Dare I jinx things but I'm pleased to see so many interesting threads on Barbelith.... Anyway, back to business.
I've worked several different magical "traditions", and have practised T'ai Chi as well. What I think (note, it's just a theory) is that there are different modes we operate in all the time, and just like that there are different magical modes we can adopt, depending on the circumstances.
Yes, I think they are different, and they achieve different results. That's why it's useful to become adept at more than one magical "mode". For instance, most of us wouldn't go to a high-powered meeting in the corporate world in tatty jeans and a t-shirt and then talk in the same manner as if we were with our buddies. We all shift into different modes of behaviour depending on the circumstances. I remember Grant Morrison talking about becoming "Puritan Boy" for a period when he needed to get a lot of work done, but thankfully he didn't stay in that mode forever.
Anyhoo, the point I'm trying to say is that you're correct (as far as I have experienced). Different traditions have sprung up within specific cultural paradigms, and of course that means that they are specially good at dealing with certain situations. For example, I've found that there are certain entities that are particularly useful in specific situations. The Lwa are great for a party, or for some serious conversation about bad mojo, and you have to shift into working with their rules when you are consulting with Them. The Hermetic tradition(imo) is convoluted and restrictive, but would be a great mode for dealing with lawyers and politicans. Perhaps it might explain the obsession with demons. (can't resist the cheap jokes)
Once again, I think I'm devolving into silliness. Hope I made some sense. |
