Magick and Theory Many people would say that magick is only a small part of the Wiccan religion, and in the sense of spell craft, this is true. But in a broader sense everything about Wicca is magick, because Wicca is about transformation, creation, and spiritual growth – and this, after all, is what magick is all about. The Universe is composed of energy. Everything around you – everything you see and many things you don’t – are composed of energy. You too, are composed of energy. Your body which seems to be solid, is composed of endless numbers of microscopic particles held together at the sub-atomic level of energy. Science has taught us this. But the Vedic stages of India have taught this too – for many thousands of years. In Europe the Druids, and after them the Witches, recognizing this fact as well. Even the most solid stone is in fact composed of millions and billions of atoms and molecules orbiting each other in the endless and graceful Dance of Life. This is part of the meaning of that ancient maxim “As Above So Below.” That just as we live in a vast universe filled with countless stars, so too whole universes of different nature exist within us, within the microscopic make up of our being. Worlds within worlds. Energy is sot static or inanimate – it is responsive and dynamic in character. It is like a fluid in its movements, and is symbolically likened to water. Yet it is also likened to light and to fire because of its effects. In more contemporary times it has also been likened to an electric current it its qualities, though it is so harsh or unpredictable as this. In truth, energy is unique unto itself, and only working with it can you come to understand it – comparisons to other substances give only a rough approximation of what it is like. We interact with this energy every day – in every second of our lives. It constantly transforms, renews, or changes its shape within and around us. This constant change responds to and is driven by our thoughts, and emotions in ways of which most of us are unaware, and of which fewer still have any understanding. It takes its shape from us, in reaction to us, as instantly and naturally as air conforms to the surface of the Earth, or water to the shape of the sea floor. But this is an unconscious process – we don’t think about it, we’re mostly unaware of it. For most of us this daily shaping of energy occurs from a level of our unconscious beliefs and emotions, as automatic and out of control as our unconscious is itself. Often we do not even know what our unconscious beliefs and emotions really are, let along how they affect us on an energetic level. But when we bring our conscious mind and will power to bear on this process, it is a very different situation. Rather than an unconscious process out of our own control, the shaping of energy – and thus of the world itself – becomes a precise and deliberate skill which lies directly in our hands. This is Magick. The art of consciously focusing and controlling this all-pervasive energy. Through focused will and effort we use the universal energy to affect the things around us. As energy reacts to thought and emotion, thought and emotion can be used to control or influence it. It must be understood that it is not from the ordinary level of our conscious mind that we do this. If it were everyone would be doing it, and it would be easy to teach. Rather, magick is done from a higher level of consciousness the Higher Self. Scientists studying psychics have found that when a person enters a psychic trance their brainwaves change. Psychics in trance do not use the normal beta waves associated with ordinary consciousness but use instead the theta delta waves associated with sleep. This is true of a person performing an act of magick as well-we access a higher part of ourselves, a change in consciousness which shows even in our very brain waves. Only at this level are we fully conscious, truly human. It is not hard to reach this level – but is hard to do it at will , to be able to access it on demand. This is called Shifting Consciousness, and an accomplished Witch can do it in an twinkling of an eye, with no external effort or trappings. A number of external factors may be used to help effect this change – specific words, ritual patterns, or items which serve to put the person “ in the right frame of mind.” Such external trappings are keys to which a person uses to help affect the shift in consciousness to access the higher self. They work on a symbolic level, by-passing conscious and unconscious limitations to act directly upon the higher self. There are many different ways by which magick can be performed. All of them have the basic goal; to focus energy and direct it from a state of higher consciousness. Visualization, trance, spell craft (using external tools such as candles, cords, etc.), ritual of various sorts, chanting and toning all of these and many other techniques can be used to create the necessary shift in consciousness. Through magick we influence or control the things around us, therefore it is wise to use magick only to make things better. The ancient rule of Wicca is “Do As You Will. But Harm None.” Magick is a great power, and can be a great responsibility, and you do well to use it wisely. Everything you do comes back to you, through Karma. Every action you take, in time you will experience from the receiving end. So that when you do something good for another, you are also doing something good for yourself, as you will eventually experience the same good as a recipient. But if you harm, that same harm that you ultimately do to yourself. To do harm is only wrong in it’s self, but ultimately it hurts the doer. Moreover most Wiccans believe in the Law of Three, that is to say that what you do comes back to you not only once, but multiple times. Some Wiccans believe that the number Three in the Threefold Law is meant to be taken literally – that the karma of our actions returns to us exactly three times. Always ask yourself “How would you feel if I were on the receiving end?” before you do anything that affects another. But as long as you work with a pure heart and good intent, Karma will be your benefactor. Magick and psychism are words that describe two aspects of the same process – connecting to the higher self. In magick we use this connection actively, to create a certain response in the world. In Psychism we use the same connection passively, to receive information about the world. We also use the word psychic to describe the exercises we use to develop both these skills. Magick is worked from the higher self. Everything that helps you to connect with your higher self helps magick. Regular meditation and psychic exercises are a valuable tool to strengthen that connection. The connection is like a muscle, and grows stronger and stronger with use. The more you do – the better you will get. Persistence is important. In its opening stages the most important thing about magick is to concentrate – focus as much energy as you can into what you are doing. This level of concentration is always as aspect of magick. If you are visualizing, try to see what you are visualizing clearly as possible. Make the image as concrete and three dimensional as you can. Visualization is one of strongest aids to concentration. Whatever method of magick you are using, try to put your whole being into it. It will have a greater effect on your work. One of the most important aspects of magical working which is equally important in every magical act you ever perform, is psychic hygiene. Psychic hygiene prevents energy from becoming blocked in your body, which can make it difficult to use energy properly. Every time you do a magical work you raise energy – that is you focus and direct energy. When you have finished you will still have excess energy left in your body, which must be released. Many people on a magical path tend to pick up energy from others – usually emotional energy. Such people may find themselves picking up another person’s emotions, mood, or tension level, without knowing it. The same techniques of psychic hygiene can be used to release such “pick-ups” as well. Moreover, because we tend to pick up from others in this way, it is important to practice Psychic Shielding. Psychic Shielding is basically strengthens your own boundaries, so that you do not pick up any energy you don’t want. It helps to keep the aura strong. Psychic Shielding Put yourself into a comfortable position and begin by releasing all tension and anxiety. Visualize a ball of white light floating above you. Focus on the energy of the ball – know that is full of love, strength, and peace. Feel these qualities in the energy of the ball. Let these energies flow down into you. The energy is a beautiful, clear white light. No matter how much light comes into you, the ball will remain equally strong for its true origin is the Goddess and the God; it is a source of boundless spiritual energy. Let the energy from the ball pour into you and flow throughout your body. Let it move out into your arms, legs, fingers, and toes. Let the light expand to form a perfect circle of energy around you, expanding it across and over your aura. Chant: “There is one power in the Universe, and I am a perfect manifestation of that power. As such, I will that the boundaries of my aura shall be strong and healthy, repelling all unwanted energy while remaining open to positive and healing energy. Safe within these boundaries nothing can harm me. I am filled with the strength of the Lord and Lady. By my will, so mote it be.”
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 10:53:06 +0000
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