Shielding your mind

[Fear-farsain]

I thought I'd reword this totally, as it didnt make sense when I re-read it. To put things into perspective, I'm inexperienced, with most of my knowledge from what I have read in books and on the net.
I have interest in astral travel and other workings, but am concerned about how open that will leave me for anything that isn't benign. So, what I mean by shielding my mind is anything that is useful before you go about workings. I know about casting circles, but is there anything else you can do?

Its practical paranoia, honest! :D

[Azure]

I usually wrap myself - all of me, in a moving sphere of golden light. That's how I see a protective wall of energy and build a sheild. use whatever visual image works for you, and practice building that barrier until you feel comfortable with it and it can come by second nature.

[Fear-farsain]

Thanks for that idea. The main reason I asked is because I believe in going prepared, but I also believe in conquering and overcoming fears.

[Tammy Sullivan]

I suppose mine may sound a bit odd but I "breathe it in".
I see a white light pulsating with love and protection and take it into myself. I feel stronger and more protected that way.

[SagaDraco]

True astral travel means a near total seperation from the body, leaving it in a comatose state. Basically any creatures so inclined could just take it if they felt like it, as "you"(your conscience) is busy elsewhere and cannot defend itself. Bottom-line? Such entities are EXTREMELY rare, even in their own planes, but even more so in ours. But nothing is impossible, only improbable. You cant to a damned thing about it, except maybe leave your body in a circle of protection powered by a ward(as you wont be able to power it yourself) behind. Best I can think of. I am unable to enter the Astral plane for some reasonand if anyone has a hypothesis why, I would love to hear it, I also fail at most rituals but can bang out incantations very quickly and accurately.

[Flar's Freyja]

I guess I'm kind of wierd.....I rarely, if ever, ask for protection when I'm doing any kind of journeying or ritual other than casting a circle. I don't feel the need to. I know that my guides and deities are with me and I feel that their protection is a given. *shrugs*

[Azure]

Good point Freyja. I build my defenses out of habit mostly, and because they make me feel secure - but I rarely feel any threat when journeying or doing ritual work. If I do, the insecurity is usually from within, rather than without.

[Flar's Freyja]

I also feel that fear and anxiety actually give power to negative entities and leaves the door wide open for them to enter. I'm more concerned with being attacked in the physical world by the phone ringing or someone barging in before I finish what I'm doing :)