Cat’s Rants: Confessions of an Occult Mastermind

Hey Occulties,

While it's still a few weeks off until I start, I'm going to be giving my publisher a manuscript relatively soon, so another book is a-coming. 🙂 Basically, I just need to get my (brand new) laptop fixed. Yes, I'm apparently somehow mystically incapable of treating anything with a touch screen well for any period longer than maybe three weeks…which is probably why I know the guy at the mall who fixes phone screens by his first name. 😉 I have, at this date, killed something like 5 phone screens and a computer screen within a little over a year, lmao. 😉 This is, of course, partially my mistake for breaking my vow to never ever again have a brand new computer after the year I broke 3 computers. 😉 That said, I really enjoyed my new laptop when the screen wasn't cracked, so I'm kind of glad I broke the "no new computers ever ever ever" vow, excepting that it's been expensive….when normally I spend $200-$300 on used ones and don't care if they stink. Now I'm spending that to FIX a computer. So…yeah… :) 

It doesn't help that I've realized I'm turning into my parents, and slowly but surely, that new-fangled technology is apparently too much for me. After some complaining from a few people (and not those who are the type to complain) I came to realize that while writing replies, I didn't send several of them. Now, I have worked through email for a decade and a half, and was competently using it well before said time, so this is surprising to me, but apparently I didn't understand some button on a new platform I'm sending mail through, and I didn't send stuff. Let me be a bit self-deprecating here….admitting that is like admitting that I forgot how to tie my shoes, as it is THAT elementary to me. Imagine waking up one day and realizing that you aren't, say….using your new microwave right, and that's how I feel saying "I hit this wrong button because it looked like send but it wasn't send, and there is another button here that says send, and that one is the only send button, but the graphic confused me." 

But anyhow, enough about me, – let's get on to today's topic. :) 

When it comes to my readers, it seems among those very new to magic that there is a common misconception that just owning some really awesome and expensive tools and/or having fantastic formulas is going to somehow make them adept at spellcasting.

BULLSHIT.

If I own the world's most expensive car, it does not make me a better driver. If I own the best computer, it does not make me a technical wizard. Were I to purchase the best and most expensive builder's tools, I am not suddenly gifted with becoming a great builder. I mean, I have too often seen people thinking that if they should buy a wand, they can wave it around and grant wishes….which is not even the purpose of a wand in spellcasting. While rootwork does not generally utilize that tool, similarly, just having some really kickass Love Me oil and dabbing it on yourself with absolutely no intention will not suddenly turn you into an irresistible love target for all around you. 

This is not to downplay having really well made tools, which DO help make for a better result. In fact a real effort being put into crafting great tools (and/or purchasing well crafted tools) does pay off and create a better result. Buying (assuming you cannot handcraft) real ritual oils which are made with non-synthetic ingredients will noticeably (if not greatly) increase your results.

That said, if I wave a hammer around, it will not build a house, and if I wave a wand around, it won't grant wishes. ;) 

What I am trying to say is that one must understand what each tool is for. 

One of my favorite things about rootwork is that it is not nearly as "stuffy and pretentious" (in my humble opinion) as, say, Solomonic conjuring. Instead of worrying that I do not have this or that seal inscribed on copper or silver and made in the right day, I am instead more concerned that I have a sturdy mortar and pestle. 😉 If I only use this sturdy mortar and pestle for my spellwork, if I cleanse them ritually and bless them after each use, then this mortar and pestle will become a magical tool, – which is to say they can impart power to my workings. However, the fact that I purchased said mortar and pestle from a site which sells cookware will not take away from the ability of the item.

So, no matter how well crafted, even items made under perfect ritual conditions, are tools. Without someone adept wielding these tools, without proper use and proper care, they are merely fancy tools. 

And the greatest tool any magician has is him or herself. Magic is a skill…the more you practice this skill, the stronger your ability to create the desired outcomes through spellwork becomes. If you practice frequently, you will find that you can even use some poorly made tools and have more success than a neophyte using the expensive and fancy tools in their spellcasting…just like an adept builder could use rather cheaply made building tools and build better than a person who can barely nail two boards together will do using the fanciest tools around.

One of the reasons I like candle magic so very much is that it is easily accessible to people newer to spellcraft, and helps someone focus their energies with a relatively inexpensive amount of ingredients – it is, in my opinion, the simplest way to begin learning magic. Rather than wondering why you paid $300 for an exquisitely made wand and are still getting meh results, you are more like to find yourself paying $10 or so per each spell, and not being too disappointed if your first attempts do not pan out as hoped. 

Again, this is not to downplay the benefit of fine materials and tools – they DO help with the result, – but just possessing them will not guarantee success.

Hope that clarifies some stuff for my readers.

~Cat

PS- Since people always ask….a wand is a bit like an athame, which is to say it is to direct power or send power from the magician. It is a bit like a "Laser pointer" in some respects and a bit like…think of it a little like something that sends energy from the magician in a stream. Just waving it around and wishing is not how it is used. ;)