A few days ago, we
finished the days of the Cyprians, a Novena which some magicians celebrate to
Saint Cyprian between the feast days of Saint Cyprian of Carthage and Saint
Cyprian of Antioch.
Saint Cyprian has become
a hugely popular Saint amongst magicians in the last decade or so. As Catholic
influence becomes more common in magic he seems to be the center of that
approach for many. Like Hekate, he is a spirit who was once obscure in Anglosphere
awareness of magic…despite appearing in some English works of magic…who is now
everywhere. To me, he seems to clearly be a spirit on a mission, a spirit
spreading the awareness of himself. To me this suggests there is something
important in exploring magic related to him.
Despite feeling there may
be some important magic to explore in building a relationship with this Saint,
I sometimes feel like maybe it isn’t on the table for me.
I tried once with formal
prayers and rituals during the Days of the Cyprians and got nothing. Nada. No
presence, no message, no visions, no dreams. I felt a bit put off from it and
figured Cyprian wasn’t for me. Time passed and eventually an essay by Jake
Stratton-Kent inspired me. I felt more drawn to the Saint. I felt excited. I
tried gathering some stuff. Lot’s of stuff. But this time the failure was on my
end, time never felt right to use it, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to use it, so
I didn’t.
Finally, I got a nibble.
I decided to try a novena again during the Days of the Cyprians. I searched for
prayers, and then remembered another time I had trouble connecting with a
spirit, and the spirit led me to be less formal and be more personal. To
approach as one living being to another, actually reaching out with feeling rather
than just rote form. I prayed from my heart, opened myself to receive him in
dreams instead of searching for presence and signs. I had some dreams, my sleep
was not adequately sleep – having been taken up by this communication. Still,
it didn’t really build up to a connection or take me anywhere. It didn’t lead
me to where I should go next with it.
I tried again this year,
and more or less, got nothing. I had a single dream, which gave me some
interesting thoughts I still have to unfold. The rest of the nights, nothing.
Sometimes a feeling of maybe having had some interaction, but no memory, no
lesson, no message.
I feel like there is
something to explore with Cyprian. But I also feel like maybe Cyprian doesn’t
feel drawn to explore anything with me.
This is an important lesson
to learn. Magic is about what’s real. It’s not about our whims or our
satisfaction. In a world where things are real and where we aren’t the only
identity that matters, sometimes the powers that exist out there won’t pick up
the ball and play just because we toss it in their direction.
Even if they don’t pick
up the ball, if we feel like there is something there that we are drawn to, we
have to look at ourselves and see if it makes sense to really jump in and try
and make it happen. If we’re drawn to something there and the spirit is just
not drawn to us, then maybe we need to figure out where we find what we’re
looking for. Do we find it in some better way of trying to approach that spirit?
Do we find it in some other spirit of a similar nature?
It will depend in part on
our own nature and needs, but also in part of that of the spirit as well. And
that’s really the crux of it. Like us, these spirits are living things. Things
won’t always be exactly what we want or expect, and that’s ok. We should
encounter moments like this. From them we should figure out what we really
need, and how to get it. Sometimes that is a better or different effort with
the same spirit. Sometimes it’s moving on to something more right for us,
sometimes it’s finding the right time. Reflection, divination, and searching
for help and insight from our close spirit relationships can help us sort these
things out. That’s what we have to do, sort those things out and see the
reality that sometimes doors we knock on aren’t ready to open, or aren’t ready
to open for us. This isn’t a reason to stop, it’s a reason to plan for the next
time.
Would you like to Follow
us for Updates or Support our Work?
If you enjoyed this
please like, follow, and share on your favorite social media! We can be
followed for updates on Facebook.
If you’re curious about
starting conjuration pick up my new book – Luminarium: A Grimoire of Cunning Conjuration
If you want some help
exploring the vast world of spirits check out my first book – Living Spirits: A Guide to Magic in a World of Spirits
More Opportunities for
Support and Classes will show up at Ko-Fi