Home  Content Archive General Topics Pyro's Magic Lesson of the Day
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Pyro's Magic Lesson of the Day |
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Written by Pyromaus
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Sunday, 10 January 2010 |
Magic. The great and mysterious ability to change the world through sheer force of will. Magic has been a part of humanity since the first person looked to nature and felt drops of water fall onto there head, saw lightning split the heavens, or heard thunder shake the earth. "What causes these things," they must have asked. "It can only be magic." Now today we know what causes these phenomena through the great religion of science. However this does not negate the allure and potency of magic.
Magic is both a science and an art. In science two things combine or act to create a reaction. That’s what we do with a spell; we form the intent, gather energy, shape it with our will, and release the energy to create an effect. Also like music, magic is an art, some are really good at it, some are really bad at it, but everyone can do it.
That is why I have decided to make magic available to everyone, by teaching the basics. It’s part of our history, so it’s part of who and what we are. Its part of our future as the idea can never die. So I will make it part of our present by sharing my knowledge. Also in a world where ghosts, demons, and vampires exist it’s never a bad idea to learn how to deal with the situation.
I started practicing magic seven years ago. I’m not a master; I’m not a coven leader, or magus. I learned what I know by reading, practicing and talking to people, and my knowledge is far from complete. However I have picked up a few tricks that I would like to share with you.
The knowledge I share will be non-denominational, meaning it’s not Wicca, or hoodoo, or ceremonial. My background is a chaos magician, if something works use it. Let us not forget magic works because we believe it does. So if you want to throw in Wiccan beliefs, or ceremonial practices, or gods and goddesses, or even Kermit the Frog, then do it, if it works for you do it. I’m only sharing what works for me, and lest you forget you are you and I am me, so just because something works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you.
Gathering Energy and Grounding
Magic is the act of manipulating energy to create a desired effect. Well just like a car your not going to get anywhere without some gas in the tank. So the first thing to do in any spell (after of course deciding to cast one) is to gather energy. I do it through the use of visualization. Now since I like working with the elements, particularly fire, that is what I will now describe. You can use the basic idea to work with any energy but I will suggest something that you can easily visualize.
I start by clearing my mind and forming a black space in my thoughts. Now this doesn’t have to be perfect if you suddenly find yourself thinking of a paper you have do, or groceries you have to get, or you see yourself in a space suit on mars don’t worry about it just try to put it out your mind and continue with the exercise. Now I fill that blackness by visualizing the largest fire I’ve ever seen. Once the image is clear expand it until it completely fills your consciousness and you are surrounded by fire. What you have just done is raised energy, now to absorb it. Visualize yourself in the middle of the flame it doesn’t burn you all you feel is gentle warmth. See the fire entering your body and filling you up so that it burns everywhere just below your skin. Condense the fire so that it fills one of your chakra points. I like to use the heart chakra. Now you have gathered energy and are ready to shape it into a spell.
But wait the phone rings and it’s your best friend inviting you to a party. You don’t want to blow off your friend and the party sounds like fun. You decide to finish the spell another time. So you just go off and don’t do anything with all of that power you’ve just gathered. No problem right? Wrong. That much excess energy is bad for you, it can cause hallucinations, headaches, and any other number of unpleasant experiences. So what do you do. Just like electricity you ground out the energy.
Now a lot of people have talked about grounding but I have two preferred methods. The first is probably the most common one. You focus on all the energy you’ve gathered and move it down through your body so that if you’re standing it’s in your feet, if your sitting it’s in your butt, wherever you’re in contact with the ground. Then see the energy bleeding out of you into the earth. It’s as simple as that. Another way exploits the etheric effects of cold running water. Cold running water is a grounder of magical energy. Ever wonder why Ichabod Craine was running for the bridge to get away from the Headless Horseman, it’s because the phantom couldn’t cross it. So you’re in a shower and you turn the water to as cold as you can stand then let the water sluice off of you. As it does see it taking the excess energy with it.
Ok well that’s the first installment, let me know what you think. Any questions or concerns feel free to voice them, if this goes over well I’ll continue adding to it.
-Pyro
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 January 2010 )
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