Using A Ceremonial Magic Sword

Have you ever used the magic of the temple?

To answer that I can say that I can count the number of times I have used it on one hand, and still have a finger or two to spare.

I have always been very cautious about such things as a magician, realizing that the invisible world is more interconnected then one may think, and just how permanent such forces can be.

Most of the time it is better to wait, and when put to use one had better be ready for the outcome. Admittedly on this I am very conservative on this, as in better to wait it out and do nothing.

But you are not here to read about doing nothing.

How does the sword of the magician appear? Physically it is a remarkable blade that can take a few different shapes and forms, that shape and form appearing with flashing colors and sigils of red and green, directing the forces of Mars and war, an embodiment of the will of the magician directed by imagination.

Would you agree it is the least used tool of the magician, but if drawn there is a good reason.

It was a place that as soon as you step foot on the grounds, cross the boundaries of the property you can feel something is off. Even those who lack the vision and the voice could feel it. A place of sadness, depression, and repressed anger at the situation. A place where all willingly entered but fond themselves trapped by circumstances. A place where you wanted to spend as little time there as possible, take care of what you wanted to take care of, and leave.

Circumstances and obligations dictated that I was going to be spending the next few months there, at first maybe one or two, as I wasn’t ready for what was required, with it turning out to be almost eight when the obligation was completed.

A few months in, even hardening myself was not enough, the negative-miasma of the place wearing me down. It got to the point where even me, who normally just shrugs the shoulders and continues on had to take some action.

Standing in the place, and an auspicious time, the windows closed and curtains drawn, cameras mysteriously offline, drawing my magic sword.

An audible ring in that moment, the hum-vibration of the steel leaving the scabbard, that alone along with the flashing colors of the sigils is often enough to send the shadows running.

When you draw the magic sword and close your eyes what do you see?

Astral fire on the blade, the pentagrams and sigils on the hilt aflame, at that moment the sword exists in two places, this world and that world.

A corrosive cloud, a dark aura that didn’t recoil in the least from the light of the sword, a form that build up from forty years of failure, misery, and bitterness. Enough negative gravity condensing on itself until it becomes alive in a sort of manner.

Piercing it with the sword and invoking Kamael.

Hissing, crying, and a relief of sadness.

Enough to clear the rooms, enough to continue with what obligations required.

That would add to the number of times that I have used the magic of the temple.

Since we are still on the topic of the magic sword and its relation to ceremonial magic, I would be amiss to share an opinion regarding modern magicians and the use of the sword.

Putting it bluntly, most have no idea what a sword is and how to wield it. As it exists in two places at once, this world and that world, having no authority with it in this world, what does that mean about that world.

It may be magic, guided by will and fueled by imagination, but it is still a sword. The recommendation to those who I have brought to the vault, when it came time to acquire the tools and badges of a magician is to spend some time studying the sword. Fencing, HEMA, just a few classes to get an idea and have some authority and confidence in holding a sword.

Just another point of view to consider.