Strategy and Tactics of the Magus
The Way of the Magus is the Way of mastering power and oneself. The chief consequence of accumulating Power is precisely gaining independence, self-control, and freedom from victimhood. Two approaches arise from this, each calling itself “Magic“.
First — the Way of techniques, the Way of seeking practical solutions in specific situations — the tactics, the Way of proceeding from particular to general.
The second Way — the search for a general direction, a common vector, a central axis around which life organizes itself — the strategist‘s Way — “from the general to the particular”.
More often, people who call themselves magi choose the tactician’s way, preferring to “solve problems as they arise,” and calling “Magic” a set of specific, unusual, sometimes quirky actions, each of which allows a step along the Way of Power.
However, this Way contains a danger — the accumulation of actions may not form a coherent picture, and problem-solving ability can be replaced by familiarity with standard solutions, tried one after another in the search for Power.
On the other hand, Magi who choose the strategic Way — dismissing actions as “trifles” and “minor details” — also risk falling into the trap of overplanning, when a ‘jack-in-the-box’ can suddenly appear and throw plans into disarray.
Let us give a simple example — a magus wants to find a “plant of power.” The magus-tactician will recall all he knows about plants and try to find a familiar plant that contains the required power. The magus-strategist will attempt to sense the power in the plant and its suitability. Another example: choosing a campsite. The tactician will spend much time surveying sites, evaluating their suitability. The strategist will try to assess the overall picture and the camp’s place within it.
Both approaches, taken in ‘pure’ form, can fail — if the power the magus encounters is one he has not encountered before. If there are no familiar plants and the power within them is unclear, the search will end in failure or mistake.
Such ‘extremes’ would seem to be rare, as with any poles. Yet in practice most who consider themselves Magi are very close to a purely tactical or purely strategic approach.
Needless to say, the most effective approach skillfully combines both.
Because power is polarized along the inductive–deductive axis, the primary impulse — the system-forming factor for different wayfarers — may be either an inductive (tactical) impulse or a deductive (strategic) one, depending on their personality.
It happens that magi with a deductive mind succeed more often, but only if they do not neglect the ‘little things’ and details from which the fabric of the Great Flow of Power is woven.
Good day. How does one form an attitude towards the choice of a particular way of action (tactical or strategic)? I believe it is largely laid down by personal choice under the pressure of upbringing. And if I’m already accustomed to acting tactically, how do I transition to acting strategically? As I understand from the article, it is something akin to understanding the harmony of the plot of a painting.
You are correct, however, there is no need to “transition” from one attitude to another, rather they should be harmoniously combined. It is inherent in every person to have one or another way, and it needs to be balanced by the other, without slipping into the opposite extreme.
What is needed for understanding and, accordingly, acting according to the principle of strategy?
🙂 Strength is needed for understanding
The danger for the “tactician” in terms of “…the aggregate of actions risks not fitting into an overall picture, and the ability to solve tasks is replaced by the knowledge of a set of standard solutions, sequentially enumerated in search of strength” is unclear. I believe that any practice that yields a result, to some extent, fosters growth in strength and spiritual potential!
Unfortunately, it is precisely the criterion of “result” that is usually the most slippery. Indeed, what to consider a result of an action – the fulfillment of will? Or some other unexpected effect?
The danger lies precisely in that behind “actions”, “practices” that give a sense of movement, there may, in fact, be either stagnation or involution, loss of strength.
Therefore, it is very important to accurately assess this “result”, which is not always easily accessible.
What is an example of loss of strength or “involution”?
A person becomes engrossed in actions, and practice replaces the Path for him. He thinks he is going somewhere, but in reality – he is not. An example can be most “parapsychological” or popularly “esoteric” movements that offer a person actions, ignoring the person himself, his upbringing, and development.
I believe that all medieval grimoires (except for the Magic of Abramelin) represent Tactical Magic. Here, a grimoire is taken with a ready description of how and what should be done and in what sequence, and accuracy is of utmost importance.
Regarding the Magic of the Golden Dawn – this is more of a Strategy. Because a certain basic approach is given, basic techniques are provided, and based on these, one can create something of their own.