Ok, as there are as many different techniques and methods of using Magick as there are Witches that have ever existed, we thought we'd include a few basic techniques here to allow you to see how Magick can be used in your everyday life!
They range from Magickal Visualizations, Protective Shields, through Grounding Techniques to Projecting and Sensing Energy and much more besides! This isn't meant as an exhaustive list, nor is it meant to be the 'only' way that these techniques can be used, but just an indication of how we have used them.
Mastering these techniques can be difficult for some, having to overcome the rational minds view that Magick itself (as it is not tangible in terms of you cant touch, taste, smell or hear it) does not exist. Once you accept that there is more to the universe than we know at present, and that our own reality is created by what we believe, then this does become easier, allowing you to make swift progress.
One word of caution, they can be very powerful tools of the mind, so we'd definitely recommend that you learn them thoroughly before putting to use, and only use them according to the Rede and Three Fold Law. We'd also recommend structured practice on a regular basis for best results, and definitely a grounding exercise to start and end your session. We cannot be held responsible for the misuse of these techniques, and what may happen as a result of their usage.
MAGICKAL VISUALIZATION USAGE
This is the most basic and yet advanced technique called for in Magickal use. It involves using our Brains to 'see' what is physically not present, and then controlling and shaping the non-physical form. From 'seeing' the energy that we project to Cast a Circle through to actually wielding that energy to form the circle and onto Spell working, all rely to some extent upon visualization usage.
All of us possess this skill in some form, though usually not honed to the level that is needed in Magickal use, as we can all see things in our minds when remembering things or even within our dreams. That is Visualization, the ability to see with the mind instead of the eyes, and it can be honed via the use of the following exercises from Scott Cunningham's Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.
Exercise One
Sit or lie comfortably with your eyes shut. Relax your body. Breathe deeply and still your mind. Pictures will continue to pop into your head. Choose one of these and stick with it. Let no image intrude other than the one you've chosen. Keep all thoughts revolving around the image. Retain this picture for as long as you can, then let it go and end the exercise. When you can retain one picture for more than a few minutes, move onto the next step.
Exercise Two
Decide upon an image to hold and retain it within your mind. You might wish to have it physically present and study it first, memorizing each detail - the way that shadows play on it, it's texture, colours, perhaps even a scent, You might choose a small three-dimensional shape, such as a pyramid, or something more complex such as an image of Aphrodite rising from the sea or a ripe apple.
After studying it thoroughly, close your eyes and see the object before them - just as if your eyes were open. Don't look at the object again with your physical eyes but with your magickal imagination - with the power of visualization.
When you can hold this image perfectly for five minutes, move on.
Exercise Three
This is more difficult, and is truly magickal in nature. Visualize something, anything, but preferably something you've never seen. For instance, lets use a vegetable from Jupiter. It's a purple square a foot across, covered with quarter-inch green hairs and half-inch yellow dots. (This is just an example of course!)
Now close your eyes and see - really see this vegetable in your mind. It's never existed. You're creating it with your visualization, your magickal imagination. Make the vegetable real. Turn it over in your mind so that you can see it from all angles. Then let it vanish.
When you can hold any such self-created image for about five minutes or so, then move on.
Exercise Four
This is the most difficult. Hold a self-created image (such as the Jupiterian vegetable) in your mind with your eyes open. Work at keeping it visible, real, a palpable thing. Stare at a wall. Look at the sky, or gaze at a busy street, but see the vegetable there. Make it so real you can touch it. Try having it resting on a table or sitting on the grass beneath a tree
If we are to use visualization to create changes in this world, not in the shadowy realm that exists behind our eyelids, we must practice such techniques with our eyes open. The true test of visualization lies in our ability to make the visualized object (or structure) real and a part of our world!
Guided Visualizations (which are actually a form of meditation and can lead to Astral Travel and Projections) are another way that this technique is used, but combined with meditation to allow you to visit other places and realms / planes for the purpose of communing with the Goddess and God, communicating with our Spiritguides or of seeking the answers from our own psyche.
SHIELDING Shielding is how we use personal energy to deflect the negativity of those around us. Those whom are natural Empaths (able to sense the feelings of those around them physically, sometimes to an overwhelming amount) often have to use Shields to stop them being overwhelmed by others feelings. The construction of a personal shield is akin to the casting of a circle, as they both use the same energies, but not as complex. Some find that by forming an Energy Ball, and then adding power to it, it can then be moulded and increased in size to form a protective shield around themselves, others use may differing ways of forming it. A way of shielding yourself from the negativity is to project a circle of white light around yourself, visualize it growing from nothingness until it becomes a strong shield from negativity, a shield that will protect you from any ill will and harm. You can also visualize the blue star of protection on your brow (third eye)
as mentioned in the Rede, and also use a small rhyme whilst casting/visualizing the shielding circle, make up your own, if it's from your own heart then it'll be all the more powerful for it! There's a good shielding Ritual below, or lots of other good info on Shielding available from:- http://www.pathcom.com/~newmoon/shield.htm
THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD (or White Light of Protection) Purpose: To protect yourself from physical or psychological harm. You'll want to go into a meditative (alpha) state. Envision a shining egg-like shape around you. See it growing brighter and stronger until it reaches beyond your fingertips. When you have pictured this sufficiently, say the following several times: "This shield protects me from all positive and negative energy and forces that come to do me harm. I ask that this be done correctly and for the good of all. So mote it be." You can put this shield around your car when travelling in your car as well as around yourself and others. You can put protective shields around the members of your family, your home and surroundings. It is also suggested that you periodically go into a meditative state to reinforce the shields you have created by using the following affirmations: "Incorrect or harmful thoughts
or suggestions will have no power over me at any level of mind." "Undesirable memories no longer affect me in an incorrect way." "I am protected in a correct way from all positive and negative energies and forces that may come to do me harm." Get the idea? You may use these or create new ones as you have need, (there's a good protection from nightmares Spell on the Dreams Page!) This is the most basic of protection spells. (Source: "Power of the Witch" by Laurie Cabot)
GROUNDING YOURSELF
Grounding is the action of returning yourself mentally to the Physical Plane after Magick, Ritual or any other altered states of consciousness (such as those achieved during Meditation and Astral Travel). It's also a very useful technique at other times too, allowing you to de-stress by taking a short time out when busy at work, or to put any incident into perspective.
You could start by doing some deep breathing exercises, lay down flat out (it can also be done in any sitting, position, as long as you are comfortable) dimmed lights and relax, consciously letting every muscle relax, if this is difficult, then try tensing them individually, then letting them relax again. Do this until you are totally relaxed, then allow yourself to become aware of your breathing. Don't consciously change it as yet, just take note of it's rhythm, and allow it slowly to become more relaxed, breathing deeper and slower.
Once you are relaxed, then I'd suggest doing a quick vis or grounding exercise, the usual grounding vis is to image roots growing from your feet (or from the base of the spine), deep into the soil, grounding you out, allowing the excess energy to flowing harmlessly into the Earth and leaving you feeling relaxed and ready to work, alert and fully aware. You could also do the vis for getting rid of negativity, by 'showering' in a waterfall, and allowing the water to ground you as it flows over you and wash away the negatives in your life.
Another beautiful take upon this is something we received via email from a friend, and possible one of the very best descriptions of the Grounding Technique that we've seen yet!
Sit down and place hands firmly on ground if possible (if you're inside imagine yourself to be in an outside area that you favour the most -- woods, ocean, mountains...<WBR>) Close your eyes and take a deep breath, exhale. Feel the earth beneath you. Feel all the energy and natural power of the earth. Feel your own natural power and energy. Take another deep breath, exhale slowly. Imagine yourself as a tree, your leaves rustling as the wind blows, your branches bending with the weight. Feel your trunk, steadfast, connected to the earth. Feel your legs as they grow into root, deep within the earth. you are firmly planted into the earth. Take another deep breath and exhale. As you breath out, feel your energy flowing down from your head, down the base of your spine, and out through your hands and feet to connect with the earth. Watch the energy as it grows down your roots to mingle with the energy of the earth. Take another deep breath. As you breath in, feel the energy of
the earth flowing into you through your hands and feet. Feel the tingle from the surge of energy. Feel the energy move up through your roots, up your spine, and out into the cosmos through your branches. Take another couple of deep breaths and feel each time how your energy flows into the earth and the earths energy flows out through you. Repeat this until you feel confident that you can channel the earth's energy through yourself and mould it for your purposes so that you can remain connected to the earth and you won't deplete your own energy as much as you are working your ritual (or any old time you need to ground yourself). This whole practice may take as little as five minutes or longer if you need it to.
Other techniques of Grounding include partaking of a small amount to eat and drink (the typical Cakes and Ale or Ritual Feast during Ritual), taking a scented hot bath, physically 'hugging a tree', touching a Grounding Stone (such as Hematite), lying on the ground and feeling it supporting you or any other method that you find works for you!
RAISING ENERGY
Energy is raised and used for a variety of things within Wicca, from Casting the Circle, through to healing and use during Spells and Invocations. There are many different ways to raise energy, Dancing and Drumming, Singing and Chanting (start the chant slowly, and then increase it's speed as the energy raises, until you reach fever pitch and then release it!), tensing the muscles of the body, walking around the Altar and Circle, using a Chakra visualization (to open the Chakras and draw in energy) or however else you find works for you! Below is a description of a technique that I use as a preliminary for raising Energy, which can then be used for moving on to either Magickal or Ritual work, or into other altered states of meditation, Astral travel or whatever you feel is right for you! Below that is a rather good Visualization exercise, that allows you to both open the Chakras and also to draw in Energy for use within Ritual.
You could start by doing some deep breathing exercises, lay down flat out (it can also be done in any sitting, position, as long as you are comfortable) dimmed lights and relax, consciously letting every muscle relax, if this is difficult, then try tensing them individually, then letting them relax again. Do this until you are totally relaxed, then allow yourself to become aware of your breathing. Don't consciously change it as yet, just take note of it's rhythm, and allow it slowly to become more relaxed, breathing deeper and slower.
Once you are in a deeply relaxed state and totally aware of the breath, try to extend an inhalation. Concentrate on allowing the energy of the oxygen you are inhaling to reach every fibre of your being, energizing and enlivening, waking up all of the body whilst keeping it relaxed. Breath in so slowly that not even one of the Nasal hairs is disturbed, filling first the normal lung capacity, then secondly the tummy, (by pulling the diaphragm downwards), then the chest (by lifting the shoulders away from the chest) and finally squeezing in the last few drops of air into the lungs. Once you have reached bursting point allow the air to come out in one long exhale, not forcing it, just allowing your body to return to normal. With practice and will, you can lengthen the inhalation up to 3 minutes, which gives you a chance of drawing energy into the whole body and retaining it there. Allow your breath to return to normal, then repeat up to 5 times, drawing more and more
energy into the body as you do so. Once you are ready, then proceed on to the use that you have raised the Energy for!
The benefits of this are that you will improve your concentration and lung capacity, allowing you to handle stress better and with much more clarity in your mind. I usually repeat this 3 times and then go on into meditation, centring my awareness behind my 3rd eye and with practice you will be able to withdraw your awareness into any part of your body (and later be able to then project it out of the body in an OBE on this plane, or travel Astrally, but this requires much more work and won't help with your shorter term goals, so I'd keep the awareness within the body at present). Most of this is an amalgamation of Yoga, New Age and Wiccan practices that I've found works for me.
To Open The Chakras (adapted from 'Wicca, the Old Religion in the New Millennium', by Vivianne Crowley)
If you find it difficult to remember this technique, then remember the Colours of the Chakras correspond to the colours of a Rainbow, and may be remembered by the children's rhyme, Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain (Some may already know the Crown Chakra as a white colour, this is fine, just stick with whichever representation works for you!) Otherwise, you could make a tape of it, so that you can follow it as a Guided Visualization!
Lie (or sit if you prefer) down and relax, close your eyes and allow yourself to enter a meditative state!
First visualize a small globe of red light at the base of the spine. See and feel it, see it growing larger and lager until it covers the whole of the lower spine. Now imagine that you are drawing in a current of energy into the Chakra so that it grows warm and begins to glow and pulsate with red light and energy.
Draw more and more energy into your base of spine chakra, as though it is a tank being filled with red light. Then as the flow of energy comes into your body, allow it to coil around and around inside you like a snake. Allow the snake of energy to rise, still spiralling until it reaches the level of your belly.
Visualize the snake spiralling round and round at the level of your belly. As it does so, visualize your sacral chakra in the centre of your belly beginning to glow with spinning orange light. Allow the energy of the base chakra top travel up through the snake to pass into the sacral chakra, causing it to spin faster and glow brighter, growing larger and larger.
Draw more energy in through your base chakra, through the base of your spine. Bring it up past the level of the sacral chakra to the level of the solar plexus chakra. Now concentrate again on the base of the spine again. Renew the energy in your base by drawing in more energy from outside, until the red glow at the base of the spine begins to spin faster and faster and grow wider and wider.
Draw more energy up the spine and into the sacral chakra so that this too spins faster and grows wider, glowing with a bright orange light. Then allow the snake of energy to rise up through the centre of your body to the level of the solar plexus. Here it begins to activate the solar plexus chakra that starts to glow with a golden yellow light.
Go back down to the base of the spine and draw more energy up the centre of the body and into the solar plexus chakra. Allow it to open wider and wider. Allow the chakra to spin faster and faster until there is a golden spinning sun at the solar plexus chakra.
Go back to the base of the spine again. Draw more energy in and up the spine, past the sacral chakra, past the solar plexus chakra, up to the centre of the breast bone, where there is a small green fiery glow which is the heart chakra. Let the energy you have drawn up feed the fiery glow, so that it begins to spin faster and faster, and grow wider and wider, until it covers the whole of your chest with a green glowing light.
Go back to the base of the spine again and draw energy up through the spine, past the heart chakra to the throat, where there is a small blue glow. Allow the energy to stream into the throat and to spin the chakra faster and faster until there is a pulsating blue centre at the throat.
Go back to the base of the spine again to renew your energy. Draw the energy in through the base of spine chakra, up through the sacral chakra, through the solar plexus chakra, through the heart chakra, to the throat. Then go back to the base of spine again. Draw a current of energy right up through the body, up past the throat and into the third eye at the centre of the forehead. Allow this energy to merge with the indigo spot at the third eye and to spin the third eye energy faster and faster until there is a spiralling indigo centre in the middle of the forehead.
Go back to the base of the spine. Draw more energy into the body and up past the sacral chakra, past the solar plexus chakra, past the heart chakra, past the throat and into the third eye. Allow the indigo glow to spin faster and faster. Then allow the currents of energy to shoot up through the head and out of the crown. Allow the energy to cascade down the body, bathing it in light, and flowing down to the feet in a white stream.
Go back to the base of the spine. Draw up more energy right up through the body, past the sacral chakra, past the solar plexus, past the heart, past the throat, past the third eye and out again through the crown chakra and down the body to the feet. Repeat this for as long as you like.
Some may find individual Chakras difficult to open, these do vary between individuals, but most have some areas that they need to work upon. Try doing an exercise related to that chakra (i.e. throat, try singing a few notes and trying again)
Remember to close the Chakras again at the end of your Ritual, this can be done by drawing the fountain of white light down the body again, allowing it to slow and close the Chakras one by one, Don't close the Crown or Base chakra though, as these should be left open to allow for the flow of energy.
There is more info on Chakras available via the Subtle Bodies page!
Most will agree that when raising energy for Spell or Ritual use that it must be kept within until it has grown to it's maximum, when you project it at your goal in one mighty 'blast'! This can be achieved in many ways, as listed below!
PROJECTING ENERGY
Usually done once power has been raised to it's peak, the technique of projecting energy is something that can take some practice. Usually it is done through your Projecting (aka Power) hand (right if you are right handed, left if left handed), and can be wielded through your pointing finger or any tool that you feel comfortable with (traditionally the Athame or Wand).
Basically it involves feeling the energy, and using a visualization to direct it's flow and where you wish to apply it. Sounds easy, but be warned, actually physically sensing it through your arm isn't something that is easy at all, taking a great deal of time and effort to learn and become competent in. This is akin to learning how to Visualize properly, except that tis done with other senses than the eyes! Personally I found that mastering the ability to move my awareness around inside my body whilst in a deep meditative state (see the Visualizations page for details) and the greater control of my physical body that daily Yoga practice allowed me, also had the benefit of allowing me to sense more of what is going on both within and without my body on more than just the Mundane Plane. (This sounds difficult to explain, but an increased awareness of my own body and the powers of my mind was the key to being able to begin to sense more than just the mundane world
around us)
Once mastered though this technique can be used in numerous ways, from improving your involvement with the Casting of the Circle, through Ritual and Magick and onto little bits of everyday Magick (such as changing or holding the traffic lights at junctions!)
Other ways of projecting or sending energy can be through the use of Candles (sending healing energy to others), writing down the need or intent and burning the paper and also through the use of Incense (watching the smoke rise and seeing it continue on to the object of your intent).
Another oft used form of projecting energy is that of the Cone of Power. Basically this involves visualizing the energy swirling around you (as a coloured aura) as you begin to raise it, and as the energy increase so does it's power and height, whilst the dimensions of it's swirling is decreased. (So that it forms the same shape as a traditional Witches hat!). Once the Energy is at it's highest point, it is visualized as projecting out upwards from the centre of the cone towards the object of the spell or Rite.
SENSING ENERGY
Usually done with the Receptive hand (opposite one to the Projective hand), and can also be done with Pendulum or Crystals, this is an easier technique to learn than projecting, involving simply allowing your subconscious mind to take over and sensing the energy with the Subtle body (the energy aura that surrounds your physical body). Not as easy as it sounds, especially for those whom are trying it for the first time, who need to remember that we create our own reality by what we choose to believe in, and that actually sensing things that are physically not there is something that we can all do. Try remembering a time when you've felt the hairs on the back of your neck rise for no apparent reason, or when you've felt 'as though someone walked over your grave', these are both instances of you sensing things that weren't apparently there!
A useful way to begin practicing, is with a candle, you may pass your hand above the flame (taking care not to burn it!) and sense the energy that is given off, you can't actually see it, but you can definitely feel the heat. Another way is to place your hand above the body of another, just above the skin, and actually feel the energy field of their body (with practice you can affect changes in this, like the way I can tickle Spiritwolf without actually touching him!) With practice you will be able to feel the energy of the Chakras, which will help when you come to using healing techniques (should you allow yourself to sense it! The biggest problem that you will face is that of overcoming your own disbelief, but once this is achieved, then swift progress will be made).
Next I'd try it with high energy stones (Moldavite or Tachyon Energy Crystals are good for this), placing them actually in the palm of your hand and opening your mind to feel what the stone is giving out. With practice this will become a useful technique, and one I always use when shopping for Magickal Items (stones, tools, etc), as it helps to point me to those items that I am more in tune with.
Scott Cunningham also recommends using energy sensing to test your Circle, to sense how good a job of casting it that you've done, and allow you the valuable feedback to improve your methods. As with anything, the amount of practice and effort that you put in will determine your results.
One word of caution, all of the above can be very powerful tools of the mind, so we'd definitely recommend that you learn them thoroughly before putting to use, and only use them according to the Rede and Three Fold Law. We'd also recommend structured practice on a regular basis for best results, and definitely a grounding exercise to start and end your session. We cannot be held responsible for the misuse of these techniques, and what may happen as a result of their usage | | |
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