MAGICK AND PERSONAL POWER  

One of the major attractions to Witchcraft, for the beginner, is usually the practice of Magick, Just as there are many age old misconceptions about witchcraft, so too are there with regards to Magick. True Magick is the manipulation of natural forces or energies in order to cause changes to occur in accordance with personal or group Will. There are many different ways of working Magick and as many different aspects. Basically speaking, however, most types of Magick will fit into one of two methods and these are Raised and Drawn. Raised energy is that which emanates from the body and/or mental sphere. Drawn energy is that which is attracted from other realms by ritual means. This includes workings which involve spirits and gods. Magick may has been said to also fall into the realms of Black Magick or negative and White Magick being positive. True witches do not prescribe to this simple categorization of Magick. They do understand the laws of Nature and of Karma and therefore are careful with there art. In witchcraft, there is a belief that the energy which we send out, whether good or evil, shall return to us three-fold. This is not to be taken lightly and no one is exempt from the consequences of their own action. Most people today do not believe in Magick, feeling that it has no basis in scientific "fact". But there are in fact physical manifestations that occur here in the physical plane that can help explain how Magick works.   These reasons are based upon energy fields and various currents existing around the earth. Without going into some serious physics a simple explanation of the various forces acting on us will be described. Energy currents are cause by the rotation of the earth and the gravitational forces of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies. The actual spinning of the earth creates electromagnetic currents within the atmosphere, the earth, and ourselves. The movement of the earth around the sun, the moon around the earth, and the other planets (but to a lesser but measurable extent) creates gravitational stress on the earth. This tidal stress causes vibrational currents in our atmosphere as well. From historical observations positive currents flow from east to west. This has formed the basis for the "salute to the dawn" which is common to many cults. There are also seasonal tides which are based on magnetic currents in accordance with the position of the sun and earth. Positive tides flow from late March to late September. The negative tides flow from late September to late March. The religious Sabbats of Witchcraft mark the peak of these currents. The Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice mark the tides of "reaping" and "destruction".   Ritual Magick, works on the basis of attracting sympathetic energies by means of words (vibrations) gestures and dramatic portrayal. The theory being the combination of these factors directed by the personal or group will and "boosted" by the need, will attract sympathetic energies which will cause a "ripple" to the necessary plane for manifestation. The Magick is partly on the psychic mind levels and partly on spirit influences.  The tools and clothing (or lack of clothing) used in rituals serve to trigger or stimulate the participants so that the necessary energies can be raised. The tools which are used in the rituals act also as extensions of the ritualists will power and mental/psychic abilities.   Generally we can say that Magick is really a matter of vibrational cause and effect. The major difference is whether the ripple is sent out or brought down. Magick which deals with the invocations of spirits and/or deities incorporates the vibrational theory as a catalyst. The forces behind Magick are real, being both physical and supernatural. It is the art of getting these forces to work for you, and not against you, that is the practice of Magick.   Humankind and the animal kingdom are empowered (to varying degrees) with psychic abilities which transcend the average physical senses. Just as the earth has its fields of energy, as above so below, we know that the flesh body also has them. This was covered briefly in the section on the body and its auras. The Occult teachings tell us that humans contain psychic organs as well as physical. Many groups use various techniques for stimulating these organs for personal power. Strengthening the personal Will is essential to the practice of Magick, as are the abilities to create and hold mental images. Simple exercise for developing these traits include the following: Image retention may be strengthened by drawing a circle, square, and triangle, and coloring them different colors such as yellow, blue and red. Then concentrate on them one at a time. Try to see each one mentally with your eyes closed. Hold the image for as long as possible. Once you can do this for a minimum of at least 60 seconds you are well on the way. The Will can be strengthened by concentrating on a small object which will float in a container of liquid. Will the object to move in various directions, one at a time. Use the three conscious levels of thought (pre-thought, thought, and verbal) Will cover more on this later time. When you are asleep and dreaming try and take control of it, or purposely alter some object or situation. This can be accomplished by planting the thought that you will realize you are dreaming, while you are trying to go to sleep. This will not happen right away, but may require continuous attempts. This dream technique is especially effective, and after a while, you will be able to do anything you want in the dream state.   Once the mental abilities are awakened, then it is time to embrace nature. In ancient times the witches considered themselves part of Nature, and all living things were of kindred spirit. The animal instincts that surge through us, was not something to be suppressed and ashamed of, but something to be embraced, and experienced. This, is the path you must walk, to reawaken the knowledge of Oneness. Observation and contemplation is the first step. To study the stars at night, to walk and sleep in the woods is essential for the beginner. It is through the knowledge of Nature that the heart of the craft is found. Personal ego must be conquered, then the realization of the natural equality of all things will become apparent.   In the time before persecution by the Church, covens would gather in the woods to worship. Oak groves were especially places of meeting, and not only for witches but for Druids and others. It seem that trees of all kinds have always been important to religious and Magickal cults. Occult teachings tell us that trees are natural receptors and containers of energy. They are also great healers and can absorb negative energy which is "grounded" out through their roots. There is little wonder why an outing in the woods is so restful and refreshing. The energy nature of the tree can be discerned by a simple observation of its structure. Gnarled or deformed trees are, of course, housing negative energy and should be avoided. Ancient myths tell of the gods who would imprison evil spirits within trees. Broad leafy trees with thick trunks are feminine based in nature while tall slender trees are masculine in the nature of their energy. Today in our modern "civilized'' society the tree is still a part of our religious practice. Once you begin to merge with the ways of Nature, the body and mind become accessible to power. There are times when personal power (and ritual participation) create an over-charge or energy imbalance and it becomes necessary to drain off the excess. This may be accomplished by two simple methods which follow, Sit upon the ground with your legs folded beneath you, preferably nude, and place the palms of both hands down on the ground beside you. Imagine your arms to be hollow like a hose then pour out the energy into the earth. This applies to negative energy which is creating mood problems also. Another method which might seem a bit odd, is simply to embrace a healthy tree and, using deep breathing, expel the energy into the tree.   Most people are probably familiar with the late show horror films in which wax figures are used against people, complete with hair and nail clippings. This was actually an ancient method of sympathetic Magick used mainly for healings. Within a persons hair and fingernails there exists an energy pattern identical to the body which they came from. These are used as "homing" devices to which energy is drawn or raised, thus creating a ripple which will effect the body as well as the image.   During ritual workings it is sometimes necessary to "charge" objects with energy for healing purposes (or whatever) and this is performed by several methods. One simple and effective technique used is a form of the deep breathing exercises. In this method the participants concentrate upon the object and upon the purpose of the gathering. Then the group will point their hands or ritual tools toward the object and begin deep breathing to a quickening pace. The ritualists will hold a mental image of energy being drawn in and expelled outward with each breath. This will be directed by the priest or priestess who will also decide when the energy is sufficient to have saturated the object. This can then be worn or carried by the intended person from new moon to full moon. The energy which was implanted within the object will gradually be absorbed by the person possessing it.   The traditional powers of the witch have always been the ability to foretell the future, effect weather, cure illness, influence people, communicate with spirits and so forth. One of the burdens of these powers is to be falsely accused of cursing people and harming crops, sacrificing infants, etc. Today there is little belief among the average person in regards to the powers of Witchcraft. Current laws concerning occult practices are those prohibiting fraudulent acts involving payment. Although the law basically does not acknowledge the validity of Magick or witchcraft, it does recognize the rights of churches, ministers, and their practices. It is therefore essential to the Craft that legal churches and their priests and priestesses be established.   It is a common practice among most witches to use methods of divination techniques such as Tarot cards and crystal gazing, with the sincere belief that a certain knowledge of future events is possible to obtain. I personally use the tarot and it is my belief that they are a key to future trends. The cards work partly on the psychic mind levels and partly on spirit influences. Witches can, an do, communicate on various levels with spiritual beings (though not always willingly). The ability to influence other people is not particular to witchcraft, for everyone uses it to one degree or another. It is simply psychic communication and witches are merely aware of how to strengthen the effects. There can be no doubt as to there being personal power in the practice of Wicca. Anyone who has been involved, in whatever manner, will testify to this. It must be remembered that psychic ability is common to all humans and there is nothing special or unnatural about it. It simply requires exercise to bring it under control, just like everything else you have ever had to learn. Its natural for us to walk, yet some infant can walk before others, and it takes applied effort and practice.