A Matter to Ponder
When did magicians become such cynics?
Earth Pentagram in Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram?
A commonly-asked question is if the Pentagram employed in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram (LRP) is associated with the Element of Earth. There is much confusion about this, which is understandable, given the myriad sources on the matter, and often arguments emphatically for and against. It may surprise some who have learned otherwise that the answer is actually yes (though with some nuances). While copies of the LRP given to Neophytes do not reference the Elements at all, calling these simply an "Invoking Pentagram" or "Banishing Pentagram" (which makes sense, given they have not yet experienced the Elemental Grades), Adept material does refer (either explicitly, or by intimation) to the LRP Pentagrams as being of Earth. For example, here is a description from Ritual B (Ritual of the Pentagram): "In the Invoking Pentagram of Earth the Current descendeth from the Spirit to the Earth. In the Banishing Pentagram the Current is reversed. The Sigil of [Taurus] s...
Comments
I'm cynical about this post. :)
Just kidding. But I am curious what prompted this post.
Jase, the initial instigator of this was the following thread:
http://www.evocationmagic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=735
However, it's a trend I've noted over many years, on various subjects, both online and in real life.
Cynicism is a noose to creativity and progress.
LVX,
Dean.
Rather than cynical, the word that comes to my mind is "silly."
Magic rigged the election? One person/group could override an entire country's collective hopes, dreams and fears? ... Isn't that akin to putting a few drops of food coloring into the sea, and hoping the whole body of water changes color?
As I think about the posts, I see where there is cynicism involve. However, this just seemed like another place for people who are dissatisfied/disillusioned with the status quo to vent.
I think they'd be cynical whether or not they practiced magic.
If there is a negative trend, I'd go more towards apathy than cynicism. Or maybe both; it depends on the issue.
But it's true that a lot of society thrives on negativity. For example, the media overexposure to the foibles of popular celebrities; and the trashier the celb, or the worse their situation, the more we see about it.
Great, Dean. Now I feel cynical! :)