Input equals output, or output is equal to input.
You may take from magic no more than what you give to magic. You can reap the fullness of rewards from your magic according to the time, care, and quality of your study, practice, and execution.
Input Equals Output
Results and Rewards are Equal to the Quality and Quantity of the You Work Put into Your Magic
True axioms are timeless, never expiring with cultural shifts or becoming obsolete with the passing of time. I remember the first time I encountered this “prime” axiom:
INPUT = OUTPUT
I can recall where I lived, the job I worked, and my overall life situation. MUCH has changed since that day but the inherent truth of this single sentence is just as relevant now as it was then, and surely as relevant in 2025 as it was in 2025 BCE.
Half-assed efforts and half-hearted study will generate poor results.
Sincere study with decent habits and genuine practice will bring some pretty cool things into your world and teach you a good bit about yourself and this life.
A serious attitude and approach to your studies, including notes, journals, and all that jazz, coupled with hard work at regular practice and frequent real-world application of the magic you are learning will produce results that initially shock you. In fact you may be in denial for a period of time, and at some point you may even feel your sanity is questionable.
This is because when we touch the real thing, when we see how magic can actually alter reality in ways that are allegedly impossible, and do so regularly at that, many of us experience a crisis of worldview. Often people stop studying and walk away from the occult altogether during this crisis.
My hope is that your magic will one day shock and disturb you, and this can be attained with a good study habit and sound work ethic. Remember you are learning a skill and then learning how to apply the skill to your life, so take it seriously and ACT like it matters to you!