The Witches Pyramid
Otherwise known as:
The Four Basic Principles of Magick
To Know
To Will
To Dare
To Keep Silent
To Know
- Do I know all of the pertinent facts and details about the situation for which I plan to use magick?
- Am I aware of any hidden agendas that the client or I might have in regards to this situation?
- Is my perspective on the situation biased?
- Have I heard all sides of the story? Are my sources of information trustworthy?
- Have I thought through the long-term consequences of my getting involved on a magickal level?
To know is to take the time and struggle to find the answers for myself and not just take another's word for it. It is to dig and if necessary suffer to reach true wisdom.
To know requires meditation, thought, and the ability to weigh things with care and precision.
The decision to use magick should not be taken lightly nor entered into without this level of Knowledge that searches for true wisdom.
To Will
- Is the considered action in harmony with my understanding of my spiritual purpose?
- Is the spell honestly believed to be for the ultimate benefit of myself and all others involved?
- Do I truly want to do a working for this or do I feel pressured in some way to perform?
- Have I been asked to act in this situation? Do I have permission from the person(s) involved? Am I pressing others into accepting my help and opinions?
After To Know comes To Will, the blending of emotions with intellect. We are always bending and blending our will with that of the Universe to obtain our goals.
Emotions are a very strong thing and can generate a lot of power. In the side of the pyramid of To Will we look to see if what we are going to do lines up with our ethics and if it is worth perusing. If it is we continue around the pyramid and if not we find a different way to deal with the issue.
To Dare
- Am I willing to take karmic responsibility for what happens with this working, -whether it works or not?
- Am I willing to clean up after myself if the spell goes wrong?
- Am I willing to back up the spell with the necessary work on the physical, emotional, and mental levels? Or am I thinking this will be a "quick fix?"
- Do I have any reason to be afraid of people finding out about my involvement? If called before a Council to justify my actions, could I?
To Dare is to mix knowledge and emotion, with action. If the planned intervention has passed the test of Know and Will it will be put into action. Here is where I take responsibility for what I am doing. This is where I find out if it is right or wrong. Did I judge Know and Will correctly? There is no room for error. Am I working this for good and in accord with my true sense of ethics? This is the key to Dare for it is here I do the physical work or act out the work with symbol.
To Keep Silent
- *Would I be doing this work if no one was ever going to give me credit for it?
- *Am I motivated by a desire to impress or frighten people, to have control over them or their decisions, or by an honest and simple desire to help?
Power shared is power lost. The more I talk about a working the more power is sent from it. Magick works the path of least resistance. Everything works this way, like a glass of water poured through a maze. The water runs the path of fewer blocks. Magick works the same way. The more talk about it, the more obstacles set and the greater chances of power dissipating before it reaches its goal. Stay grounded and focused.
References
Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft (Raven Grimassi)
Mastering Witchcraft - Paul Hudson
Betsy Foster
© December 2001
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