ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

Sean D. Francis writes:

When a person adopts one of these paradigms to explain the events of the world, they transcend. They are Awakened. I interpret this as achieving actualization. Of course, now they need to acquire Ascension, but that is a different Hierarchy of Needs.

Hmm, let me see... What about this?

Survival — The mage feels a need to survive. Many mages never progress beyond this level, being fearful of their powers and the dark world outside normal reality.

Power — The mage begins to seek to master his magick and wants to use it to satisfy his lesser needs. Many mages overdo this, and become trapped in the power stage as they become more and more powerful.

Understanding — The mage feels the need to understand reality and/or himself. This transcends mere power for power's sake, but can become understanding for understanding's sake.

Growth — The mage feels the calling towards Ascension and seeks personal and spiritual growth. The mage will be forced to seek the Path regardless of outside influences, hindrances or restrictions, often eventually breaking away from his tradition.

Enlightenment — The mage needs the mystical experience, to transcend his Awakened state into a brief glimpse of Ascension (this is what happens in epiphanies and great visions). Many mages become trapped in this, as they blissfully watch Ascension instead of achieving it.

Unity — The mage needs to unite all aspects of himself and the universe; self and otherself, truth and lies, matter and mind, Quintessence and Paradox. There is a great risk that the mage loses his balance in this process and destroys himself.

Transcendence — The mage needs to transcend everything — existence, his ego, Ascension itself.