Over the past six months or so now I've been involved in an online correspondance with two magicians who planned on moving into my area (that is, Rhode Island) and were looking for various interesting local magicians with whom to associate with. They managed to find me via my blog and we quickly got into an on-line friendship, our tastes and viewpoints being somewhat similiar. Sometime in June they finally moved to RI and, on July 25th, will be holding a gathering of sorts in Providence, the first gathering taking place at a gay cafe of sorts (or, to be more exact, a cafe frequented by mostly a homosexual crowd). Recently I inquired to this individual what kind of group he wanted to establish. He told me that he and his girlfried were members of the O.T.O. and had been so for 15 years, and they were trying to charter a branch of the O.T.O. in Rhode Island (he also told me he was a member of the Freemasons and the Temple of Set). It's not so much a secret society (I mean, they have a yahoo group and a Live Journal page), but he told me that primarily it would focus on the psychological aspects of magic, the books of Robert Anton Wilson being a good example.
So, it appears that I've been invited to join this occult organization. As a magician who has been practicing solo for about 2 and a half years now, this, on one hand, would be what could be called an "interesting new experience" for me. It would expose me to new people, get me out of the house, give me something of a social life, and of course there is the benefit of associating with other magicians, which of course would make me feel less isolated or crazy (not to mention the glamor of being involved in such a group). Also I miss being involved in an organization of sorts... When I was in college I was one of the lead officers of the campus' gay-straight alliance, and that was a very fun, rewarding experience.
On the other hand, however, there are negatives to consider. For example, the notion that I'd be joining a magical group for the "wrong" reasons (that is, seeing it more of as a social thing rather then as a magical thing, though of course this is a matter of opinion). Or that I'd be further lowering myself into a world of qabalistic goo, group-supported insanity and paranoia, and basic isolation from the "real world" (which is what my non magician online friends think will happen... Then again I'm already isolated as it is so I can't see how this would be more isolating). And there's always the possibility that these people are completely nuts and are just looking for suckers, though that's not the vibe I'm getting, and I'm usually a good judge of character.
I dunno, the pros seem to outnumber the cons here. The universe seems to be pointing me in this direction too: Recently I began reading RAW's "Masks of the Illuminati" (which I got recently for my birthday) and to my surprise there was a character, very bookish, shy, virginal (should I add he was 24 years old, like me?) who had an intellectual interest in the occult and things of that nature. Through his writings he attracts the attention of the Golden Dawn, who he eventually joins... On July 23. Also, last week I went to Toronto on vacation planning on relaxing and not thinking about anything occult for a few days when I saw, spraypainted on a wall on a building near the hotel I was staying at, the word "Horus" (the eye of Horus is one of the symbols of this group, naturally). Then, as I was leaving the city a few days later, I saw the same grafitti spraypainted on yet another wall. These are just some of the synchronicities I've been observing as of recent.
After some thought on this subject I've decided that I'll go to the first gathering and judge the people on a face to face basis. If they seem like a good group of people then I'll join, and if not I won't, as this is a decision that only I can make (though I do welcome the opinions of others). At the very least this will force me to learn how to get to Providence (as I can't have my bloody parents drive me to a secret society meeting) which will be useful as there are certain clubs there I've been planning to frequent in my recent attempts to incorporate glam eurotrash popstardivasex "not-self" material into my old boring identity which must be shed like a snake (whew! There's a mouthful). Thoughts/opinions would be appreciated, if you will. |
Good go.