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RESULTS: Group workings vs. Self workings

17:24 / 06.01.05

Sometimes I'm not sold on the effectiveness of any of the workings I do myself. Not that I feel that I don't get the results I'm looking for... but, I question whether these results would have just precipitated regardless of my magical efforts.

On the other hand, I have had group experiences that have been so overpowering that I am still decoding the meaning and coming to grips with exactly what transpired, years later.

What gives? -- So far, I've been attributing the group results to the principle of synergy.

Are self-workings a "glass ceiling" approach to magic, whose results are limited because they come into being via a singular energy source?

I've been prompted to post this due to my own questions, as well as the "Caught" thread... which outlines an aspect which I see as 'limiting results' and undermining the credibility of magic in the collective psyche - not only in skeptics, but in practitioners as well.

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18:20 / 06.01.05

Well, if everything bound within four dimensions is the same thing and we're all part of the same organism, I suppose you could argue that there is no such thing as individual workings, that all magic you perform, solo or in a group, contributes to the organism as a whole.

Having said that, I don't find there to be anything limiting about self-workings. I've had some very odd, mind-blowing experiences just through self-practice on it's own. However, I do want to get involved in group magic soon, if only to challenge myself and to get out of the house more.

I don't think one is better then the other...

19:15 / 06.01.05

I agree that one could argue that there is no such thing as self-workings... but in my own experience, being in contact with others creates a different style of reciprocal energy that I haven't been able to duplicate on my own -- like a microcosm of newly/specifically defined consensus reality created because of it's common understanding within the group.

I think I feel this way because we observe our separateness from other people, even if it's only an illusion. Since so much of our experience is based upon this, breaking down the separateness (even if it's only symbolically) allows us to tap into and work with energy of a higher intensity.

One way I find this energy manifests is though eye-contact with others - the whole 'I see you seeing me seeing you... ad infinitum' thing.

As well, under that argument, I think you could posit that you wouldn't even have to perform any sort of working because someone somewhere would be performing one.

19:45 / 06.01.05

And... I do agree that one isn't better than the other. But I think they may serve different purposes.