I Appreciate The Apology. I Know That This Community Means A Lot To You And It Shows! Again, This Was

I appreciate the apology. I know that this community means a lot to you and it shows! Again, this was never about not acknowledging the existence of physical magical heroes, I (and it seems others as well) did not understand the terminology and sincerely wanted to know more.

There is not a lot of information available about why people started to come together in this way and I’m always interested to learn more. But I do wholeheartedly believe that there is space for all who feel drawn to be magical girls, regardless of history or approach.

Can someone explain to me the actual difference between ‘physical’ and ‘astral’ magical heroes? Most of the folks that I have come across that label themselves ‘physical’ heroes don’t really seem to have a practice rooted in or working in this reality? They seem to still rely heavily on astral work and reality shifting.

For example, I suppose you can argue that my approach is ‘physical’ since I have an established magical practice utilizing tools and techniques that are tangible in the here and now (not that they couldn’t also be used out of the current timeline or on the astral) and I work to better our current and shared reality. I don’t really assert that the ‘physical’ or ‘astral’ distinction has to be made but if people feel that they need to use those labels, I think the community has to do a better job explaining the difference in approaches.

I’m only going to do this once since I felt like it was clear that I didn’t want anything to escalate by leaving Magi Metro and I figured that you and your community wanted nothing to do with me. I was upfront from the beginning that I was going to keep interaction to a minimum and I am completely content to continue blogging as I would have before being introduced to your circle. I have done nothing but provide my experience and my insight and I am honestly at a loss at figuring what I could have done that made such an impact.

I asked the Tumblr community for clarification on something (all the while noting that I was not disparaging anyone’s practices) and even though I never really got a sincere answer, I was met with animosity from you and I suppose those you felt the need to vent to.

If you want to continue this conversation, please message me directly. ☆

Can someone explain to me the actual difference between ‘physical’ and ‘astral’ magical heroes? Most of the folks that I have come across that label themselves ‘physical’ heroes don’t really seem to have a practice rooted in or working in this reality? They seem to still rely heavily on astral work and reality shifting.

For example, I suppose you can argue that my approach is ‘physical’ since I have an established magical practice utilizing tools and techniques that are tangible in the here and now (not that they couldn’t also be used out of the current timeline or on the astral) and I work to better our current and shared reality. I don’t really assert that the ‘physical’ or ‘astral’ distinction has to be made but if people feel that they need to use those labels, I think the community has to do a better job explaining the difference in approaches.

I can see that’s where a lot of the conversations have started in recent years, but I think asserting that this where folks need to remain does a disservice to those who have been working along these lines for many years and are seeking community as well as for those who are trying to improve upon their practice.

To say any approach is less than or less authentic than the other, I feel, is unnecessary gatekeeping. I’m a real magical kid, one that did not manifest that identity but was rather called to it from forces I cannot fully explain or comprehend and have worked to maintain that calling. Do I draw from media for inspiration? Sure! But I think everyone who feels compelled to work in this vein does. Whether that inspiration shows itself in a concept or scripting, in a pop culture-inspired magic practice, or something else entirely, I think there is space for all of us to work and share ideas. ☆

Can someone explain to me the actual difference between ‘physical’ and ‘astral’ magical heroes? Most of the folks that I have come across that label themselves ‘physical’ heroes don’t really seem to have a practice rooted in or working in this reality? They seem to still rely heavily on astral work and reality shifting.

For example, I suppose you can argue that my approach is ‘physical’ since I have an established magical practice utilizing tools and techniques that are tangible in the here and now (not that they couldn’t also be used out of the current timeline or on the astral) and I work to better our current and shared reality. I don’t really assert that the ‘physical’ or ‘astral’ distinction has to be made but if people feel that they need to use those labels, I think the community has to do a better job explaining the difference in approaches.

My most earnest piece of advice for all magical heroes and practitioners in general will always be to remain critical of those who take up a title of ‘leader’ or ‘mentor’ in magical spaces.

While I find it so important in life and in magic to be soft and trusting, too many times has that kindness been seen as weakness to those who tout a position of power (whether that position is of an elder or teacher, by someone who claims ownership of a movement or idea, or is bureaucratically instated).

Respect should be something that is inherent in all directions, not something that needs to be earned. Never feel like you are less worthy to practice or take up space in a community because you do not have the same knowledge or tools at your disposal. If you are ever made to feel that way, or if you suspect others are being made to feel that way, the best thing you can do is distance yourself from it and perhaps start something new.

However, too often I’ve seen an earnest project turn into a cult of personality and I caution anyone who feels the need to start an intentional community, magical or otherwise, without the proper emotional maturity and experience with working with a diverse group of individuals.

What got you into the pursuit of practicing magia?

For me, I think it was love.

Not a romantic love or a love for a specific person (though I was surely experiencing that as well), but a deep, sad love for the world and those that inhabit it. Through my mahō shōjo work I’ve come to be able to hold and make space that gut-wrenching sadness and aching love for the world while also actively putting energy towards a brighter, softer future.

My first intentional spells were focused on healing and taking physical and emotional pain away from others, often redirecting it to myself. I know now that that kind of self-sacrifice for magic is unnecessary and often counterproductive but I remember feeling so strongly that my existence was only good for relieving the discomfort of others and I became obsessed with that notion for a long time. This kind of magical thinking put me in a dark place, especially in middle and high school, and often made me susceptible to abuse. Even now I sometimes catch myself starting to think along those lines and have to work to not let it overwhelm me.

I think this is why CLAMP’s works and Puella Magi Madoka Magica struck such a chord with me in particular. Many of these characters similarly felt overcome with immense feelings of deep, and sometimes painful, love and struggled with fears of inadequacy which pushed them towards self-sacrifice or even martyrdom. That being said, I also see in them profound hope and optimism for a better world, which is something I always seek to emulate in my magia.