouldn't need to discuss how 'far out' or novel the act was.
2) This was to aid in an instructional setting by eliminating the feelings of incompetence in slower students. (which would probably hinder the 'to dare' part above)

Any opinions?

Edit: After a little more searching, I found that the Maxim was first introduced by french occultist Eliphas Levi (1810-1875)

[llio]

I can think of two more reasons to have silence about magick...

1) To keep yourself safe (ie witch burnings)
2) It takes away the "umph" from what you have done. If you tell everyone and their brother about what you did, then what you did doesn't seem as precious or powerful...

And my own thoughts about when people "brag" about magick...

1) They are bragging and really didn't accomplish much, because if they did they wouldn't need to share it so much.
2) They are insecure people who want me to think that they are uber powerful magicians/witches when in fact they are not.

Of course when I refer to "bragging" this is something done outside the regular sharing of information and teaching. Sharing is good, bragging is bad. Unless you just got an awesome new broom, etc...

[maxomai]

[wendy]