The Four Powers

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 10, 2008 at 9:27am

Usually for me it's pretty simple:
To Know - what my limits are and how hard to push at them(in all things)
To Dare - to try new things, and look at things as they were intended, not what is generally percieved
To Will - myself to do the right thing (in all matters)
To Keep Silent - and not push my views upon those who do not welcome them, or would use them to persecute me or those I hold dear

In alot of ways the simplicity of life holds alot of these answers. Looking at nature and at ourselves to see what is wrong and how we can effect change. I like to think that I have been kept here on this plane of existence to learn from the world and help the world when it is needed, not just the nature aspect of it, but with people as well.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nautonnier on June 11, 2008 at 5:09am

Excellent Observation Jason..
thank you For Sharing!

I am Delighted To see so many similar interpretations on the "silence" aspect!
This is a Wonderful Thread!

Thank You Wicket Icons For Starting It!
BB
DN

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 11, 2008 at 9:21am

No problem, I haven't found anyone who really sees otherwise on the views of the rites of the Magus, though I like to try and make certain that I keep it simple, lol.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Wicket Icons on June 13, 2008 at 1:44am

You're welcome, sweety!
I'm pleased to see that people continue to respond to it. :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Windspirit on June 14, 2008 at 11:42am

In response to this, I went looking deeper and I also found this located on an awesome website called http://www.controverscial.com, this is copyrighted, but I do have permission directly from the writer of the website. If you use it, you must also credit the writer, George Knowles

In his explanation I believe he puts it better than I did.

The Four Powers of the Magus

The Four Powers of the Magus are the personal attributes traditionally necessary and required for the successful use and practice of magick. These are - To Know, To Dare, To Will, and To Be Silent. Without these four attributes combined, the individual will never be successful in magick.

The reasoning is quite simple; none of the attributes mentioned are enough in themselves, as all four attributes must be present to balance each other out. For instance:

To Know - Knowledge is no good, without the will and audacity to see magick done.

To Dare – Audacity is no good, without the knowledge and will to see magick done.

To Will – Will power is no good, without the knowledge and audacity to see magick done.

To Be Silent – What good are the above, without the discretion to remain silent until the magick is done? To reveal your magick before it is done, dissipates it’s power and effectiveness.

So, anyone aspiring to use magick, he/she needs a knowledge of what he/she is doing, the audacity to use it, the will power to control it, and the discretion to remain silent till the work is done.

Sources:

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft - By Raven Grimassi

An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present - By Doreen Valiente

Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - By Scott Cunningham

Windspirit

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by magikalangelmom3 on June 30, 2008 at 5:18pm

hi there. i'm new to the site and interested in increasing my knowledge and was intrigued by your post. iagree with your statement that the heart of magic exists within those phrases and due to my deep innate draw to those ideas but my limited knowledge i'd love to learn more. blessings to you and yours

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pathwalker on July 8, 2008 at 12:15pm

This also is my interpretation of "The Four Powers of Magus":

To Know: To know your path/craft; to know what you’re doing, to know that the right action will help you on your path.

To Dare: Dare to be you; dare to Reach Out; dare to experience the unknown; to dare is to discover

To Will: To will is to energize; to will is to manifest, to will it to be done,

To Be Silent: Be silent in the spell workings that you do until it is done.

Namaste,

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brigidt on August 3, 2008 at 1:16pm

This has been something I've been working on, internally, for a little while... this summer has held a lot of meditation and learning, spiritually. C:

To know, for me, means to know beyond what books tell you, and more so what your soul does... knowing your soul means you cannot lie to yourself, and therefore you truly "know". You know your limits, what you can do.. for me, that holds more power than what any book can tell me I can and cannot do.

To dare is more along the lines of pushing the boundaries of the five senses... and challenging yourself on what you can feel, in any way. I dare myself when I channel power for a spell, like a protection spell or sigil... to push the power from my center to the very edges of my being, knowing I can hold more than what just science tells someone they can, and then daring to put every ounce of it back into what I was doing, and giving what didn't back to Mother Earth while grounding myself.

To will means the amount of concentration on the outcome, and mixes the first two, because you have to both know and dare for the outcome to be done. Your will has the potential for many things, and this is key for getting anything to work... literally, anything. You can't idly sit through life, being alone... you have to will things to happen, and dream... you have to have goals.

To keep silent has always been one of the tougher ones I've tried to figure out for myself... but most recently, my best idea is to know when and when not to speak. Sometimes the best words are none at all, because actions speak decibels louder than words.

Of course, these are just my views on them. Everyone has their own understandings, and this is just my own.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Lady Raven on August 3, 2008 at 1:25pm

To know: To understand that your brain is not full yet and their is a wealth of knowledge yet to learn. To understand yourself well enough to know that you do not know it all.
To Dare: To dare to walk a different path, to question and to never accept anothers view of life
To Will: To will, into this world, your intentions. Whether they be of good intent or of bad intent. The essence of a person is what they make their world into.
To Keep Silent: To be able to sit across the table of life and listen to someone who has a different outlook on life. To allow the gods and goddesses to speak to you. To quiet your mind long enough for the treasures of the gods and goddesses to take hold.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2