Dear Magician,

Over on our Golden Dawn Facebook group, “M” recently asked:

“I am interested in studying Magick with the Golden Dawn, but I disagree with some of the tarot correspondences on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Will my changing the system be a problem?”

I have heard similar questions over and over, so I knew M. would not like my answer.  I told him:  “You need to learn English grammar first before you start writing poetry.”

He was angered by this response, but here is what I meant.  If you want to study magick on your own to become a solitary practitioner, go for it!  But, here is a serious piece of advice.  Choose ONE magickal system, regardless of which one, and learn it “as it is” from top to bottom.  Don’t become a dabbler who jumps from system to system, mastering none.

It is true that I myself am an eclectic Magician these days and that I work multiple magical systems, choosing which system for a particular task according to what I wish to accomplish, much like a carpenter has multiple tools in his took kit.  But then again, I am a Gemini and speak 8 languages, so I have no trouble juggling multiple symbol systems.  Moreover, I am already an advanced Magician.

However, as a beginner, if you choose the Golden Dawn system as your starting point in Magick, I urge you to learn and fully Master the system the way it is before you try to amend or adapt it.  A 120-year track record proves that the GD system works “as is.”  The mistake many solitaries make is to try to create new systems, or adapt existing ones, before they have mastered the skills they need to do it right.  There’s a reason why undergraduates at college are obliged to master material according to the Professor’s specifications and prescribed methods.   Why?  Because an undergraduate lacks the research skills of a PhD.  Therefore, trying to do magical post-graduate work by adapting and developing magical systems willy-nilly while you are still a beginner is just silly.

Start by picking ONE system – and MASTER it.

The Golden Dawn system is a good one. You can study under supervision in our Order, or you can practice on your own using my Ritual Magic Manual.  Just don’t mess with the system until AFTER you have mastered it the way it is first.  Otherwise, you risk always remaining a dabbler rather than ever becoming n a real magician.

In Abundance, Power, and Truth,

David Griffin