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 Defining Success with Magistra DeMagis
By Hydra M. Star
I've gone around and around in my own head trying to figure out the best way to introduce the
following piece and sum up the many facets of the lovely Magistra
DeMagis. Nothing I’ve been able to come up with falls short of sounding
sycophantic and I’ve decided that that’s fine. I’ll make no secret of
the fact that I deeply admire this gracious and knowledgeable woman and
am sure that if you, my reader, don’t already share this sentiment you
soon enough will.
Even at a glance it is
obvious that Magistra DeMagis is an artistic, well read, and truly
gracious woman. Past this glance at her surface I’ve found her,
depending upon circumstances, to be warm and friendly to those who
approach her with respect and cold and cruel to those who don’t. Both
treatments she delivers with her own brand of humor and wit. She is
above all else a woman who speaks her mind and makes no apologies for
who and what she is. In short she is a Satanist of the highest quality
and it has been a true honor to come to know her just a little bit
better.
How would you personally
define success? Does it for you have more to do with material gain or
personal happiness?
Success to me would entail
personal happiness and satisfaction with my life as it stands and the
direction it is heading in. It is not solely career orientated or
family orientated; success takes my whole life into account, whatever
that encompasses--my friends, family, work, hobbies, interests, health…
Am I happy with the amalgamation of all of these things, as they all
inevitably contribute to my ability to succeed? If I can answer Yes to
these elements, then I consider myself successful.
Based upon your own
definition do you considered yourself to be successful?
Do I consider myself
successful? Yes, of course. If any of the above start to veer off in a
direction I am not pleased with, then I change them. I do not concede
that our lives are pre-destined, but rather know that we create our own
paths and make it happen--if desired bad enough.
What tools, skills, or
personality traits do you feel have been most beneficial to you in
reaching your goals?
Tools:
Foremost, that oval shaped
devise sitting on top of your neck is not just there to be a beautiful
object. You have a head with a brain--use it. If your brain grows
stagnant, as will you.
Traits:
Perceptiveness
Be aware of what is
happening around you and learn from it. So many people go through life
with their head stuck up their… well, with their head in the clouds. I
try to always be a step ahead, to anticipate situations and to never be
caught off guard.
Skills:
Master the techniques of
Greater and Lesser magic.
What personality traits
did you have to adjust in order to not impede your own success?
None. I'm perfect! (laugh)
This question actually
takes me on to another point I hoped to cover--Knowing yourself. Sounds
simple right, well it's THE most important part of one's success. It's
difficult to set aside our human arrogant tendencies and be brutally
honest with ourselves. I see people on Satanic message boards and on
myspace declaring themselves Satanists and then trying to insert their
own political correct hoopla, their own adjustments to our philosophy,
and so on--because they really are not truly Satanic by nature, but want
to be for whatever reasons so badly that they cannot see through their
own mistaken choices. How can people advance when they are too busy
trying to prove to themselves and others that they're something they are
not? You need to know who you are, what you are, what you like and
dislike and where your shortcomings lie before you can truly know in
what direction to commence your life long adventure. I do know my own
quirks, some of which have been easily adjusted, others of which I have
had to accept as being a part of me that I must control and work with.
I think the point here is to conquer the basics--be true to yourself,
and in doing so you will become master over yourself, rather than a
puppet to your undesirable qualities.
Other then personal
adjustments, what have been the biggest pitfalls or obstacles in your
way?
My goals have always been
realistic--so, No, there are no obstacles that cannot be worked around.
Now, being in my late 30s and measuring 5' 3", had I hopes of becoming a
super model, I may have a big disappointment when they laughed me out of
their office. I'm sure you all get the point here, change what you can
change, work with what you've got and make the most of it.
Since
obviously most of our readers are Satanists and member of the Church of
Satan, what role do you feel your involvement and rank in the Church of
Satan has played, if any, in your personal success?
Membership
does have it's privileges. The Church of Satan functions as a Cabal. I
have met various influential members who have given me excellent advice
and guidance, hooked me up with others, promoted my stuff, and have been
the best friends I have ever met. The Church of Satan, it's philosophy,
it's religion and
it's people are a part of who I am--it's inseparable
Do you feel you have
experienced any special obstacles or advantages because of your gender?
I can bat my eyes out of a
speeding ticket and I used my feminine wiles to land one of the most
impressive Satanic mates of a lifetime (I doubt Magister Lang would have
been too terribly interested had I been male). Really, any disadvantage
of being a woman can be turned to an advantage by using the basic
principals of lesser magic and a cunning mind. I have little use for
women who cry victim.
Is there
anything more in life that you would like to gain or are currently
working towards gaining?
Always.
Would you care to elaborate on this at all? Or is that a bit too prying?
Ah, I see I shall not
escape with vagueness! (smile)
Professionally I am very
happy. I am in charge of a very hectic and exciting department in one
of Canada’s leading medical facilities. I love what I do and am
constantly taking courses to keep on top on innovative technologies.
Personally is where all the
action’s at. I have great plans for our home; additions to the existing
residence to accommodate one of our dearest friends who plans on
retiring here with Robert & I, beautifying the grounds with Lovecraftian
statues in the swamps, expanding my witch’s herbal garden, painting a
Romanesque mural on the back side of the house where the hot tub rests
and eventually adding a two level turret off the bedroom which will have
a circular upper chamber with a steel black sun embedded in the floor
and huge round lewd stained glass windows (which are being created by
Magister Rose and his lady). I am persistently working on my rune table,
which I’m carving with a jeweler’s type dremel tool, as well as carving
sets of Viking runes from semi precious stones and working on a Satanic
interpretation of the Armanen rune system. This will be made available
to the public for the first time in a book of writings and art that
Magister Lang and I plan on compiling over the next two years (and here
in this interview is the first mention of it).
Health wise, on the advice
of our High Priestess, I began a yoga regime three years ago while
dealing with insomnia as a result of working graveyards which has since
become an integral part of my lifestyle. I practice vinyasa yoga which
combines breath and movement. It helps to keep the old bones flexible
and the mind focused. I am a firm believer that physical health and
mental dexterity fall hand in hand. I continue my studies of reflexology
(the perfect hobby for a foot fetishist) and acupressure.
Lastly, for pure enjoyment,
I look forward to continued involvement in various Satanic projects and
events. In the last two years, we’ve had a weekend long interview with
a writer focusing on what he deems “off-shoot religions” and who’s book
is due out soon (watch for it on the COS news website), involvement in
the newest Le’rue Delashay video which was predominantly filmed here at
the house by Magister Paradise, a Purging Talon DVD release of a
Satanism Today episode featuring myself and Magister Lang filmed in New
York, some video footage for Diabolus Rex at the Asylum of Satan, and of
course the upcoming LA event with Priestess Varla Sinz and Priest Bryan
Moore.
As I said above… Always!
What advice would you
give to a person who is just starting out on the path towards their own
goals?
The best piece of advice I
ever received was in a quote written by Dr Anton LaVey, which I shall
paraphrase--"Dare to associate with others who are more intelligent than
yourself." I have learnt so much from so many wondrous individuals.
Read
everything. Some of the most intelligent people I know have very little
official education, but have read extensively.
Don't be
afraid to go after what you truly want--there is only one life for
certain, don't waste it.
One last
thing--Be polite. You never know who you're dealing with. Always be
respectful of others until they give you reason to do otherwise.
Very sound
advice. Thank you so much for your time.
It
was my pleasure.
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