The Sorcerer's Shadow
The power of the Sorcerer over others is the power of the Shadow. As such, the Sorcerer is the potential shadow of every man, woman, and child.
Most people are not usually aware of their shadow self, yet they can often feel its presence as a kind of adversarial counter-fate that surrounds them, hovering in the background, underlining all things. As it is in the nature of the unconscious to project its energy and contents onto external things, you can often experience the hidden parts of your Self in interaction with other people. Individuals who convey a strong impression or image of being a law unto themselves, of doing the kinds of things that you do not usually allow yourself to do, are a natural magnet for attracting the unconscious projection of your own shadow self, and may become the embodiment of your most secret needs, hopes, hatreds, and fears. You will feel their power, but it will be your own. To remain ignorant of this keeps you under the spell. To become Aware of it opens the door to greater self-knowledge and freedom.
Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Jim Jones, Manson, Koresh, etc. had the power of the Shadow. So, too, did Jesus, Ghandi, MLK, and John Lennon. Their followers (and enemies) revered and feared them, and imbued them with the capacity to do things they did not consider themselves capable of doing. Yet everyone is capable of "good" and "evil", tho the full extent of these capacities are not usually allowed into the conscious persona. In the unconscious deification of the Sorcerer, followers give themselves permission to unleash their shadow selves in a seemingly "modest" and "socially acceptable" way - as an authorization from someone "outside" and "above" themselves, a leader and a god.
Many warlocks and witches, i.e. artists, performers, preachers, politicians, and leaders, will discover that they have this power of the Shadow, and that it comes easily to them. They should take care! Charisma is a complex relationship of give and take, not a one-man / one-woman show. The power of the Shadow puts the one who wields it at the greatest risk. Health, sanity, and life can be lost. Control may be an illusion, and the beast you ride can throw and destroy you.
Tho it is possible to artfully wield a power that is not fully your own, it is best not to trust it.
-Werbinox
Most people are not usually aware of their shadow self, yet they can often feel its presence as a kind of adversarial counter-fate that surrounds them, hovering in the background, underlining all things. As it is in the nature of the unconscious to project its energy and contents onto external things, you can often experience the hidden parts of your Self in interaction with other people. Individuals who convey a strong impression or image of being a law unto themselves, of doing the kinds of things that you do not usually allow yourself to do, are a natural magnet for attracting the unconscious projection of your own shadow self, and may become the embodiment of your most secret needs, hopes, hatreds, and fears. You will feel their power, but it will be your own. To remain ignorant of this keeps you under the spell. To become Aware of it opens the door to greater self-knowledge and freedom.
Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Jim Jones, Manson, Koresh, etc. had the power of the Shadow. So, too, did Jesus, Ghandi, MLK, and John Lennon. Their followers (and enemies) revered and feared them, and imbued them with the capacity to do things they did not consider themselves capable of doing. Yet everyone is capable of "good" and "evil", tho the full extent of these capacities are not usually allowed into the conscious persona. In the unconscious deification of the Sorcerer, followers give themselves permission to unleash their shadow selves in a seemingly "modest" and "socially acceptable" way - as an authorization from someone "outside" and "above" themselves, a leader and a god.
Many warlocks and witches, i.e. artists, performers, preachers, politicians, and leaders, will discover that they have this power of the Shadow, and that it comes easily to them. They should take care! Charisma is a complex relationship of give and take, not a one-man / one-woman show. The power of the Shadow puts the one who wields it at the greatest risk. Health, sanity, and life can be lost. Control may be an illusion, and the beast you ride can throw and destroy you.
Tho it is possible to artfully wield a power that is not fully your own, it is best not to trust it.
-Werbinox
