The Art of War / The Gambler

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
You got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealing’s done
Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler” (Chorus)
It seems the entire occult community is pretty much tangled in drama all the time. From disagreements, discords, fights, and petty jealousies. In some cases, this is particularly true if you are not a faithful, blind follower but instead, think for yourself, have a differing opinion – that’s when the attacks start, and those from the people we thought we could trust for information. It is these very same people, that when you rise, stand on your own two feet and truly walk this path, that feel threatened, attacking, cursing, and taking from you what does not belong to them. I am not sold on this, given how the community discusses things.
We as a Community have nothing. What are we doing, what rituals, and why are we not talking about the nature of our work?
I am not asking for proof. But your events, your ideas, your practices, your results?
Let’s have a look at that.
Ego. Famous occultists, with twenty-plus years of experience in magic, with huge followings on YouTube, best-selling books, doing what? Helping the new practitioners? No! They observe, watching, waiting. And when the time is ripe, they start spreading their poison. And for what? The answer is very simple.
Fear. They feel threatened by the new practitioners. So many new people, with so much will to learn and so many as yet undiscovered skills! Instead of helping the newcomers, they perceive the threat these newbies represent.
And the “experienced” ones? They know that the time of their end is at hand. They have done what they wanted, their career is over, and they need to step back. They know that. It happens all the time. Legitimate actors, singers, authors, etc., know when they reach that point in their careers, and wisely they choose to step back, instead of making fools of themselves.
This doesn’t happen in the occult community.
The famous occultists – and they do have their fame – are desperate to stay in the spotlight, even when they know that it’s over. A few months ago, I read a comment from a famous occultist saying, “…it’s painful to see beginners having blogs, writing about the occult…”. It’s painful (funny, really) for the beginners to see such a famous author selling their books for $1! A very good idea is to publish a book, a guideline which this author tells us in how many years we, the beginners, have the right to having blogs, discuss about magick etc.
Besides, if we all are not those “beginners that it is painful to see them,” then who will ask the uncomfortable questions? More importantly, when we ask them, who will answer our inquiries truthfully and honestly?
More and more, it seems that the occult community is useful for nearly nothing more than demoralizing people seeking to learn real magic, apotheosis, ascension, and personal alchemy, not just motivational quips mixed with quotes from famous practitioners. If anyone believes they’re going to find enlightenment about magick by following those people, then they’re either naive or intellectually dishonest.
It appears that progress is not allowed in the community; otherwise, how they will sell their “traditional” books?
Magic is ART. Others’ opinions don’t matter, others’ techniques don’t matter – it is you, and only you. We, few on the beginning but more and more every day, have started moving further and further away from those people, taking responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, choices, and actions. Action creates momentum and action is Life, but in the end, what does it matter?
Socrates said, “The only thing I know, is that I know nothing.”
He realized that knowing nothing enabled him to release control, opening the Gates, allowing Energy and the Worlds to flow into him.
People are free to say what they want, and I am free to call them out on it. I am also free to pick my battles, and the little things, you know, those little jabs intended to put me down? Who cares?
If you’re wondering, “Who is this person saying all this?” Just another person with internet access. The usually the black sheep is the only one telling the truth!
But… WHO ARE YOU?
Be real.
Be honest.
Seek and pursue personal alchemy, growth, ascension, apotheosis, and above all else, be humble.
Always remember your roots, your origins in this incarnation. And be ethical and moral in your Workings continually.
Just trust in the Void – the Point of our Origin and our Return.
****Thank you all for your messages, your emails, your support regarding the takedown! It means a lot to all of us!
Desire is the root of all suffering. Desire to attain status, accolades, titles, baubles, prestige, etc. Or FEAR of losing these things, as in desiring not too lose these things. Ego and expectations conjoined with the fear of losing perceived power and control.
The aforementioned are all motivators for those seeking to attain the ivory towers of occult hierarchy or those holding on to those things with a death-grip. Better to upset the established order, create new ways, morals, maxim’s, and creeds. Following another’s system only makes you a follower who exists only in a static past. Life is dynamic, so the radical visionaries who trailblaze new paths upsetting ANY established order are the ones who are notable.
Well if what you want an desire hurts no one it is always granted with no exception. An what goes around comes around with no exception based solely on truth. The wisdom is exercised an the ignorance is extracted completely an immediately. The new rushes in to bring true happiness an betterment in every way
“Know thy self and thy enemy and find naught fear in one hundred battles. Know thy self but not thy enemy and find victory and defeat in equal measure. Know thy enemy but not thy self, and find defeat in every battle.”
I think this quote of Sun Tzu’s also belongs here. You know yourself, they do not.