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Chapter One
What Are the
Magickal, Mythical,
Mystical Beasts?
In records and carvings from thousands of years ago we find the first mention of strange, fabulous beasts. It is evident that early cultures knew these creatures well, although most of the surviving written records are sketchy. In some instances, there are only statues or carvings and few words about several creatures.
Many magickal beasts are mentioned in mythology and folklore, some in greater detail than others. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Unicorn and Dragon, the Sphinx and the Phoenix. But how many people are aware of the Shedu of ancient Mesopotamia, the Cu Sith of Scotland, the Barbegazi of Switzerland, or the Firebird of Russia? There are many fascinating mythical creatures waiting to be rediscovered.
There always arise the strongly debated questions: were these fabulous beasts ever "real" animals in the physical world? If they were "real," do they still exist? If they exist, why can't we see them now or catch one of them?
Some of the creatures in this book have been sighted up through the present day. The people who see the creatures are not drunk, drugged, mentally unbalanced, or anything other than ordinary people who mostly don't believe in such things.
Like Dragons, these beings may have, at one time, been more at ease in our world, regularly interacting with humans. Then, when they found humans becoming more aggressive, violent, and untrustworthy, they withdrew to the astral plane from which they came. Now, their appearances in the physical world to human eyes are rare, but they can appear, if they so desire.
Some people will say that these creatures are imaginary, nothing more. Even if this is so, which it isn't, magicians know that strong, deliberate creations of the imagination can take on form and personality if the visualization is repeated over a long period of time on a regular basis, or if the magician is strong enough. I challenge anyone who has called upon a Dragon or one of the Shedu to say it isn't real after you have felt it breathe down the back of your neck.
As with Dragons, these mythical, mystical beings at one time had greater contact with humans than they do now. Ancient cultures believed it was possible to make direct contact with astral beings and creatures, something now looked upon as foolishness by a great many of the unenlightened. Because of unbelief and skepticism (which usually translate into hostility), astral creatures have found it advantageous to keep within their own realm and avoid most humans. After all, if an astral being manifests itself clearly enough to be seen or at least felt, the usual reaction by close-minded humans is to attack. The aggressiveness and unpredictability of the average human is enough to cause most astral creatures to remain hidden from sight and avoid contact.
Acknowledgement of the creature's existence and power appears to have a direct bearing upon whether or not a magician (or any person) ever meets or feels the presence of such a creature. Also important is the reaction of such a person when the creature appears. If you call upon the Shedu, for example, and suddenly feel their enormous presence towering over you, great wings creating a draft and huge hooves tapping on your floor, the last thing you want to do is run screaming from your ritual circle. If you read the section on the Shedu, you would realize this is insulting behavior on your part. You will never make their acquaintance or get them to help you.
It is rare for any astral creature or being to appear in a manner that can be seen with the physical eyes. Astral beings are of a totally different vibration than matter on this Earth plane of existence. However, on occasion, they may make a partial appearance (becoming visible within your mind), but are more likely to signal their presence by feelings or sounds. Just because you are unable to see such creatures with your physical eyes does not mean they do not exist. You cannot see bacteria or viruses (good or bad), either. Atoms cannot be seen at all, even with the most powerful microscopes. But they all exist in their own realms and ways, and they all affect us.
In ancient times, before the "modern" religions drove out this knowledge, humans called upon these wonderful magickal creatures for aid. Enlightened humans and magicians knew the esoteric meanings behind each of these creatures. They knew that working with or calling upon specific creatures from the astral would also have psychological benefits. How sad it is to know that we have been deliberately deprived of these mystical beasts and their great knowledge.
The strange beasts of mythology and folklore, the human-beasts, and the otherworldly little creatures who fit into no category but their own are waiting for humans to reaffirm and acknowledge their existence. They cannot only be co-magicians and helpers, but teachers and healers at a time when humans need all the help they can get. Their growth and ours appear to be intertwined in some way; we need each other.
Merely recognizing them after centuries of neglect is pleasing to them. But they are still waiting for magicians to learn how to work with them once again. Magick and teaching seem to be of great interest and importance to these magickal, mythical beings. Whether you are reading for pleasure or for a way to increase your magickal knowledge, I hope you find this book a fascinating adventure.
Excerpted from Magickal Mystical Creatures by D. J. Conway. Copyright © 2001 by D. J. Conway. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
