Right controversial I know. These days you are not meant to say things which seem to be saying that someone is excluded from something on the basis of anything, its not PC baby, is it? Well the thing is, you can be a 5foot high, 20 stone person wanting to run the 100m at the next Olympics. No one is going exclude you because your a overweight, they are going to exclude you because it is unlikely that you will be able to run a qualifying time. If you can run a 100m in less than 9 or 10 seconds, no one is going to care if you are overweight. You are able to prove yourself as being capable of being a qualifying athlete. However, this is very unlikely to happen. If you are that much overweight, it is just not something which is likely to happen, is it? We are all realistic about this. Yet, apply the same logic to magick and we are not.
To be able to manipulate energy effectively a reasonable level of personal fitness and health is required. Anyone who tried to direct energy when they have a terrible flu will know that it is not that easy to do, even if you are usually quite good at it. If you have a stuffy head and runny nose, it takes a great deal more determination and concentration to achieve the same results. Even basic tasks such as typing an email can take longer.
So, if you are very overweight and unfit, can you effectively perform ceremonial magick? Would the regular practice of ceremonial magick affect your psyche to the extend that you will loose weight or at least reach a balanced weight?
A few years back I gained a few too many pounds whilst going through some emotional trauma. For a period of time I found it more difficult to perform things such as the LBRP, it seemed to be less effective and also more difficult to do. Once I lost the weight again and gained a better level of fitness the energy seemed to flow again more easily and the ritual seemed less of a punishment to perform, more of a pleasure. To work on the smaller perfections thereof, the intonations and the movements, became part of my daily routine. It the fitter I was, the better the results not only of the LBRP, but also other rituals I performed. It did make me wonder if anyone else has had similar results?
I really liked this post.
As for being fat and practicing magic, I don’t believe “fat” is the term we are looking for. Off center or out of balance seems to be more the thing. As being overweight can affect self confidence and, being extremely overweight, possibly simple physical tasks such as dancing, movement, bending over, sitting down, kneeling for extended periods of time, standing, etc; I can see where this could possibly be an issue, but again, I believe its more tied to “out of balance”.
Medically, I believe that I am considered “overweight” by all of the waist measurements and the BMI method. Yet, I can bicycle 25 miles a day without a problem, and in just two weeks, I will be taking a trip of about 50 miles a day for eight days across the state of New York. Overall, I am comfortable with my body and my weight, and have never felt that this has been an issue while practicing magic or rituals. I can run a mile in a federally approved time, and meet all of the physical health standards, but I do carry some extra weight around with me.
Good thoughts!