Well, in the face of my last post I have gotten back on the magical horse so to speak. Due to an excessively harty schedule I have altered my approach somewhat. Rather than physically going through the steps and laying out the candles and drawing the circle and donning all other props I've taken a more intrensic approach as of late.
I enter a deep meditative state, and enter an intrensic ritual space. In my mind I cast my circle, if need be, call upon the thought forms that suit me and go from there. If the sword and chalice are indeed only props than an internal sword and chalice ought to do just fine by my reckoning. Will I get the same zip I may get by using the actual physical ingredients? I guess we'll find out.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Four Months, holy crap
Well, it's been four freaking months since my last post. For the longest time now I have been fading away from occult practice. Not belief in the occult mind you but occult practice. This seems strange to me being that I went from being a dyed in the wool skeptic of things like auras, and "energy work" to having personal experiences of these phenomenon.
The reality of it all hit me like a freight train the first time I actually saw, and felt my aura. And then the experiences that followed. So how can I explain my lack of follow through on something that changed my world view so completely? It has been puzzling me for several months now.
The answer is personal will. Its fundamental. Practicing the occult arts is all about manifesting your will. Using ritual and subtle (and not so subtle) energies to form reality to your will. However, often the question is how do I manifest my will in the most effective manner possible? If I wish to feel better and run faster is it more effective to perform a ritual or change my diet and training regimen?
It takes a great deal of discipline, study, and soul searching to be an effective witch. I would argue it takes considerably more effort to be a good and effective witch or occultist, etc. than it does to eat right and exercise. Or go and find yourself a mate. Or find a job. Or do just about any old thing a witch would put forth there magical efforts to do. Its economics.
Now a very probable rebuttal to this observation would be that a truly effective witch could effect occurrences that a non-magic user would have no hope of affecting. Such as using magic to heal, foretell future events, protect oneself and their family from harm, or effect the weather. One might also make the argument that it is simply more spiritually fulfilling than obtaining your will by more mundane means.
Such an argument certainly has merit. Certainly I feel much more spiritually fulfilled when actively engaged in ceremony and meditation. But I would also point out that the things that truly matter to a person such as, love, health, a good cup of coffee, and a good roll in the sheets, can all be met just as fully through mundain means.
This leaves me with the question of what is the question here? If the question is something like: Is pursuing my will through occult practices necesarilly more fulfilling than pursuing it through mundain practices? Than I am unconvinced.
If the question is: Am I more fulfilled spiritually when engaged in occult ceremony, meditation, and magical work? Then the answer seems to be yes.
So, which is it the means or the end?
Here's to finding out.
The reality of it all hit me like a freight train the first time I actually saw, and felt my aura. And then the experiences that followed. So how can I explain my lack of follow through on something that changed my world view so completely? It has been puzzling me for several months now.
The answer is personal will. Its fundamental. Practicing the occult arts is all about manifesting your will. Using ritual and subtle (and not so subtle) energies to form reality to your will. However, often the question is how do I manifest my will in the most effective manner possible? If I wish to feel better and run faster is it more effective to perform a ritual or change my diet and training regimen?
It takes a great deal of discipline, study, and soul searching to be an effective witch. I would argue it takes considerably more effort to be a good and effective witch or occultist, etc. than it does to eat right and exercise. Or go and find yourself a mate. Or find a job. Or do just about any old thing a witch would put forth there magical efforts to do. Its economics.
Now a very probable rebuttal to this observation would be that a truly effective witch could effect occurrences that a non-magic user would have no hope of affecting. Such as using magic to heal, foretell future events, protect oneself and their family from harm, or effect the weather. One might also make the argument that it is simply more spiritually fulfilling than obtaining your will by more mundane means.
Such an argument certainly has merit. Certainly I feel much more spiritually fulfilled when actively engaged in ceremony and meditation. But I would also point out that the things that truly matter to a person such as, love, health, a good cup of coffee, and a good roll in the sheets, can all be met just as fully through mundain means.
This leaves me with the question of what is the question here? If the question is something like: Is pursuing my will through occult practices necesarilly more fulfilling than pursuing it through mundain practices? Than I am unconvinced.
If the question is: Am I more fulfilled spiritually when engaged in occult ceremony, meditation, and magical work? Then the answer seems to be yes.
So, which is it the means or the end?
Here's to finding out.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Wheels Turn Slowly
It's been a while since my last post partly due to being busy. The other part is this continuing internal debate I've been having since discovering neo-paganism and occult systems. Years ago I was a Christian. A very sincere dyed in the wool type. Several years of study and many more years of intense honest questions brought the whole show down around my head.
I never did loose my belief in God, just religion. I had too many what should probably be called "paranormal", if there is such a thing, experiences growing up, witnessed too many faith healing, and felt the presence of divinity and other not so pleasant entities much too strongly to ever stop believing in God in general. Not the Jewish/Christian God mind you, more the DIVINE CREATOR.
However, religion in general seems so ludicrous to me now it is sometimes difficult to marry my personal experiences with any sort of belief structure. Before you go saying that luckily doing so is not necessary in practicing magik, I remind you that nearly all if not all magikal systems were birthed from religion.
I now know Christianity is a false religion. However, I have witnessed faith healings. I am not a Buddhist but I clearly see auras. I don't have an ounce of faith in Gerald Gardner but I have felt the divinity in nature and have trembled in the presence of what I can only describe as the/a goddess. It's not that I believe there is really "something or someone out there". There is evidently a whole fucking lot of something out there and I am at a complete fucking loss as to what IT is.
Shit.
I never did loose my belief in God, just religion. I had too many what should probably be called "paranormal", if there is such a thing, experiences growing up, witnessed too many faith healing, and felt the presence of divinity and other not so pleasant entities much too strongly to ever stop believing in God in general. Not the Jewish/Christian God mind you, more the DIVINE CREATOR.
However, religion in general seems so ludicrous to me now it is sometimes difficult to marry my personal experiences with any sort of belief structure. Before you go saying that luckily doing so is not necessary in practicing magik, I remind you that nearly all if not all magikal systems were birthed from religion.
I now know Christianity is a false religion. However, I have witnessed faith healings. I am not a Buddhist but I clearly see auras. I don't have an ounce of faith in Gerald Gardner but I have felt the divinity in nature and have trembled in the presence of what I can only describe as the/a goddess. It's not that I believe there is really "something or someone out there". There is evidently a whole fucking lot of something out there and I am at a complete fucking loss as to what IT is.
Shit.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Thought
For a long time I have intended to "get serious" about my occult practices or my personal craft if you will and haven't done it. A friend once said to me that witchcraft is about power. In order to seek power one must have will. In order to know your will you must know yourself. So tonight, I endeavor to know myself. I'll let you know how it works out.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wow, so far off track...
My schedule has me scrambling to get my magikal feet back under me. This whole new dad thing has taken a toll on the schedule. Anyway, no more excuses, but I'm starting back from the ground up with some meditation work. That's always where the rubber meets the road for me anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to post something a little more useful soon.
While I've found that I can still do energy work distracted and low on practice, I can say from experience that not having time to metaphysically recharge and refocus it does seem to take the mustard off my work (spells).
I never have gotten comfortable with magik and witch, etc. as terminology. It seems so namby pamby. I guess I could accurately say I am a witch that casts spells, but then I immediately get this mental picture of prancing around a tree in a purple robe. An occultist doing energy work sounds so much more dignified. Damn google videos. Nothing against folks who prefer the whole gay pride/Halloween look. Just not for me I guess.
Anyway, I digress. Just wanted to reiterate the importance of simple things like charging and cleansing aura and chakras, cleansing meditations, and other simple meditations. Also important, finding ways to stay motivated. This is one of my biggest struggles. I've found what often works are simple things. Find a decent book on witchcraft or etc. even a basic one and read for five minutes before you go to sleep. That's what I had to start doing anyway. Also reminding yourself of successes and meaningful encounters. Sometime reminding yourself of those "holy crap" moments helps you remember that yes though some of this shit sounds crazy its real. Also, In my own experience I notice that I start shutting out metaphysical practice when there are personal issues I'm not dealing with. Food for thought. Assuming anyone actually reads this...
While I've found that I can still do energy work distracted and low on practice, I can say from experience that not having time to metaphysically recharge and refocus it does seem to take the mustard off my work (spells).
I never have gotten comfortable with magik and witch, etc. as terminology. It seems so namby pamby. I guess I could accurately say I am a witch that casts spells, but then I immediately get this mental picture of prancing around a tree in a purple robe. An occultist doing energy work sounds so much more dignified. Damn google videos. Nothing against folks who prefer the whole gay pride/Halloween look. Just not for me I guess.
Anyway, I digress. Just wanted to reiterate the importance of simple things like charging and cleansing aura and chakras, cleansing meditations, and other simple meditations. Also important, finding ways to stay motivated. This is one of my biggest struggles. I've found what often works are simple things. Find a decent book on witchcraft or etc. even a basic one and read for five minutes before you go to sleep. That's what I had to start doing anyway. Also reminding yourself of successes and meaningful encounters. Sometime reminding yourself of those "holy crap" moments helps you remember that yes though some of this shit sounds crazy its real. Also, In my own experience I notice that I start shutting out metaphysical practice when there are personal issues I'm not dealing with. Food for thought. Assuming anyone actually reads this...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Or maybe not...
Taking a break from blogging since I haven't been making the time for my own metaphysical practice lately. Since I'm a big believer in practicing what you preach I'll wait until I'm back in the swing of things to continue posting. Alas, my thousands of acolytes must wait patiently. (hah).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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