Community Profile

This is a community for practitioners of a variety of different magical paths who are interested in discussing magic intelligently. It began as a spin-off from nonfluffypagans due to discussions about the topicality of magic there, and many of the same guidelines and principles listed on that community's info page apply here, though we do seem to have developed some cultural differences, about which more later.

A few specifics:

Discussions about magical theory, history, methodology and ethics are encouraged. On the latter point, remember that not all magical systems have the same ethical guidelines, and don't assume that those followed in your particular system are universal.

Asking advice regarding specific magical workings is fine, but spell-begging isn't. What's the difference? Well, posting "I'm dealing with a situation of type X. I've already done Y and Z on a mundane level to try and deal with it, and now I'd like to back that up with some magic. Here's what I'd like to try and do. Does anyone have any advice/comments/critiques?" is asking for advice. Posting "I need a spell for X" (or, worse, "I need someone to cast a spell of type X for me") is spell-begging.

If you are asking for magical advice, try to include the following information in your post:

• Specific information on the situation. You don't have to name any names or provide any other identifying details, but do at least try to be a little more specific than "I'm working on a protection spell". What sort of protection, for whom, from what?
  
  
• What non-magical steps you've taken to resolve the situation. Magic's not a cure-all, and it doesn't work in a vacuum. If you're not doing anything to help yourself on a mundane level, it's unlikely magic will help.
  
  
• What magical system(s) you work within, and your approximate level of experience. This will help people tailor whatever advice they give to your particular way of working.

And if that all sounds like too much work and you still just want someone to hand you a ready-made spell, go join spellbegging instead.

Spirited discussion and strong opinions are fine; flamewars are not. If you have a problem with something someone else has posted, criticize that statement, not the person who made it. Discussion and questions are good; arguing and belittlement are not. Respect for others' paths is mandatory, and a sense of humour is strongly recommended.

Yes, we really mean everything in the above paragraph. We may be a spin-off from nonfluffypagans, but discussions here tend to be a little less volatile than there, and the level of snark a little lower. If some clueless newbie posts something silly, we generally try for a firm-but-gentle reality check before resorting to flaying them alive. Your co-operation is appreciated. Also, please be aware that this community is open to all magical paths, so not everyone here is pagan.

No posting of spam, quizzes, memes, or other off-topic clutter will be tolerated, nor will trolling or pointless drama generation.

We reserve the right to modify or add to these rules as needed.

Note: this community is temorarily on moderated membership due to a rise in trollish activity among pagan and magical communities of late. This change does not affect existing members, but new members will have to be approved by the moderators. Please note that if your journal is brand new, contains no public entries, and few or no other people have listed you as a friend, you will probably not be approved, as it's very difficult in that case for the moderators to know anything about you from looking at your journal or info page. If this happens to you, try again once you've established a bit more of an identifiable presence on LJ.

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