On numerous occasions after seeing someone post a question asking for a spell to do something in the Occult which is usually meant for adepts in the magical arts I have suggested that perhaps a little training might be in order. I have a lot of respect for proper training because I have seen with my own eyes the result of people getting into all kinds of problems trying to do magic without any idea of the consequences, causing harm to the seeker as well as to others. As Louis Pasteur once said, " Chance favors the trained mind". In this modern age everybody wants something RIGHT NOW. They don't want to take the time to learn the basics of magic, THAT is to much like going to school. To be trained properly in the Art of magic takes time, it takes hard work, it takes dedication. As I have posted before, Voodoo Clergy study for at least 5 years before they invoke any Spirits, Druid seekers studied up to 14 years before they were ordained. The Seminary I attended was a 4 year program with follow up training every two years. Now I admit that all this training was necessary because those that were trained were responsible to their Church, or Tribe, or Coven, they could not afford to be untrained, people depended on them for answers to complex problems, sometimes life or death type problems. So why do I care about what somebody does magically? Why do I care if someone wants a spell to invoke a Demon, Vampire, Satan himself? What does it matter if a 16 year old kid wants to put a spell on a Teacher who gave them a bad grade? I think it matters on many levels. In Wicca of course we have the Law of Three, we respect Karma. We also have The Wiccan Rede," To Harm none". However, many of you on this site are not Wiccan, and even in the Wiccan community these suggested behaviours are debated. To be honest, I am concerned because I think that the untrained use of energies affects us all, just like misuse of energy in the mundane world affects us all. I am also concerned for the untrained seeker who gets in over their head and calls something into this world that can harm them, and their environment, and from a Public relations standpoint I am concerned that some untrained person is going to brag about their efforts to invoke" Dracula "and it makes the press, thus causing even more difficulty for those of us who take magic, and our spiritualty seriously. I am not saying that everyone who does magic should enroll in a Magical School or Seminary. I am saying that (like most powerful things ) Magic needs to be respected. The skills to use magic responsibly need to be respected. Before I shoot a Gun for the first time, or ride a Big Motorcycle for the first time, I personally would get some training, take some practice time, get some advice, learn the basics. Yes, even with the best of training things can go wrong, but I think it gives one a better chance of being successful. I am under no illusions that this thread will cause any changes in peoples attitudes towards magic, but maybe it will make someone think a bit, and thats a good thing. As for me, I have Michelangelo's quote sitting on my desk, " Ancora Imparo " ( I am still learning )