Elemental Magick

[razi3l]

I am new to this forum. It was recommended to me by a new
acquaintance. My subject of interest is metaphysics. I have been reading about the
concept of human intention affecting the physical world. My inspiration
came from Dr. Dean Radin's; "The Conscious Universe" and "Entagled
Minds". I was introduced to the subject after reading "What The Bleep Do We
Know?".
>
> I have been looking for real world examples of this that I can
witness and study and maybe learn to do myself. I am looking for examples in
Voodou and Wiccan magick. One particular example that has been
described to me by my Wiccan acquaintance is "working with elements". I have
not been given a lot of information about this but the examples described
were summoning or stirring the wind and doing something with water
which sounded like making it move by holding her hand above it and moving
her hand while the water moved in correspondence. I would like to learn more. I am currently looking for books
containing discussion about this. Can you help?
>
> Thank you in advance.

[maverick9750]

the one I would recomend the most is inner temple of witchcraft by christopher penkzek, it explains how any why magick works, as well as a lot of really good guided meditations to help your spiritual abilities grow. he is an eclectic wiccan, but he doesn't get very deep into the religious aspects, its mainly about magick. it is the 1st in a series, too. very interesting and readable.

[Libris]

the one I would recomend the most is inner temple of witchcraft by christopher penkzek

Seconded!! The whole series is really good. If you're interested in elemental magic, Scott Cunningham wrote two books on the subject (Earth Magic and Elemental Magic I think) that are pretty good as far as they go. Still, I'd recommend you Penczak's Temple series first for a good solid foundation in the fundamentals.

[inkywitch]

I also sugest Christopher Penczak's books. The only problem I had when reading them was he seemed to use Wicca and Witchcraft as interchangeable. But the information, theories and ideas in his books are wonderful! I was impressed when he included basic information on quantum physics into the book as well :D

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

I suggest True magick by amber k. It's a great beginner's book and will give you some good basic info on magick.

[razi3l]

Thank you all for the advice. I picked up The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak. Wish me luck! I will be happy to share what I find.

[maverick9750]

Thank you all for the advice. I picked up The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak. Wish me luck! I will be happy to share what I find.

:cheers: best wishes, if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask

[Shaw]

I am not a beginner and have been comfortable with wicca and witchcraft for years. Problem is I can't find anything to challenge me. Recommendations?

[Libris]

I am not a beginner and have been comfortable with wicca and witchcraft for years. Problem is I can't find anything to challenge me. Recommendations?

That's a problem that many pagans face :-/ lots of 101 stuff but no advanced books.

I think Penczak's temple books are a good read for any level because they're presented in such a new and fresh way. Because most Wicca101 books start off with how to do ritual and skip energy manipulation basics, I think a lot of people can benefit from them... at least I know I did and I've been practicing for some time.


Apart from that, I'd say specialize. Find what really interests you and read about that. The old mythology texts are pretty great for advanced seekers. It's great to learn about historical accounts of folk practices in Great Britain for example. Make sure you read these texts with a grain of salt though as many are plagued by wishful thinking on the part of their authors. You can find many such books online for free at http://www.sacred-texts.com

If you're into social and ecologic justice from a pagan perspective some of Starwhawk's books con be useful (such as Dreaming the Dark and Webs of Power)

At some point, it seems more benificial to advancing one's craft to practice than to read. (though reading is ALWAYS good) Once you have a strong background in ritual and energy work, I think one of the best things you can do is just work your magic so to speak.

I also think that one's practice can be benefited by a knowledge of the surrounding natural landscape. For instance, I always face Lake Michigan when calling the element water, this makes sense to me because I'm summoning the spirit of water and Lake Michigan is one big old body of water! Also, I have a personal connection with the lake. It works well for me and since I have done this I've noticed my circles are stronger. Interestingly enough, whenever I call water I can feel a strong breeze that carries the scent of Lake Michigan with it :)

Anyway, I think once you go beyond W101 a lot of the learning process becomes trial and error.

Good luck!

[Vigdisdotter]

I am not a beginner and have been comfortable with wicca and witchcraft for years. Problem is I can't find anything to challenge me. Recommendations?

What do you feel needs to be "challenged" and why can't you challenge yourself?

[Shaw]

What do you feel needs to be "challenged" and why can't you challenge yourself?

Every book seems to be the same thing. I want to focus on improving my spell work, oracle work, so on. Whenever I try I feel I am neglecting other things. Some advice on the pitfalls of this would be great, like advice on how much time to spend on something, and wear to find books or classes.

[Vigdisdotter]

Every book seems to be the same thing.

First of all I LOVE books :) My library is ever growing. But that said, they have some serious blind spots.

So why no just challenge yourself? Yes you WILL fall on your nose. I grantee it. But it's part of the learning process (think back to learning to ride a bike) and I'm fairly sure you'll survive :P So just go for it, take a change and have fun exploring.

And of course if you have questions or concerns, you could ask on MW :)

[razi3l]

:cheers: best wishes, if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask

Thanks. After some reading and thought about Outer Temple of Witchcraft, it occurred to me that what the author is explaining is that one can find an entirely new view of oneself and the universe around them through the elements. Is it your opinion that attuning to an element is understanding that our separateness from the universe is an illusion and that through meditation and practice one can realize their connection with and find how they are one with the universe; a single element at a time? I tried meditation in front of the fireplace trying to understand or experience the element of fire. I'm hoping that if I can make this connection with the element of fire then I can look inside myself and find which part of me is the element of fire and experiment with that. After that I would try to do the same with the outside world. If I can find or experience this maybe I can understand how one "works" with the elements. I'm hoping that this is a realization thing. That this is a new way of being that has been hidden in plain view from us all. I need a way to prove this to myself. If I can then, Holy Smoke! If not I will just feel crazy.

[maverick9750]

Thanks. After some reading and thought about Outer Temple of Witchcraft, it occurred to me that what the author is explaining is that one can find an entirely new view of oneself and the universe around them through the elements. Is it your opinion that attuning to an element is understanding that our separateness from the universe is an illusion and that through meditation and practice one can realize their connection with and find how they are one with the universe; a single element at a time?

that's how I did it, and it does work. the trick is learning to balence them all within yourself.

I tried meditation in front of the fireplace trying to understand or experience the element of fire. I'm hoping that if I can make this connection with the element of fire then I can look inside myself and find which part of me is the element of fire and experiment with that.

in my experience fire is especially difficult to attune to that way. within ourselves it seems to be an "encompassing passion" wanting something so much that there is a willingness to destroy to get it, purity in any of the elements can be quite dangerous if applied, that's why balence is so important.

After that I would try to do the same with the outside world. If I can find or experience this maybe I can understand how one "works" with the elements. I'm hoping that this is a realization thing. That this is a new way of being that has been hidden in plain view from us all. I need a way to prove this to myself. If I can then, Holy Smoke! If not I will just feel crazy.

if you don't feel crazy experiencing magick, especially while performing energy work, then odds are you are crazy :)

[Tranquility]

Shaw, maybe you need to stop reading then and start experiecing :). Go for a walk in the woods, feel the wind in your face, hear the trees dancing, watch the sun go down and the moon rise. Stay and meditate, trying to connect with all that is.. To me, all of these new pagan faiths that have emerged are about EXPERIENCE (though knowledge is, of course, important - I have an enormous library that's still growing..). Since we often know little to nothing, there is only one way to 'recover' this. I've heard that in South America, one shamanic culture actually sends the young initiate to a tree, and tells them to learn the mysteries of the universe from that tree. Just a few things you might want to contemplate. Books are limited.. but the book of nature is infinite.

[Shaw]

I have gone out and experienced much. I have just been looking for a revelation lately.

[Vigdisdotter]

I have gone out and experienced much.

Just because you have "experienced much" doesn't mean there isn't yet more waiting for you discover.

My most profound revelations are the ones I discover for myself.

[Shaw]

I feel kind of bogged down. See I used to go camping 3 times a year, spring summer and winter, maybe missing the trip for the last two years is the reason. Thanks for listening.

[aluokaloo]

I would reccomend books like
Earth, Air,Fire,Water, More Techniques on Natural Magick
The Way of Four and
Elemental Witch

also try and spend some time when you can meditating with the elements. Lir out in the sun, or go swimming in the summer, or listen to the breeze, or lie back on the grass.

[razi3l]

if you don't feel crazy experiencing magick, especially while performing energy work, then odds are you are crazy :)
Thanks for sharing your insight. I feel like I'm wandering in the dark with this.

Can you share some of your experiences attuning to the elements? What was the first element you experimented with? What happened?

[maverick9750]

Thanks for sharing your insight. I feel like I'm wandering in the dark with this.

Can you share some of your experiences attuning to the elements? What was the first element you experimented with? What happened?

the 1st one I had a real strong experience with was earth. which I see manefested as electromagnetism. mainly, although any of the fundamental forces apply. try meditating with a magnet, feeling its influences on yourself and on your environment, and try visualizing the force lines fluctuating, then try influencing them. good luck :)

[Spirit of Balance]

Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for their book suggestions. I'm about to go out and see if I can find them. I do have a few questions however. I will first explain my practice, or use, of the way I use the elements so maybe you can get a better idea on how to maybe help me.

I can do elemental magic and have so for about 5 years, namely breezes(wind) and different kinds of rain storms(water). I know I am also capable of fire and earth, but I am not allowed to those two at the present time due to certain limitations that have been placed upon me. I believe the way it works, for me, is I have to combine my energy with the element of my choice. However, when i THINK I've done this, my magic sometimes won't even work and other times, I can't even gather, I guess would be the right word, my energy so I can combine it with the element.

Half of my questions pertain to energy and the other half pertain to the elements. I've looked through the CoT Energy class but was unable to find what I needed so if anyone can help that would be great.

1. How do I feel my own energy?

2. How do I concentrate my energy around my entire body and/or places such as arms, hands and feet or between my hands?

3. How can I sense other people's enrgy and it's strength?

4. How can I concentrate energy to work with me everytime, or charge it up, so I can combine with the element I need?

5. Is there a way to combine enough energy with an element to make it to where it could act like a physical attack(i.e. a great blast of wind)? I'm not a violent person, I'm actually quite passive, I've just always been curious.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm sorry if this is a bit long, but I haven't really had any formal training so any advice helps.

[maverick9750]

very good questions, and I'm not sure how well I can answer them, we are entering a realm that english wasn't designed for :) I'll do the best I can though. keep in mind, I'm no expert by any means, someone else may prove me wrong.




1. How do I feel my own energy?

that is something you do all the time, you just aren't aware of it:

every time you feel strong and that you want something so bad, you will do anything to get it, you are experiencing fire,

moments of absolute clarity, when everything just seems to make sense, is air

water is simply emotion

earth is a little harder to explain, the nearest I can come is physical forces and actions, although thats not exactly right.

2. How do I concentrate my energy around my entire body and/or places such as arms, hands and feet or between my hands?

the best I can say is a combination of "pushing" it there with your willpower and visualization, it will seem like imagination, but its not. that's something that kinda needs taken on faith at this point, although eventually you will begin to see the differences

3. How can I sense other people's enrgy and it's strength?

in order to do that you first need to learn to recognize it within yourself, so you know what to look for, but one technique that works for some people is to unfocus your eyes while looking at someone while they are standing against a solid colored background, white is best. some people can see auras that way. the trick is to look "past" them, not directly at them. one way to practice this is to put your hand up in front of you, but don't look at it, look at something behind it. without shifting your eyes to your hand, try to study it. another is almost impossible to tell you HOW to do it, it seems to be a natural ability, and that is empathy. in which case you can actually feel (emotions) what the other person is feeling. I know one way to improve this, is simply pay attention. watch for the small changes in posture and looks in the eye and then try to imagine what they are feeling.

4. How can I concentrate energy to work with me everytime, or charge it up, so I can combine with the element I need?

there is no way you can always do it. its very dependant on your own state of mind, emotions, body, and spirit. I know this part isn't being very helpful, but to concentrate energy that isn't originating within you, you just kinda have to imagine a suction, like magnetism or gravity drawing the specific type of energy that you want. once again, it'll seem like imagination :) this seems to work best, for me anyway, if you do it in pulses, or waves. I usually time it with my breathing, and just try to feed it a little stronger with every breath. remeber to breath as deep as you can. its also much easier to do this and feel the subtlties while in a meditative state.

5. Is there a way to combine enough energy with an element to make it to where it could act like a physical attack(i.e. a great blast of wind)? I'm not a violent person, I'm actually quite passive, I've just always been curious.

if you want to hit them with a blast of wind, I think you would need to blow on them :) if that kind of thing can be done, its beyond my knowlege and experience. magick is typically a LOT more subtle than that. its like having a prayer answered, you ask for something (or will it, as it were) and then it happens, almost always apearing as a remarkable coincidence, its only after the coincidences start pileing up that it changes from faith to confidence.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm sorry if this is a bit long, but I haven't really had any formal training so any advice helps.


I hope I've been helpful.

[Spirit of Balance]

magick is typically a LOT more subtle than that. its like having a prayer answered, you ask for something (or will it, as it were) and then it happens


Then my magick must be kinda strange. The way i usually manipulate the elements, wind in particular, is by combining it with my energy field, I believe, and then using my hands, arms, letgs, etc to move it. Like, I can move my hands and change the direction of the wind or charge up my energy and make the wind stronger or lighter, things like that.

another is almost impossible to tell you HOW to do it, it seems to be a natural ability, and that is empathy

I think this is more me, since I am usually very good at more or less knowing what the other person is feeling, emotion wise, but not so much on the energy side.

I hope I've been helpful.

Yes, very much so. Any advice I can get is helpful. Learning this stuff can be quite stresful at times,lol. However, I'm the kind of person who likes to see things from different sides so if anyone else has any opinions, please share.

[razi3l]

the 1st one I had a real strong experience with was earth. which I see manefested as electromagnetism. mainly, although any of the fundamental forces apply. try meditating with a magnet, feeling its influences on yourself and on your environment, and try visualizing the force lines fluctuating, then try influencing them. good luck :)

I am feeling a little drained and frustrated. I have working with a magnet for a while now with little sucess. I can feel the fields if I concentrate and move my fingers over the magnet, but I have had no success influencing the magnet. I was hoping to make it move in a subtle way. I'm not sure how to CONNECT with it.

[razi3l]

[quote=Spirit of Balance;3038762]

Then my magick must be kinda strange. The way i usually manipulate the elements, wind in particular, is by combining it with my energy field, I believe, and then using my hands, arms, letgs, etc to move it. Like, I can move my hands and change the direction of the wind or charge up my energy and make the wind stronger or lighter, things like that.

Hello, I am the one who posted the original thread. What I am looking for sounds much more like what you are discribing. Basically I am looking to validate all of these crazy ideas I have by proving that human intention can influence the physical world. If what you're stating is true, then this is what I am trying to experience. Can you tell me a little about your experiences?

[maverick9750]

well, I am definately interested in this too, I have no idea how to work forces magick, and would LOVE to find out :)

[AmyDarling]

Seconded!! The whole series is really good. If you're interested in elemental magic, Scott Cunningham wrote two books on the subject (Earth Magic and Elemental Magic I think) that are pretty good as far as they go. Still, I'd recommend you Penczak's Temple series first for a good solid foundation in the fundamentals.

Cunningham has always been very useful to me as well. Pretty much anything by this author is useful and he has a lot of works to choose from.

[Spirit of Balance]

I guess this is an instance when the student become the teacher, lol.

Well, firstly, let me start by saying I am in no way an expert on this type of magick yet, even though I've been doing it for about 5 years. Wind was the first element I learned in the very beginning and I have yet to master it, though this is due in part because half of my powers are sealed, but more on that later. Water I learned about a year later and the most I can do with it are some really nasty storms. Actually, a series of storms I casted just got finished the other day down here in Houston, TX if you watch the weather. Fire and Earth I can only learn after I learn something else first, but again, more on that later. I will do my best to describe the why's and wherefore's of my 'abilities' per se, but understand, I have yet to come to understand them fully so what works for me, might not work for you, and if it does, be careful, these things can I have tremendous effects in large quantities.

Firstly, I recommend you all do this before reading any further
1. Go to youtube.com
2. Type in Tokyo Underground Episode 11
3. Click on Part 1 (make sure it's in English)
4. Around 3 or 4 minutes after the episode has begun, you will see a flashback with one of the characters and an old man. Listen to what the old man says. I found this episode about a year ago and dare say he is pretty accurate in his explanation on how to manipulate the wind. Mind you, he is referring to manipulating the wind around a sword, but you get the idea. This is how I do my magick.

Now once you have watched the episode and have an idea of what I'm about to tell you, you can read on. I will use wind as the main source of my explanations, since it is the simplest, and then move on to water.

This type of magick requires a great deal of 'spirit energy'. One of the most basic ways to manipulate the wind is to cover your entire body in your 'spirit energy'. Feel it flow around you, your arms, neck, etc. Now feel the wind, let it wash over you, let it become part of you. Visualize the wind combining itself with your 'spirit energy'. At this point, you should feel like the wind has completely engulfed your body. Now, this is where it gets diffucult, troubling, and a bit strange. For anyone who has seen Dragon Ball Z, this description should seem familiar. Once the wind has engulfed your body, and you want to make the wind stronger, you have to charge your 'spirit enery'. This, in turn, will increase the strength of the wind. You have to, more or less, force your 'spirit energy' outwards away from you. If you do this correctly, the wind should pick up speed. WARNING: If you don't have a whole lot of 'spirit energy' to begin with, don't be surprised if the wind doesn't pick up a whole lot or not at all. Again, all this requires a great amount of spirit energy.

Once you feel you have successfully done this, PM me and I will tell you how to manipulate the wind with your hands, for this requires great concentration and control. Now, here is the description for a basic storm. If done correctly, it should contain lightning, thunder, wind and rain.

Again, you need concentrate your 'spirit energy' around your body. Once you have done this, bring your hands out in front of you, palms facing each other. This description will be a bit fuzzy since I usually just do it and don't think about it, but it should be fairly accuarate. Now you need to gather the 'spirit energy' around your body into a sphere between your hands. One you feel you have done this, you have to manipulate the water particles in the air and all around you to combine with the sphere. WARNING: You will not see your 'spirit energy ball' or the concentrated water. That's not how it works. So if you did, cut down on the TV, lol.

Now, even though you have concentrated the water and it is a water spell, you will also be calling upon wind, thunder and lightning. I call this the Crashing Storm spell. First, speak this enchantment:

HIgh up above where lightning blasts and thunder booms
Where rain falls down on the earth and the wind blows fiercely
You are a blessing to the withered grass and dead leaves
Let your power be felt
Crashing Storm!

I realize it's kinda kiddy-like, but hey, it works for me, most the time. Now, once you have said this, point your hands towards the sky and 'blast/force' the energy up into the air. The time it takes to take effect varies, so be patient. Again, it all depends on 'spirit energy'.

So, in conclusion, this is my best description I can offer. If anyone has one better, please share because I am more than happy to learn. Any questions?

[maverick9750]

I think it may come down to intent, because I use almost the exact same techniques doing energy work, I typically work for things more related to people and situations, that seems to be the main difference.

[Spirit of Balance]

Yes. Spirit energy can be used for almost anything, it just all, like you said mav, depends on the reason, and of course, having enough spirit energy to do it.

[maverick9750]

I just made a deal with an old friend of mine who is a double rieki master, he's gonna teach me reiki and I'll teach him magick theory. the way that man can channel energy is phenomenal, you can feel the heat radiating from his hands at almost a foot. the cool thing about reiki is it doesn't use your energy to do it, you simply channel free energy through you.

[Pesha]

I apologise for kind of barging in here, but I was reading the thread and had a book to recommend. If the person wants to work with fire. I work with fire thru candles. So I can recommend the Candle Magick Work Book byKala and Ketz Pajeon. It also touchs on other mackical properties. It is not Wiccan , but it is the best one I know and I have learned alot thru it. Ok....backs out of thread quietly.

[Spirit of Balance]

Thanks for the book idea Pesha. I may just check it out.

Hey mav, what is reiki anyhow? Any chance you might be able to explain it and how itis used, etc?

[maverick9750]

I don't really know a whole lot about it, other than its an eastern thing that channels energy for the purpose of healing, I'm sure if you were to do a search here, especially in COT you could find more than you wanted to know :)

[razi3l]

Yes. Spirit energy can be used for almost anything, it just all, like you said mav, depends on the reason, and of course, having enough spirit energy to do it.

How do you know if you have any spirit energy? I'm still holding this darn magnet in my hand trying to make it move and I feel kind of silly.

[razi3l]

I will check the books. I have a feeling that I need some more basic understanding and self discovery. I am not aware of having any of these abilities and I'm trying to experience them first hand to prove to myself that this is real. I'll just keep trying.

I like your sense of humor. The way you ended the email made me smile.

[maverick9750]

How do you know if you have any spirit energy? I'm still holding this darn magnet in my hand trying to make it move and I feel kind of silly.

trying to actually move the magnet would be very advanced stuff, that would take a LOT of power, but the feeling that you get from the fields is the feeling of the energy, if you can remember that feeling and make yourself feel it again during ritual, then you will really add some kick to your spells, adding earth is what makes them manifest. be careful. be sure you start small or it can blow up in your face from using too much power.

[Spirit of Balance]

be sure you start small or it can blow up in your face from using too much power.


Yes, I quite agree. It took almost a year of constant training to get up enough energy and experience to have the ability to change the direction of the wind, let alone large gusts of wind. It took me nearly three years to learn I could manipulate the wind around certain body parts, like fists and arms. Yes, starting small is a good idea. Begin with the manipulating the wind around your body practice for a little while until you gget comfortable enough.

[razi3l]

Yes, I quite agree. It took almost a year of constant training to get up enough energy and experience to have the ability to change the direction of the wind, let alone large gusts of wind. It took me nearly three years to learn I could manipulate the wind around certain body parts, like fists and arms. Yes, starting small is a good idea. Begin with the manipulating the wind around your body practice for a little while until you gget comfortable enough.

I think I understand a little better than before. This ability to manipulate the elements is like athletic ability or musical talent. It is something you have to develop, strengthen and practise. Am I correct?

[maverick9750]

exactly. I don't exactly do this kind of magick, but I can see basically how it would be done, the theory is sound. I'm more into mind/spirit/entropy magick than elemental, but even doing that the elements are stiull used, just in a different way. it's an area I feel very deficiant in, and this thread has gone a long way in showing me how it would be done.

[Spirit of Balance]

Yes, well, if it makes everybody feel any better, I've been doing this, like I said, for about 5 years now and it was only about a month or so ago that I was actually able to link everything together and find a basic way to explain it even to myself, which took a long time in meditation. I've been able to do it, I just didn't know how, and I needed to know so it would my training a little easier, and when I finally figured it out myself, I could make the connections to everything and understand better how it all worked, somewhat.