Thoughts on Ethics and Magic

Following on from a post on the Erie pagans mailing list, I got thinking about Ethics and Magic during my drive to work. I might have an analogy that fits fairly well (it’s not by any means perfect, I’d like to hear peoples thoughts, so comment/email away).

Magic is a lot like driving; We are all trying to get from one place to another, be it from where we think we are now to somewhere that has more hope, or healing, trying to alter the self to achieve a goal, making ourselves better. These are like mini destinations that we want to travel to, in the greater journey that is our life.

For those that actually drive (and I admit, some of this might be lost on non-drivers, sorry, but bear with me), there are laws, rules and guidelines to follow. On top of those, are things we do out of courtesy, or enhances our safety. You could let someone out of a side road to the road you’re on, because its a good thing to do, other times it might not be safe to do so. Merging in construction lanes. You use your indicators, and try to read the road conditions best you can.

You could try and get to the destination in fastest way possible; brake the speed limit, travel on the other side of the road, cut people up in traffic, jump red lights. However, putting yourself and others in danger (by your own hand, your “driving style”) isn’t a very clever, or safe way of going about the task. Mistakes can happen, people can get hurt, and in some instances, loose their life.

You can drive aggressively, or defensively; try to read the other drivers, try to see multiple cars ahead, or that one person not paying attention to the lights, or traffic, etc. But when you think about it, you really can only effect your own vehicle, the device (or tool) you’re in control of.

There is a large amount of trust placed on others that they will stay on the correct side, follow the changing of the lights, not rush in wet or icy conditions. Sometimes we have a lapse of judgement, we don’t pay attention, sometimes it turns out alright, sometimes not.

After some time doing small “journeys”, we venture out, that can be tiring (and we wonder if the journey was really worth the destination). Sometimes we go out when it’s not advisable, in blizzard conditions, because we think we can make it just fine, or because we have no choice. Somethings become habit, and a skill, actions dealt by the subconscious, perhaps only through learning the hard way (unfortunately).

There are also moments where you hit road blocks, construction, unforeseen circumstances. You can run out of gas, suffer failure of the tool you’re using. But someone else on the same road might lend you a hand, a ride, help in times of need. Perhaps at some point you are given the chance to help someone else stranded.

There might be points were you have a passenger, someone to assist in the Magical workings. Perhaps you share the “driving”, the work, accept the help, even if they take a slightly different route to get there. Perhaps a group ritual then could be considered as being on a bus, with a driver or drivers sharing the load. If you jostle your passengers around too much, I doubt they’ll want to go with you on a journey next time. Also, who do you decide to let on the bus, and what happens if someone wants to get off? Also, something to consider when you go to a public ritual, its like public transport, you can’t choose to say no if the persons doing nothing wrong or dangerous, and try and be courteous to your fellow passengers.

There have been some drivers where I have to pay attention when being a passenger, there are some I just don’t drive with (and there are some drivers who dislike me as a passenger)

Sometimes we try and rush to our destination, and forget to notice the traveling, or the learning that occurs, as well as in magic.

We might be on the same road, but the way we drive and the tools we use might be very different from one another.

Stop once in a while, look back, and see how far you’ve come. Drive, and “Magic” Safely, don’t forget to buckle up.