Metaphysical Monday: Secrecy and the Magickal Arts and Sciences (Part I)

Once upon a time, there were two types of magickal practice: that which happened in large (clan or village-wide celebrations of holidays), public group ceremonies and that which happened in small, specialized groups (the Shaman taking his apprentice on a vision quest).

When strong and inflexible regimes came into power–groups who preached their way was The Way and all others were to be eliminated–alternatives to the main group in power were forced into hiding. What was once public and shared, where even some details of the most private ceremony would become common knowledge, became private and segregated from the rest of the community at large.

Over time, more complex mystery schools developed. Their teachings surrounded in riddles and their membership limited. These schools claimed to teach great secrets. I’m certain a good number of them actually did. But the price to become part of the group was an oath of secrecy.

As we all know, secrecy breeds curiosity. Ill-directed curiosity creates conflict. It was inevitable that, with the rise of secret societies and secret schools of initiates, distrust and problems would arise.

This evolution of the mystery school, it’s impact on magickal theory and practice and how it has all trickled down to today is something that interests me.

There is more to say on this. Later.