I've talked to a lot of people who have studied Magick, mainly Wicca, and many of the stories are the same; they become grounded in constant study without growth in the practice. I'm sure many of you reading these words know the type I'm talking about. The kind who say, "I want to learn everything I can before I start practicing." These people I take pity on. They often think that their knowledge will come from books but the truth of the matter is that they delay in their own spiritual growth and development. When they first pick up a book, their intentions may be true, (more often than not) out of curiosity, but they get lost in such studies.
Of course, we all must pick up a book and one point in our lives to start off with, but when does it become necessary to put down that book and put into practice what you've been reading for all these months? The circle of knowledge is always expanding, and you cannot believe that it can only expand to a certain point before you accept the fact that you know everything you need to, because more likely, this knowledge you've gathered from books may be wrong.
There's a great body of work ranging from Silver Ravenwolf to Henry Cornelius Agrippa. These two particular authors may both believe in the principles of Magick and the Occult, but which viewpoint is one you're willing to accept? To read all areas of study in between, you're bound to find contradictory information, and this is only because books offer the author's own viewpoint and understanding.
What can you do when conflicting ideas are bound to only lead you into confusion? What do you think these people do when they try to learn everything they can and reach this same level of confusion? Well, the conclusion I've come to in regards to these people who reach that state of confusion is that they read some more thinking that they may have made an error somewhere and must continue to read until a certain area has been resolved from their immediate confusion. In other words, it's never ending cycle. Break the cycle. Put what you know into practice and built yourself a foundation from experience. Forget everything you're learned and just do.