Philosophy of Magic - Part 1

Just as the eating of food and the drinking of water are fundamental to the growth of our bodies, so the development of the mind is fundamental to progress with magic.

The student must understand that magic does not sprout from physical strength. What is required is a discipline of the spirit, which is to say, the ability to focus the will upon a single, directed point.

In this instructional text, I shall outline the preeminent techniques for fostering this clarity.

Practice makes perfect, as the commoners say. However, without a deliberate level of focus, even a simple fire charm can quickly spiral beyond one's control. Why, even I have been known to singe a finger or two when my attention was unjustly split between my spellcasting and the beauty of a passing butterfly. I may have had to endure a bandage and the scent of aloe, but I assure you, the butterfly suffered much worse that day.

It is for this reason that I advise all disciples to practice the art of slow and deliberate breathing, movement, and gait. Aim to lead a life of meaningful contemplation, and your adeptness with the arcane shall be fostered in kind.

So often we become victims to our moods, as if they could come and go as they please, ordering us about. Rage, lust, sorrow; the gods send us these feelings to compel us to action, to control and dictate our lives. But there is a way out for the aspiring mage, a way to bar the door against these divine intrusions. One must turn away from the cacophony banging at the door, and point the mind toward one's highest aspiration.

During my time as the King's Prime Warlock, I often encountered people who had successfully attained magical abilities but had trouble controlling them. In every case, the problem was a severe lack of mental discipline, leaving the individual and endless victim of their passion. This is precisely why I preach the necessity of a tranquil mind and do my best to steer more spirited persons away from the pitfalls of their passion.