Don't look in the classified ads for such a one. If you found a "guru" blowing his own horn in the local paper, you'd probably want to steer well clear of him (or her).

Lon Milo DuQuette, author of a number of books (including The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford), and who teaches a weekly course at his OTO lodge in California, stated, "Magick, in my opinion, is something that can't be taught. One must learn it. Often you learn it from other people. However, the moment those other people start to identify themselves as your teacher (and you as their student) you both are setting yourselves up for disappointment."

Lon recounted his own learning experiences through the years. "[Israel] Regardie wasn't my magick teacher, but I learned a lot from his attitudes and the simple example of his life."

He suggests a person "look for other students who are studying the same things you are and who may have a bit more experience than you presently have."

There are other recommended assessment tools for those who feel the need for a "teacher". Valerie Voigt, in her article "A Few Things to Think About When Seeking a Teacher" (www.cog.org/wicca/teach.htm) cites, "Does this person have a healthy sense of her/his own identity? That is, does s/he seem to have both an honest appreciation for herself and an honest awareness of her weaknesses?"

How a prospective teacher handles his or her own life is key when searching for a teacher. Voigt asks, "Does this person handle their life, including the annoying aspects of mundane reality, in a reasonably balanced manner?"

Lon DuQuette offers these suggestions:

• Look for somebody who actually has a life; someone who can hold his or her own in a room full of people who know nothing about magical things; and most importantly, a person who can actually attract lovers from a pool of people who are not at all impressed with his or her mastery of occultism, magick, witchcraft, religion, or politics.
• Look for somebody who is relatively happy with his or her life.
• Look for somebody who appears to be relatively true to him/herself.
• >Look for somebody who appears to be actually evolving before your eyes.
• Look for somebody who seems to be telling the truth even when it reflects poorly on them.
• Look for somebody who says "I don't know." a lot.
• Look for somebody with more questions than answers.
• Look for somebody who would rather study with you than lecture to you.
• Look for somebody who seems to be able to put things in words...things that you already know but didn't know how to say it.
• Finally, look for somebody who will be happy when you have surpassed him or her intellectually and spiritually.

Don't be afraid to ask questions; someone who is willing to be more of a guide than a teacher will appreciate the sincerity of an honest inquiry...

But, don't feel "alone" if a the right person to answer your questions doesn't come along right away. Sometimes, a person is meant to find his own answers... And those answers may be far more meaningful!

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