Advice for Young People Who Want to Become Magicians

It seems like every week I receive at least one person asking, “I want to do magick and join a coven or magickal group, but my parents won’t let me. I’m only fifteen and can’t move away. What should I do?”

Being an older teen (or even a younger one) can be such a difficult time. On many levels you are becoming an adult but you’re denied many of the opportunities that adults have. Of course, you’re also freed from some of the responsibilities adults have, but many people would be more than willing to have those responsibilities in exchange for the freedom and opportunities of adulthood.

Because I am asked this type of question so often I have a standard response that I believer is realistic, encouraging, and responsible. I thought I’d share it here:

My Advice To Younger People Wanting to Study Magick

I do not advise you to go against your parents’ wishes. You may think that they are unfair, but their life experience means that they have had experiences you have not had. It is likely they are trying to protect you from what they see as harm. If your parents were magicians, they might be helping you to learn magick safely.

I regret to tell you that you may simply have to wait until you’re older before becoming more active with magick. Besides, most magickal groups won’t accept people under eighteen unless both parents are members or without both parents’ written permission.

If you really want to make magick your life, here are some things you can do now to prepare to be able to learn more and work magick:

• Magicians need to have sharp minds and be able to communicate well. Stay in school and learn as much as you can. Study everything—English, foreign languages, history, math, computers and the sciences. The more you know on a wide variety of subjects the more you will be able to bring to your magickal training.

• Magicians need to be creative. Study some “artistic” things—sculpture, drawing, painting, woodwork, music, creative writing, acting, computer graphics, etc. Not only will these practices help your creativity (excellent when trying to figure out how to make a talisman, construct magickal tools, or write a new ritual), but it will also make you a more interesting, well-rounded person.

• Magicians need strength and agility. Be sure to get plenty of exercise. This should include aerobics for your heart and lungs, resistance training for building muscles, and stretching for flexibility. Also study martial arts, fencing, dancing or a similar activity for agility and grace. Be sure to get the okay from your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

• Magicians are popular. Contrary to the popular impression, most magicians today are sociable—sometimes very sociable—people. There are several reasons for this. First, humans are social creatures by nature. We need input from others to stay healthy. Second, the knowledge by some people that you are interested in magick might lead them to mock you. As you get older it could prevent you from getting desired jobs. By being able to determine what you can tell somebody of your interests, you can, as it were, “hide in plain sight.” Everyone can see you but they won’t know your real interests unless they are open to them in a positive way. By being sociable you’ll learn how to “read” people and know what you can and cannot say to anyone. Finally, by being sociable you are able to meet people and hear what they have to say. It’s possible that some of them have interests similar to yours and an eventual friendship, as well as a circle of friends, may develop.

Many people have trouble meeting and talking with other people. If this describes you, try out one or more of the following:
• Join one or two school clubs with subjects you enjoy.
• Observe people around you and see what they like. Then, ask them questions about those subjects. You’ll find that they’ll love to tell you all about it.
• If you have trouble talking with people, listen intently to what they say. Then ask them questions based on what they said or ask for more information. You will find that they will go out of their way to talk with you because you listen.

• Magicians have a strong will. Make up your mind to do something on a regular schedule and then keep to that schedule. Remember, however, that no one is perfect. Instead of using a missed activity as an excuse to stop, make it a reason to try harder!

Do you have anything you’d tell people who want to learn and practice magick, but are so young they have to stay at home and their parents won’t let them become involved with magick? What would you say?

—SPECIAL NOTICE!—

Next week, something special will happen with this blog. If anyone can guess specifically what it is before it happens, I’ll send them, for free, an autographed booklet I’ve written on meditation. This will come directly from me, not from Llewellyn. To qualify you must explain exactly what this special event is in the comments section of this blog. The first person to specifically name what will happen wins. Only one entry per person. My decision is final. Can you guess what it is?