Post by Metaphysical Beginnings on Jul 25, 2013 1:57:58 GMT
Everything used in magic making must be suitably consecrated. This may be time-
consuming at first, but it needs only be done once, for once consecrated an altar
and the things on it remain so, unless another person touches them. If this does
happen, whatever has been touched has to be reconsecrated as it will have picked
up negative energies from the offender!
Once the place where spells are to be cast has been selected, then is the time for
consecration. A quiet space should be selected. It doesn’t matter if it is indoors or
outdoors, as long as it is a place where work can be done and spells cast
undisturbed. The space needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Traditionally a besom is
used for this and the task is performed three times – once for the physical world,
once for emotional cleaning and once to clean the spirit. When this has been done,
it is usual to sprinkle water and salt around the area and to burn some incense.
Now the work surface, or altar, is prepared. It can be a tray, a table, a dressing
table or an ornately carved piece of furniture. It doesn’t matter, for in magic making
it’s the thought that counts!
On the altar there should be candles, including a silver one to represent The Lady
and the moon, and a gold one to represent The Lord and the sun, and a pentagram,
a censer, a bowl of water and a bowl of salt, an athame, a chalice, a bell and a
wand. Also, crystals and other items that are going to be used regularly should be
on the altar.
Everything in place, the altar is then dedicated to whichever power is to be asked
to bless the spells to be cast. Wiccans dedicate their altars to The Lord and Lady.
Others with no particular belief apart from a deeply held conviction that the forces
of nature can be summoned and used for the greater good, may choose to dedicate
their altars simply to the Greater Good and the benefit of all.
Traditionally, each of the four elements is then addressed. One way is to say to
each in turn, 'Oh element * * * *. May all negative energies depart, leaving only the
positive. This is my will. So be it.’ As the earth is addressed, a banishing earth
pentacle is drawn over the bowl of salt on the altar. When the water is being
addressed, a banishing water pentacle is drawn over the bowl of water. Similarly, a
banishing fire pentacle is cast over the candles when fire is being addressed, and
a banishing air one over the incense when it is air’s turn.
Now each altar instrument and everything to be used in ritual must be similarly
consecrated. Each item should be presented to each of the elements in turn while
an appropriate invocation to wash away negative energies, leaving only positive
ones, is spoken.
Non-traditionalists may simply focus their energies on each object in turn and
visualize energy flowing into it, while asking the force to which they have
dedicated the altar to bless it and any working that is to be done with it.
Visualization plays an important part in spell weaving. Many spells call for the
magic maker to visualize the object of the spell or the person who will, hopefully,
benefit from the spell. There are many techniques that help those interested in
visualization to develop the ability to vizualize and anyone who is serious about
making magic would do well to study them and make himself or herself efficient in
the practice. Practising may seem odd, at first, and novices often feel more than a
little self- conscious, sitting alone in a quiet room focusing energies on seeing
oneself being somewhere else. But exercises such as the one that follows are well
worth doing as they help to develop a skill that is very necessary in spell weaving.
Light a candle in a darkened, draught-free room so that the flame can burn as
steadily as possible. Sit as still as you can and gaze at the flame allowing it to hold
your attention completely. Let the image fill your mind before quickly closing your
eyes. Notice how the candle has imprinted itself on the darkness. Hold it there, in
your mind’s eye, ignoring any change of colour. If it slips to the side, bring it back
to the centre and continue concentrating until the image fades completely. Now
open your eyes and resume gazing at the candle. Continue in this way for ten
minutes, gradually increasing the time that you hold the image of the candle in
your mind’s eye.
With practise, and from such a simple start, it is possible to develop the ability to
undertake the visualization required for even the most advanced magic making.
consuming at first, but it needs only be done once, for once consecrated an altar
and the things on it remain so, unless another person touches them. If this does
happen, whatever has been touched has to be reconsecrated as it will have picked
up negative energies from the offender!
Once the place where spells are to be cast has been selected, then is the time for
consecration. A quiet space should be selected. It doesn’t matter if it is indoors or
outdoors, as long as it is a place where work can be done and spells cast
undisturbed. The space needs to be cleaned thoroughly. Traditionally a besom is
used for this and the task is performed three times – once for the physical world,
once for emotional cleaning and once to clean the spirit. When this has been done,
it is usual to sprinkle water and salt around the area and to burn some incense.
Now the work surface, or altar, is prepared. It can be a tray, a table, a dressing
table or an ornately carved piece of furniture. It doesn’t matter, for in magic making
it’s the thought that counts!
On the altar there should be candles, including a silver one to represent The Lady
and the moon, and a gold one to represent The Lord and the sun, and a pentagram,
a censer, a bowl of water and a bowl of salt, an athame, a chalice, a bell and a
wand. Also, crystals and other items that are going to be used regularly should be
on the altar.
Everything in place, the altar is then dedicated to whichever power is to be asked
to bless the spells to be cast. Wiccans dedicate their altars to The Lord and Lady.
Others with no particular belief apart from a deeply held conviction that the forces
of nature can be summoned and used for the greater good, may choose to dedicate
their altars simply to the Greater Good and the benefit of all.
Traditionally, each of the four elements is then addressed. One way is to say to
each in turn, 'Oh element * * * *. May all negative energies depart, leaving only the
positive. This is my will. So be it.’ As the earth is addressed, a banishing earth
pentacle is drawn over the bowl of salt on the altar. When the water is being
addressed, a banishing water pentacle is drawn over the bowl of water. Similarly, a
banishing fire pentacle is cast over the candles when fire is being addressed, and
a banishing air one over the incense when it is air’s turn.
Now each altar instrument and everything to be used in ritual must be similarly
consecrated. Each item should be presented to each of the elements in turn while
an appropriate invocation to wash away negative energies, leaving only positive
ones, is spoken.
Non-traditionalists may simply focus their energies on each object in turn and
visualize energy flowing into it, while asking the force to which they have
dedicated the altar to bless it and any working that is to be done with it.
Visualization plays an important part in spell weaving. Many spells call for the
magic maker to visualize the object of the spell or the person who will, hopefully,
benefit from the spell. There are many techniques that help those interested in
visualization to develop the ability to vizualize and anyone who is serious about
making magic would do well to study them and make himself or herself efficient in
the practice. Practising may seem odd, at first, and novices often feel more than a
little self- conscious, sitting alone in a quiet room focusing energies on seeing
oneself being somewhere else. But exercises such as the one that follows are well
worth doing as they help to develop a skill that is very necessary in spell weaving.
Light a candle in a darkened, draught-free room so that the flame can burn as
steadily as possible. Sit as still as you can and gaze at the flame allowing it to hold
your attention completely. Let the image fill your mind before quickly closing your
eyes. Notice how the candle has imprinted itself on the darkness. Hold it there, in
your mind’s eye, ignoring any change of colour. If it slips to the side, bring it back
to the centre and continue concentrating until the image fades completely. Now
open your eyes and resume gazing at the candle. Continue in this way for ten
minutes, gradually increasing the time that you hold the image of the candle in
your mind’s eye.
With practise, and from such a simple start, it is possible to develop the ability to
undertake the visualization required for even the most advanced magic making.