I was working on the second part of my 3-part series concerning the 110 years of Llewellyn (you can read part one by clicking HERE), when I had a realization I thought I'd share. Last night, I attended a wonderful Pagan full moon ritual held by a local coven. As is found in virtually all rituals, there were speeches. Now, it so happens that this group has some excellent writers. Some of the speeches were longer, poetic, and evocative. Some were shorter, direct, and to the point. That got me wondering: which is better (by which I mean more effective)? Long, elaborate speeches as are frequently found in ceremonial magick rituals, or shorter, less flowery ones? Passion and Emotion Crowley

How I Came to Write Modern Magick Years ago I was living in Encinitas, a beautiful, oceanside town north of San Diego, California. I was studying experimental music at UCSD and, on my own, studying Kabalah and magick. I was sharing a house with a man who was teaching Shiatsu (acupressure massage) and he let me attend his classes. After taking the series of classes several times he asked me to assist him. Then, one day before a class, he told me he had to be out of town and wanted me to teach the following week's class. Although I had taught classes in how to perform magic tricks while I lived in Los Angeles, I didn't think I knew enough to to teach a class in Shiatsu. He told me I did and