energy play

[carlogiovanni]

Ive been trying some energy play, just moving my hands in circles I can feel an almost magnetic force between them. Recently i've tried rolling quartz crystals around in my hands. Sometimes they stick together like magnets and sometimes they repel, there does not seem to be a set pattern. this works with coins also. Sometimes I can move the crystals just with the movement of my hand, but only slighly. Can anyone give me some more information? thanks :)

[Mithrea]

As with anything else, as you practice, you will be able to realize the pattern and be able to manipulate it. Practice, practice! :D

And using the word "play" when you are talking about manipulating energy makes me really nervous :blushake: :(

[carlogiovanni]

That's what it was called in a book, I don't know if it's the wrong term...?

[silverm00n]

I've found some regions have more set patterns and others are rather chaotic. Playing with energy can be rather fun at times, I just try to keep it out of the circle as long as my intent isn't clearly defined. If you travel at all though, I'd recommend experimenting in different settings, with different terrains, city, country, that sort of thing. Being in a populated areas is going to make your results vary. Set and Setting in other words :D

[jelly.belly]

I can't help u, sorry, I don't really know anything about it, but it does look really interesting!

[Phoenix Blue]

Quoth Mithrea:
And using the word "play" when you are talking about manipulating energy makes me really nervous :blushake: :(
Why?

[Mithrea]

Because energy is not a toy . . . :eyebrow:

[Armitage]

But, to play devil's advocate, the best way to learn is to play with it, as in exploring its full potential, not as in being indiscriminate and careless with it. It's everywhere, and people harness it for more harmful uses than learning, usually unconsciously, when they are angry and lose control.

[Haedis]

Its from Cunningham's Wicca: a guide for a solitary practitioner, I believe. (i havent heard of it anywhere else).

and why not play with energy? i realize that in some cases (depending on the intent) you wouldnt want to play around with energies. but I usually see play as something fun thats practice for the real world. like kids playing house are having fun and learning how to react in social situations, wolf cubs "hunt" eachother for practice. its not always just fooling around for the hell of it.
Also energy isnt purely something with magickal intent. When you bungee jump (for an unrelated example) arent you in a way playing with energy? You use with gravity, elasticity, and the energy you get from the adrenaline. but now i'm just being a pain again :)

[Mithrea]

"practice" and "play" are not the same thing.

There are about 20 threads around her on responsibility and magic.

[Myst]

Take magic seriously and it'll take you seriously. And no that doesn't mean you can't have fun, it means if you treat it like a playtoy it isn't going to do much more for you then play.

I agree, there is a difference between "practice" - utilizing and manipulating magic to strengthen your understanding and ability with it - and "play" - the latter sounds like you're doing parlour tricks and cheap hocus pocus.

In short, I see what you guys mean but I see Mith's point too. Just my 2 cents :)

[Phoenix Blue]

**Nods at Myst**

Mithrea, I think energy play is a good way to learn how to handle majick in small quantities. As others have pointed out, the offspring of predator species learn how to hunt by playing. Children learn through play, and so do adults. Initiates playing with small amounts of majickal energy helps familiarize them with handling it--and it makes majickal work something more interesting than a night job.

Let's be reasonable--a person can drown in a bucket of water. Does that mean people shouldn't play in swimming pools, and that they should only swim laps? That'd be kinda boring, wouldn't it?

Ehh, that's kinda off-topic anyway, I s'pose. Something to think about, though. :cool:

[Melysande]

It's an acceptable use of the term, so sayeth Jenn the Editor.

"Play" means practice in this instance, the same as it does in the word "swordplay."

[Mithrea]

Well you guys are totally missing my point so I'm apparently not communicating very effectively.

I am just seeing far too many posts here about all the "kewl stuff I can do with magick (!)"

So I stand by what I said or at least what I meant: Don't take this stuff lightly.

[Phoenix Blue]

I'm not seeing that here; and I've yet to see it in other threads I've read in this forum. Granted, I've only been on the site about five or six months. . . but I no more encourage that "look at me, I'm majickally 133t!" mindset than you do. :)

Majick is a force of nature, like the wind or the Gulf Stream. All are worthy of respect--but not fear.

[Myst]

Oh there are threads like that, believe you me. My favourite is to try to help the seeker do some research and find answers and have them scream at me that I should just give them the info, since 'that's what this board is for, right?!'

*sighs*

[Xander67]

Mithrea,

Have you read "playful magic"

by Janina Renee?

it is a good read. I think you will find what you are looking for there :)

[Myst]

Originally posted by Phoenix_Blue
Majick is a force of nature, like the wind or the Gulf Stream. All are worthy of respect--but not fear.

Actually it's more like hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, and earth quakes, with winds or streams or the inner burps of earth being more like the people who mess with magic. The latter being the thing that induces change in energy, the former being terrible or awesome, depending on how it ends up :)

[carlogiovanni]

I am just seeing far too many posts here about all the "kewl stuff I can do with magick (!)"

Mithrea, I wasn't saying that with my post, I was just genuinely curious and wanted more information on the subject, that's all. :)

[Mithrea]

I know :)

I get that and I really didn't mean to single you out. If Scott Cunningham or anyone uses that word this way, I still feel the same way :) Sorry about that.

[Xander67]

Mith,
there are many, many, creative and fun things you can do with energy, and alot of them will show you parts of yourself, talents, and abilities, that have just waiting to be discovered,,,

I discovered that Im a pretty good painter, :) although im no picasso as of yet, im learning!

[Mithrea]

Hmmmmm . . . I can see that no one seems to get that they can't change my mind :p ;)

[Xander67]

:( me not trying to change your mind...

was just shareing one of my discoveries is all

[Mithrea]

Well, okay then :D

[Xander67]

:nyah:

:)

[Hamelyn]

And yes, somehow, that subject line makes sense. ::winks:: Anyways, here's my tossing of the cents into the two subjects... the terms "play" VS "practice," and the energy play pattern thingie.

First, the energy pattern thingie. Ever since I went to this hollistic living convention around where I live I've found this interesting... the study of geomancy and how certain formations and substances resonate differently. Of course, there's also the biggest question that comes up sometimes... /why?/ Personally, I believe that the patterns can change. If a pattern was always methodical and expected and predictable it would disturb me to be honest. But sometimes that /can/ be a good thing... mm. But anyways, one of my theories is that all things are at a base made up of the same substance. Call it what you will. Anyways, as Time progresses, this energy is let out (objects erode, thoughts unravel, humans age)... in differant ways, though. For example, a person who dedicates their energy towards anger will often find that their actions and their magic tends to take angry effects, I've noticed. Since objects are made at a base core of the same stuff of people (energy! Woot!), then as time progresses, they shed.. whatever properties they have. Like if you take two quartz crystals, sure they have their properties for being quarts, but there's nothing saying that that energy has to attract or push away... think of it like wind, really. Wind can push against another wind and cause a tornado, or one thing can get pushed away, or they can mingle. It's really strange, ne? Anyways, my three cents on that matter.

The other idea is on the terms of play and practice, respectively... now, not meaning to offend. But as someone who's often felt the call of the otter, I've kind of discovered that NOT taking ourselves seriously is one of the most empowering experiences ever. The ecstatic joy you can get on Beltane is a great explaination of how sacred just letting loose and having fun with it can be. You're still holding and respecting the day and the purpose, but the term "play" doesn't have to mean disrespect. Yes, concentration is great and that's practice. But sometimes the only way to do something is if you enjoy yourself. If an archer shoots for fun, he'll hit his target. If he shoots for a brass statue, he gets a little competitive and concerned. If he's shooting for his life or for a hand in marriage, his hand is going to, pardon the pun, quiver. His skill and potential haven't changed a bit; but how seriously he takes the situation, and how critical he has become, has lessened his confidence and his skill.

Anyways... there ya go. The Hamelyn Dude Hath Spoken And Schtuff!