Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law
The perceptions of Transmission and Empowerment have been brought up whereas they exist both in the eastern mystical systems as well as the western esoteric system. In the western system, the folklore of the magician who gives a magical power to the disciple is the same folklore where the Tibetan or Indian Guru transmits the healing power to the chela. The folklore; of course, has a basis in reality; and this essay will touch upon that reality.
Recently, I received a letter from a young man who explained he wanted to skip all the theory; and simply pay outright fees to get magical powers. He went on to explain that he wrote a man he called a "white mystic" who scolded him informing him that anyone who does this is a charlatan and to concentrate on learning his true will. I quickly informed him who this person was when I found out he was an occultist who I knew; and his ego and arrogance could of only damaged the boy's sense of reality and creativity. I then spent several letters giving him address, names and people who he could consult about this; and wished him well on his path. I made it clear that unless he chose the Path I was on; no such equation of apprenticeship would ever be possible. No amount of fees for such empowerment is worth mingling my aura with such a young and naive aspirant who didn't really seem to be interested in the Great Work and the Law of Θελημα. I therefore sent him on his way; and gave him the name of two Hoodoo Priestess in the French Quarter in New Orleans who would be happy to take his money for his experiment with Empowerment and Transmission. Since he specified magical powers the Tibetan or Indian Empowerment wouldn't be racy enough for his blood who normally give you a few days healing power at best; and I was amused that he was so romantic about magick. Of course those two people may not be there anymore; but in the French Quarter in New Orleans has all sorts of sorcerers and Hoodoo Priestesses who can be found easily; at least when I lived in the area.
Empowerment or Transmission is a real magical formula; and it can be bought for money. Such magicians who include this in there curriculum have advanced to Adept level; and hold much magical force. Yet, this is the ecological manifestations of Adepts who have mistaken this glamor for the Great Work. Technically, this is not the Great Work; or the Path of Initiation. Such magicians become Adept and rise as far as Adept; and no doubt being Adept understand what the Master is; but these methods can be time consuming and an energy waste; and therefore these type of Adepts do not become a true Master. Since the magical force which they impart is real; you cannot call them a charlatan unless you are taking a black brother attitude; and trying to tell everyone that theirs is only one Path. On the contrary, they are indeed a star upon there own course; and we can only pause to observe on occasion to see if success is truly there proof. Who knows on what a flower will bloom?
Of course, there are charlatans in the occult world; and such aspirants who desire the magical powers will be taking chances. We can only send them on there way and wish them well as an aspirant who has chosen another Path than ours. After all, trying to convert anyone to our Path would only repeat the old errors; and I want aspirants who want what we want and are willing to will toward it. I have; knowing these methods as an Initiate have experimented with it from time to time; and have extended magical energy to pupils. The result have always been very real; and there were no financial considerations involved. My very own Superior, in Nashville -- noting that I was suffering intensely from a magical attack gave me some of his strength magically; which not only strengthened my aura but grew over the years.
Nor would I be too hasty to condemn these magicians who have actually found a way to make money and even an income from magical powers; only pausing to warn you that the time involved with the process is going to hinder you on one plane or another.
Yet for those who truly aspire to both magical powers and Initiation Our way would make you the source of the volition; and not an aspirant dependent on their energy and powers from others.
In addition, powers that cannot be transmitted appear depending on the karmic and genetic makeup of the individual which would not occur with those type of magicians who have gained from others; rather than have gained for themselves.
Love is the law, love under will