Harnessing Willpower

"Willpower is the very lifeblood of magic. Without it, even the most potent spells are but whispers in the wind. It is the will that shapes, directs, and amplifies our arcane endeavors."  

— Kilroy Bisset, Arcanum Frequens, Chapter 4: The Pillars of Magic.

To grasp the intricate relationship between external stimuli and internal power, one might look to the simple mechanics of a pendulum. It stands as an analogy for the delicate balance and transition between two forces. Traditionally, we understand this balance as the interplay between potential energy and kinetic energy. But in the arcane realm, where Magus Bisset carved his niche, the pendulum serves as a metaphor for the oscillation between passive observation and active willpower.

Imagine a pendulum suspended above a sheet of paper, on which a straight line is drawn. The line serves as a guide, a direction for the pendulum's path. The act of aligning the pendulum's swing with the line on the paper represents the first step in mastering one's will. It is the act of converting passive observation, akin to the pendulum's potential energy at its peak, into an active exertion of will, similar to the pendulum's kinetic energy as it swings.

Bisset emphasized that to truly harness the power of magic, one must first understand and control their will. Just as a pendulum needs an initial force to set it into motion, the mage must exercise an initial force of will to manifest their desires. By focusing one's gaze and intent on the line and willing the pendulum to swing in alignment, the practitioner learns to channel their internal energies in a directed manner.

This exercise, though seemingly simple, represents a foundational principle in Bisset's teachings. He often posited that magic stands on a tripod of intent, knowledge, and will. While intent provides the purpose and knowledge offers the means, it's the will that serves as the driving force. The pendulum exercise, in essence, is a primer on harnessing and directing that force.

Furthermore, by repeatedly practicing the alignment of pendulum swings with the guiding line, the practitioner reinforces neural pathways associated with focused intent and willpower. Over time, this seemingly rudimentary act evolves into a potent tool, allowing the mage to exert their will over more complex and nuanced magical tasks.

In conclusion, Bisset's analogy of the pendulum transcends its mechanical simplicity, revealing profound insights into the nature of willpower in the arcane arts. By understanding the balance and conversion between passive potential and active exertion, mages can better hone their craft, ensuring that their will stands robust, directing their magical endeavors with precision and potency.

The first exercise:  Making a pendulum move with your mind

(1) Get a piece of string and tie a weight to the bottom of it. A metal washer or taping a coin the piece of string will work at first. 

(2) Draw a straight line on a piece of paper. 

(3) Hold the end of the string as still as you possibly can.

(4) Look at the line under the string.

(5) Don't move

The more you focus on the line, the quicker the pendulum will start to swing in the direction of the line. Once it gets going, reach down and turn the piece of paper so the line is perpendicular to the moving pendulum. Concentrate on the line, and after a short time, the pendulum will change directions.

The second exercise:  Controlling direction

(6) Draw a circle on a piece of paper. Look at the circle with your eyes, moving your eyes clockwise around the circle. The more will you use, the quicker the pendulum will start to travel in that direction.

(7) Once it is going, change the path your eye is following to run counterclockwise.

Continue the second exercise until you can reverse the pendulum in less than three of its rotations around the circle.

In Bisset’s intricate spellcraft theory, symbols and geometry hold unique significance, serving as the visual embodiment of the underlying principles he champions. The eight-sided star, or the octagram, stands out as one of the most salient symbols in his teachings, encapsulating his ideas on frequencies, schools of magic, and sound.

To Bisset, every side of the octagram represents a unique frequency spectrum within the vast realm of magical vibrations. Each point of the star resonates with a specific vibration, making the octagram a tool for harmonizing with the universe's frequencies. When a practitioner aligns their energies with the octagram, they synchronize with these diverse vibrations, enabling more effective and harmonious spellcasting.

Bisset postulates that there are eight primary schools of magic, each corresponding to one of the octagram’s sides. These schools encompass the breadth and depth of all magical practices, ensuring that every known spell can be categorized under one of these banners. Using the octagram as a guide, practitioners can navigate their way through the complexities of these schools, understanding where their strengths lie and where further study might be needed.

Last, drawing inspiration from music and sound theory, Bisset aligns the octagram with the concept of octaves. Just as there are eight notes in a traditional musical scale, each point of the star correlates to a specific tonal frequency. For Bisset, sound is not just an auditory experience but a magical one. By chanting, singing, or resonating with these eight distinct tones, a spellcaster can amplify their magical abilities, making the octagram a literal tuning fork for the magical arts.

That's enough theory for now. Back to the exercises:

The third exercise:  Ignoring Contrasting Stimuli

(8) Draw an eight sided star on a piece of paper. Draw a circle around the outside edges, so the eight sided star is inside of the circle.

(9) Hold the pendulum in your non-dominant hand as still as you can and stare at the circle part. Focus on the circle. This will be rough at first and don't be surprised if you find your hand shaking, moving, or waving. Just continue to hold the string without moving your hand and focus on the circle. Then, when you can get the circle, start exploring the different lines. Training your non-dominant hand will, paradoxically, improve your dominant hand as well.

The final exercise: Interacting with the Material Plane

(10) Tape a paint brush, gel ink pen, or marker to a piece of string so that the tip hangs down when you hold the string. Put the tip of the marking device onto a piece of paper, then hold the string still as you close your eyes and visualize a line in your minds eye. Continue to visualize the line. After a minute or so, open your eyes and look at the paper.

In Bisset's arcane spellcasting theory, the act of holding a pendulum over a circle drawn on paper is more than a mere display of physical phenomena. Rather, it's a confluence of mind and body, thought and action, image to reality. Through these techniques you have gained experience in directing and utilizing your will to interact with the physical will. You did it by merely holding still and willing it.

As you proceed in your arcane studies, you should continue the exercises with the following modification:

For the pendulum exercise involving will, slowly increase the weight of the item. Washers on a string make this easy. Once you get to where you can reverse the rotation within three circles, add another washer to the string. This increases the mass and thus the amount of will needed. Refrain from doing this exercise more than fifteen minutes per day.