I'm breaking this off the 'To Do Evil' thread (located here) because I didn't want to derail it.
When is it appropriate to use magic in the first place?
[quote author=LiadanWillows link=topic=593.msg8594#msg8594 date=1288555205]
Magic is not for rage, revenge, power or any negative thing, it is supposed to be used to connect you to the God/dess. Magic is to be used ONLY if mundane interventions do not work first!
[/quote]
This is a view I myself once held. I felt that magic was supposed to be only for last resorts, when all other solutions had failed. I don't know where, when or why I developed that notion. I don't remember anyone drilling it into my head, I don't remember getting it from any specific book. I just somehow thought that magic was a last ditch effort.
I went for many years always trying to find mundane solutions to even the hardest, most obstinate, most difficult situations. I usually would beat myself silly before 'resorting' to magic, but it seemed like when I did use magic, it would work so well that I'd kick myself for not using it earlier. It finally sunk in that hey, there were no Magic Police out there who were going to arrest me for starting off with a spell or charm or something.
I've come to the conclusion, over time, that magic is a tool. It's around to help people when they need a little extra 'something'. Maybe it'll make a resume more noticeable, maybe it'll help a civil servant to be more civil, give a little extra oomph to a marathon runner or during final exams. In other words, why not use magic to help solve problems or get better results when competing or performing?
Now, I'm not saying to just cast spells and let things take care of themselves. You have to put in some practical work to help the magic do its job. Magic probably won't change a tire or get a beer from the fridge. I think there are limits, too. My oldest sister is the type of person who would cast a spell in hopes of it helping her get clean faster in the shower. I find myself eye-rolling at her a lot because I'm her main contact for information on correspondences and what-not, and I find myself asking, "you want a spell for what?!" more often than not.
Any thoughts?
When is it appropriate to use magic in the first place?
[quote author=LiadanWillows link=topic=593.msg8594#msg8594 date=1288555205]
Magic is not for rage, revenge, power or any negative thing, it is supposed to be used to connect you to the God/dess. Magic is to be used ONLY if mundane interventions do not work first!
[/quote]
This is a view I myself once held. I felt that magic was supposed to be only for last resorts, when all other solutions had failed. I don't know where, when or why I developed that notion. I don't remember anyone drilling it into my head, I don't remember getting it from any specific book. I just somehow thought that magic was a last ditch effort.
I went for many years always trying to find mundane solutions to even the hardest, most obstinate, most difficult situations. I usually would beat myself silly before 'resorting' to magic, but it seemed like when I did use magic, it would work so well that I'd kick myself for not using it earlier. It finally sunk in that hey, there were no Magic Police out there who were going to arrest me for starting off with a spell or charm or something.
I've come to the conclusion, over time, that magic is a tool. It's around to help people when they need a little extra 'something'. Maybe it'll make a resume more noticeable, maybe it'll help a civil servant to be more civil, give a little extra oomph to a marathon runner or during final exams. In other words, why not use magic to help solve problems or get better results when competing or performing?
Now, I'm not saying to just cast spells and let things take care of themselves. You have to put in some practical work to help the magic do its job. Magic probably won't change a tire or get a beer from the fridge. I think there are limits, too. My oldest sister is the type of person who would cast a spell in hopes of it helping her get clean faster in the shower. I find myself eye-rolling at her a lot because I'm her main contact for information on correspondences and what-not, and I find myself asking, "you want a spell for what?!" more often than not.
Any thoughts?
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