Nine Easy Steps for Making A Magick Potion

1. Gather together all the ingredients you will need to make the potion. Light a candle if you like, matching its color and dedication to your potion’s purpose. Be sure to place your candle(s) near your working surface as a focusing tool, but not in the way.

2. Draw a magick circle around your working area. For example, if you are working in the kitchen, draw a magick circle around the entire room.

3. Call in the elemental powers to your circle. A shorthand method for doing this is by saying something like:

“I ask that the generous powers of earth, air, fire, and water come into this circle. Come I pray you!”

4. Call in spirit, the Divine, into your circle by saying something like:

“May the Divine Ones enter into this circle and bless this potion with their Divine power.”

5. Next, empower the potion ingredients.

6. Make the potion.

7. Empower the potion once more with a magickal incantation, and then use it immediately as suggested.

8. Thank the elements and spirit.

9. Pull up the magick circle and put everything away.

THE ABC’S OF A WICCAN LIFE

THE ABC’S OF A WICCAN LIFE
by Victoria Martyn

Accept others as they are. We are all individuals.

Belief in yourself is a necessity.

Concentration is important in any endeavor, both magickal and in life.

Do what you will, so long as it harms none.

Empathy is an important life skill… learn it, practice it.

Find strength in yourself, your friends, your world and your actions.

God is multifaceted… the Lord and Lady, all deities take many names and faces.

Help others every chance you get.

Intelligence is something that cannot be judged on surface.

Judge not… what you send out comes back to you!

Karma loves to slap you in the face. Watch out for it.

Learning is something that should never stop happening!

Magick is a wonderful gift- but it is not everything.

Nature is precious. Appreciate and protect it.

Over the course of time your soul learns many lessons. Make this life count!

Pray.

Quietness both physically and mentally restores the soul; meditate often.

Remember to take time for yourself as well as others.

Spells can help you, but you must also help yourself!

Tools can only do so much… they are not the foundation of all.

Unless you enjoy worrying, keep a positive mindset!

Visualize the success of your goals before you set out to achieve them.

Wisdom can often be found in the least expected places!

Xenophobia (a hatred of those different from you) is a path to misery.

You are a beautiful person who is capable of anything!

Zapping away all of your troubles is not going to happen

What Is Magick

What Is Magick

I suppose I could ramble on for quite some time about what Magick of Wicca, Witches and Witchcraft is or is not. Instead, I will offer this brief writing I found somewhere. Unfortunately I cannot remember where I came across it or who the author was, but I thought it was clear, concise and to the point. It very simply dispels everything that some religions, old superstitions and of course Hollywood have tried to make people believe magick is.

Magick is finding your connection to the Earth and all that is natural, alive and moving in the universe! It binds all that exists together.

Magick is living in balance with the flow of life, and knowing that you are a vital force within that flow. Magick is everywhere! In the trees, rain, stars, and in the sea. It is the spark that quickens a seed to rise up from the soil.

Magick is laughter, joy, wonder and truth the of the world around us!

It is the subtle enchantment that reminds us not to waste a single moment of this gift that we call life! Magick is not greed, or power, or pretense…It is real. It exists. And it works.

Magick is the mystery that lies in the secret soul of the world. It is the essence of creation. What we imagine, we have the power to create!

MAGICK IS WITHIN YOU…

With it you can create your dreams, heal your world, love your life and find the peace that lives in every human heart.

Author Unknown

Magickal Meanderings: Traveling the Mystical Highways of Life

by Bronwynn Forrest Torgerson

Over time, it has become increasingly clear to me that while we may be the ones who pack the cooler, check the tires and top off the tank, there comes a time in every trip where the best charted course goes astray. It is then that we lay the map aside and rest while Deity drives. Spectacular vistas unfold in this way, and the harvest of tales is terrific.

When I left my hometown of Peoria, Illinois, last October and headed toward Washington state, I yearned for the sequoias up the California coast. However, after several leg-cramping days on the road, motels that chomped deeply into my budget and a first taste of winter’s ice and fog and snow, I seriously considered cutting my journey short and opting for a more direct route home.

In Salt Lake City, I cursed my luck and their road construction. I-80 had abruptly ended, thanks to rerouting for the upcoming Winter Olympics, and I was forced into town. I rolled down my window at the first business I came to, a car wash, and asked two men for directions. They conferred, then one turned back to me. “If I were you, Ma’am, I’d hang a right on Redwoods Boulevard.’ A word to the Wiccan was sufficient, and I found my route again, forgoing the connection to I-90 and forging on to the trees.

One bittersweet theme that wove throughout my journey Northwest was my nightly phone call to my sister in Illinois, whose husband was dying of cancer. Hospice was involved, and his time would not be long. Just south of Eureka, California, I was tired and the gas gauge low. No motel signs in view and the prospect of sleeping in my crammed-to-capacity van looked grimmer by the moment. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small, faded sign. “Accommodations,” it read, with an arrow pointing down the road, right into the middle of nowhere. Down a dirt road, over a trestle bridge, past a winding creek I drove, astonished to find myself at the driveway of a small cluster of stone villas! The local cat ran out to brush my legs, then sped off toward the circular courtyard, where a grove of five redwoods stood sentry. That night, sad news awaited. My brother-in-law had passed away that morning. Later that night, when the stars came out, I adjourned to the courtyard alone. I lit some sage in the abalone shell decorating a white wicker table, and sent prayers in many directions. My stay at that stone villa was the least expensive night of my trip. Deity had provided, in every single way.

Bellingham has proven to be no exception to serendipity. Earlier this year, a postcard for an artist’s reception and the promise of free French food and wine coaxed me from my home. I arrived at the Jody Bergsma Gallery on King Street, where gurgling fountains and candlelight led one to the door. Inside, a visual as well as edible feast awaited. I seated myself in the loft where a musician unknown to me would soon perform.

As Christopher Bingham took the stage and launched into his first song, the lyrics dropped my jaw. “Calling up a Horned One, calling up a Green Man, we are gathering here!” Stunned, I noticed the pentacle patch sewn to his guitar strap! By the end of the first set, I had purchased a CD and become a forever Gaia Consort fan.

As a mistress of magick, here are some highway travel tips I can offer you. After checking out of your motel room and consulting your atlas, trace an imaginary pentacle over your steering column, intoning, “Spell and magick, three times three, swift, safe journeys grant to me that I might reach my destination without accident, incident or cops unless I need them.”

When freeway traffic is frozen, through unseen hazards or misfortunes up ahead, you can send positive energy to unblock the obstruction and speed you and fellow travelers on your way. To do so, wave your power hand in an undulating motion saying, “Ebb and flow…ebb and flow…swiftly, safely, on we go.” Surprisingly soon, you’re rolling right along.

In closing, let me say that while it’s good to consult your travel agent before embarking on adventures, don’t forget to pack blue protection candles or to invite the gods along. Safe journeys, good winds and Godspeed as you travel the highways of life!

Creating and Using Roles of Power: When Wisely Used, This Ritual Bond Can Multiply Your Energy

by George D. Jackson

The establishment and utilization of a pole of power is probably the most far-reaching magickal operation you will ever attempt. A pole of power can be defined as a person or persons joined to you on the five levels of intellect, emotion, creativity, spirit and the physical through empathy and consensus to perform powerful magickal acts. In joining, the other person or persons and yourself form a gestalt, an integrated structure or pattern that makes up a unified experience and has specific properties that can neither be derived from the elements of the whole nor considered simply as the sum of these elements. In short, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

The formation of this gestalt means a pole of power can be viewed as one of the most significant power multipliers available to a magickal adept. This bond is in fact a magickal marriage, and its offspring are magickal operations that the individuals involved would have difficulty performing on a solitary basis. Groups such as covens operate on this principle but utilize numbers to make up for an individual commitment to the circle that is (usually) less than between a paired couple working as poles of power.

Most magick users operate in a solitary mode, occasionally forming temporary group gestalts. The solitary approach is perhaps the least vulnerable and most unhindered from a personal standpoint, but with some notable exceptions it is also the least powerful. Even when practicing magick in the solitary condition, an in-depth personal psychological preparation is strongly advised. Many individual practitioners venture into areas where their power levels are too low to properly cope with what they locate, or where they cannot comprehend the circumstances they find themselves in. Among the unfortunate results of this type of journey can be deep states of depression, as well as from time to time hallucinations. Exploring the magickal unknown on a solitary basis frequently means the practitioner has few resources when it comes to falling back, regrouping and establishing a magickal defense. For such exploration, strength in numbers can be very valuable.

Poles of power are utilized at three levels. The first is a temporary union of two or more magick users to perform a predetermined magickal act. Practitioners often form poles of power on this level at festivals or magickal gatherings, and the most common usage is the erection of the magickal circle and the wards. The second level is semi-permanent and frequently involves a coven, guild or religious organization. The most common magickal actions at this level fall within the area of invocation (addressing a deity). The third and final level is the state of the permanent pole of power.

The permanent state does not have to be between a male and female, but that formation is the most common. A permanent state is almost always bipolar, with each pole contributing the psychological orientation the other lacks and reinforcing the other’s abilities. To effectively create a permanent state, the magick users involved should view the state as they would choosing a marriage partner in consensus reality.

To create the bond effectively will very likely demand that each partner perform some very honest self-evaluation. This is a formidable type of personal survey. From what participants learn in it about how they relate to themselves and others, they may find it necessary to perform some psychological engineering upon themselves before entering into a permanent pole-of-power relationship. To understand the level of work involved in such engineering, consider how many self-help books are being sold and how many people are undergoing some sort of psychotherapy. The initial groundwork of self-evaluation, empathy and consensus make a permanent pole-of-power state one that is best not rushed into.

It is also well to know at this point that, because the pole-of-power state is a magickal bond, an automatic energetic feedback loop is created on the quantum or elemental level. Once this loop is formed, violating your partner’s sense of propriety is going to have consequences. Also, it is well to know that the subconscious does not forget anything that you do. You will become vulnerable to actions connected to this bond, and the stronger the emotional value of the occurrence the more vulnerable you will be.

Should the participants decide to go forward, the emotional and intellectual status is laid down for a permanent pole-of-power relationship by establishing a state of trust and honor and a desire to work for mutual benefit. This mutual trust and cooperation in turn will provide energy for the spiritual, creative and physical portions of the bond. The process is hinted at in the Wiccan “In perfect love and perfect trust” and the Thelemite’s “Love is the Law, love under Will.”

Once you have done the groundwork, you are ready to perform ritual, and some if not all of the power evoked will remain with you for the rest of your life.

The ritual is performed in the following manner. The first thing to do is establish the statement of intent, which is for both parties to commit to being each other’s pole of power. The next thing is to build a “free space” or place of power in which to perform the ritual. In the male-female mode, it is recommended that the rite be done in the nude, symbolizing that both parties have nothing to hide from one another. A banishing spell is then done to clear the area of hindering forces and is followed by the primary bonding ritual. An example follows:

We are one mind, me and thee, together when apart; near when far;

Thoughts within thoughts, aware when unaware; bound within the circle

Now until whenever!

We are one spirit, me and thee, together when apart; near when far;

Will joined to Will; felt within and without; bound within the circle,

Now until whenever!

We are one body, me and thee, together when apart; touching when separated;

Flesh of the same flesh; bound within the circle,

Now until whenever!

As a form of reinforcement, which is not a requirement, the ritual may be culminated in sexual union. Aleister Crowley frequently used sexual union in bonding rituals, and practitioners interested in including this technique in their ritual are referred to his works. After this step, the wards are then dismissed and the circle is taken down.

I can tell you from personal experience that the pole-of-power circumstance has many benefits outside of being a power multiplier. It can be an excellent early-warning system when the bonded pair explores unknown spaces. What might have a limited impact on one person can affect the other quite strongly, which information can allow both to make a strategic retreat from a threatening situation. A pole-of-power bond is also very good for long-range nonverbal communication. It sets up that “call me” feeling that crops up in the back of one’s consciousness.

There are other advantages that vary with the people involved. While the bond does not prevent the highs and lows that occur in interpersonal relationships, in my experience it very definitely shortens the duration of the lows. Finally, there is a personal connection that persists even when the people involved have drifted apart in time and space. When consensus is joined once more, power is immediately renewed.

George D. Jackson is an Adept V of the Sorcerer’s Guild, a group dedicated to the enhancement of magickal work among its membership that is open to initiates of most magickal traditions.

Powering Up the Circle

by George D. Jackson

One of the problems I have become aware of in our community is the low level of power we raise in the circles we cast. I have noticed this mainly through listening to and reading a litany of complaints from various practitioners in several magickal paradigms. At first I thought perhaps this problem was just in these people’s perception, but after inquiries among some long-time magickal practitioners in the region, I have found that these people are not alone in this observation. I also found a number of our fellows out there seeking solutions.

Several reasons exist why we may be having difficulty in raising high levels of power within our circles. Sometimes, low power levels in public rituals are deliberate so as to shield neophytes from psychic overload. I have some reservations concerning this, as I was originally drawn to my magickal paradigm by feeling the power present in a series of semipublic circles.

Another significant reason for lack of power is that some of us come from the major religious paradigms where group activities were performed in a follow-the-leader type of approach and the magickal dynamics were never explained. The leader of these activities probably had some concept concerning the methods being used to unite consciousness, but he sure wasn’t going to call them magickal. Also, any power that was raised was directed to the benefit of the religious organization involved. The congregation, powerwise, was left in a dead zone and just accepted that as normal. Because people learn from experience and many magick users go from major religions to being solitary practitioners, attendance of public magickal rituals with low power levels was not remarked on.

Another reason why there are difficulties in raising power in the group environment is connected to the personal psychological defense screens that most of us have installed in our individual subconscious minds over the course of our lives. These are necessary for us to go on with our day-to-day lives without being overwhelmed by outside forces. However, many of us don’t know how to lower these screens when the need comes about. The following is an exercise that can give the individual magick user the ability to drop her or his screens at Will when the circumstances warrant it.

This exercise includes a method used in the Huna (Hawaiian magick) paradigm. It involves using a pendulum to talk to your “basic self,” otherwise known as your subconscious mind. The Huna approach considers an individual as a gestalt entity consisting of three selves existing in the physical body. The middle self is the conscious analytical mind, tasked with aiding the evolution of the basic self as well as its own; the high and basic selves are both contained in the collective unconscious. The high self is the most evolved and is the source of individual power; the basic self is primal and is the source of emotion, as well as storing all memory, processing environmental items into energy and running the autonomic nervous system. It is also the conduit between the high and middle self, and as such it needs to be educated.

The materials needed for this exercise are a pendulum and a piece of paper with a circle drawn on it and a cross within the circle. The first thing one needs to do is set up the parameters of the operation. Suspending the pendulum over the center of the circle by finger and thumb, you tell your basic self that forward and back is “yes” and side to side is “no.” Around the circle is “I don’t know.” Now ask your subconscious to show you yes, no and I don’t know.

Once this agreement is set in place, you are ready to proceed. Holding the pendulum over the circle, you tell your basic self to lower its barriers and allow outside energy to flow through you. You then ask your subconscious if it understands this command and will comply. When it answers “yes,” reward it by telling it how much you approve of this decision.

This exercise is designed to be performed by two or more people who have learned to drop their barriers. The people involved join hands and command their basic selves to drop their barriers and allow the energy flow. Power flows into the right hand and out of the left. It should be cycled at least three times or until one can feel the tingle or surge passing through them. Practitioners can then direct the accumulated power into the center of the group and use it to perform operations agreed on before the gestalt (the whole that is greater than the sum of the parts) was formed. Alternatively, the power can be directed outward to form a cone of power. Once the group’s goals are accomplished, be sure to ground the power and raise the pre-existing personal barriers. This kind of work is a temporary magickal bonding. If it is not dissolved at the end of the ritual, you are going to leave with more than you planned on.

Like most worthwhile things, this exercise takes a period of practice. Once it becomes commonly used, it becomes second nature. One thing it does is allow the user to rate the levels of energy in any circle the user participates in. When among close associates, it allows for a lot of fine-tuning. I use this in my “Path of the Adept” magick course, and my students are strong!

Strengthen Your Magick by Learning Your Personal Color Key

by Melanie Fire Salamander

As I write, the deep green-blue of earliest dawn fades to clear royal blue, which lifts to a hovering grey that turns peach-yellow. Goddess Aurora, the herald of the sun, washes the east with color as every day begins.

For the sighted, color defines the first visual experiences of life. Before we see shapes, we see dappled colors moving before our infant eyes. From these shifting colors, the forms and the meanings of our lives come into focus.

Yet often, pagans take the color meanings for our magick from tables of correspondences. The rich traditional associations for color can certainly help drive your workings. But to work my own color magick, I have found it useful to discover the color meanings that already lie in my own deep symbol-speaking subconscious — the personal meanings that my deep self has accumulated for each color over my lifetime, and perhaps before. My teachers and my own work have shown me that the deep self is one of the main drivers of magick, and I find that my deep color resonances affect what my magick brings me. You too will probably discover that what your deep self associates with each color has resonances that affect your magick.

To discover your own personal meanings for colors, try the simple meditation following.

Color Meditation

1. Choose the colors you want to meditate on. For my work, I chose five: orange, green, red, yellow and blue.

2. Find a pure, unpatterned example of each color. I worked with sheets of colored construction paper, but use whatever you have handy, for example magazine pictures or plastic color gels. For best results, choose unmixed colors, without too much black or white muddying or clouding the tone. I chose colors that were all of similar intensity.

3. Cut a medium-sized, rectangular swatch of each color, say about five inches tall and three inches wide.

4. Set up your space for meditation. Find a comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed; take the phone off the hook and if necessary shut out your pets. Make sure an even light falls where you will place each color swatch, so you get the best visual image of each.

5. Set the first color swatch at easy eye-level for meditation, and set the others so that they’re ready to trade for the first swatch.

6. Ground, center and get into light trance.

7. Meditate on each color swatch in turn for five to ten minutes, enough time that you feel that you’ve worked through all the meanings your deep self has to bring forward for you. Write down your results, if you so desire.

My Results

One reason I’m glad I performed this meditation is that I didn’t always get what I expected from each color, as you’ll see.

Orange, I found, raised my energy immediately. It made me feel tense and nervous; the feeling was intense and unpleasant. That didn’t throw me, but I was a little surprised at how quickly I felt the energy change and how negative it was, because when just looking at the color I liked it.

Green also changed my energy level immediately and strongly — I felt a strong, pleasurable sexual sensation in my groin, most intense about the level of my ovaries. The color warmed me up physically, and I felt an almost smug pleasure. I had an image of the woods and thought of the god Pan. I felt horny, but not for anyone specifically — just that energy, without an object. I’ve found that green correspondingly works for me in love and sex magick. (Note that, for best karmic results, it’s best not to work love or sex magick to change another person’s will, but rather work to let the universe bring you your best partner or partners, whomever that may be.) Orange and green were probably the biggest energy changers of all for me.

Red wasn’t as intense for me as green or orange. I felt a slight headache, and a change of emotion rather than a strong change in physical energy. The emotion I felt was one of yearning or longing, not so much mine as of an ancient tragedy. I had an image of smoke over a battlefield, and I thought of the goddess the Morrigan. That was interesting to me, because I’ve always consciously associated red with love: Valentine hearts.

Yellow was moderately intense, more so than red, not as much as green or orange. I liked yellow. It raised my energy in a positive way, made me feel cheerful and made me smile. I thought of grassy lanes in sunlight.

Blue I found trancing; it had a reverberatory effect. It didn’t change my energy as the other colors had, because blue had for me the same deep thrumming energy as meditation itself. Blue did intensify and deepen my meditation, and I felt it strongly in my heart chakra. Its strength was on a par with yellow.

Your Own Work

You don’t have to work with the same colors I did, of course. Try meditating on the colors that you like best or that repel you, and find out why you react that way. If you like, you can use meditation to clear a color of negative meanings — simply bring that color up in your mind’s eye and run neutral cleansing energy through it until its energy changes. When visualizing color, I have found it best to work with transparent colors; if you find muddiness or cloudiness in a color you’re working with, try running cleansing energy through it. Check in with colors over time — you may find that their meanings change for you.

Once you know your personal color meanings, try using those in your magick. Find out which colors mean willpower or cheerfulness for you, and wear those to draw those feelings to you, or incorporate them in spell-work. If orange helps you concentrate, use it for your computer desktop and in spells about mental tasks. If blue or purple calms you and makes you trancy, paint your meditation room with it. If a clear pink means sex to you, dress your love rituals and your boudoir accordingly. Knowing your own personal color associations will make color an even more useful tool in your magickal toolbox.

Before I get started today, I have something personal to share….

Good Morning/Afternoon or whatever it is? I absolutely hate time change. I got tickled I stuck up the post yesterday reminding everyone to change their clocks and guess who didn’t? Yeap, me! So I am totally screwed up today. Please have extreme patience with me, I beg you, on bended knee, enough or do I need to go on, lol!

I forewarned you that this was going to be a personal post, so if you want to skip over it, you can do so now……..

For all the other’s that stuck around, I love ya’. Most of you know that I am a Hereditary. I have had the opportunity to practice all types of magick and also walk several different Paths. I guess after a while I have begun to think I have my act together. Then something out of the blue catches me and I absolutely loss it. When I loss it, I do not do good magick. The magick I produce is magick that comes from angry and hatred that spontaneously combusts. You think you have your inner magick harnessed and under control but these things can happen to the best of us. Let me fill you in…..

It was last night, I got into a very heated argument with a neighbor. The neighbor made a nasty comment about my helping the local vets care for wild animals in the area. She had even made a comment about me taking one of these wild animals as my own. She told me she knew that I had an affection for wild animals and some I did keep. That’s a lie, I have only kept one and that one was Razzy. She informed me that Mocha (my 15 year companion) was a wolf. Then the bitch even when on to say Razzy was a bobcat (tell me something I didn’t know). She made the comment that started the whole “push over the edge me.” Razzy came from a set of three kittens. Two of those kittens just vanished. I knew what had happened to them but I can’t go to the sheriff and tell them how I know and expect them to believe me. After I told the woman last night, I knew what had happened to the kittens. She admitted they had come over here and got them. She said she got them because they knew what kind of cats they were. After that I got totally angry with the woman and told her a thing or two about staying off my property. I also told her if she ever set foot back over her she would live to regret, I promised her that. I meant it. As the bitch was walking away, she hollered, “Oh, yeah, there is a bobcat just roaming all around. Wouldn’t it be ashamed if it got shot?” I cursed the woman on the spot. (Temper, temper, temper). I came into the house and told my husband about the conversation. While I was talking to him, I heard about 5 gun shots. The darkest feeling came over me. My heart got so heavy and it sank to my stomach. I went to the kitchen and fell to my knees. I knew what had just happened, her husband had shot that bobcat. The rage built-in me so quick, the power was there before I knew. My mind just went. I left this plane and was traveling down a cosmic wormhole. The colors, the speed, I could see the end of the hole, there was nothing but starry sky. I bursted out of the wormhole and with me came a indescribable force of energy. I could see it surrounding me. It was just a straight, focused surge of energy. Then it was gone. I felt so relieved. I just wanted to drift in the stars. My husband was shaking me and calling me by name. “Good Goddess, what happened to you?” he asked. I slowly came too. I asked him what he was talking about. He told me I was sitting up in a fetus position and light was coming from my stomach area. He told me that I had scared him half to death. Then he heard one explosion after another coming from the neighbors. He said all of the outside lights started bursting one right after another. The garage, the security light, the landscaping lights, the house lights, the porch lights. He said it looked like an energy field had just come over their house and was blowing anything electric. Then he saw me on the floor still out of this world, shaking, the light glowing stronger now, he knew what was happening. That is when he started shaking me. After I grounded, I told him what I had experienced. I told him I had felt it in my heart that nature had lost one of it most divine creatures. I couldn’t take it. It was too much. I went into a rage. The energy just came and I sent it. Am I ashamed of what I did, no. The man had no respect for nature and all of it creatures. He needed to be taught a lesson. But it wasn’t my place to do so. But I realize to raise that type of energy, I had help. So I figure what I did wasn’t all wrong. Today, I am totally wiped out. I just feel very relaxed and totally at peace. Strange isn’t it? How such a violent outburst such as that can leave a person feeling this way.

You might wonder why I am sharing this with you. Several reasons: One, even the Seasoned of us can lose control. We think we have that inner power harnessed and can wield it at our command. 99% of the time we can. But there is that dangerous 1%. That 1% is just sitting there waiting to be triggered. Most of the times, something you feel very passionate about, a true love, a deep connection with something or someone, a death, something traumatic can trigger it. Last night, it was my deep connection with all the wild creatures of nature and one’s death that triggered mine. That 1% of energy is there, waiting so be aware of it. Second, things happen that sometimes we can’t control or perhaps we can but we don’t want too. Should we feel guilty about what we have done? Is it wrong to go with that sudden impulse? These are questions you will have to ask yourself. I can’t answer them for you. But I do have to answer for myself. My answer to both of these are NO.

There comes a time in every witch’s life were you will have to make choices. You will be put in circumstances, you never believed possible. You will face experiences, that you never dreamed possible. This is the way of the Path we have chosen to walk. We are the chosen. We are suppose to help mankind and their betterment of their lives. Perhaps I did better that man’s life. Perhaps he woke up with a horrible guilty in the pit of his stomach for what he had done. I don’t know but maybe. But as a witch, you will run into these situation, be put in strange circumstances, you must be prepared for whatever is to come your way. You must be able to live with the result of your actions you take. The Path won’t always be rosy but it will be a Path that only the few and select are honored enough to walk.

May the Goddess Always Guide Your Path,

Lady A

The Witches’ Pyramid

The Witches’ Pyramid is a set of four principles that are very important to successful to magick:

To Know, To Will, To Dare, and To Remain Silent.

To Know

Research the spells you cast. Learn about the magickal correspondences and use them in your spells. The more of these you work into your spell/ritual, the more focused your energy will become.

To Will

Practicing meditation will teach you to focus your mind which will in turn energize your magick more effectively. You will have confidence in your spell/ritual for it to work. You must believe that you have done real magick and that the real magick worked. Your spell feeds off of your intentions and intent.

To Dare

Any thoughts you have lingering will compromise your magick. Feel your magick as you’re doing the spell. Focus on it completely.

To Remain Silent

The energy you spend thinking about something else will not go toward your spell work. It’s more effective to just think about the spell, focus on it and let your spell do its work. Do not talk about your spell work to anyone, never. If you discuss your spell crafting, it will weaken it. So it is of the utmost importance that you “Remain Silent” always.

Basic Dragon Ritual

Basic Dragon Ritual

This is the basis of all Dragon rituals in the practice of Dragon Magick. The
practicing magician can insert his / her own music, dance, meditation, or
personal rituals that they have written in appropriate places without disrupting
the flow of energy. When you read through this ritual you will see that certain
things are to be done at certain times other than that the Magician can do what
feels right to her / him. It is important that you have all the appropriate
tools and materials you will need before starting. Make any preparations so
that nothing disturbs you. If you are practicing decreasing Magick it is
important to remember that anywhere in the ritual that it says “circle
clockwise” ,you should circle counterclockwise. Another way of doing this is to
cast a clockwise outer circle with a counterclockwise inner circle.

Setting up Ritual :

Begin the ritual by going to the East, with sword in power hand “draw” Magickal
circle on floor around ritual area. This is done by pointing sword at the floor
and seeing great flames shooting from it. Move clockwise around the circle with
this flame ; end by overlapping it in the East. While drawing the circle, say:

By Dragon Power, This Circle is Sealed.

Return to the altar. Point the Sword at Dragon Pentacle and say:

Dragons of Spirit, Highest of Dragons and Most Powerful, Bless This Altar With
Your Fire. Let Us Be One In Magick, O Dragons Great and Wise.

Set the Water Chalice on the pentacle. With the wand in power hand, circle the
chalice three times clockwise with the wand and say:

Air, Fire, Earth, Bring Power Forth. Water Of Land and Sea, Purified Be.

Hold the Chalice high and say:

Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Sprinkle the water lightly around the circled area beginning and ending in the
East. Set the dish of salt on the Pentacle. Circle it three times clockwise with
the wand and say:

Water, Air, Fire, Hear My Desire. Salt of Earth and Sea, Purified Be.

Sprinkle a few grains of salt to each corner of the altar. Circle the incense
burner three times with the wand, say:

Fire of Dragons, Fire of Earth, You Are Purified. Bring Power Forth.

Circle the Incense and Herbs three times clockwise with the wand, say:

Incense Magickal, Incense Bold, Awake The Dragons, As Of Old. I Call You
Purified.

Put a small amount of incense onto the burning coals. Lift the burner by the
chains and touch it lightly to the Pentacle. Lift it high over the altar, say:

Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Then carry it clockwise around the circle, beginning and ending in the East.
Return the burner to the Altar. Take up Sword in both hands and kneel before the
Altar. Mentally dedicate self to the study of Dragon Magick. Project your
interest and love for Dragons as strongly as possible. Continue doing so for
several minutes, then rise and point the Sword at the Dragon Pentacle and say
with power and confidence:

Behold, All Dragons and Rulers of Dragons, I am (magickal name), a Magician Who
Seeks Dragon Magick. With (name of Sword) In My Hand, I Enter the Realm of The
Dragons, Not For Physical Battle, But For Knowledge and Power. I Greet You, O
Dragons Ancient and Wise, and Await Your Blessing and Guidance.

Continue holding the Sword outstretched until you feel the blessing of the
Dragons. It is for this reason that a light sword is best used in ritual. When
the flowing power of the Dragons Blessing has lessened, lower the sword. Still
holding the sword in Power hand, take up the Dragon Pentacle in the other and go
to the East. Point the sword at the Eastern position and hold the Pentacle
facing outward. Draw a Invoking Pentagram with the Sword,
say:

From Sairys (sair’-iss), Ruler Of The Eastern Dragons Fair, Comes Now The
Wondrous Power Of Air

Invoking Pentagram

Feel the power of Air entering body with sword outstretched. When the flow
stops, go to the South. Hold up the Dragon Pentacle again , draw an invoking
Pentagram with the Sword, say:

From Fafnir (faf’-near),Ruler Of Dragons Of The South, Comes Cleansing Fire
From Dragon Mouth

Note: Feel the power of Fire entering body and when it stops go to the next
direction. Repeat the process of Holding up the Dragon Pentacle and drawing a
invoking pentagram for each of the directions. Go to the West, say:

From Naelyan (nail’-yon) Ruler Of Dragons Of The West, Comes The Power Of Water

Draw into the body the power of Water. Go to the North and say:

From Grael (grail), Ruler Of Dragons Of The North, The Power Of Earth Does Now
Come Forth

Draw into oneself the power of Earth. When it stops return to the Altar, lay
aside the Sword and Dragon Pentacle. Add the appropriate herbal incense to the
incense burner according to the ritual you are performing. At this point insert
the appropriate chants and workings for the particular spellworking or
meditation to be performed. If there is a problem that is unsolveable by
physical means or by magic then now is also the time to ask the Dragons for
advice on how to solve it. The Dragons are able to give new insight into ways of
solving it. Continue to feel their power and direction as their directions are
written down. When finished with the spellworking, tap staff three times and
chant:

I Thank You, Dragons Old And Wise, Of Earth And Fire, Water, Skies, For Sharing
Wisdom Here With Me. As We Will, So Shall It Be

Always approach the Dragons as Equals not as a force to be ordered or conquered.
Set the Wine Chalice on the Pentacle. Circle it three times with the wand, say:

Cup Of Power, Cup Of Might, Dragon Magick, Be Here This Night

Drink the Wine (apple cider or grape juice may be substituted if unable to drink
wine), saving back some to be poured outside on the ground later as an offering
to the Dragons. If it is not possible to pour the offering outside then leave it
on the Altar for about an hour, after closing your ritual. Now is the an
excellent time to chant and use free-form dancing and invite the Dragons to
share in the raised energy and joy of being a Magician. Talk to them about hopes
and dreams, listen to see if they have suggestions or words of encouragement.
This is an opportunity for close friendships to be forged.

Closing the Ritual

To close the ritual, take the sword and go to each of the directions draw a
banishing pentagram and say the appropriate words for that
direction.

Banishing Pentagram

To the East, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The East, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the South, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The South, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the West, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The West, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the North, say

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The North, And Return Again In the Ritual Hour

Return to the Altar. Raise both arms, say:

Farewell To You, O Dragons Fair, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Together We Make
Magick Well By Power Deep and Dragon Spell. In Peace Go Now. Return Once More To
Teach Me Magick and Ancient Lore. Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Cut the circle with a backward sweep of the Sword across the boundary line.
Extinguish the candles. Clear the Altar of all tools except any offerings to the
Dragons if unable to pour outside.

This ritual is the basis of any and all rituals of Dragon Magick. Any specific
spellworkings need to be placed within this framework at the appropriate times.

My Magickal Gift to You for March 4th – House Blessing Spell

I am sure my regular readers know that every Full Moon, I bless my home. I also try to remind all of you to do the same. To help you get the ball rolling, my git to you this day……

House Blessing Spell

It is a good idea, when moving into a new home or even every few months – to bless your home with positive energy. This is an effective way to bring positive energy and prosperity into your home.

Items you will need:

Sea Salt

Water

House Blessing Incense

Glass of Red Wine

Dried White Sage

Bell

In the room you spend most of your time in, or a “main room” of your house (like your living room) – cast a circle of power. You do not have to perform an elaborate ritual for this, however you can simply visualize a protective circle around you that slowly expands to encompass your entire living space and house. Invite positive energy, your guides and all spirits who will be positive to come to your aid – and release all those spirits and energies that are negative. An easy way to do this, is to say this, while casting your circle:

“By Fire, Air, Earth and Water – I conjure three that there remain within thy frame, no adverse spell or enmity, or spirit not in accord with me, this is my Will, So Mote It Be!”

Take you Water and Salt, in a small bowl you will take with you on your journey through the house, place the dried sage on top of the water and salt. Have House Blessing Incense burning in the room you cast your circle. Then walking through the house, go to each door, window and entrance and anoint the doors and windows with a sprinkle of the mixture, while saying something to the effect of:

“By the Elements, I purify this home and all doorways. May love and light, prosperity and joy enter. May these passages allow friends and love ones to enter, and prevent those who wish ill or harm.”

Do this to all the windows and doors. Then follow your steps one more time, ringing the bell (this raises positive energies and spirits). Then take the wine, and anoint the front doorway with touches of wine. If you own your home, you can pour the wine across the doorway outside. Place the remaining water, salt and sage outside as an offering to the Gods. Close your circle and the Blessing is complete.

The Origin of Magick

The Origin of Magick

Author: Crick

Have you ever wondered about the origins of magick?
By magick I am not referring to the stage tricks employed by various entertainers for our amusement, but rather the energy which numerous cultures and belief systems have tapped into in order to manifest their various objectives.

This universal gift is known by many different names depending on which culture/belief system one looks at. It may be known simply as magick, prayers, miracles, life force, juju, karma and so forth.
For the purpose of this article it will be referred to as energy.

Have you ever wondered if such energy was a latent presence here on earth prior to the arrival of humankind? Residing here as an ancient primordial force, which was patiently waiting for sentient beings to discover its presence and purpose.

And if it was here prior to the arrival of human beings, did it serve an active purpose in the shaping of life and/or the creation of events that allowed for said life to begin? Was this primordial energy an essence that was introduced by Deity by way of a direct involvement with what we know as life? Or was it a side effect that formed as a result of actions taken by Deity during the course of said activities?

Or perhaps it is a development that manifested itself with the advent of humans? Could it be that the life force that we know as spirit introduced this energy into the life process in order to provide us with opportunities to expand our spiritual awareness and/or connection with alternate realms?

And if this is the case, why do you suppose that such a tool for growth and/or communication is so under utilized?

I say this because in society today, folks tend to become less connected with the world around them and more absorbed with the part of the self that is influenced by the individual ego.

And if this is a tool for growth and communication, why is it that those folks who actually use this energy for this purpose are spurned and looked upon with suspicion and in many cases with outright disdain by others in society? Witchcraft in essence, embodies the concepts and principals in the use of such energy.

And yet the word “witch” brings out and runs the gauntlet of emotions and perceptions of humanity as a whole. And depending on which side of the fence one stands, a witch is either an evil and vile creature or a person who is in touch with and resonates with the universal energies of which magick is a major part of.

Where does this fear of the unknown come from?

Was the ego installed into our souls as a balance to such a powerful tool? Has the balance shifted too far to one side of our souls?

As humans we readily employ magick in our various endeavors, but do we really understand its origins and what exactly is that we are using as a tool? Could the ego be a safety mechanism that has been allowed for whatever reasons, to exceed its purpose?

In some cultures, magick known as prayers is used as a means of communication with Deity. Does magick have but one specific intended use? And if so, are all other uses of such energy but an abuse of its original intended use?

Within these same cultures, when an event that is normally beyond the capacity of mere mortals, occurs, it is called a miracle.

Are these so called miracles really but a form of the same energy that others would call magick? Can we as humans in fact manifest these miracles by employing this energy? Or should such manifestations be the sole province of deity?

And while we are on the subject, does this energy have a shelf life?

Does it become stronger with use, opening even more avenues of discovery and power as one venture along the path, or does it weaken from non-use and/or the cultural disbelief in such a power?

Or is it simply a neutral tool offered by the powers to be, with many different attachments waiting to be realized by humanity.

Regardless of what name we call this energy or by what concept we use to identify with it, this gift has surpassed all boundaries of cultural, religious and societal beliefs. It is found in all aspects and fiber of this existence that we call life. It is a dominant force, often in a passive way, in basically everything that we do as humans. As such we may most likely only achieve but a peripheral understanding of such a complicated and diverse force.

Perhaps one day when we become as one with deity, a more comprehensive understanding of such a gift will be made known to us. But until such a revelation is proffered by the powers that be, we should always strive to understand as much as we are able to in order to effectively use such energy in a way that is both constructive and meaningful to our personal lives and not only our personal lives but to those around us as well.

As members of a diverse community, we have a responsibility to contribute to the health and well being of our community. Because of the diversity of society, there will always be divergent views as to what this energy is or in how it is to be used. But at the end of the day, how we use such energy is still an individual decision.

There are certain pagans, in particular Wiccans, who believe that whatever energy is sent out will return to the originator threefold.
As a traditional witch, I personally am not so sure that such a transfer is so cut and dry, but in general such a concept is a good yardstick or learning curve to adhere to.

I personally do not consider myself a master for I do not believe in such a being outside of deity. Rather I am a student of life with lots of questions. For without such questions there are no answers.
And quite frankly I don’t have answers to many of the questions that I have asked here. What few answers I may have are based upon my personal life experiences.

As pagans we are each individual and thus should answer such questions as they pertain to each person in regards to ones own beliefs and practices…

Circle casting in Spells and Magick

Circle Casting in Spells and Magick

Long before circles were adopted by ceremonial magicians, they have appeared in folk tradition as people for thousands of years have danced in circles around a festival fire. They offer power as well as protection.

In essence you can cast a circle anywhere for any kind of spell or ritual (a visualized one using your index finger takes seconds). If someone is being spiteful at work, you can swivel round in a circle in your chair casting a circle close to your area (about an extended arm span all round) so that nasty words bounce off or are diverted back to the speaker.

Any circle you create should enclose yourself your altar and tools, if you are using them, and anyone working with you to create an enclosed protected place of concentrated power. Even if you are carrying out a whole spell with words or in your mind you can cast a visualized circle of light.

Psychic Protection

Finally comes the all-important issue of protecting yourself psychically while your cast spells or carry out rituals.

Casting a circle and/or a magical square offers you a great deal of psychic protection as does the process of grounding yourself after a spell.

Also doing spells only for positive purposes and with good intent is in itself protective. There is no point in standing within circles, squares or triangles if you are summoning up dark forces or playing about creating elemental thought forms. If what you are doing makes you uneasy or you couldn’t tell your best friend, mother or sister (if they are generally sympathetic towards magick) what you are up to, don’t. That is the basic rule. The following may also help.

Set an earth crystal, an air crystal, a fire crystal and a water crystal that you have sprinkled with a sacred water mix that you have sprinkled with a sacred water mix at the main direction points around a room or an area where you are working. As you set each one, ask for the protection of light and goodness(or dedicate each to a special deity).

Alternatively, use an ordinary round dark brown stone for the north, a white one for the east, a reddish one for the south and a pinkish grey for the west. The north and west stones should be round or diamond shape and the others pointed.

Wash the crystals or stones in running water after the spell or ritual.

You can designate the four traditional archangels to the four watchtowers, external direction points around the room, your outdoor circle of your altar.

Light four angel candles and place them halfway along each actual or visualized line of magick square or round your circle at four main direction points.

Even if you don’t cast a circle for a simple spell you can picture the four angels or substitute angels of nature for the four archangels. Though the conventional element archangels do have ecological foci, you may prefer to choose a nature angel for each element especially for out door magick and use his herbs, crystals and candle colour to complete your protection.

Internalizing Natural Magick

In Natural Magick, you can borrow elemental qualities, taking into yourself spiritually the power of the elemental forces – for example, the power of the wind when you add the air element to the symbol in a spell.

For example, you might say the following as you add incense power to your symbol that represents the purpose of the spell.

I am that mighty wind that blows through time and take away inertia. And so I empower_________ and myself to bring change.

You can use the crashing of the sea, the wind in the trees or the falling rain on your tent to amplify and give your words rhythm. You may find it helpful to hold a symbol as a focus while you speak.

It is quite possible to carry out a spell or indeed a ritual just by using words. Taking it one stage further, the ritual or spell can be visualized, using both words and actions in your mind. In order to stimulate your psychic senses you may choose to carry out this visualized spell while sitting on the seashore or in a glade. Once you are experienced at visualization, you can bring that glade on to a crowded train or into an airless office as you weave your spell.

The beauty of inner spells and rituals is that there are no limits. Your air element really can be shooting stars, your water element a sparkling waterfall or tropical blue ocean. Then next time you carry out a spell externally you will still be able to feel and see those shooting stars or that sparkling water, and so you work is enriched and more powerful.

Even if you are quite experienced in magick these spoken or internalized spells are a very good way of aligning your mind with powerful external forces and thus bringing them together in your rites. They are also useful if you are in a special place but circumstances means that you are not able to start chanting or dancing. You may be in a sacred place or one of outstanding beauty, but accompanied by a tourist party or your in-laws.

By working on this astral or spiritual plane, as you speak the word in your mind you can carry the purpose of the spell though the barrier on to the earth plane of actuality.

Happy & Blessed Tuesday to you, my dear, dear friends!

Ok, forget the boots! This grabbed my attention because this is just what me and Razzy had just finished doing. She has a collection of shoe strings. When she wants to play, here she comes with the tip in her mouth, dragging the rest under her belly. I am going to have to take a picture of her one day and show you, she is so cute when she does this. I have been trying to teach her to keep her claws in. She was doing pretty good till today. I think I pissed her off. I just wasn’t moving fast enough for her this morning. So she gave me a smack or two on the back of my leg to wake me up. And I gave her a pop on her rump to let her know I was wake, lol!

My cat’s antics wasn’t what I wanted to write to you about today. But she so cute, I can’t help it, lol! What was on my mind is some comments I have been getting about the “About Us” page. I have been promoting this site pretty hot and heavy at different spots on the web. I ought to know that when I do that, I better put on my tough skin (more like armoured suit!). Most of the comments have been really nice. They are thanking me for showing them this site and they wish others could see what we are really like. At least, we are getting through to some. But there are others that have gotten under my skin. You know yourself, you have never heard me attack another Religion. I won’t do it. I will not do it. NEVER! I try to teach tolerance of each other’s Religions. With tolerance we can learn from each other and eventually accept each other. But when I have individuals that write to me and tell me that witches are psychotic and thank God we live in a free country or else we would be locked up. That is taking it too far and it reminds me of a time not so long ago in our history. It PISSES me to the bottom. Also there is no such thing in the universe as magic, anyone that believes in magic is living in their own little world. As long as they stay in their own little world, they are no threat to anyone. Since there is no magic in the universe, there are no such things as witches. Anyone that calls themself a witch is delusional.

Now, my brothers and sisters in the Craft do you see why I turn to you for comfort? I need your love, comfort and support. I am mad as hell. I have fought ignorance all my life and it seems ignorance has reared its ugly head again. I am still promoting this site and I really don’t want to go off on a binge. But a witch can only take so much and for those of you new to this site, please forgive me. But stop to consider if someone attacked your Religion. How would you feel? Witchcraft is a religious practice. We have been tormented throughout history by ignorant fools. Do you not realize the first person to outlaw our practices was a Catholic Pope? Why? It wasn’t because our religious practices was bad, demonic, satanic, or any of that. It was because he was money hunger, land hunger, wanted the world. The only way he could do that was to condemn innocent people to their death and the church seize their earthly goods. Yes, it was to make the Church powerful and rich. Our Religion is old as time itself. In the beginning, we were the only Religion that existed. We worshipped the Earth, Nature, and most of all our Loving Goddess, the Mother of All Creation. Our people had to go underground to worship and pass our teachings down from generation to generation. We could not write our Religion down, anyone caught with such was condemned to death. All our Religion has ever known is persecution, hatred and death. We are a strong Religion, Yes, Religion. Just because our Religion has been casted in a bad light for all these centuries does not mean we are evil. Our Religion was given this brand because people were afraid the truth would actually come out about us. Well the truth is coming out about us know. People are turning to our Religion because they are fed up with the mainstream Religions. They are finding out for theirselves what we are about. They are seeking the truth and myself and others like me are here to make sure they see the truth. We are a peaceful Religion. You will never find in the history books our Religion calling for killings in the name of Religion. We worship the Goddess and we respect all life. Life to us, no matter how small is sacred to us. We cherish every living creature. We harm no one. And for those of you that thing there is no such thing as a Witch. I am here to tell you, you are dead wrong. For I AM A WITCH! I don’t have green skin or a long, pointy nose with warts. I look like your neighbor next door. You see what make me different from you. I have found the power of magick, YES MAGICK! There is magick in this world. I am sorry for those who are too ignorant to open their eyes and behold the magick that is all around them. I am sorry that you haven’t looked inside yourself and seen the magick in you. Each of us has the magick in us, no matter what Religion you are the magick is there. You just have to look inside and see it. You see, WITCHES, have looked inside, found the magick and have learned to control it. We can wheel the magick to do our bidding. We can wheel the magick to right the wrong in the Universe. We can wheel the magick to help mankind. You see that is what our mission is, to help and better mankind. We mean no one any harm, but we will not stand by and let ourselves be harmed either. We have Laws we live by and most of us believe in the Karmic Law.

You see, there is Witches in this Universe. We live among you. We could be your neighbor but you will never know. We want to leave in peace. We want our Religion to be recognized for what it is, a Religion. We want to educate the public. To dispel all the old myths that still cast a shadow on our Religion to this day. For those of you that think there is no such thing as a Witch. I pity you. For you see, we will experience the most beautiful life anyone can imagine. The Goddess will shower us with Her Love and show us wonders beyond our beliefs. We will behold things, you will never be able to. There are many things in life, you will never know and it is ashame because all you would have to do is open your mind and heart.

In the service of my Goddess,

Lady Of The Abyss

The Use of the Pentacle In Dragon Magick

A pentacle disk is necessary for consecrations and other ritual work. This is usually a metal or wooden disk with a pentagram (five-pointed star, one point upwards) painted or etched on it. However there is no reason that the pentacle cannot be made out of cardboard. The pentacle is of the element of both Spirit and Earth and helps to control and balance all the other elements. When used as an element of Earth, the pentacle grounds Spirit in the ritual.

The dragon pentacle can be used as either a picture or disk. It is presented during specific rituals as a means of establishing your authority to call upon the dragons, and is also of the element of Spirit.

“Dancing with Dragons”

D. J. Conway

The Magickal Personality (Dragon Magick)

The Magickal Personality

(Dragon Magick)

Every magician begins building her/his magickal personality as soon as she/he begins to seriously work with ritual. The magickal personality is the subconscious way the magician perceives her/himself as magician. We create these types of images all the time by the way we think of ourselves; shy, too thin, fat, not pretty enough, whatever. What we image ourselves to be, and tell ourselves mentally we are, eventually comes to pass.

Others, to whom we give power over us, can do the same thing. This programming can be quite open, with others or ourselves constantly harping on our appearance, our behavior, or our beliefs. Most people, however, are adept at the art of subliminal programming. This is a very insidious thing to do, either to ourselves or to others. It is like drops of water constantly wearing away at a stone. The single drop seems like nothing of importance, but with time the water wears a groove in the rock so that it becomes a different shape.

A magician needs to learn to choose friends and acquaintances with great care. Life is tough enough without surrounding yourself with people who belittle what you believe and do. Oftentimes it becomes necessary not to share your practices and ideas with family and friends. If they are not in agreement with your goals, they can consciously or subconsciously undermine all your efforts.

If you find yourself being self-critical too often, it is a signal that you need some inner work. Everyone has received negative or derogatory programming at some point in their life. Success comes when one can recognize it for what it is and work at weeding it out of the subconscious mind. Unfortunately, there are no instant solutions to this problem. A conscientious magician soon learns that inner work is an on-going task. It is never really finished. However, the biggest advance is made when the magician catches those programmed thoughts as they surface, recognizes them, and rejects them.

If you desire to work in the magickal field, you need to have a long talk with your inner self, not only at the beginning of your career, but at various times throughout your life. Your inner self needs to be firmly convinced that you have the right to practice magick, that it is not wrong or evil unless you have negative intentions. Even more than this, you need to feel that you can do magick. If you believe you can’t do magick, or you believe you can, you’re right! Whatever you believe, you become.

One way to convince your inner self, and your subconscious mind, that you are a magician is to assume what is called the magickal personality each time you enter your ritual area. This is first accomplished by firmly believing that you can do magick and that you have the right to do magick. You reinforce your image of your magickal self by laying aside ordinary life and donning a special robe for the ceremony. Your jewelry and ritual tools, the casting of the circle, the actual working of the ritual, all strengthen the image you build of yourself as a magician. Last, but by no means least in importance is the choosing and assuming of a magickal name.

Your magickal name is an important part of your tools and your magickal personality. The use of this name within your ritual area is a signal both to your subconscious mind and to any entities with which you work that you are prepare to switch from the everyday mode of thinking to magickal workings. The name may come to you during meditation or dreams or simply be one that appeals to you and perhaps describes your desires, attitudes, or aspirations. As with any of your magickal tools, this name can be changed at a later date if you decide you have outgrown it.

Since this special name is a key to your magickal self, share it only with those you can trust. Sharing it indiscriminately with people may place power in the wrong hands, you could find yourself under psychic attack, either to limit your magickal manifestations or to control your life. This type of attack does not necessarily have to be by another magician. Orthodox religionists are experts at using what they call prayer to control and manipulate others.

Your magickal name can be anything you want. It does not have to be the name of a deity or even belong to the history of a particular culture. The name can be made up of syllables whose sounds appeal to you and only has meaning to you alone. The Magical Name by Ted Andrews is a book published by Llewellyn (1991) that goes into a number of ways to choose a magickal name.

If you are already into the practice of magick, you very likely have such a name. You might continue to use it, or decide that you need a special one for working with dragons. Dragon magick names might be: Firebright, Flame Dancer, Wind Rider, Storm Walker, Golden Eyes, Cloud Shadow, or anything else that reminds you in some way of dragons and their attributes and activities.

Some people like to use the study of numerology to choose a name. They use either the number of their birth date or their common name to select a magickal name with the same numerical value.

To determine the numerical value of your birth date, add the numbers of the month, the day, and the year together. For example, February 10, 1961, would have a final value of 11. Some numerologists would break this down further, giving it a value of 2, but I was taught that the numbers 11 and 22 should be left ass they are.

In determining the numerical value of your name or a chosen magickal name, add together the values of all the letters. This gives you the final number or numbers as the case of 11 and 22. You must use your entire name to come up with the correct value.

1 — A person with great individuality, but can become a dictator if not careful. This person seldom if ever follows the dictates of the crowd. More often they are trend-sitters, for good or bad. Works best alones.

2 — A cooperative, sympathetic person who delights in group projects and solving problems. The diplomat who must beware becoming static through not making decisions for fear of hurting someone.

3 — Inspiration and optimism are expressions of this type of person. Also has creative and artistic abilities in some form. Beware of talking too much and doing nothing.

4 — The slow but steady builder of a career, business, relationships, whatever. Works best in a capacity of serving others. Penny-pinching and nitpicking are the extremes of this number.

5 — This person thrives on change and new things. This person can become such an advocate of new ideas that they become a pain in the neck to everyone else.

6 — Home, family, truth, and justice are very important to number 6 people. They will do whatever is necessary to have a stable life. However, they sometimes tend to be worry-warts.

7 — These people often get off to a rock start in life with many trials and tests, especially in learning to see deception. The reward for working their way through these messes is great understanding and sympathy, tempered by high spiritual ideals.

8 — This number person has the strength and talent to be an effective business and financial organizer. Although they like to acquire money and position, they should also involve themselves with charitable events.

9 — If this person disregards the responsibilities of her/his life, a career of disappointments can result. Compassion, love, and service must be their keywords. Works best where human understanding and kindness are needed.

11 — These people are happiest when they are pursuing a life or career which expresses their religious ideals in some way. A few of them choose to withdraw from the world and pursue their goals inwardly, but most of them work in areas where they can directly help others.

22 — These are the innovators on an international, community, or national scale. They are efficient organizers and communicators. Watch out for too much pride in ability.

Having a so-called numerically correct name is not necessary to magick. What you choice of name means to you inwardly is more important. Your magickal name is a vital part of the maigickal personality that you create, the image that you become when you enter your ritual area. This magickal personality is the one to which the dragons respond. As astral beings this is the real you as far as dragons are concerned.

However, the very first creature you must convince that this magickal personality exists is yourself. When you have chosen your magickal name, prepare your altar with lighted black and white candles, perhaps a sweet-smelling incense, and your dragon mirror. Dress in your robes and jewelry as if you were going to do a full dragon ritual. As with regular dragon ritual, it is important that you not be interrupted or disturbed during this time. Instead of the usual ritual proceedings, sit comfortably on a chair or stool so you can look directly into the mirror. Look straight into your reflection and say: “I am (your magickal name). I am a magician and friend of dragons.”

How did you feel as you faced yourself and spoke your name? Did the name itself make you feel uncomfortable, or was the uncomfortableness just the normal reaction of speaking to your reflection? If the name itself truly does not seem to fit, seriously consider choosing another one.

In the beginning, most magicians have to do a lot of work on themselves so that they feel at ease when putting on their magickal personality. They learn that time and ritual practice makes it easier to think of themselves as actual magicians with power.

Weed out any negative past programming that arises from the subconscious mind to tell you you are unworthy, that you cannot do magick, that magick is not real, that magick is evil. Every time a negative thought such as these arises, look straight at your reflection in the mirror and answer it out loud. Take as long as necessary to squash these negatives. You may find yourself having a one-sided conversation with a person who has put you down in one way or another throughout your life. If yelling at that person while looking into your mirror works, then yell! The important thing is to get a clear picture of the negatives hiding within you, those subtle little and not so little pieces of programming that make you doubt yourself in more than just the field of magick.

The ultimate goal is to reach a point in your mirror talk where you can tell yourself that you can, and will, rise above this type of control placed upon you by others. Rise above it, and release it. You may find that your immediate most damaging enemy is yourself. Like Pogo said, “We have met the enemy, and they is us.” Stop setting personal goals which are based on comparing yourself with someone else. You are a unique individual with your special needs, desires, goals and dreams.

When you are comfortable with your personal mirror work and speaking your magickal name, it is time to present yourself as that magickal personality to your dragons. When your ritual area is prepared, when you are dressed in your robes and stand at the center of your circle, call out your name to your dragon co-magicians as you greet them. By trusting your dragon allies with this secret name, you are strengthening the trust you hope to build with them. As you share with them, so they will share with you. Dancing with dragons is an experience of friendship built on trust and caring.

“Dancing With Dragons”

D. J. Conway

Magick That Can Kill Your Dreams

Magick That Can Kill Your Dreams

Author: Kindred Of The Phoenix

I’m not talking about black magick here, curses or hexes or anything that can “come back on you”. Nor am I talking about vengeance or greed or working with dark spirits or demons or the dead.

I’m talking about the simple, “harmless, ” good old white magick, meant to make your finances better or your body healthier or love life deeper and more fulfilling and is the kind of Magick that so many of us do, in love and trust and good intentions.

If you can take some stress off your spouse by getting that raise you know you deserve, or give yourself in love to someone else, supporting them, encouraging them, cherishing them, but the dating site isn’t working out, why not do a spell?

The reason is that it might do you more harm than good in the long run.

I’m also not talking about the (mostly humorous, fortunately) “mis-spelled” spells that give you a dog when you ask for a true companion, or houseplants when you ask for more green in your business, or two stalkers when you ask to be magnetic to potential lovers.

Most intro to witchcraft books have a section on the dangers of poorly written spells, so I see no need to re-hash that here, though I do suggest you read- and re-read these- those .key passages to magical success from time to time.

So how can a good-intentioned, well-written, practically flawless spell go wrong?

Well, to be precise, the spell itself is not the problem. The problem lies in the use of magick itself.

Witches and other occult practitioners often use magick to solve problems, reach goals, or fulfill needs or desires that mundane action will not produce, is not producing now, or isn’t producing in the time schedule desired.

It’s not always a greedy or selfish thing- sometimes magick is simply another tool for survival in the rat race (if you have it, use it!) Or, sometimes it seems more ethical to use a spell to find a better paying job than compete for the only open position in your company with a single mom of three kids who needs it just as much as you do.

If you’re willing to put in just as much work on this mundane end, and just want a little magickal push in the right direction, there hardly seems anything wrong with it.

And there isn’t. Except that it can be deadly to your dreams.

Puzzled? Before I explain all this, consider the following:

Employee A to Boss: I hate this crap job. I can never get ahead. I’m putting in 50 hours a week here- working as hard as I can- and still it’s never enough to pay the bills and get ahead. I’ve been here five years- I have seniority. Why are you holding me back? I’m a good person, aren’t I? With a family to feed, kids that need me at home more to go to their soccer games and be a good parent and role model. Can’t you see I need to move up the ladder here? I’ve never hurt anyone here, always been a good employee, I deserve it. Isn’t it time I moved up?

Employee B to Boss: Good morning sir! About that possible promotion… I know I’ve only been here two years, but in that time I’ve finished my degree and worked hard to apply my education to my work here. I’ve motivated the team with individual attention; I’ve resolved several major tech problems and created a marketing plan that should put us ahead of our competition in six months. I’ve learned the products and customer service techniques, and feel that I have a solid grasp on my current position and all those below it- thus I can lead anyone in those positions if I’m in a position to do so. I think with my forward approach and enthusiasm for the work I am ready for a new position on our team.

Who do you really think will get the promotion?

Not that Employee A doesn’t need or deserve to move up, especially with all the time and effort he/she has put in, and the family to care for. Note that Employee B might have the same financial and family pressures- we don’t know. But business is business, and whoever hands out that promotion probably doesn’t want to know- family aside, the position goes to the one ready for it.

My point in bringing this up is that I truly believe that life isn’t fair but it is right, that some Higher Power is indeed looking out for us, and that all prayers are heard and all are answered- but not in the way we expect.

I believe that if you’re not getting something in life, not moving on to what you think you ought to be by now or because it’s only fair and you deserve it and need it, that there is a very good reason for it.

You’re not ready to move ahead yet.

Just as the boss might tell Employee A that he/she needs to learn enthusiasm for the work, needs to care about their coworkers and customers and learn to love what position they’ve been given and tend it well, nurture and grow it, so to speak, The Powers That Be might be saying this to you by holding you back in life.

Learn to love the small things in life while you’re broke, from sunshine to singing on the porch with your kids. Learn to nurture optimism, faith, and strength of spirit while you’re ill; teach others not to be afraid of either life or death while you’re on the line.

Whatever it is exactly that you’re supposed to learn is something you’ll have to discover, but most often I think it centers near trusting the Powers, loving what you’ve been blessed with instead of yearning for/ striving/working for more, and allowing yourself to be happy with who you are and what you have, despite what others say you should have in life.

When you use magick to give you a boost, you jump ahead and upset the balance. I can’t prove it, but I think this is why so many religions, mainstream and aboriginal, warn against witchcraft and magick except by the highest, most trained priest or shaman.

The Powers are Powers of love and benevolence, they want us to be happy, and thus we have magick to put in our hands the power to jump out of THEIR plan for us and take control of our own lives.

It’s like they are saying, well, if you really think you’re ready, do that spell, you’ll get what you want. Maybe you do know better. We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.

And so we do that spell, jump ahead… and lose again and again that footing. Our dreams keep crumbling and we collapse in tears and ask why.

Maybe we weren’t ready yet and lost our new, advanced place in the world on our own. Or, just as likely, I believe that Divinity has a bit of a “list” of ordeals and accomplishments that each of us is to go through in our lifetime.

The order in which we accomplish/experience these things is, for the most part, unimportant, but the lessons we draw from them are. Therefore if it has been chosen for you to undergo some financial difficulty to teach you humility, or introduce you to a soul mate (who is working in a food pantry), your spell may bring in some cash but you’re due to fall back into poverty again. Not as a punishment, not because you don’t deserve better, but because The Powers that Be have something waiting for you- something good.

Without that spell, but instead with some time and some trust, you are right where you need to be. (Comforting, isn’t it?) There is something for you, right now, right here, whether you can see it or not.

If you stop trying to magickally vault ahead and run away, and look around, you just might find it and move ahead naturally.

And therefore, each time we upset the system through magick, we essentially waste time.

We put ourselves in a “better place, ” for a time, but get stuck returning to the same muck time and again and wonder why. We seem to reach a dream but soon lose it.

Rather than being mired in that cycle, I suggest you look around, take stock of what you do have, and learn to enjoy and make the best of it. If indeed we are all where we are for a reason, all you have to do is discover that reason and honor its wisdom, and a new path will be revealed to you.

Therefore when I say magick will kill your dreams, I mean that magick will give them to you only to have you lose them again, and waste precious time in your life in that cycle of gain and loss, when you could simply do what you must with what you have now and move into that dream, in its own time, for good.

Therefore may I suggest prayer, especially prayer in circle, to help you move ahead? You are not alone. Divinity loves you and wants you to succeed, and will listen and answer when properly asked.

Many forms of magick essentially have you working on your own, either telling the God and/or Goddess what to do for you, or leaving them out entirely. You need not be alone in your trials like that…

Ask why you are where you are, what’s holding you back, and what needs to be done to move on to something you’d like better. And especially, ask that it all be for the greater good.

This approach has worked so much better for me than magick!

In closing, I’d like to share with you a bit of comfort that’s hung on my wall since I was a child. It’s called the Desiderata, and it was discovered in Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore, dated 1962. These are only a few lines from it…

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be….

Ritual Tools and Dragon Magick

Every sincere, dedicated magician is always searching for new ways to amplify her/his magical powers so that her/his manifestations will be more accurate and consistent. Using the elemental-type power of dragons to help in your rituals is an excellent method of increasing the flow of energy within the cast circle.

There are certain ritual tools that you will find helpful for dragon magic. If you are already practicing magic, you will have some of them. If you are just beginning to work in magic, acquire your tools slowly and with care. Tools do not have to be elaborate or expensive to work magic. For example, I have never found that a little silver wand (these are really expensive!) could do more than a piece of dowel lovingly decorated by the magician. And the tools do not have to be acquired at once or before you can start your magical workings.

If you budget does not allow any purchases at the moment, do not put off beginning your practice of dragon magic. Start off with the kitchen table or the nightstand in the bedroom as an altar. One white candle in a fireproof holder is better than none; however, if you cannot have a candle, substitute an electric candle or small light. A paring knife will work as a ritual dagger for carving script onto the candle. A pleasant cologne or aftershave can become an emergency incense. A glass can be chalice. Use your imagination and inventiveness until you can manifest enough prosperity to purchase better tools. Ritual manifestations have been successful with some of the most outlandish equipment in a pinch. But it does work better and more efficiently when you have special ritual tools. I think this has to do with budding magician’s subconscious mind and the development of the magical personality.

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