The importance of......

I have to disagree with you somewhat here, macus. I don't think we are "the lucky ones". I think anyone who finds peace and comfort in their path, be it knowingly allowing magick to be part of it or rejecting the idea entirely and thinking it evil, is lucky.

Just because they don't follow the paths we follow, doesn't mean we should pity them.

There is no right path. There is only the right path for us, and that path is ever winding, twisting, turning and changing.

I agree here with Rashnu.
I'm not one to stand here and say that magic is not part of my life, nor am I one to say my "path" falls directly in line with what one would expect.
I personally, am flat out atheist, and I could go one for days about how a great deal of what's on this site, isn't something I'd take into consideration, but I don't.

Why?

Mostly because I once took a huge interest in it all, and still do really, although I don't so religiously believe in it. I am effected learner, and an effective teacher. I look at some of what's here as philosophy of sorts, unproven sciences. I do not, however, spend much time with spellcasting and such that many people consider the fundamentals of magic.

Magic is too broad a category to be considered any one particular path. My life contains the concepts of magic, and is effected by the concepts of magic. But I am NOT someone to be pitied merely because I do not tie myself to what you believe is true, because it was my choice to make. NO ONE is to be pitied for what they believe, for it is their choice. Their choice is to follow the line they walk.

To often do I see people reject the idea that others are responsible for their own actions, and for what happens to them in the course of those actions.
Pity is a nasty thing that I personally reject, it shows a condescending tone, and you Macus, along with everyone else of the "magic community", are no better than anyone else we share this planet with.

Spare me a thought? Boy I'd school you in a thing or two.

Nope it annoys me when people don't own up to their own crap. And i believe in cause and effect. I don't think we're lucky. I think that people that can live comfortably well within their path as a part of every day lives are more in tune with the surrounds and everything else that comes along with it. As rash and Alias both said the path changes as you grow, however it's up to you to choose or not to use the knowledge you learned.

hi all, good discussion !! i must say that i was saying that we should pitty anyone just that we the ones who choose to follow this path can be ridiculed by those who don't and i believe that we should not do the same to them. i agree anyone who finds peace is lucky no matter what path they choose to follow. thank you all to have replied it's been i think a good discussion. blessings macus

ps that ment to say ..... should not pitty anyone ( my typing is not good sorry )

sorry all but i think you have misunderstood what i was trying to say. it was just my toughts and i didn't mean to "PITTY" anyone. perhaps i the way in which i wrote this made it hard to understand what i was trying to say..... i don't know maybe. some of the comments were a bit harsh, perhaps it may have been better to ask me to try and explain what i was trying to say? just a thought. blessings .

You had the opportunity to explain not only when you originally wrote this, but when you commented on it yesterday as well as just now when replying.

You need to remember you are in a coven with many people who are very opinionated, strong willed and blunt. There are very few who won't speak their mind..harsh or not ;)

Personally I don't think luck or pity plays a role in an individual's practice or path. Getting back to the original post, the correct spelling is "Earnest", which holds two similar meanings; A) Being serious about what you say and meaning it & B)using more determination in what you say or mean. As a whole I believe the original thought or idea Macus was trying to convey was as a whole we do strive in our everyday lives towards common goals; such as going to work, paying bills, spending time with family, etc. So we should throw the same drive and determination into our Magick practices as we do into other daily activities.

And I agree if that is indeed the point Macus was trying to make. Many and leaning closer towards the term of "majority" of the "practitioners" that grace this site obviously do not practice or study their craft in earnest. Many are dabblers, and even more so many are here only to impress their friends or others. If more people took pride in what they believe or practice, and did so in "earnest", we would find a lot more people finding peace within themselves and the direction they choose to follow.

As for feeling sorry or pity on any person because they do not follow or have yet to grasp any pagan idealism, I would have to seriously disagree. Provided the masses knew all the correct information on every religion found in every corner of the world, many might very well still choose to follow Christianity or Catholicism instead of a Pagan path. Yes I will agree that many of our paths or beliefs predate Christianity, but does it make it the "right" belief? No not at all, the only right answer is the one that fits your life, beliefs, and how you perceive the world. If you choose to pity someone, pity those that show religious intolerance, as they are the indicator of how we as humanity still have yet to go to achieve a perfect harmony where all people can practice what they choose to without regard or fear of persecution.

thank you Marked1 that was exactly what i was trying to say!!!!!!!!!!! perhaps in hind sight i could have written the post in a clearer way. it was not my intention to offend anyone.

No problem, I can usually get a person's point on a positive side. And Draggy or Sean will be fine. ;)