Choosing a Magical Path

How to choose a Magical Path

The decision to pursue a study in Magic itself very often leads to choosing
what is called a "Magical Path". This is an important decision as you will
only flourish if you are working on the path that is best for you. Choosing
the wrong path is not irreversible, but leads to delays and wastes time.
Review the different ways to find your path and the overviews of the many
paths themselves before undertaking to devote yourself to any.

One way to determine your new path is through the stories and "mythologies" of
different regions. Are you in love with Beowulf? The Lord of the Rings? Do you
love the "Clash of the Titans" or read the Odyssey? Have you read the Kalevala
5-6 times? The path those stories belong to could the one for you.

Music is also something to consider, are you the only one you know addicted to
Latin music? Is Celtic or harp music always playing in your car? Do Buddhist
tapes make it out of your yoga room and into work with you? Are you ever awaiting
the release of the next Viking Metal Epic? Ask yourself if your taste in music
may be a key to your true spirituality as music itself comes to us through the Soul.

Do you practice yoga? Are you in Karate? Do you take German Longsword classes?
Do you read voraciously? Are you forever wandering the forests touching every
tree and searching for Fairies? Do you have a favored Cleric character in D&D?
Have you had the urge to take up belly dancing for reasons other than fitness? Do
you recycle everything? Often what you already do is a key to what path your soul
wants to take. Action logically leads to action so pay close attention to your own.

What is your innate personality like? Are you peaceful and quiet? Are you drawn
to the Military? Do you want to change your environment through magic? Do you
feel that life is to be lived for the moment and everything is to be experienced?
Are you no nonsense and highly analytical? Do you prefer a scientific approach?
The type of personality that you have is a major point to consider when choosing a
religious path. You must find a good fit as you will probably fail at trying to
change your personality completely to fit any religion. This in fact may be why
you were dissatisfied with your birth religion in the first place and it is
best not to make that mistake in choosing your new path.

Is there a New Age store or Magic Shoppe in your area? A pagan pride day? Even
large bookstores have "Metaphysical" sections in which you can browse. These
places and the people you meet there may give you some ideas.Notice what you like,
what you gravitate toward. What do they have in common? Do you just love all the
trinkets involved in Wiccan spellcasting? Are those African art carvings and masks
calling to you, whispering secrets? Must you beat on every drum you see or are the
Tibetan singing bowls your fascination? Does the very flame of a lit spell candle
shine into your very heart?

The Internet is by far one of the greatest tools you can use when finding you path
as well as a help along your way. There are a wealth of sites devoted to the
dissemination of information and groups you can join. Any path you can think of has
links somewhere on the web. Through the many message boards you can find other
like minded people with which to share your thoughts and ideas.

Sitting in a quite darkened room with soft music, chanting, lying on the beach and
listening to the waves, climbing a mountain and wandering through the forest are all
excellent ways of getting to a point where you can quite yourself and take yourself
out of the hurried rush of everyday life long enough to listen to your heart and soul.
Listen carefully and you may be reached by the Gods. It may sound hokey but the Gods
have called many people this way and there is a good chance that by following this
simple exercise several times that you may hear their voice as well. Take a small
note pad to record anything you may hear or any impressions you may get while on this
meditative journey. Look over these notes in quiet moments that you may have.
What may at first seem like silliness may in time be seen for what it is really worth.
The Icelanders conducted a practice called Utisetta (Sitting out) wherein they would
go to a wild and remote location and sit on a blanket over night. Any animals seen to
come into their vicinity and show themselves were considered their spirit guides.
The voice of Odin, God of Wisdom and secrets was heard through the rustling of
the leaves.

Other Things to Consider
Do you want to work alone or with a group? This will determine whether you will work
and study as a solitary practitioner or seek out a group, Kindred, Coven, Grove, Hearth
or Magical Society. Are you introverted and a self learner? Do you blossom and come
into your own when in a group context? Are mountains of book and your own intuition
all you need or do you seek the knowledge of others as well to help you grow?