Yes, another one of these threads. First thread of mine, not sure if it's the right section and I do apologize if it's wrong.
Hello so lately I've been looking into many things and then stumbled upon SoM. I want to drop a disclaimer before I jump onto topic. I used to be a very strong disbeliever in magic (still kinda am) and my brain is solid hard trying to make me leave this site so some suggestions and proving might help.
Without further ado, let's get to the point. Basically, I've stumbled upon this site on my interest in magic lately. Yes I've read many threads, articles spells and watched tons of YouTube videos and still not quite convinced so I decided I should try it out myself. I read about basics on stuff like Meditations, Elements, Chakras etc. and I did read a guide written by AwakenTooLong on the basics too.
So my main question is, where should I start? It's a whole new world to me and it's BIG. Let me attempt to compare it to science. Let's ask, what are the basic components of science? We all would say Biology, Physics and Chemistry. But wait, yes those makes up all of science but then there's more to it WITHIN it. Psychology, Cosmology, Atomics, Ecology, Geography etc etc. I'm really bad at analogies am I not?
I feel like it's really hard to convince myself to believe in it and the main thing I read about willpowers and beliefs are that they're not just there for show. They're important and I seem to be struggling with it.
Is it worth giving it a go with such a solid brain of mine? Can someone try to convince me? There's a whole new perspective to the world right in front of my and all I'm doing is denying it. Where do I start?
Hi, not entirely convinced myself, but my interest in herbalism brought me here. Don't know if my reply is even worth adding if im mainly here to study medicinal properties of certain flora... but personal interests aside, I have decided to relax my skepticism and keep an open mind for the sake of my goals and out of respect for creedences and practices in the occult... But would I like proof if it could kindly be presented... sure.
There is no one singular way to start. Let us return to your analogy about science. How did you first learn of science? You likely didn't start with Chemistry. First you started by learning about the world around you. Your 5 senses taught you some about the world, your parents taught you more, as you progressed through school you gradually learned even more. You reached a point where your learn became more specialized in certain types of science (Chemistry, Biology, etc.).
There are many little ways that one can start in magic. Learning what actually is, not what mainstream society says it is. Learning how it works, what it can do and what it cannot do. This can take a long time or a short time depending on how respective you are to the things you learn.
Your question "Is it worth giving it a go with such a solid brain of mine?" is insulting. Are you insinuating that those of us who believe and practice are soft brained? Are you saying you are smarter and more advanced than we are? Either way, I find a flaw in your logic. There is nothing soft or stupid about our beliefs or our practices. There is a lot of disinformation and just plain stupidity flowing around the world and the internet about magic. If you think you are too smart for this, I'd like you to contemplate what animates you (humans in general).
No one can convince you that magic works or does not work except yourself. Humans have convinced themselves of many things over the life span of the species. Those beliefs have changed many times as well. Once the world was flat and ended at the horizon (where ever that was to the observer). At one point the Earth was believed to be the center of the universe. Many people in this day and age have convinced themselves that we never landed on the moon, the moon isn't real, vaccines are dangerous, politicians actually care, and many more things. You are the only one who can determine what you believe or do not believe.
Again, where to start? Open your eyes and your mind (not so much that if falls out mind you). Look around, watch how things work, and try to sense the ties that bind it all together.
@NordStar (Sorry dont know how to reply to specific people)
I did not mean any offense or insult by saying hard brained. What I meant by hard-brained is having a strong disbelief in magic. I'm sorry if that has been interpreted differently from what I meant.
However, I get your point which seems to be to be very interesting. It has unwrapped a small tangle in my curiousity however, there are still more to it. I am willing to accept more replies and perspectives.
And honestly I would want to be able to edit the thread to rephrase that sentence if it created such a misunderstanding, I did not mean any hostile intent nor did I mean offence. Solid brain in this case = strong belief/disbelief in certain things.
@Nordstar... first off I hope im not breaki g any rules by using the at sign. Second you mentioned something to the degree that (I apologize for paraphrasing) what magic is has been skewed by society, I do know if you would Include witch hunts or popculture in with what might have altered peoples understanding of magic. Sorry for the terrible segue into my question but would you agree that some members here have a lack of understanding as well? I dont mean to offend but some of the content does sound a bit off, I hardly understanding all scientific theory, let alone magic but are there users here who belive in or entertain this concept of mainstream magic? I hope I didnt offend in any way, I am actually trying understanding here... and I apologize for syntax errors, it hard to proof read on mobile.
There are many, even here, who are so stuck in the mainstream and pop-culture models of magic that they do not get what it really is. Evidence of that is in the forum, the site spell book, and the chatter every day.
Many come here hoping to find the super powers and spells of Harry Potter, Charmed, Witches of Eastwick, etc. Fantasy is far more interesting. Reality is work, study, practice, repeat.
You will find a wide variety of belief on this site. You will also find a variety of junk and disbelief. All are part of the overall concept. The trick is learning what is true to you and how to work with the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thank you for the quick reply, my follow up question was going to be along the lines of how do I tell rwality from fiction here... as my interest are on herbs and possibly amplifying thier effects.but I really like that... Gotta learn to take the good with bad and the ugly
@Coyoti I like the way you think and well I am new here as well and probably not the best at giving advices but from what I've read on the forums, keeping the expectations realistic might be helpful. Maybe don't trust spells that changes your physical traits or give you wings etc. I think there is a line between real and fiction in magic as well and we both still need to find out where the boarder of that line is and it will probably come with experience.
