If you hate these answers, let me know.
“Magick has no safety net.”
– Peter Gray
Sorry my friend. Magick, the good stuff, always has risks. You’ve already set one foot on the path and you just may get swept away. A good magus knows how to ride it like a wave. I was just reminded today of keeping up my spiritual self defense. Never doubt for a minute there are spirits out there that do not have your best interests at heart.
The second point, don’t look for a teacher, look for a group. Join a group of magicians that treats eveyone equal and looks out for one another. A group that understands that newbies have something to contribute. It’s a hard thing to find. Don’t worry, you can start your own.