I have noted that a lot of newbies have a hard time figuring out which sources are legitimate if they are new to a subject, though it surprises me more when I see experienced folk handing out sources without first validating them, cross referencing them, or seeing if the information is legitimate or not. Often times, we'll tell people to do their own research, and without telling them how, we expect them to come to the same conclusions we did about the majority of what is talked about on SoM. This gets everyone nowhere fast and needs to be developed into a better habit if the newbies are to learn and the experienced practitioners are to find stimulating conversation we all know we'd love, but never seem to be in the mood to actually partake in a lot of the time.
This is not a thread of what is real and what is not, nor is it a thread telling you what to think. It is a thread on how to get to the point where you can differentiate what is fact, what is opinion, and what it all means to you.
Without further ado... how does one determine what is good source and what isn't? The answer isn't as black and white or as short as people might think.
What are you looking for?
The first thing to determine is what you're looking for in terms of what key words you'd use to search for materials, keeping in mind that some topics might have multiple spellings that offer different context. The most common spelling difference is between Magic and Magick (the latter being used to differentiate stage practice and spiritual/magical practice), though it is important to note that this is not universal and is but one example. Some key notes are;
- Look for varied spellings. If you see a different word in addition to the key word you were using before, try searching with those as well to see what it yields.
- Look at the context of the information surrounding your key words to help determine which usage and understanding of the word is in the sources you'll come up with.
- If you're unsure of what you're looking for, broaden your search and then write down things that interest you, looking further into things you feel pulled towards, want to know more about, or simply go with whatever your gut says. Even seasoned practitioners are new to something and can have similar experiences.
- Talk with people about what you might be interested in. If they have pointers, bookmark them in a folder for checking up on.
How do you recognize objective facts?
This area gets a little tricky because everything beyond physical reality is personal interpretation. We have science and recorded history that we know to be fact, and even that develops as we go along. Personal interpretation is still important, but we'll get to that in the next session.
- Is what you're looking for something that is a part of a tradition? If so, make sure that it is correct information from said traditions and try to go for source materials when and if you can. Modern materials on traditions can be a good place to start getting overall information and is often times easier to digest, though it is good to still check the most base form of the original source. Sometimes this entails familiarizing yourself with a different language, which we will have a developing library for.
- If it is traditional, try to discern if it is an open or closed tradition you're looking to be a part of - closed traditions require initiation into said path from people who are already initiated and they don't look kindly on those who try to claim they are a part of a closed tradition they are not initiated into. If it is an open tradition, like many reconstructed traditions, then there will be source materials publicly which can be accessed. Avoid claims of knowledge in closed traditions by the uninitiated.
- If a source is not traditional, it can get even trickier and is more subject to personal opinion. When researching modern topics like this, try to discern why people feel the way they do about a topic and see if it clicks with you. This can take time, trial, and error, so don't feel like you have to rush anything. Ultimately, this will be the basis for which you decide if anything is right for you.
- If a source involves physical objects, plants, food, or anything involving something that affects the body (such as entheogens), be sure to fact check with science. There is a lot of pseudo-science in magical/spiritual/occult/religious/etc. communities and material, especially with things like essential oils and what herbs have effect on the body. For food, look up nutrition from valid sources, cross reference them, and double check again to see if the information is valid. For herbs, there can also be nutritional values, though they can have effects on the body that can be harmful in large doses - some are even very poisonous and all herbs require proper handling. Be sure to research how to prepare herbs if you are getting into them as well.
So if everything is personally biased, how do you determine what it means to you?
This is where we enter the realm of personal experiences and while many of them may seem common, a lot of them are and aren't in the grand scope of things. Specific communities can foster different popular ideas and mentalities, which is why opinions largely differ across them. As the saying goes, "Ask ten people a question, you will get eleven answers." This illustrates that even from person to person, ideas can be different and there won't always be a singular idea of many subjects. We are all still growing, no matter how far we are along in our paths.
- As above, I mentioned that the basis of everything developing a meaning in your own mind is how we expose ourselves to various concepts, what our experiences are, and what we feel is right based off of personal logic and instinct. I also mentioned this takes time, and it bears importance to reiterate.
- Some ideas will click for people while others have issues with things and this will be different for everyone and it is okay. This is not a sign of remarked or lacking in intelligence, so be humble, know we are ever learning, and don't feel bad if you don't get something someone else understands easily.
- Not everyone will have the same ideas about everything. Some people are into energy work. Some people don't believe in energy work as a part of magical practice. Some people don't believe in magic at all and are still spiritual, much like one can be atheist and still spiritual or a practitioner of magic. These ideas will be different to everyone and it is always important to bear this in mind, especially for the next point...
- A lot of information is presented as fact when it is merely an opinion. Even seasoned practitioners can be caught in this trap because of spending time with a lot of people who share the same ideas and it becomes so ingrained and common that they don't recognize people feel differently about a subject. Some are quick to lash out at things they don't often come across, but ultimately this is because of a lack of mutual understanding much of the time.
- If you come across a person who feels comfortable in their belief, ask them if it is okay to ask why. When you do ask why, state that it is simply to get another outlook on a matter as this can continue a conversation rather than stop it with strong opinions. The latter is a common mentality in pretty much every topic, from mundane, to personal, to magical that I have seen and Spells of Magic is no exception.
- It is okay to have your own opinion about things, though I urge you to keep an open mind even if only to recognize that it might be different from other people. There are a lot of things in life that we come to our own conclusions with and this isn't a bad thing in and of itself - it is when we push our ideas and opinions on others without regard for what they might think or feel that can cause issues in conversations and relationships with others.
- To further the previous point, a lot of our own ideas develop as we interact with others and as our lives continue on - it is better, in my opinion, to recognize this while still keeping in mind that our own thoughts, opinions, and feelings are still valid as we are all still just people even if we only see words on a screen.
How do you develop your own opinions and experiences?
I felt the last section really should have a second part that focused on the self, rather than just interactions with other people, as this is a topic that a lot of people who are new to a subject face that doesn't really get discussed often enough. I still feel it is important in relevance to determining if a resource is good because everything we go through shapes how we perceive the outside world and inner thought processes.
- To start with here, everyone has different stories of how they get into their practices and beliefs and even more importantly, everyone has different outlooks before even getting to that point which shape how we view what is new to us. Some people are brought up with their practices, while others develop into new ones that differ from their upbringing, while some people have no exposure prior to getting into all of this that they're aware of. It is good to take time to address how your own upbringing and beliefs have shaped you into the person you are today, even if you are not new to your practices and beliefs.
- There will be times when we have experiences that are valid occult/magical/religious/spiritual/etc. in nature that might overlook because we see something new and shiny and feel we'd like to have new experiences. After all, we are looking into new things at this point. For some, this is realizing that "nodding off in a day dream" is actually entering a light altered state. For others, this could be the feeling of comfort and safety being a basic form of shielding. The list here goes on and if you feel something is relevant to you in your past or present, even if you don't feel it is spiritual/etc. in nature, then take a serious look at it and how it affects you. If you already have something going for you that you feel natural with, then keep doing it and develop that.
- Again with furthering a previous point, knowing where to go in your path often time chalks up to what feels right with you and developing that, even if you might not see it. When in doubt, just go with your instincts, whether it be spontaneous and in the moment, or going with what is logical to you - sometimes both.
- Speaking of doubt...! There will be hella many times where you will doubt yourself. Some more-so than others, but this is still perfectly valid and something everyone goes through at some point. It is okay to have doubt, even if it shakes you to your very core. These are often points where we change and develop even further, even if it is renewed resolve in continuing what we were into before. It won't feel good, but you can keep with you the knowledge that you will continue on with your existence and new things will come with that; again, even if it is renewed resolve. A healthy dose of skepticism keeps us grounded because it forces us to realize that there is more than just what we have experienced.
- When you do feel right about something, think about it. Feel it. Experience it as you go along and you will eventually become comfortable with determining what is right or wrong for you. Whether you feel right or doubt something, be open to speaking with others about it, as again, different interpretations can help shape our views - even if we hit a patch where we only determine what is not right for us.
- Everyone, no matter who or the subject they write about, goes through all of this. It is important to bear this in mind when learning about new things and that is what I hope this section will drive home.
Are there more points of advice that are valid than what is listed here?
The long and short of it is - yes, there will be many things that people will go through that I have not covered here. This is the beauty of learning and interacting with new people and developing your own sense of "self" when it comes to how you perceive and navigate the world and all it has to offer. We will always develop as there will always be new things. My mother used to tell me "There is no such thing as perfection, because if it did exist, nothing would ever change." and believe this whole-heartedly to be true.
Because everyone has the capability to have a powerful sense of self and it is all very different, I encourage everyone to share your experiences in how you have come to where you are now and see what all the others have to offer. Even if something may not feel like it is important to others - if it got you to where you are now, it is worth sharing if you are comfortable doing so. You never know what people might get from it, or what you might get from it.
