Mental Ritual?

[Shawn Cameron]

I was just wondering, is it possible to perform an entire ritual using Visualization? Mentally saying the words and doing the motions and moving and dancing and what not while physically you just kind of… I’m not sure, meditate?

I suppose what I’m really wondering is if it would have a better/worse/same effects as having a regular physical ritual?

[Teresa]

IMO, You could perform a mental ritual and have just as much success as a physical one. You need intent and desire and you must believe in the outcome.

[BlackLili]

It is entirely possible. You might send a PM to Against The Tide - I believe he's been working on doing all-visualization rituals for some time now.

[GEBS]

I agree with the others. It's not about your physical body going through the motions. It's about your intent and your belief that it works.

I do most of my work that way.

[Terra Mater]

I was just wondering, is it possible to perform an entire ritual using Visualization? Mentally saying the words and doing the motions and moving and dancing and what not while physically you just kind of… I’m not sure, meditate?

I suppose what I’m really wondering is if it would have a better/worse/same effects as having a regular physical ritual?
Call me crazy, but why not try it and see? The exercise alone of trying to visul "all" the details of a mental ritual would be great.

[Starry Night]

I have to say that I've done that a few times and got the results were about the same as going through the motions physically... while at the bookstore, mind you.

I admit, I am no expert and have done it about 5 times total, but it has worked.
I do agree with everyone here..:thumbsup:

It is mainly about your intent and belief and knowing that the outcome will happen the way you want it to.

[Shawn Cameron]

oh I plan to, I just need to stop falling asleep *head desk* but also depending on the answer to this question I had more. such as mental tools, would it be best to charge phisical tools to the point that they have a spiritual body or is it posible to create tools in your mind? Also Energy output, for the people who do it do you find you put out any more or less energy to the point where you might not do it as often or you have to 'charge up' more often? and probably a few more once I can remember them (still early and as I'm still at work I should get my uniform on and head downstairs...)

[GEBS]

oh I plan to, I just need to stop falling asleep *head desk*

I had that problem too at first. That will change with practice. I still like to sleep after ritual but that's normal for me. I love to sleep. I take several mini-naps throughout the day anyway. :abbed:


would it be best to charge phisical tools to the point that they have a spiritual body or is it posible to create tools in your mind?

I feel that anything you use in physical ritual you can create with your mind.



do you find you put out any more or less energy to the point where you might not do it as often or you have to 'charge up' more often?

I find the use of energy about the same. The difference for me is time. I save a lot of time by keeping my metal space prepared. I can't do that with my physical space. The kids would be all over it. I'm very particular about the energy that enters my space. I'm a germaphobe. That extends its self into energy. I feel dirty if someone enters my space. Yes, I know I'm weird. And yes, I am in therapy. :crazyman:

[Against The Tide]

The thing about mental rituals is that anything is possible, if you can imagine it you can do it!

Put yourself in a semi conscious state (light trance) whilst visualising the ritual. Try and paint every detail with your mind, its tiring but worth it, and a very good mental exercise. What do you see? What can you hear? Can you feel the heat coming of the candles? Can you taste the wine? If working with others (or visualising that you are) can you smell their sweat/shampoo/deodorant How heavy is that athame in your hand? Is the floor a smooth and cold hardwood underneath your bare feet or are you walking along springy grass with droplets of mornings dew in it? Make it as real as possible by filling it out, try and make it more real. If its an object, turn it over so you can see it from all angles. If its a person or an animal, what sounds do they make as they talk and breath?

GEBS and the others were spot on about intent and belief in the ritual. You must approach this with a hopeful respectful mindset. It can't hurt to begin in real life. Scrub yourself clean as though you were going to perform in real life, create a secure comfortable space in which you can meditate undisturbed. Maybe have some music on in the background (traditional drumming meditation is good but I prefer electronic/industrial, the stuff that's mostly instrumental with same mind-expanding BPM), burn some incense to create suitable atmosphere and because its one less thing you have to work on when you start visualising whats around you. I started by carrying out the entire ritual in my head - visualising every tool that might be used and every line that me or a priestess might say. I gave myself a modest but beautiful 'temple' to work in. I then started getting creative, instead of traditional tools one time I substituted mythical creatures of the appropriate elements (wand = fire = phoenix, pentacle = earth = golem and so on).

Nowerdays rather than go through the whole ritual, I just focus on my intention and visualise it happening. I pour myself into it, believe in it so strongly that 'it' happens.

Tools - a set of well used tools will have its own spiritual body. A new tool is just a piece of wood or metal, only there as a focus and reminder of what it is that they are to embody. But over time and use tools become more than just objects. Maybe meditate with your tools around you, give each tool a chance to show you its true shape colour and form?

Energy - Its about the same. Whether you are butt naked jumping over someones cauldron or sitting cross legged infront of your stereo - its not what you do that makes the spell work/stronger, its intent and belief that matters. The more powerful the working the more it will take out of you.

Don't listen to what I've said - try your own thing. The only rule is there are no rules. Not even gravity and the normal flow of time need apply. Go wild :)

[Terra Mater]

oh I plan to, I just need to stop falling asleep *head desk* but also depending on the answer to this question I had more. such as mental tools, would it be best to charge phisical tools to the point that they have a spiritual body or is it posible to create tools in your mind? Also Energy output, for the people who do it do you find you put out any more or less energy to the point where you might not do it as often or you have to 'charge up' more often? and probably a few more once I can remember them (still early and as I'm still at work I should get my uniform on and head downstairs...)

In theory, it is possible for anyone. However, only through practice can you find out if it is possible for you. Some people need physical tools to put their hands on to be able to create the mental tools, others use catalog pictures of the ideal tools, others just let their imaginations soar. Since you are just starting out, let me recommend searching the web for pix of wht tools you feel would be ideal for your mental ritual.

[Shawn Cameron]

Thank you all for your input, it means a lot to me. To be honest I have done similar before... never really spells or rituals but I have my own little house I built in my mind, with very detailed altars to different gods that I could never truly afford to build in real life (not anytime soon anyway) and every time I visualize, when I remember to, it is here that I go. I make offerings to the gods and what not, fly and/or swim regularly, and usually hang out until I accidentally drift off to sleep and wake up the next morning like "Damn! I did it again!"

I just have a very nasty habit of second guessing myself and my own sanity and one of the reasons I joined this very, very fine group was so I could ask these questions and help to set my mind somewhat at ease, and see if there really are other people who have done or do similar to myself... that and I really never tried to work a Ritual or Spell and I was wondering if it was possible...

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Just a note...

Crowley did the entire Abramelin Ritual , in his mind ,
while crossing the desert on a donkey...read up on it...

And yes , I agree...it not only can be done , and has been
done...you shall do it , as part of your development...

And you shall be very successful...

Those with the name Cameron...or "Khem - Rune" , are
most naturally inclined to mgieckal ability...just sayin'...:uhhuhuh:

[aluokaloo]

of course you can. :uhhuhuh:

sadly i'm much more graceful doing it in my head then physically. :(

[Shawn Cameron]

sadly i'm much more graceful doing it in my head then physically. :(

me to Aluokaloo... that is one of the other minor reasons I was wondering if others did it :bigredgri

[David19]

Just a note...

Crowley did the entire Abramelin Ritual , in his mind ,
while crossing the desert on a donkey...read up on it...

And yes , I agree...it not only can be done , and has been
done...you shall do it , as part of your development...

And you shall be very successful...

Those with the name Cameron...or "Khem - Rune" , are
most naturally inclined to mgieckal ability...just sayin'...:uhhuhuh:

Interesting post, Shawn, and I didn't know that about Crowley, thanks for posting it, I might do a bit more research.

[David19]

of course you can. :uhhuhuh:

sadly i'm much more graceful doing it in my head then physically. :(


me to Aluokaloo... that is one of the other minor reasons I was wondering if others did it :bigredgri

Me too, I find, in my head, I can do everything perfectly, it's just physically, I have the trouble!.