From: mike.mcaulay@spacebbs.com (Mike Mcaulay) 
Newsgroups: alt.magick
Subject: Keeping Silence (was: testin' this stupid editor)
Date: 5 Jan 93 22:45:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: SPACE BBS - Menlo Park, CA - 10 Lines + 4gB - 415-323-4193
Reply-To: mike.mcaulay@spacebbs.com (Mike Mcaulay) 


cranmer@ohstpy.mps.ohio-state.edu writes:

-> tonya@csa2.lbl.gov (TONYA PUONCEY / T. Conlon?) writes...
->
-> > Anyway, I was wondering how many people can honestly say that they
-> have > had success with invocations, evocations, divinations, etc.
-> >
-> > All this philosophical maundering, but who can say what they've
-> _DONE_ > and had or not had success with.
->
-> I think one reason that this isn't seen often on alt.magick is
-> something called the '4th power of the Sphinx:' keeping silence.
-> Another reason could be a mundane one (at least for me):  I don't
-> really CARE if your evocation of the dread Dormammu, or whatever,
-> succeeded or failed.  What I would be curious about are the
-> *generalities*:  *how* was your ritual constructed?  What
-> religo-mystico-philosophical system are you using? etc.

Why care how a ritual was constructed if it fails?

I must confess my membership in the less-maundering-more-nuts-n-bolts
minority.  I've been an avid reader of alt.magick for eight months now,
but most of the useful information I've gleaned has been stuff that
has, as it were, "leaked out" of posts on topics only obliquely related
to my interests.

Finally, why should the "4th power" apply to technique, but not to
theory?

-> Some of us may happen to like the 'philosophical maundering' found on
-> alt.magick.

That's fine.  But some of us (I can't be the only one) would like to be
able get practical questions answered by those with more experience.  An
analogy:  I am a programmer by profession.  More than once I have had
occasion to avail myself of the programming newsgroups and have received
tips and suggestions which have saved me literally months of grueling,
pointless work.  It's not just that I'm lazy; after all, avoiding the
grueling, pointless work simply enabled me to get on with my grueling,
fruitful work! :-)

I read the FAQ some time ago and dimly recall a bit about "why no
recipes."  I'm not suggesting we open up the floor to questions like
"how can I turn my aunt Matilda into a toad," just remarking that I
believe the group would be better served by a relaxation of the tacit
rule against discussing technique.  After all, if not here, where?  I
note with some peevishness that of the two direct requests for
information which I have posted here one drew zero replies, and the
other only two, whereas my requests for programming info average around
eight.  This bothers me not only because I'd rather have the knowledge
than lack it, but also because it implies that such questions are
somehow beneath the dignity of the group.  I say, "bunk."  Everyone
begins in ignorance, and there is nothing dishonorable in seeking advice
and assistance, nor in proferring same when asked to do so.

-> > NO MORE FLAMES!
-> I honestly hope you don't think this was a flame.

Ditto.

M.
                                                 
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