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Pacting While Emotional

10/2/2013

6 Comments

 
Picture
Lately, an increasing number of people have been coming to me for assistance in pacting with spirits and I've had to turn them away. I'm certain that in each case I have been viewed as being uncaring and, well, a bit heartless, but I thought I'd write a post for folks here to both explain why and give others something to think about.

Pacting is an interesting and difficult subject to speak on without dredging up a strong response from both naysayers and folks who are all for it. Unfortunately, it is my experience that very few people on either side of the aisle actually have any idea what they are talking about, as they haven't been through it themselves. As a result, they end up spouting off at the mouth, using hearsay and paraphrases from some friend of a friend or some author that may or may not have actually been in the trenches.  It keeps the mystery of the subject alive, but it doesn't actually cut through the minutia and get to the heart of the matter. I will, in this post, attempt to provide a bit more insight on that front.

Those who are drawn to pacts are often the disillusioned, dejected, and desperate; they feel as though its a quick fix for their world weary minds and hearts that'll suddenly alleviate their fears and concerns. They're willing to gamble everything when they feel that they have nothing. This devil-may-care attitude, while often understandable given the individual circumstances, is the worst position one can be in when working out an agreement.

Just as the advice of "don't shop when you're hungry and don't date when you're horny" is appropriate, so too is the idea that one should not make deals when desperate.  Its incredibly tempting, and it seems like the quick fix, but its also a surefire way to get the short end of the stick and the raw end of the deal.  This is just as true in the mundane world as it is in the spirit world.

Instead, I would recommend pacting when in a position of relative balance and power. Do it with a clear head, and do it when you know what you can and cannot count on so that you can forge an agreement that won't be quite so likely to come around and bite you in the ass later. If you don't follow this methodology, you're, in my experience, merely deferring the pain and discomfort to a later date.

Cowardice is its own punishment and you can't avoid taking your lumps.  It is far better to rip the bandage off quickly rather than set yourself up for another unexpected failure later on down the road.  Learn your lesson and then fix your situation through less grandiose means so that you can get a better deal later on down the road.

I have, in my life, made a lot of pacts. I've evoked a fair few spirits, both for myself and for clients, and I've spent a lot of time in the trenches with things that'd make a "normal" person's blood curdle. I've, as a result, had plenty of results that were exactly what I asked for but not at all what I wanted, and when that's been the case, its because I acted out of desperation.

My advice to you, as a result, is to fix the situation with frequent offerings and small microenchantments that lead you towards the fix you seek.  Don't try to pull out the big guns with forces you don't know well.  Even when I am the intermediary for folks who want pacts, the spirits know exactly what the client wants and what the client is willing to give - that makes it very difficult to work out a deal that isn't one-sided.

I hope this post has been helpful and illuminating, and I wish you the best of luck in these troubled, uncertain times.

Cordially,

SE

6 Comments
OM
10/2/2013 10:55:03 am

Hi Chris!
Would you please give an example of "I got exactly what I asked for, but not at all what I wanted"? Also, I'm wondering what kinds of things are people promising to these spirits?
Thanks,

Reply
SorcerousEndeavors
10/2/2013 07:45:21 pm

Om,

Thanks for the comment. Be happy to provide a bit of insight.

As a case in point from my own personal work, I had done work to get a promotion that was offered at a job I used to work at. I went through all of the steps, applied, spoke to my superiors, etc. and backed it all up with magic thinking that I was going to land a sweet gig that paid very well for the amount of time that I was going to work. All I did, magically, was put the intention out there so that I would get the promotion and be successful.

Well, I did get the job, but it wound up being societal murder. It, while paying 1.5 times what I was making previously, on paper, between the higher tax bracket, the increased workload, and ridiculous hours, I ended up doing more work for more hours for less money per hour. It was a case of "I got what I asked for, but not what I wanted."

That said, desperate folks will promise anything to get what they want. I've had folks try to sell their souls, and others go so far as to be willing to do quite a bit more. Of course, when that comes up, it makes for a fairly awkward bit of conversation.

Regards,

SE

Reply
Noh
10/8/2013 12:23:36 am

Those who are drawn to pacts are often the disillusioned, dejected, and desperate

Lets not forget there is a growing sentiment that spirits are equals and should be treated as such. That the better way is an equal exchange like you would do at a local car dealership and commanding them is disrespectful. Your post clearly illustrates this is not so and says exactly why its a bad idea unless very skilled at the matter. I think if more knew that pacts give the entities a piece of their power (as you mentioned in other post) they would be less willing to do so.

In fact, I wish there was a list of information such this about all the pitfalls and rules of road of the spirits world, of what not to do when I was starting out and why not would have been more informative, helpful and most useful. Knowing what can get one into trouble is often the first step to avoid getting into trouble.

Reply
SorcerousEndeavors
10/8/2013 03:47:18 am

Noh,

Thank you for your comment.

I actually tend to be amongst the crowd that says that spirits are our equals and should not be commanded, but instead should be bargained with. Having been at the bargaining table with humans more than once, I can tell you that the experience is not dissimilar. Everyone involved is always attempting to get the best end of the deal, and typically, part of what one is going for when negotiating is leverage. Spirits are no different.

This does not make them evil, malicious, or otherwise superior - instead, I believe that it points to the fact that they are really no different than we are. Any gloss we decide to put on that idea is simply a matter of humans attempting to separate ourselves from then, in my opinion.

While I can understand your desire to see a rulebook for how folks should interact with spirits, I've, as of late, begun to understand why there isn't one; I could work for years to produce such a thing, yet you would have different views on it than I would. So too would that be the case if you were to make such a booklet containing your views of what the rules are. Those rules are, I find, typically different for each and every person, save for speaking in the general, and they are subject to change as the individual changes along the way.

There's no set-in-stone credo for how we can interact with the unseen. One of my friends here, despite being an accomplished magician who also runs his own conjure-related business, is not in a position where he is allowed to mix traditions, for example. He is bound by this unspoken rule to the point where when he has attempted to do so, it hasn't worked for me. I am, however, not bound by the same rule, as instead I tend to fall into the opposite category; I learn the similarities between different paradigms, find where they overlap and why, and then use those similarities and differences in my practices to great effect.

If there can be such a difference in what is and is not allowed despite a similar level of skill, what's to say that all of the supposed rules we'd attempt to set forward wouldn't be bunk?

It's peculiar to be sure, but I think its a good thing to think on.

Regards,

SE

Reply
Noh
10/9/2013 01:02:47 am

"While I can understand your desire to see a rulebook for how folks should interact with spirits, I've, as of late, begun to understand why there isn't one"

While I understand that statement, I am sure you and your friend despite different approaches have seen similar patterns concerning clients that due to one mistake or another had to come to you to patch things up. Some times a general guideline of what not to do (like a set of training wheels) is better then none. If not guidelines, more blog entries of what you have notice go wrong and why would be just as useful.

Reply
SorcerousEndeavors
10/9/2013 01:32:49 am

Noh,

Indeed we do. Talking about such things is one of the functions of this blog, really.

That said, even the general guidelines change over the years and with one's experience.

Regards,

SE

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