Sacred Wands Magick Blog

Groombridge Place: A great way to introduce children to paganism

2010-09-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I visited Groombridge Place in East Sussex, UK, expecting a typical stately home and gardens. Little did I know I was about to embark on a magical adventure into an enchanted forest filled with pagan symbolism and mystery. I was in my element! As we started along the trail into the enchanted forest, we all noticed a change in energy. My sisters, not being particularly knowledgeable about such things, simply commented that they could feel something. Squirrels ran in front of us as if leading the way. Faces had been carved into tree stumps and green man faces were attached to tree trunks (see right).

As we continued into the forest we came across clearings in which large stone spirals had been created and huge spider webs had been constructed in the trees. There was a circle of old oak trees with a mysterious large standing stone in the centre. Witches hats and broomsticks were hanging from the trees. Then we came upon a mystic pool through which a line representing the tree of life ran.

Mirrors had been set around the pool and dream-catchers hung from branches. Later we came across a naturally blue pool and an old spring

considered to have life-giving properties, and then a statue of an imp (see left). Throughout the forest a magical atmosphere had been created, as well as fun children's play areas. Deer lined the pathway on the way out of the forest and wind chimes signalled the exit.

Later we watched a bird of prey display involving eagles and kestrels. The message of the handler was to respect the birds and not fear them, as fear is a very dangerous thing that nearly led to the extinction of some species.

I wish there were more places like Groombridge place. It really is about time that we started to introduce children to the magic in nature, there is so much to be gained from learning to appreciate the natural beauty of our world and live in harmony with it. Everyone we met, young and old, seemed to be having a great time. For more photos and information visit the Groombridge Place website as I was having problems with my camera that day - a situation I have encountered many times in high energy places.

Greek sacred sites and triangular geographical co-ordinates

2010-08-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

The following information was given to me by an acquaintance and was not collected by myself, however it is so astounding that I feel the need to share it. As you all know I have visited several sacred sites of ancient Greece and I have found the energy at some of these sites to be so powerful that I have collected and crafted wands from them. I have known and felt for a long time that there are locations on this planet that, if left untouched, provide energy centers where we can connect more easily to the life-giving creative force. It makes sense that temples were built on many of these sites but imagine my surprise to find out that there is a geographical pattern underlying them!

1) Please see the following Google Earth image showing the location of the sacred sites of Delphi, the Acropolis at Athens and the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina in relation to one another:

The distance between Delphi and the Temple of Aphaia matches the distance between Delphi and the Acropolis, 121 km, forming an isosceles triangle.

2) The locations of the Temple of Aphaia, the Acropolis at Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio:

The distance between the Temple of Aphaia and Sounio matches the distance between the Acropolis and Sounio,
44 km, again forming an isosceles triangle.

3) A map of the location of Delphi in relation to the Acropolis and ancient Olympia:

Again an isosceles triangle is formed with the distance of the two shorter sides being 121 km each.

4) Delphi in relation to the sacred sites of Dodoni, Dion, Olympia and Acropolis (sorry about the Greek):

Well, there are many sacred sites in Greece but these were of the most important sites and the correlation is more than a little strange. The ancient site of Delphi in Greece was thought to be the centre of the world by the ancient Greeks. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The site was marked by the sacred Omphalos, or “navel stone.”

Not knowing the exact time lines of the construction of each temple it is difficult to know if they were built in specific places due to the belief that Delphi was the center of the world. It is more than possible that the builders were aware of the exact distances and considered them when choosing a location for the temples but the exact significance of the triangle to the ancient Greeks and the relationships between the sites is still unknown. Also this does not explain why these sites are still considered to have a unique and powerful energy. Maybe we should seriously consider the possibility of ley lines and an energy grid which covers the planet as an explanation for such phenomena.

Why use wood?

2010-07-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

"Why use a wooden wand?"

This is the question that I am regularly asked... and the answer is simple. Anyone who has ever used a wooden wand will be aware of the benefits that can be obtained from this natural and pure energy tool. Wands are a universal metaphysical tool with many uses. Whether your interest be Wicca, Pagan, healing or natural energy therapy, a wand can enhance your practice considerably.

As a practitioner you have probably felt disappointed at times with the performance of the tools you have used. Maybe you have even felt discouraged from following your chosen path or doubted your own skills. Well, we've all been there but often the problem is not your abilities, it is the fact that you have chosen the wrong tool for the job. I have met many witches who have been swayed by the glamour of a silver or metallic wand only to be disappointed with the results. Metals are good conductors of energy but because of this they do not store energy well and are not good for any prolonged use. You will find yourself constantly having to recharge a metal wand; this can be tiring and deplete your energy resources.

Secondly, you may have chosen the wrong type of wood for the job. Just as every living tree has a unique character so does the wood that comes from the tree and it is not unusual for a practitioner to use different wands for different purposes. Wands will often have to be retired after fulfilling a certain purpose; in some cases they can be re-used but only for the same purpose as they are changed by the experiences they have had, just as we are. It is a good idea to keep a good healing wand, such as a eucalyptus wand, only for healing rituals. It is very important to use an appropriate type of wood for your purpose. For example, pine wood is great for delaying decay and promoting longevity as the pine tree ages slowly. However, it would not be very good for healing as the pine tree is an evergreen and does not undergo death and rebirth every year, therefore it knows nothing about regeneration. Don't hesitate to contact me at amie@sacredwands.com for further advice on which type of wood to use.

"Why use a wand from a sacred site, when I can find one in the local woodlands?"

Maybe you have used wooden wands after researching and selecting a suitable type of wood for your purpose and you have noticed some results but not to the extent that you were hoping for. Ok, it's true that a good wand can sometimes be found in the most unlikely places but haven't you ever noticed that trees in different places have different energies? In some places you may even sense animosity from nature, and can you blame it when you consider the way we treat it? Sacred wands are unique because they all come from trees growing on established sacred sites; areas that have spiritually inspired people since the beginning of time. Each wand is filled with the special energy that permeates these places. These are truly powerful wands that have seen centuries of magick, miracles and spiritual wonders. The trees at Delphi have seen prophecies fulfilled, the trees at the sanctuary of Artemis have seen spiritual healing, the trees at Aegina have seen wonders performed in the name of the Goddess Aphaia. Wouldn't you prefer a wand from a tree that has already known great magick rather than from a tree that has known only sadness, restraint and disrespect at the hands of people who don't understand the magick of nature?

As it is difficult for most people to visit these special energy centres around the world to obtain the tools for their practice, Sacred Wands can bring them to you. There is no longer any reason for you to feel held back by your tools; with a sacred wand you can experience the power of Earth's most sacred sites in your own hand.

Cutting the BS from your B.O.S.

2010-07-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

Written by Amin Na Tualle

In witchcraft, and then only among some, there are issues arising in sacred practice and body of belief concerning authority. Authority is commonly deemed credible and therefore worthy of due observance based upon a few factors, history, common accepted practice and effectiveness.

History is a big one. History and the recorded work of those gone before us provide evidence that there is a body of knowledge in existence whose individual elements may be combined in magickal practice. Previous work does nothing for authority if a rite, spell or ritual is duplicated and, for whatever reason, fails to produce desired outcome. At the point of failure, or disappointment, who did what in the past, how ever distant or recent, means nothing.

Another big factor in determining authority is common accepted practice. Not many Wiccans are interested in conjuring so-called demons. Thus, rites involving such things are, among them, at the very best untested and at the least, uncommon. Many wiccans will not admit to practice the existence of beings personifying an abstract evil. With the existence of such beings in question, rites to call them into the material plane are even further removed from the Arcadia of common accepted practice. This fact, however, is in itself insufficient to render null the practice of those who routinely admit such rites to their practice. So, wherein is the authority to practice one way or the other? The question, admittedly, is rhetorical; posed to illustrate a point. When both apparently work the desired effects for their respective practictioners, in the universal arcana both are authentic, irrespective of the other party’s view of said practice. This is the point at which the proverbial Pandora’s Box is opened. If one is authentic, then are all? Yes and no. Agreement alone isn’t enough to either consummate or negate authenticity.

It is clear that a standard aside from schools of thought is needed to determine authority. The introduction of the word “standard” into this discussion is perhaps unfair, but its inclusion does imply a method may be had to settle with confidence any question one may have of authentic practice. Unlike, the monotheistic religions, polytheistic or pantheistic traditions will admit to the realm of possibility that there are many ways to accomplish the same thing. This is a point so obvious; it’s only mentioned here for clarity by contrast. For the occultist, authority arises directly from authenticity.

A technique which arises from a dogma; a forced set of beliefs, is suspect. Obviously, monotheism is notorious for its dogma. For the serious occultist, monotheism imposes very serious limitations, expressed dogmatically, of reality itself and also expressed in acceptable common practice of methods which will affect reality. In short, only a fraction of reality is admitted into the system, therefore only a fraction of reality is available to affect any change or improvement. Techniques such as these are easy to spot, for they generally claim ultimate authority and where that is either cloaked or lacking they contain dire warnings against any deviation of the recorded practice. Notice I said “suspect” and not “false.” Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Once in a while, in spite of the dogma and the problems it produces, we encounter a viable technique among even these practitioners. It is not so much that these workers are divorced from reality, as it is that their slice of it is very, very small; and they tend to treat their tiny sliver as if it were the whole. Techniques arising from dogma are not necessarily useless, but they do deserve the same or greater scrutiny given any other. The reason these techniques should be weighed and analyzed carefully is that where there is dogma there is a desire to control the thinking of adherents. While you may not be an adherent yourself, built into the ritual, spell or rite will be elements sympathetic to this end. I’m not saying you will succumb to mind-control. I’m saying such techniques tend to cordon off huge sections of reality. One must seriously question the authenticity of such techniques, regardless of their home in history. Authenticity arises directly from experience.

The ancient origin of a technique alone isn’t a reliable gauge for any authenticity of practice. The practices we find recorded in antiquity are as valuable to us as they were to those who had the means, education and foresight to record them. (Outright frauds excluded.)They are a place to start; a basis. Any responsible practitioner will not disregard out of hand the work of those patient forbearers of the Arcane Arts. However, as they endured a process of discovery, so must we. And in all seriousness, I doubt the ancients would have it any other way. Many recorded works are incomplete. A great deal of them have obvious origins or influences in several disciplines or traditions. I am not here to apologize the works of individuals who have claimed as their own the work of others; however, something must be kept in mind while analyzing such compilations. Before we accuse someone of plagiarizing or stealing, let’s consider, as best we can, motive. If the motive is to imply authority distilled from out of an image of grand or special knowledge, one must wonder why that individual would believe that his or her own responsible synthesis of the elements of several traditions would not suffice as its own authority. However, if in the course of research, patience, discovery and experimentation—all of which are together are disciplines of the dedicated practitioner—a synthesis compatible with his or her own energy is found, that synthesis is legitimately derived. This work is built, not stolen. Credit is due where it can be given, but the result, being the sum, belongs to the one doing the synthesizing.

One useful gauge for judging the authenticity of a technique is tracing its evolution. The entire body of occult knowledge and practice is vast indeed. Even a rite, spell or ritual which apparently began entrenched in dogma can be freed from it, if the worker involved has enough personal power and knowledge about the pre-dogma forms used to create it. Indeed, one may be fairly certain that those techniques engrossed with dogma have origins preceding the dogma. However, tracing this evolution is not easily done. Knowledge of history, social and political order, human nature and religions are useful in addition to a keen sense of universal truth. Weeding through the order of the day to arrive at what was true then still being true today is a task indeed, but the results are universal truths that transcend the boundaries of the mundane. These universal truths are the stuff the technique itself rests upon. If there is a weakness in a spell, rite or ritual, you will find it here. An inauthentic technique ignores or attempts to side-step universal truth. There is no authoritative list of universal truths, as it is always possible to discover another. All we have as an aid is knowledge base, either in one or by consensus. It is all consensus, either directly or indirectly. A universal truth is universal because its validity has the ability to transcend time and culture. It is true because regardless of time and culture, it cannot be made essentially untrue. Universal truths have another trait in common; they are as relevant in times past as they are today. They are known as universal laws to some. However, they are not laws to be obeyed with consequences following should one fail. Instead, they are observances which have and will ever remain true. In arriving at universal truths three factors are considered: First, its ability to survive the ebb and tide of human history; in essence time and culture. The second consideration is that, independent of the passage of time and cultural digression or development, they are self-evident; one need not jump through mental hoops to see such a truth. Thirdly, the essential truth relevant in antiquity remains relevant today. In the determination of universal truth, all three considerations are vital.

· Universal truths transcend the time and culture

· Universal truths, regardless of the effects of time and culture, cannot be made untrue

· Universal truths retain their relevance through the passage of time and the development or digression of civilization.

Effectiveness, for purposes of this discussion, is the final factor in determining authentic practice. While I am not interested in banging the So and So’s work-isn’t-all-that-ancient drum, I will say that there are enough common threads in the body of occult knowledge for almost any well-thought combination of techniques to produce desired results. This being the case, the ultimate authority for authentic practice rests in the authentication process itself. Does it work? If it does work, why does it; how does it? What universal truths are involved? The question of authenticity rests here. The incompleteness of a great many recorded works necessitates of those following and attempting to recreate the work, a certain amount of investigation. I wonder at times, if this were not intentional. The serious worker, whose interest and priorities lie where they should, will embark upon the Quest, while the one with other motives will not. Successfully integrating elements of several disciplines indicates the former.

Successful magick requires a quest of its workers, which itself comprises vastly more work than the spell, ritual or rite itself. Magick isn’t merely a batch of techniques for the quick fix, nor is it merely an artifice of either an old or a new religion. Paramount to any serious worker’s priorities is the development of self, especially the inner, unseen self. The development one’s self requires knowledge and understanding, again, of self. Self knowledge is an internal aspect of the quest. To understand the self, one must explore and understand their relationship to and with external reality—the world and those in it, past and present. The mysteries and secrets often associated with working magick are things hidden, waiting to be discovered by experience; they cannot be effectively revealed, even if we wanted to reveal them.

When the technique or body of beliefs in question produces energy that vibrates in concert with you, it is then, and only then, authentic. The authority upon which you practice is uniquely your very own and backed by all that comprises the universe, both what science does recognize and what it does not. Only the individual can determine the level of harmony shared with the universe.

Wading Through

2010-07-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Written by Amin Na Tualle

Authority is a big deal and part of the big deal comes from monotheistic teachings, so prevalent in Western culture. Inherent to monotheism is the notion that there is but one absolute and ultimate authority and all other authority is both lesser to and descendant of the ultimate.Somehow, even with the inclusion of an alternative view of deity, this notion seeps into practice. Those of us who favor a specific deity or deity set are less apt to grapple with or even be conscious of questions of authority. If you are one for whom authority is not now or never has been an issue, blessed be. However, when dealing with powers that have the potential to effect change and potentially cause harm, even if unintentionally, the issue had better be one settled to satisfaction. Wading through materials and recorded work and determining what is right and acceptable for you and your practice can be a real challenge. The hazard unique to such an issue left unresolved is stagnation. Unresolved questions arising of authority have the power to bring our practice to a standstill. To avoid the philosophic and religious quagmire this issue can become, a paradigm shift of what authority actually is and who or what grants and earns it-- if I may be so bold to say--is required.

Where authority is concerned in the magickal arts, we have straits through which we must carefully navigate lest we run afoul of the very essence of what it means to be a practitioner. In the end, the matter is a simple one, but getting past the complications society has superimposed on our concept of authority is a bit of a tangled skein. Relevant to our discussion, I have included from a popular online dictionary several definitions of the word authority.

1. The power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.
5. An accepted source of information, advice, etc.
10. Right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence: the authority of a parent; the authority of a great writer.
11. Mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.

First, in the classical sense of the word, we tend to think of authority in tandem with enforcement to a greater or lesser extent. Enforcement requires attending agents and varied adjunct apparatus at its disposal to affect policing and doling out consequences. These agents require laws or inviolable tenets in order to function, thus where there are laws, there is a legal or legalistic system through which both enforcement and consequences may be meted out. They exist to ensure compliance. None of these concepts have a legitimate place among the Keepers of Secrets where the practice of the Arcane Arts is concerned. When we speak of authority here, it is not to be confused with the classical sense of the word. Unless you advocate a centralized governing body with legal powers to oversee your practice, let’s not go there.

The second point to consider is acceptance. In the magickal world this applies to acceptable common practice. What is and what is not considered acceptable common practice is based on either a broad or narrow consensus. How to handle information and determining whether or not it is reliable can be tricky. The basic ideas found in regular academia are of help. In considering sources a reliable consensus should appear over a broad range. The serious practitioner is likely to find in the compilations he or she researches like minded recorded work. Work which is worthy of consideration has an author. Honest, reliable authors don’t claim to have amassed all their information without the help of others. Such concepts as peer review or some form of it are not alien to occultists, but not terribly common either.

Another facet of acceptable common practice is obviously some level of common experience. There are many ways to view consensus. And you either accept or reject any given consensus, it’s that simple. A consensus among people that think and believe as you do or very similarly is fairly easy to find. Harder and at times more appropriate to your goals is consensus among those holding views with which you are not familiar. Consensus is not lock-step agreement and it shouldn’t be an indicator for anything except commonalities in experience. Consensus should not be gained on theory alone. People who arrive at a general consensus tend to resonate with similar energies, so consensus by appeal of an idea alone does sometimes occur. Consensus should be a commentary rendered of common sense. That’s the main thing to always keep in mind; acceptable common practice should make sense.

Another component in acceptable common practice, albeit not for all, is the limits and constraints of a given tradition. For instance, some do not admit to practice the use of any so-called negative spells or rituals on the theory that these carry a potential for harm. Others, admit banishing, but exclude binding. While to some, these restrictions may seem ill-conceived, their homes are in legitimate traditions and individual or group compliance is presumed consensual, therefore left well enough alone: To each their own. However, such limitations have an obvious affect on what is deemed acceptable common practice. What is acceptable to some may not be to others. An investigation into intents, in either case, is only responsible action on our part.

The third selected excerpt of definition for the word authority is the driving influence defining the popular conception of authority. Authority: Right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence: the authority of a parent; the authority of a great writer.

This is the definition which we associate with innate, invisible force. The entire affair is touchy enough a subject without dragging into it words like command and force, is it not? Take it easy. Let’s take a closer look at where this form of authority is derived, shall we?

Parents begin their career as essentially servants to their helpless child. They feed, bathe, nurture and care for it’s every single need. Parents who shirk all or some of these responsibilities have a lesser influence in the life of their child. So any real authority a parent gains is actually granted by the child, not commanded. Commanded authority is at best temporary because it refuses to recognize the source of authority; the one expected to give deference—not the one receiving (or demanding) deference. I told you understanding this concept would require a paradigm shift. True authority is consciously vulnerable to the wills of those over whom one has responsibility. And that’s what is often at issue isn’t it: Who is responsible for whom and to what extent? Where that issue is settled, there is another to consider as well. Do the actions of the one with greater responsibility echo their words? A parent cannot say they love their child and intentionally inflict harm upon the child, too.

The last definition I selected is perhaps the most efficient of all, where our discussion is concerned: Mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music. It is of course, like all the other definitions, subjective, a matter of consent or opinion, still probably most applicable for us, as we are dealing with an art. There is a difference in one who has spent his entire life apprenticed and in a master craftsman of the same trade. Both have perhaps an equal amount of time and experience working with the medium of their craft, yet one obtains the mastery and the other does not. Experience alone is insufficient to become a master. A master is able to execute the work at hand and all the while oversee the development of those newer and less skilled in the trade. It may be argued that the life-long apprentice lacks such intent. Nevertheless, the difference between the two is clear and is measured in the individual’s ability to execute within the craft. Which brings us to the core of authority where its concepts intersect with the practice of witchcraft: Is it--the spell, ritual, rite or overall practice--authentic?

Wands; The Very Basic Basics

2010-07-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Written by Amin Na Tualle

Though it pains me, I'm going to pick on Harry Potter right away to illustrate and hopefully eliminate a bias. In the world created by J.K. Rowlins, a wand is a must for working any magick that is not based in a potion or drought. This is the stuff of movies and not real life. In real life, magick is a simple matter of moving energy. Anyone applying themselves to discipline can learn to do it, with or without the aid of any article at all. However, a wand, especially the right wand makes the task much simpler and much easier. So, you may rightly wonder at this point, what is a wand? To fully appreciate the answer, it must first be understood that magick itself is simple - its the people factor that complicates matters. The serious practitioner must always bear in mind that human nature itself tends toward over-complication.

So now, a wand-what is it? A wand is a simplifier. It is a tangible connection to the Source of the energy that forms the nature-side basis of magickal energy. A wand is a partner in your magickal workings. As such, witches who select a wand on the basis of sensing it call to them or on feeling a connection, often report a kinship or companionship with their wands. A wand alone is only a charmed stick. It has a resonance and a presence, almost a personality; but without a sympathetic match in your own personality,
in practical terms, a piece of wood - a very cool and intriguing article but virtually useless for aiding in making magick. Pairing the practioner with a wand when it isn't possible to touch or be near the
wand in question is only an obstacle in perception-easily overcome. While conventional methods for establishing sympathetic contact call for touching, it may actually be better if you don't because your own
magickal essence is expressed in visualization.

A wand should itself be crafted simply. Too much deviation from its natural state defeats its primary purpose. The highly refined wands one can easily find in specialty shops are ornamental, not really for any serious use. Although a great many wand makers will adorn their wares with a highly "commercilaized" look it should be remembered that the more a craftmaster does to a wand, the more his or her own influence is infused into the wand. This influence may or may not enhance the wand's abilities for a given practitioner, but the principle involved can easily border on undue influence that may eventually have to be
undone. While it is true that anything can be cleansed of intent, there is a risk involved in un-weaving another crafter's work, so unless you are sure of what you're doing, you may undo the very element of the wand that appealed to your sympathetic senses in the first place. Ideally, a wand should be accepted, as you would a person, since it does have a type of personality.

A wand, like an athame, can be used to direct energy during ritual or magick done outside ritual. While it is very true that no article is necessary to move energy, it is vastly easier with a tool. This may be especially important when dealing with complex, multi-step workings that require a lot of concentration to keep fused and flowing. Also, energy, especially energy specialized to a given purpose may be stored in a wand. A wand which has become a companion to its practitioner will naturally absorb sympathetic vibrations and will develop a synthesisized "intent" of its own composed of its own natural energy and the personal energy of its master. Mastering a wand is a much more benevolent process than the popular term implies. It should not be necessary to defeat the wand itself in any way. The term "master" refers to an alignment of its energy with yours. A properly crafted wand actually wants to be used for the noble purpose to which it was both grown and made. Remember, a wand crafted of natural matierials which have been properly harvested is animate in a way and has a kind of intelligence. It posseses a part of the soul of the tree from which it came. Understand the tree and you gain understanding of your new companion. The price of a wand is best understood metaphysically as a token of affection and or respect for the wand's parent - the tree, not the crafter. This price, be it money or some other thing or act, is an important aspect in gaining the wand's trust. You may have noted the liberal endowment of human-like qualities to wands. All I can say is its one of those things you have to experience for yourself. Those who have experienced the phenomena will tell you, just as I have.

How to build energy in a wand

2010-07-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

Anybody can learn how to use a wand since it relies on the principle of building and channelling the energy that exists in all things. However, it takes time and regular practice, so a little patience and dedication is needed. Firstly, it is important to start building your own energy. This can be done through daily meditation, and believe me - a little can go a long way. You may wish to meditate using your wand from the start or add the wand later, when you feel ready. I will describe here the technique I use with my wand as it is an easy way to immediately start building energy and feeling some results.

1) find a comfortable grip on your wand, using your stronger hand. Then you need to sit or stand comfortably with both feet flat on the ground and your back straight. You may need to push your pelvis forward slightly to obtain a perfectly straight spine and make sure your neck is also straight and not at all stooped forward. The aim is to find a comfortable and relaxed position, in which you can breathe freely.

2) Raise your hands so that they are in front of your heart. Hold your wand upright with your stronger hand and place the other hand over your wand hand. So essentially both hands are gripping the wand in a prayer-like position. Then start to focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths and when you breath out imagine that you are breathing life into your wand. With every breath out imagine your wand growing bigger; force your wand to "grow" with each breath. After some time you will feel your hands and the wand growing warm and it may even start throbbing. This means that you have managed to build energy in your wand. The next step is learning to direct and control that energy so only proceed when you are ready...

3 When you feel you have generated enough energy in your wand, separate your hands and hold the wand so that the point is facing the palm of your other hand. Keep breathing deeply and focus your attention on the palm of your open hand. You should start to feel a tingling sensation or warmth in your palm. You may even feel that your wand is pushing your other hand away or pulling it closer. This is the energy you are directing through your wand towards the palm of your other hand. Learning to control this energy takes practice. The key is to focus your will on the object that you wish to affect. Other exercises include extinguishing a candle or moving an object by focusing your attention on it. This works even if the object of your attention is not in sight. Depending on the strength of your will, you will eventually be able to affect things that are not in your immediate ficinity.

Repetition is the key with all things pertaining to the mind. As I said before, this takes persistance and regular practice but after you have learned to build and direct energy through your wand, your only limit is your mind and the strength of your intent: "Where there is a will there is a way...".

Please comment and let me know how this works for you and if you have any other tips for using a wand!

Magick; a metaphysical journey

2010-07-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

I've never cared much for labels and I would hesitate to call myself a "witch". I certainly cannot define a point in my life at which I chose to become one but obviously I have made certain choices throughout my life which have led me to this stage in my "metaphysical journey", as we all have. If someone wishes to "become a witch" or even considers themselves a novice in the craft I would encourage them to look back over their lives and consider the possibility that they may have employed magick on many occasions, though they may have not been aware of it.

I have done much research and reading on magick recently and whilst some of it has inspired me, I have found some of it to be equally discouraging. Many magick practitioners promote research and study very strongly and, whilst I agree that research is tantamount to learning, I think that it is important to remember that we are all at different stages of development and our knowledge is limited by our experiences. To err is human and no-one's knowledge is completely infallible. Reading the different opinions of other practitioners at one point caused me to doubt my own and it was then that I realised how harmful self-doubt can be, especially when it comes to magick. I believe that much of our power comes from the knowledge that the truth is within us and our ability to connect with that truth. So if research causes us to become disillusioned or disconnect from that source of truth within us then we must abandon it.

I also believe that research must be balanced with experience. We cannot truly know something until we have experienced it. Just as energy is present in all things, magick can be experienced in many forms. You may wish to use music or dance, get close to nature, or use certain rituals or tools. For me, wands are a way to get close to nature and are obviously a magickal tool. However, I believe these tools can be metaphysical and do not necessarily need to be tangible. Whichever method you choose to practice magick must be one that holds meaning for you as this is your way of "tapping in" to the divine energy within you and all around you.

So, in conclusion, research is important for expanding our knowledge but experience is equally, if not more important for expanding our minds. You can find some useful techniques for expanding your mind and developing your intuition at http://www.wisdomwoods.com. If personal growth is the desired result we must look for spiritual nourishment and discard anything which causes us to regress. It is good to question and examine yourself but trust in your intuition to lead you on the right path in your own metaphysical journey.