Am I doing it wrong?

[HeatherN]

OK, so I am very new to Paganism, still trying to get feel for what it's all about. Is it absolutely necessary to consecrate all items to be used in ritual? I decided to do a little meditation/prayer ritual this last Sunday. I cast a circle, called the quarters, lit a Goddess/God candle, asked them to assist me on this path, etc... and meditated for a bit. Now - I'm just starting out and just gathering my altar tools (I had no athame, incense, or pentacle), so my altar was very bare...candles, water, and salt.

I'm not out to make the Goddess and God sound malevolent, but do you think because I didn't do or have all these things, they won't honor my prayer as much as someone who takes all the proper steps???

Thanks so much!!

[Flar's Freyja]

Merry Meet and Welcome to MW, HeatherN....

When I first began, there was a lot I didn't know or didn't do. I still do not use a lot of tools. I bought a beautiful athame and made several wonderful wands, but I rarely use them. I found that my magick worked and the goddess responded to my prayers anyway. I attend some Native American rituals regularly and I smile when at the end, we always ask that any mistakes we made be corrected, for we are human.......

It's a nice idea to use a binding at the end of your spells and rituals, asking the same. Silver RavenWolf has one that goes something like 'May this spell not reverse nor place upon us any curse'. Starhawk also has a good one in The Spiral Dance.

As for altars, I was under the impression for a long time that it had to be all fancied up. I took a ritual class this past year and found that an altar need be nothing but a candle if that's all you have or can do. One of the things I love so much about my religion is that it is so flexible, and we can substitute anything that's around. It is your desire and intent that makes the magick; i.e., The Magick IS the Witch.....

I recently bumped up some ritual lesson threads in the Magick and Rituals forum along with some other basic ones. Come on over and have a look :)

[UPSET]

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SOMEONE WHO IS CASTING BAD SPELLS ON YOU?

[Flar's Freyja]

:wave: Merry Meet and Welcome to MW UPSET :)

I know that the Goddess and my guides are always with me, so I don't worry too much about protection because I'm secure in their love. However, if there really is an urgent situation I have used shielding techniques and even binding spells, but you must be careful with those as they can backfire. Again, the best binding I have found is in Starhawk's The Spiral Dance. I can't recommend that book highly enough, it was my "bible" when I first started and I still refer to it often.

We have a few cleansing and protection threads over in M&R also, and I think that they were active within the last month so you shouldn't have much trouble finding them if you're interested in checking them out.

[Raevyn]

Originally posted by HeatherN
I'm not out to make the Goddess and God sound malevolent, but do you think because I didn't do or have all these things, they won't honor my prayer as much as someone who takes all the proper steps???

Nope, I don't.

What matters is that you try to be as focused as possible on what you Will to happen. You don't need any tools at all, but sometimes using those tools helps you focus. If you want the tools later get them, if they please you and you think it helps you do magick, they will. But if you don't have your tools that's ok too.

UPSET - the best thing is to ignore them. See magick is all about your intent - the person intended to harm you. If you decide that their magick is not going to work because you're stronger then that, and you really don't want their magick to work, it won't. Your intent that it will NOT work has to be greater then theirs that it will. Other then that check out the threads Freyja mentioned, because doing simple stuff like a visualized protective shield around you will help you remember that their spell will NOT work, and so it won't.

[Semele]

I don't use a lot of tools either. I kind of look at them as focal points or even training wheels if you will. Now, don't anyone get offended by that comment, let me explain. When starting out, the tools keep us focused...we have something to represent all of the elements etc. They are there to remind us to pay attention to those areas. Just like training wheels remind you to stay balanced or you will fall.

In church we are taught that while praying it is customary to bow your head and close your eyes...is that because God hears us better that way? I don't think so, but I do think if our eyes are closed we have a better chance of staying focused on the discussion with God and not getting sidetracked by the patterns in the carpet etc.

The main thing that matters is that your intent is well laid out and your mind is clear enough to communicate said intent and you KNOW exactly what it is that you WILL to happen. Some of my most productive prayers and discussions with God/Godess happen as I am driving down the road. I am focusing my physical energy on driving but my spiritual energy is with my prayer. (I get lost a lot) ;)

All that said, I do enjoy a nice fully set alter from time to time, just for the ritual of setting up the alter etc. Just like a nice well set table complete with table cloth, napkins, matching flatware etc is nice and enjoyable...it doesn't necessarily make the food any better.

[st0rm]

often when i do my rituals i only use my staff and a couple of candles.... and somtimes i leave the staff and candles @ home...
but once in a while i get all my props and preforma a ritual to its fullest extent... do what feels comfortable for u, theres no right or wrong way to do it....

[Haedis]

sounds much like me st0rm. all the tools I "need" are a few candles to put at the quarters (and sometimes cross quarters) of the circle and a staff. it works best for me since I have to more or less sneak out to do rituals to avoid worrying my father. I cant be very stealthy with a bunch of clattering tools shoved in my coat (my dad amazingly doesnt ask about the 6 foot staff. go figure)

[HeatherN]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the reassurances.

I'm still in the research phase of finding my spiritual path and after reading book after book, it's so easy to bogged down in the "rules." After all, shouldn't it be about doing what you can do and what feels right?

[Flar's Freyja]

:) It is, you've got it. I bought tons of books my first year and just use them for reference and ideas, then design my own work. I also believe it's a lot more effective when it comes from your own heart.

[Willow_Raindancer]

Originally posted by UPSET
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SOMEONE WHO IS CASTING BAD SPELLS ON YOU?

If this is a serious question, the advice I'd give and use myself is to ignore them!
A "bad" spell only has the power, you the reciever, give it:)

[Raevyn]

Originally posted by HeatherN
I'm still in the research phase of finding my spiritual path and after reading book after book, it's so easy to bogged down in the "rules." After all, shouldn't it be about doing what you can do and what feels right?

It is about doing what's right for you - the idea is reading and researching and seeing what other people think and how they do things gives you the best possible background for the most informed decision. You can consider other people's beliefs and thoughts and how they relate to yours. There aren't any hard and fast rules here, just lots of things to consider :) I always feel a solid background in research and consideration gives you the best foundation for good decisions.

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Willow_Raindancer
If this is a serious question, the advice I'd give and use myself is to ignore them!
A "bad" spell only has the power, you the reciever, give it:)

:boing: Wow, I totally agree with that one! I even tried to explain that to a Christian co-worker once, who was so terrified of "evil" that she even had a problem writing a check to a girl scout troop named "Magic Empire."

When you believe in something you give it power. I have only had one experience where someone actually was using magick to influence me. I figured it out when it was almost too late, but my goddess chose to turn events around so that I was protected, and I choose to believe that I always will be.

[wunjo]

I am SOOO glad I found this thread!!! There is so much info on this site that it is mind boggling. I too have been getting bogged down by all of the "rules", ( how to cast the circle, what color candles to use, how to consecrate everything etc..) The more I learn, the more I find I have been doing some of these things all along in a fashion, but the "rules" made me feel like I was doing it wrong. I too do a lot of praying while driving to/from work. I also, (while driving to work) visualize myself being filled with love and light that radiates from me. This serves as a "force field" to protect me from negativity. I would like to be able to do a really fine ritual, with all of the tools, but untill I have them, I will do with what I have. I sure don't want to wait to start till I have them all!! :D Thank you for all of the loving words of encouragement. Brightest Blessings!!!

[Sequoia]

I don't think there's really a 'wrong' way to do things, if you're being true to yourself. . . :)

[Willow_Raindancer]

Originally posted by Puma Hime
I don't think there's really a 'wrong' way to do things, if you're being true to yourself. . . :)

I feel the same way!
I try something, if it doesn't work, I try something else.
I keep records of the things that work and what doesn't;)