Experimentation, Innovation, and Syncretism
I see much experimentation, innovation, and syncretism within modern magick, paganism, and esoteric philosophy. This spirit of innovation is reminiscent of the magically potent syncretic traditions that came into being in Greco-Roman Egypt through the Hellenistic period to late antiquity in sites such as in Alexandria. These eclectic traditions merged together the magickal and philosophical potency of several cultures including Egyptian, Hellenic, Persian, Semitic, and Roman. This powerful merging of ideas and techniques produced a magickal current in Greco-Roman Egypt that remains the foundation of much Western ritual magick. I find it quite exciting to live in a time in which we have access to an even greater array of wisdom and information and with it, the opportunity for unlimited innovation. I believe that the quote below written in the year 4 B.C by the Stoic philosopher Seneca nicely encapsulates this spirit of discovery and innovation.
Letter XXXIII, 11: “Truth will never be discovered if we are content with discoveries that have already been made. Besides, he who follows another not only discovers nothing, but is not even investigating. What then? Shall I not follow in the footsteps of my predecessors? I shall indeed use the old road, but if I find one that is a shortcut and is smoother to travel, I shall open the new road. Those who have made these discoveries before us are not our masters, but our guides. Truth lies open for all; it has not yet been monopolized. And, there is plenty of it left even for posterity to discover.”
Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65)
Category: Occult, Philosophy
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