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New Magickal Paradigms: Organizations

  
  

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Z. deScathach
04:47 / 29.11.03
I had brought up the z(cluster) earlier in reference to this. Essentially, it was a sorcerous organization, (their own description, nt mine), that started up in San Francisco. The idea was that people could form "nodes", a very loose term that indicates a working group. As far as I can see, while they still have an internet presence, I'm not really sure that they actually went anywhere in terms of growth. They did pull off some whopper workings, which could alude to the effectiveness of what you're talking about. The one thing that they have going against them is their lack of organization in terms of non-local communication. Anarchy more than any functional system, IMO, requires organization in these terms. A hierarchical system really only requires communication of the superior with those directly under them. It forms a "chain of command". In an anarchical system, communication systems must be created that effectively link individual members. Very much of the organizational effort must go into communication systems for the above reasons. It's true that the internet really makes this possible for the first time. Even so, using the internet this way requires thinking "outside the box". Question, though, if you're still there. When it comes time to do that ritual, how do you sync people? More importantly, how do you do it without pissing off the internet gods,(ISP's)? The Z(cluster), I believe, did an online ritual to exorcize demons from the internet, (don't ask me why they did this). The ritual leader's ISP cut him of for violating terms of service. He did manage to quickly switch ISP's, and the ritual went on, apparently the result was that large networks all over the globe crashed. Maybe the internet WAS the demon.... Damn, you've got me going..... I probably won't sleep for the next 3 days.
 
 
Bard: One-Man Humaton Hoedown
17:26 / 29.11.03
Going from Z.'s last comment to first: has anyone tried to invoke the Internet itself? I know tthat a few years back, when I was on my old computer (40 megs Ram, 333 mhz, one 2 gig drive, two 1 gig drives, 28.8 bps modem, etc., built in 1996), I used to have tricks for getting more bandwidth. The computer itself was enchanted and I swear it was being held together my sheer force of will...but damned if that 28.8 didn't haul like a 56k.

I also really wasn't suggesting casting spells over the internet. While it's theoretically feasible (what is the Internet but another dimension? It exists all around us, flying through the air, it has no boundaries, no borders, no beginning, and no end. It is a sink for emotional energies of all sorts. Its even got its own residents, albiet mechanical, orderly ones ("spiders" that work for search engines, viruses, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an AI or two out there...but I doub they'd think at all like us so how would we ever know?). Ergo, I suppose magic would be theoretically feasible through it, but at the same time it would be very difficult to maintain an ISP connection (as you stated, Z.) and in the end would probably not work too well.

Thus I would suggest that the larger area lists (global, continental) be used for theory discussions. Trade techniques, trade ideas for working tools, let people know if you're going to be traveling somewhere (so if I were going to London or Tokyo for a few weeks I could maybe meet up with the cell there), either to link up for drinks or to let them know that your resources will be availible while you're there. The national, regional, and municpial lists would probably be where more of the planning for workings would happen. Each city that has a large enough cell in it would have its own list. Most calls for assistance would go out over that list, though in an extreme case over a regional or even national list ("I need help to close a major dimensional rift").

Hmm. You COULD create major projects for the entire group as a whole by creating new lists for them. So there might be an entire global community working to discover the magical properties of the internet, another one simply for trading known information about alien/spirit/ghost/faerie/whatever guides, etc. Basically these lists would simply be to create pools of knowledge for others to draw off of.

The one, REALLY big problem from all this is that it requires a good deal of altruism from all involved. People have to be willing to contribute to and assist the group, otherwise the whole system breaks down. There has to be an expectation not placed by a leader, but rather by a given member's own personality, that people will help out the group without considering personal gain in the matter.
 
 
Z. deScathach
19:06 / 29.11.03
Well, as far as invoking the internet, I haven't heard of that. If one was doing a group working over it, though, it would probably be a good idea. You would want to get one the good side of those gods. Actually, the z(cluster)did some pretty successful workings over the 'net, so it does hold possibilities in that area. The one downside with it is that apparently computers can go south when exposed to that kind of energy. I had that happen to me once. I was doing a working in front of my computer, (I don't even remember what it was, but I try very hard to forget them after they are done), after I fired the energy and earthed myself, I came to and noticed that my computer had utterly hung. I checked the resources, and found that almost every meg of the 320 that I had in it was used up! For the life of me, I have no idea what was occupying it. I emailed a friend of mine, (I almost hated to reboot it, but there was no way of getting what was in the memory out), and asked him if he had any similar experiences. He told me that the same thing had occured with him on occasion, and that he felt that comps could be damaged in this way. Still, that hasn't been my experience. OH CRAP! I'm rotting the thread! Oh well, back to the topic. Basically the point that I'm making is that computers and the internet can be used for workings, by such techniques as chaining sigils, and the like. The human mind is infinitly creative, (well almost, anyway), I believe there are many ways to do cyber-ritual. One good point that you made would be the need for specialized lists. There are a number of lists that already do this, however. A lot of those lists tend to get diluted though with numerous requests that show up for spells and hexes, "can anybody give me something that will enable me to do x to y". One thing that impresses me is that the system seldom extends beyond the list. The formation of cells is a good idea, (reminiscent of the "nodes" of the cluster). You're right about the fact that it would take a lot of commitment from all involved. No matter how you figure it, some would work harder then others, but that's a natural state of affairs anyway. One thing that I would hope to see are resources for rural mages. That's probably one of the reasons that I'm fond of the idea of online rituals. They give a chance for people like me to work with others without having to travel long distances. Still travel would probably be necessary now and then.
 
 
Bard: One-Man Humaton Hoedown
05:38 / 30.11.03
Hmm. You know, that may explain several things about the differences between my old computer and my new laptop. My old machine was practically BUILT on magical workings. It was shielded every few months, there were a pair of anchored guardian spirits on top of it (in the form of a pair of small stone gargoyles), there was a bracelet made from deer hide as well as a focus crystal sitting on the casing. It had regular power run through it. I think in the end that's what made it ideal for workings: it had been tempered in power and by power. I'm still searching for ways to anchor spells into my laptop without the physical aids of spirits and focus crystals.

Anyway, yeah. Like you said, back on topic. I think we've really mapped out the theoretical aspects of a group like this. The real question to ask: Is it feasible? I think it is, in theory, but it would take a very long period of time and growth to develop beyond a few small, scattered cells. Like Communism, it works in theory but in practice it's a tad iffy. I really like the concept and theoretical structure behind it, but I'm just not sure if, at the end of the day, people would really be willing to get down and do it.
 
 
trouser the trouserian
11:02 / 30.11.03
Bard, Scathach

you might find this article on Occult networking of interest.
 
  

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