Visualization

[Adam Of Avalon]

I'm having trouble with visualizations. For instance, I'll look at something and later I could give an accurate description, see each feature in my mind's eye, but I wouldn't be able to put the whole picture together. Any tips from the more experienced out there?

[Rick]

...for me, visualization is about imagining, not about re-creating an image I've actually seen...

[Emy]

I dont know...
perhaps all you need is practise, try out different kinds of visualizations, everything you can get a hold of.... :)
I am afraid that is all the advice I can give you. Also, make sure you are relaxed when you visualize, if you aren't relaxed that would effect your visualizations in a negative way...

Blessings

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

When looking at the object, look at it's pieces.....but also look at it as a whole, don't pick it apart. ;) Then try to envision it. :D

[SilentWolf]

When I practice my Visualization excersizes, I usually just visualise an ordinary household object. I imagine it sitting in front of me. I revolve it, spin it, and turn it examining all it's features. Then I zoom in (for lack of a better phrase) to get a closer look. Then with my mind, I imagine running my hands over it. Feeling it's every nook and cranny. Then with my mind I try to smell it, if it has a scent.

I don't just visualize, I try to get all the senses involved.

For me, this technique really helps sharpen my skills, so to speak.

Sometimes I have great difficulty visualizing something that's created in my mind. But after I do the above for a while. Visualizing something completely imaginary becomes quite easy.

Hope this helps. :)

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Originally posted by Dagda Moon~Lily
When looking at the object, look at it's pieces.....but also look at it as a whole, don't pick it apart. ;) Then try to envision it. :D
I echo that advice.

Ohh, and your avatar and title rock Adam!

[MUNKEe-Zer0]

I bet learning how to visualize would help with daydreaming, too.

It'd be a great help on those boring Sunday afternoons at work :-D

[gimpy1031]

Does anyone have any good links on vizualization. For some reason I can't see things in my mind. Whenever I dream I only hear what I am dreaming and whenI close my eyes to visualize something it just the back of my eye lids and i think my magick is in big trouble, HELP PLEASE!

[Myst]

Try New Pagans, there's a few lessons on stuff like this stuck to the top.

Also, when you visualize you don't have to 'see' something. You can imagine it with your other senses as well. Try doing it that way for awhile. For instance think of an orange - smell its citrusy smell, feel it's texture, taste it, all in your mind's eye. It might also be easier for you to start with simple objects like fruit, if you aren't already.

[celtic]

Are you supposed to visualise with your eyes closed? or open?

[Myst]

closed is easier

[Silverfern]

I found it very difficult in the beginning, so started of with a simple object like a dinnercandle and from there on went to more complex things, it really helped me, and now it just happens without to much effort.

I was reading an article a while back about a reasearch that was done with people who watch a lot of telly and people who read a lot. It turned out that the people who watch a lot of telly find it a lot easier to visualize than people who mainly read because the readers tended to see words instead of pictures.

[PrincessHLHofMW]

well then i must be out of the odinary according to that article....i read alotmore then i watch tv....and while im reading i can see, hear, smell, feel, and taste everythin discribed in what im reading....makes for some interesting reaction while reading certain books

[Haedis]

Hmm wouldnt reading more increase the ability to visualize since the images are expressed through words not actual pictures? I can visualize better when I've been reading a lot because I have to imagine the scenes rather than just watch them. For me its good practice.

[Myst]

I could see it both ways - since when you watch television you are basically watching images moving in front of you (which if you do without the tv we call visualization :)).. but then once you get the idea of seeing pictures in front of you, it's easier to visualize when reading too.

[littlewren]

Visualization, to me, is like dreaming... I don't think it's intended that you see everything all together... but rather to understand what's being shown to you. Perhaps you can't see the peripheral stuff because it's not important

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Littlewren, I agree with you.

[Mithrea]

Yeah I would think it would be easier for a reader to visualize because they have actually been using that part of their brain already. A TV person wouldn't be able to drum it up out of their own head because they have had no practice. Looking at the pretty pictures is not the same as creating them.

[Russ Welch]

take ehwaz and put on top ing in yhe medel of ing put elhaz then cross eihwaz over elhaz

kenning for charm think of a warrior on horse back carring a bow whith an arrow of elk grass

what it is supose to due the warrior rides aroud your deams and take out the any thig neg can be used while you sleep or not

can be drawn on papper or carved in wood

[Russ Welch]

I ment ot post this some were else sorry about this

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Russ Welch
I ment ot post this some were else sorry about this

:rotfl:

:wave: Hi, Russ! :heartthro

[mysticprincess]

I dont know...
perhaps all you need is practise, try out different kinds of visualizations, everything you can get a hold of.... :)
I am afraid that is all the advice I can give you. Also, make sure you are relaxed when you visualize, if you aren't relaxed that would effect your visualizations in a negative way...

Blessings


ok.... my first vision i had a was grading a paper in my 7th grade english class and i invisioned that the person's paper i was grading missed 7. so i finished grading it and sure enough he missed 7. but tips on how to improve your visions keep someting about what ur seeing in mind and maybe it'll work with ur next one.
good luck :boing:

[serena]

I'm totally new to paganism but do understand a little about visualisation.Personally i think it's best to find a quiet place in which you can relax and distract yourself from what's going on around you by closing your eyes.Doing some breathing exercises may help you to relax or some calming music.Then you can begin the visualisation process.I'm i on the right track?Serena

[Elaira]

i suppose for me it started with normal daydreaming. during boring classes, u could envision all sort of things u want to do..and like the others have said, visualizing doesn't mean u have to use your sight only. for instance, you could start with the things u like/admire, like the face of your idol/boyfriend. at first u could just try to picture his face, or how u feel when u see him, then slowly imagine your idol/boyfriend walking, talking with you, smiling, etc. it makes things easier bc it is directly connected to you. as u progress on, u might try to add in some other senses as well. oh, and dont force it to come, bc it wont work.

of course,by merely suggesting this, i might have sent some on their way to the point of no return(total obessesion of ur obessese). hah.

[acorn elf]

OK, here's a question- is vizualization meant to vivid? I've only been able to imagine like I'm actually there, seeing, feeling, and hearing everything-- about twice. Mostly all I do is imagine things kind of vaguely, I can't seem to get it nice and solid. Right now my visualization is more like a thought in the back of my mind, a very thin and effortless layer that totally vanishes if I get distracted.

[MarigoldTX]

Hello, I am new to this site. Hope it's ok to jump right in!

I am curious about visualization too. I am the queen of daydreaming :) but with visualization I am not sure if the idea is to actually close your eyes and see it as if you were seeing a real picture of it or actually seeing it as you would see it with your eyes open? When I do visualization exercises, say of the flickering candle my eyes are closed, I might get little flashes of different bits of the candle but it's my mind that does the 'seeing' it is actually more like words that flicker through. Shiney, warm glow, dripping wax, one side melting faster than the other, blue, flame etc. The words go through my mind and together those words make the candle but I don't actually SEE it on some screen on the back of my eyelids.

Everyonce in a while it is more vivid. For example, the other night I woke up thirsty and reached for the cup on my bedside table. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything and I still had my eyes closed (trying not to wake up all the way). When the cup touched my lips I could see it perfectly, the color, size, texture, the way you could see through the frosted glass as you drink. Maybe it was cause I was still half asleep.

Marigold

[Elaira]

OK, here's a question- is vizualization meant to vivid? I've only been able to imagine like I'm actually there, seeing, feeling, and hearing everything-- about twice. Mostly all I do is imagine things kind of vaguely, I can't seem to get it nice and solid. Right now my visualization is more like a thought in the back of my mind, a very thin and effortless layer that totally vanishes if I get distracted.

Well, i suppose it's kinda like the more vivid the better it is kind of thing.

It's like that when you first start developing your visualization abilities. Maintaining interest and practicing is essential to achieve the vivid state you mention. Once your mind gets used to visualizing stuff, it'll be just like a second nature. You won't need to go through any hard efforts to visualize something in your mind then.

[Elaira]

Hello, I am new to this site. Hope it's ok to jump right in!

I am curious about visualization too. I am the queen of daydreaming :) but with visualization I am not sure if the idea is to actually close your eyes and see it as if you were seeing a real picture of it or actually seeing it as you would see it with your eyes open? When I do visualization exercises, say of the flickering candle my eyes are closed, I might get little flashes of different bits of the candle but it's my mind that does the 'seeing' it is actually more like words that flicker through. Shiney, warm glow, dripping wax, one side melting faster than the other, blue, flame etc. The words go through my mind and together those words make the candle but I don't actually SEE it on some screen on the back of my eyelids.

Everyonce in a while it is more vivid. For example, the other night I woke up thirsty and reached for the cup on my bedside table. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything and I still had my eyes closed (trying not to wake up all the way). When the cup touched my lips I could see it perfectly, the color, size, texture, the way you could see through the frosted glass as you drink. Maybe it was cause I was still half asleep.

Marigold


Isn't it almost the same thing? You see a picture in your mind's eye, it just depends on whether you WANT to see it as it IS when your normal eyes are open, or you want to see a picture that you created yourself in your mind.

You shouldn't force yourself to visualize something. It should come naturally, without your conscious mind instructing it. The second experiance you mentioned above explains my point perfectly. You were thirsty and unconsciously WANTED that cup of water, so even though your eyes were closed your mind automatically visualize the water there.

Maybe visualization is tied to emotions and feelings. Like when you're hungry, you'll automatically think of food. Wouldn't it be easier to picture in your mind your favourite food like fried chicken or beef pie? It's oily and rough texture, its delicious smell, how wonderful it would taste when you finally sink your teeth into the soft meat?

oo, that looks good.

That probably sums up visualization, in my humble opinion. Of course, i would still like to hear a more professional opinions from those experianced in this.:)

[semi]

I like what Elaira said. I'll add that starting with simple images is probably a good idea, like very simple basic images, for example, a red circle on a black background or something like that. Then practice, practice, practice........ and eventually move up to experiencing these images with all of your senses. Don't be discouraged. It takes awhile to learn, like any other skill.

[Kaii]

When i try to imagine, or visualize, to feel i can feel it in my mind. Almost as if my soul, or mind, or physche has created that object. I cannot see it, or feel it, or smell it, or taste it, but i can feel its matter in my mind.

I find even when dreaming, I cannot see them. I see blurred, or blackening shots sometimes. My mind flows, but i cannot see what i dream, almost like going about blind. (thats a scary effin thought)

I don't remember when, or could even tell you when i started to not see my dreams or remember them, But i do know i used to dream like a movie, or a TV show. I remember that i could remember my dreams sometime. I have started to remember snippets in my dreaming when i meditate now, and then daydream/ let my thoughts dream before i fall to sleep.

I find it really hard to sleep with out music, ad when i listen to classical, or Wiccan, or Native or Nature sounds, not the mainstream, rock or Pop that i usually listen to, i can dream better then.

Does anyone have advice to move my feeling the 'matter' of what i'm trying to create, or my heart feeling the scenarios that i dream up?

[IndigoRising]

first one thing.. practice practice practice.. Visualization is VERY important to many differant aspects of the Craft, it effect your shielding, warding, astral work and general manipulation of energy..

A very easy starter excerise I reccomend is first visualize your own personal energy. if you know what color it is even better.. also try to feel your energy at the same time.. does it feel more like mist, smoke, flames, electricity maybe?

does is arc around you or flicker on the astral winds?.. once you can manage this.

the more standard object visualization techniques help.. I usually tell people to pick a random object and examine it in minute detail for about 3 minutes.. and then close their eyes and try to visualize that object in their mind , starting with the general shape and filling in the details as you get better at it.. the greater detail you gain the more effectivly you can visualize your energies going out to achieve a goal in the universe through your ritual. It also helps you when doing astralwork.travel and eventually makes it possible to even perform full rituals on the astral without need for earthly tools or ingriediants etc.. I hope this helped.

BrightBlessings