Well, I’ve been doing a lot of work-related self-reflecting recently because of the Contribution Alignment Deep Dive we all had to fill out recently, so I thought I’d start my series of challenge entries the same way.
Challenge Entry #1
Teachers of Magick
Was there someone who influenced my decision to practice magick?
I’m not sure who or what I can attribute this to. I’ve always been into games and have always veered towards playing magical classes when there are such things. I feel like that exposure normalised a lot of the concepts for me, thus eventually leading me here.
I suppose, in a roundabout way then, I could attribute a lot to my partner, for they took me from video games into the realm of tabletop RPGs. The role-playing there made it feel more possible than it could have if I had only interacted with video games.
Do I have a parent/grandparent/sibling/neighbor/friend/etc who helped me on my journey?
Not with getting started. I suppose my partner is my biggest support in general, so I have a lot to thank them for.
Is there a magickal/occult author whose works I was able to learn from?
Reading S. Connolly helped me get started in some ways, but the works of Asenath Mason are really helping me grow in so many ways, and I’m really enjoying the work I’m doing that’s guided by her writing and practice. But there’s still a lot more that I want to explore, so I’m sure that I’m not done with authors to learn from.
Is there a prominent figure- historical or fantastical- who inspired me?
Not really, no.
One thing that stands out is that when I was a teenager, my personal website was named after a witch’s cat. The cat was named Sathan, after Satan himself. I didn’t know about the connection between the cat’s name and Satan, but once I’d read about the cat, naming my website after it just felt right.
I don’t remember where I did research on the cat at the time, but here is a brief introduction:
The first widely documented witchcraft trial was that of Elizabeth Francis, Agnes Waterhouse and her daughter, Joan. It was said that Elizabeth’s Grandmother had given her a cat named Sathan (a vague allusion to Satan) whom Elizabeth carried around in a basket; fed on bread, milk and her own blood whilst practising the black arts. Apparently Sathan was responsible for the death of Andrew Byles who had made Elizabeth pregnant but refused to marry her. Fifteen years later, Sathan was passed on to Elizabeth’s sister, Agnes Waterhouse, whereupon he apparently continued his evil bidding, causing the death of many geese and cows in the area. – Cats, Symbolism and the 16th Century Witch Craze – Cheshire & Wain
Do I have a student-teacher relationship with my deity/deities or guardian spirits?
I have this kind of relationship with a few of my deities. It feels like quite a collaborative group and I’m really thankful for their help in my growth.
Have I learned from others, myself, or a mix of both?
It’s always going to be a mix of both for me.
Give thanks
I can’t just pick one human or spirit to give thanks to, so I’m going to try to thank many at once. I suppose this is a gratitude ritual, then.
Under the light of the moon, I cast this circle of gratitude. I call upon the energies of all who have guided me, seen and unseen.
To my partner, my closest companion and truest friend, I offer my eternal gratitude.
To my friends and community who have supported me along the way, I deeply appreciate you all.
To the authors who have illuminated my path with their wisdom and insight, I extend my heartfelt thanks.
To my deities and guardian spirits, my eternal teachers, you have been my lanterns in the dark. Your presence in my life is a source of strength and knowledge, a guiding light through every ritual and spell.
To the universe and all its mysteries, I give thanks for the endless opportunities to learn and grow, for the balance of self-discovery and the wisdom shared by others.
With these words, I seal my gratitude in this sacred space. May my appreciation echo through the realms, honouring all who have touched my path.
Per lucem et tenebras, vitam et mortem, sicut volo, ita erit.