Shout out to @Lady_Eva and @Angelb1083 for inspiring me to write this 
You guys rock. 
Lately I feel like I am losing my mind, but I want to learn how to handle it not succumb.
So this question came up in conversation⌠it gets asked now and then, and reasonably so. Itâs a good conversation to have generally and I had some thoughts to share.
If I told anybody what I really think on a few topics they would probably question my sanity, so Iâve thought about this before, and this is why I and many seasoned practitioners, I think, can be quite circumspect with their experiences.
Consider for a minute, that insanity is a judgement made by other people. Labels generally, are for other people, theyâre a social tool for communication. I mean, you know who you are. So the question becomes, who are you to other people, and when does other peopleâs judgement cross that line from being helpful and reasoned, past basic critisism and mob mentality labeling, and into them being judgy frootloops in thier own special way? And who decides that anyway?
I try not to just label people as crazy - when magickal energies are involved, they can affect you strongly, especially when youâre clearing big blocks, doing shadow work and assimilating new energies. Itâs why we take our time on pathworkings, full balancing canât be rushed. These energies can make it hard to function, and it takes a level of control and courage to hold yourself as you change.
Iâm also of the opinion that our universes donât all overlap. This is why one persons truth about the occult can conflict with anotherâs - and both can be âtrueâ, with a little t.
The part we share, which, I think, is some of the physical (e.g. posts in BALG), some of the astral, some of the abyss etc.
Right here is where you want to be aware when your universe departs in design from the shared space agreed upon with other people, which is more fixed.
Telling people - especially out-of-context, or in an assumptive or authoritarian way - large amounts about your personal universe, when itâs very out of kilter with theirs, is exactly the way to look insane, annoying, at best turn people off and at worst have them completely dismiss you as a basket case.
**I think itâs ideal when a mage is able to work through communicating in the shared space with self control, respect and discernment. **
This helps the mage to achieve his goals, as working well with others, attaining the support and network you need as a human is beneficial, and may be crucial to manifesting your ideal reality.
This doesnât mean whitewash things and dumb down what you think. I does mean be careful what you say, how you say it and who you say it to. Consider the message you want the other to hear, and control it.
So how do you get there?
Especially when you might be feeling kinda nutty, and youâre worried that what you think youâre saying isnât even how you come across? Itâs an issue that the very instrument of judgement you use to tell if youâre out of wack, is out of wack, how can you trust it?
Well, in extreme cases, you canât. Itâs possible to become overwhelmed and swept away by the currents, literally, of magick and lose the plot. Know that this is rare. Know that you can be strong and trust yourself.
Then, in my experience, including the following principles in your lifestyle as a mage do help you hold yourself strong:
- Taking care of the vessel is paramount. On all levels.
Fit body -> Fit energy body -> Fit emotional body -> Fit mind -> Strong ability to use discernment
This the base, your foundation, it canât be understated. - Psychic hygiene - staying clear of parasites, maintaining equilibrium, âprotect your energy -E.A.â
- Give yourself permission to explore, knowing you will come back to base to process
- Communication skills - listen to others and allow feedback, and consider your audience
- Stay âhigh functioningâ - as in, take care of your shit
If people start feeding back that the universes are mismatching (âyouâre crazyâ, âthereâs no such thing as demonsâ, âyou need cheeses!â), this is Ok, theyâre allowed to disagree with you and see things from the lens of their own cosmology - so, here, with these people in your audience, be careful with your language so that they get the messages that you intend.
I borrowed âhigh functioningâ from psychology - I figure, if your family is running fine, the kids are Ok at school, the bills are not late, anyone non-magickal looking in would have nothing to question, itâs all good and you can be as batty as you like in your own belfry.
