ONE: Drawing energy from polarity, and setting up spells to have this energy. The object and subject of any attempt to spell-cast, create between them a dynamic polarity, which in itself provides much of the energy and tension required to cast a spell. Don't panic!! It's just a fancy way of saying…… You have an "object" in casting a spell i.e. a purpose for which you are casting, a change in the current reality you are trying to create for your own ends. You are trying to effect this change upon a "subject". For example: you have a piece of Land (the subject) that has been previously barren (the current reality) which you wish to make, by casting a spell, more fertile (the object) So the Land's current condition (barren) is in direct opposite to the effect you wish to produce (one of fertility) This oppositeness has its own energy which helps any spell along greatly. If you were trying to make a spell and decided to use the term "healthy" or "profitable" instead of "fertile" your spell would lose much of its intrinsic power and energy. "Fertile" is directly opposite "Barren", so herbs, stones, incantations centered around fertility will be most effective. This is the most simple and effective rule at the heart of writing your own spells and one which will serve you very well. Mull over the effect you are trying to create, considering first the current reality, and then what you want to make that reality. Most simple spells that rely on complete polar oppositeness can be effected without anything other than will, but at this level many are more reliant on external aids and prefer to "back up" their efforts with candles, colours, incense and herbs. At this level it is important to make sure these herb correspond to the opposite state you are trying to create. Timing can also reinforce this energy, using decisive times New Moon, or Full Moon. Anything that reinforces your belief in your spell is acceptable and appropriate. However, the more complex your work and the more complex the ends you are trying to serve the harder it may become to clearly identify an object and subject in direct polarity to each other,( but you should always try to get as near to this sense of oppositeness as possible. ) You may not wish to reach an opposite effect, you may wish merely to mildly affect reality. After working with direct polarity for a while it is time to move onto more subtle shades of effect and how to achieve them. TWO: Shading reality. I like to think of it as "shading reality", changing it any amount from a tiny almost imperceptible change to a considerable but not actually polar opposite change. * directly opposite current reality degrees of change degrees of change * Current Reality This comes with practice and many people naturally progress to it without ever thinking formally about it. It is the ability to produce a smaller change than a complete Opposite or reversal, , and as such will draw its energy from another source than the beginning simple spells above. At this second level one should (by meditation) be more in tune with the world around us, Nature and physical reality and also with the wolrd we cannot see – energy forces and nature, sprites, spirits, gods and places or power and energy. This is the energy one will usually draw from at this level: think of it as seeing and feeling all around one, the natural rhythm and flow of life, and at the same time being aware that one is linked to a higher plane. You wish to effect a change in reality : "colour" it to suit yourself, either a little or a lot…so you turn your mind towards the spell, using words and rhythm that match your needs, (usually chanting rhythmically ) and visualize the world changing to your desired effect. Think of it as though you were inserting a lever into the world and heaving on it, turning the world slightly in whatever direction you wanted. Or think of it as listening to the rhythm and music of both the mundane and the hidden worlds tuning in to them, singing along, then changing the beat and melody to your own tune. There are many different visualizations that will help at this point. One is usually less reliant on aides at this level, usually preferring to use one item, herb or candle or stone, using a simpler space in which to work and by now calling on one or two regular spirits or gods. However, one is less reliant on aides but still reliant on routine ritual familiarity comfort zones etc. Level three is where we begin to move forward more boldly. THREE A wider understanding of magic At this level, and again for many it is a natural progression, we begin to feel that other gods, or spirits or sacred places call to us. We feel a deeper and more complete understanding of our world and the otherworld, we are more adept at soul journeying, and we meditate more naturally and for longer periods with better effect. The effect of this on spell casting is to free us up, literally. At this level we can either use ingredients for a spell or we can visualize, and many make that choice based on instinct, what feels right for any given situation. At this level a serious practitioner can effect spells simply by tuning into the mood of people around them, or by raising energy as they walk or work. However it is rare to find a practicing witch who doesn't enjoy making healing potions and culinary magic, or who won't still make use of any other natural magic such as stones and candles…the great effectiveness of magic among grass roots practitioners has always been its practicality. Without these traditional activities the entire art would lose much of its charm. Also continuing to chop, labour, toil and fret over these products of nature, and to try to bring healing into the world, stops us becoming narcissistic and self obsessed: the further we explore the fourth level of magic the realm of pure visualization and empty handed magic, the greater the temptation to be cold, and ruthless and unconnected to the very source of all power, nature and the natural world itself The above three levels are merely guidelines, broad-stroke pictures of various milestones on the traditional witches journey. Some may hit them all one by one like clockwork, others will experience one and not another: it would be impertinent and wrong to try to state "this is how you should progress, and this is the timescale you should do it on" There are no "degrees" to be earned here, no titles, no status…you are your own judge and examiner and you cheat yourself only. Better to spend ten years at a basic level, and move on properly prepared, and at your own rate of growth than to plough through "levels" as though they were school exams:)
copyright TM 2002 |