Magic and Training

[Mairwen]

(very broad topic here!!) ... (trying to liven up this Forum a bit!) ...



1. What kind of magic do you do? Is there any training involved?

2. Are there any exercises you do to make your magic easier? IE. energy exercises, visualization exercises..etc.

3. What advice would you give a newbie about magic?

4. What books or webpages would you recommend to someone just learning about magic?

5. Any stories or examples of what do to and what not to do are very welcome.

[Emerald Sky]

Hi Mairwen,

I'm obviously not the best one to answer these questions b/c I *am* a newbie. Yet, unlike a lot of seekers, magic isn't why I've started walking this path. I do plan on learning and perfoming magic, but I want to learn much more about the religion first. I guess in a way, I really want to know as much as I can before I start attempting things that I have no business attempting yet (because of limited knowledge). KWIM?

However, I have just started working with energy. Just simple exercises of building my own energy and "working" with it. - Feeling it and moving it around. I also meditate and practice visualization which has always been very easy and natural for me.

So, that's my limited input on the subject. ;) I'm interested to hear what others have to say!

[Mairwen]

Magic isn't a big part of being a Gwyddon, either ~ it's a very small part. So, I found these questions to be particularly interesting.

If anyone has anything to share at all, please do!

[Yvonne Belisle]

I'm really stunted in what I practice I made some mistakes when I was younger so I'm extra carefull now. I also use energy visualization and flow in my workings. I have also tried learning to amplify my inner voice. I like to sit in a dark room with just a candle for light and focus my vision that way using a crystal and the flame for my focus. That's just me.

[KyGreenWitch]

Merry Meet, Friends -

Well, first for those just beginning, I would suggest perhaps witchvox on the internet. As far as books are concerned, check out the section in the book store and fan through the books to feel what you are drawn to. (I'm sure teh local library would have something, too. I've never checked that out. Probably cheaper, though, unless you wanted the book for your own collection.) I would also suggest checking out a few groups (such as this one) where you can ask questions and share.

Depending on what I am doing, depends on my setting. If I am doing a ritual, celebration, etc., I use an alter with my own makeshift tools and LOTS of candles. I protect my self in a circle, but it is not always a physical circle. I always use some sort of visualization.

If I am meditating, I, too, like to be in a pitch black room. Sometimes I have a candle, and other times I do not. Again, depends on my purpose. I use mantras, chants, or special music to "get me in the mood". I love to burn incense, too! Usually, I burn patchouli.

Hope this was sufficient! Thanks for the great questions!!

Blessed Be -

[chele]

Hello everyone :cool:
I am new to wicca and am very drawn to candle magick..
Im reading alot ..and am learning how to protect myself..send out love and good will..ect..
If my intentions are for the good..why would this be in any way dangerous?? Ive read that it could be..

Just wondering, :confused: *chele~

[Armitage]

Here's my 2 pennies.

1. I don't do it often, when I do it's usually very minimal, not much of a circle casting, etc.

2. Before I begin I usually sit down with a cup of tea, and stir my own energy so it'll be ready for what I'm doing, not so sluggish.

3. I'd tell them to use common sense in the reasoning behind it. Invoking just because is not right...would you go knock on Deity's door, then run and hide when They answered? I think not. :D

4. Be A Goddess by Francesca DeGrandis and Summoning Forth Wiccan Gods and Goddesses by Lady Maeve Rhea. Both are very good in teaching technique rather than being 'spellbooks'.

5. All those warnings about love spells and the rampant no-no of specificity...very true. I ignored it because, well I was 16 and in love (or thought so) and those states together should legally count as insanity. I learned my lesson hard when, after I thought everything was spiffy between us, the guy first started messing around with my supposed best friend, and then ran off to never contact me again.

[MystyPines]

Merry Meet!

1. I mostly use candle magick (make my own candles and like to add herbs, etc), along with colors, crystals and essential oils, like making charm bags and witch bottles. I have done some poppet magick, and like to use drumming, chanting, toning or dancing to raise energy. I almost always cast a circle, but in a pinch, have made an affirmation, written on a piece of parchment, lit the parchment and tossed it into the cauldron. I have never done cord magick and would like to learn more about it.

2. The only thing that makes my visualization exercises easier is to have a quiet area, which is sometimes hard with 2 children in the house. Lights out, telephones off, curtains drawn, doors locked, those things also help me relax so that I am not interrupted.

3. What advice to a newbie. Read, Read and Read more. Also, if you can connect with others of likemind and attend workshops, study groups, covens etc. When I started out, I started to visit the local New Age/Occult Stores in the area and attended their weekly workshops, from there I began networking with other pagans, and eventually I was invited to their rituals and offered membership in their coven. Also, became part of a Pagan Study Group and joined a few Pagan organizations such as Pagan Community Church and Connecticut Wiccan/Pagan Network which sends out monthly newsletters and hold open public sabbat rituals at local parks.

4. Which books? All of them because there are so many different perspectives and different traditions from different Pagan authors. As far as websites, The Witches Voice is a great website.

5. What not to do? Well, I had a bad experience in doing a spell to bring someone back to me that was not meant to be. He was a "player" type of guy I was dating, and he ended the relationship abruptly saying his office was sending him to Thailand (which was a lie). So I did a spell to have him come back to me, using a personal jewelry item of his that I had, and he phoned me within 1 week saying he was back from Thailand for the holiday and "he 'desperately' needed to see me." Well, the date was like being with the "Stepford Husband" or Zombie, he just seemed different. The date ended after me being totally used and never hearing from him again. So, my advice to newcomers is to stay away from any magick that manipulates someone else's free will. That's it!

Bright Blessings! :)

[Fawn]

I do use magick on a daily basis. Yes it involves training and some visualazation. I do candle, cord , all kinds.
My advice to a new person--read a vareity of different authors and judge them for yourself not based on what anyone else says about his/her work.

[Silver Venus]

Hi all!! :)
Interesting to read about everyone else..

I read about or do magic on a daily basis but not as in spells ~ I love candle and herb magic ~ and always light a candle with a prayer or wish. I have my own altar which I meditate at for a minimum of 5 minutes a day to recharge my energy and visualise my dreams.

I use meditation and dream visualistion to energise myself and increase my energy and the energy around me or in my circle when I do magic. I imagine different circle's of light around me for different purposes and imagine the energy is flowing through the ground up my feet into my body and through my body up and out of my crown chakra.

Im a newbie too ~ Read all you can get your hands on, search for soemthing different every day on the net, if you like plants buy some herbs ~ they are brilliant! & Crystals and start to get moving and practising out stuff. Start doing!

Hmm books ~ I like a really wide range, own and borrow quite allot (Its a great idea to swap with friends if you can) and cant for the life of me remember all the authors....but for the basic wicca (and I know every one is different here...)Silver Ravenwolf is really good ~ her 'To ride a silver broomstick' and 'To stir a magic cauldron' totally inspired me. Also llewellyn's magical Almanac's and source books are brilliant!
http://www.llewellyn.com/

Here are some sites Ive been too and found really interesting...
http://www.crosswinds.net/~spiritpaths/magic.htm#cord
http://www.astroawareness.com/crystals/allabout.html
http://www.greenwitch.co.uk/prod01.htm
http://www.fronbow.force9.co.uk/pagan/
http://members.dencity.com/Talmira/index1.htm
http://broomcloset.dhs.org/
http://wiccanhistorian.home.att.net/lessons/wicca101e.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2007/

What not to do? ~ As MystyPines said ~ I believe that you shouldnt and dont mess with other people's emotions ~ this includes love spells! They have to have their own free choice and will or the spell will just back fire anyway.
Yes I cast spells but not for or with anybody else in mind ~ all I do is wish everyone love and happiness!
If someone wanted me to work a spell for them I would try and teach them to do this for themself first ~ as the power comes from within, from them. If someone was very ill and needed my help ~ ofcourse I would help!
Remember the three fold rule (if you believe in it!) ~ whatvever you send out will come back three times.

Explore and Create!!! :sunny:

[Emy]

MM

1. I do different types of magick, well mostly less advanced stuff like candle magick, cord/knot magick, charms, but sometimes more advanced rituals... and no there isn't exactly any training involved, but really one doesn't just go around trying some advanced form of magick without knowing what one is doing... or I hope noone is anyway, magick is a tricky thing, if you're not careful you might get unwanted results...

2. I visualize daily, and I meditate as often as I can, which means like a couple of times a week... but it is not really for the purpose of making my magick go easily, I do this things for other reasons... more for my self, for my own personal development. :)

3. My advice is to be careful, don't try things that is out of your reach... read a lot, ask a lot, and practise a lot, but please try "easy" things at first, try things where you can't really go wrong... don't start with making your own rituals and spells until you've learned the importance of making a "correct" spell... do make circles if you like, not only some big ritual, but also just to sit in... to ask for advice or to meditate in...

4. There are plenty of books that are really good, it all depends on what you are interested in... check out the books forum, surely one could get som good tips there :)
and as for the web, there are plenty of good pages, and some that are not so good, look around and one will find lots of things there, remember to be somewhat critic about what you find, one doesn't always know if the source is good, if it is something to rely on..

5. well, what to do... follow the wiccan rede, that is a good help on what to do :)... and also move slowly, magick is slow, don't try to hard to fast, listen to your innervoice... don't be afraid to ask and don't be afraid to acknowledge that somethings are to advanced for you...


Blessings

[Mariposa De La Luna]

1. I only do candle magic. Since I'm a newbie, I haven't had any reason to do more.

5. OK so when I was 16 I tried out a spell too. I tried a love spell because it sounded interesting and I didn't have a boyfriend at the time. I actually did it correctly and just asked the Universe for the person who was best for me, it was out of a Cunningham book. Oops, I mean I put it together from the info in the Cunningham book. So I did do a little work and I don't remember if I cast a circle but I doubt it. Anywho, within two weeks my best freind, male, is professing his undying love for me. I was shocked to say the least. Then as teenagers are know to change thier minds he took it back but we remained friends. If anything the spell and outcome made me resist dating him for about a year. I really didn't think it would work after it was all done. Any ways we started dating and he ended up being my soul mate and we fell in love hard! This is not something I'd recomend when you're 17. We were very seriously in love and its great and all but now we've been married for 8+ years and I wish I would have held off a little longer. I don't think it would have hurt and we would probably end up together anyways. So I don't recomend doing love spells unless you are absolutely ready to get married and your're like 35 and haven't gotten anywhere.

Another love spell story I heard. This lady, why does it seem to always be women?, did a love spell and got very specific about the qualities she wanted in a man, not a specific person. So she finds the man and falls in love BUT it doesn't work out. It seems she left out "unmarried" on her list of qualities she wanted. She probably would have been ok if she put in a "disclaimer" in her spell.

[Emy]

Originally posted by SAHM
1. Another love spell story I heard. This lady, why does it seem to always be women?, did a love spell and got very specific about the qualities she wanted in a man, not a specific person. So she finds the man and falls in love BUT it doesn't work out. It seems she left out "unmarried" on her list of qualities she wanted. She probably would have been ok if she put in a "disclaimer" in her spell.

:) Like I always say, magick is a tricky tricky thing. One must always say the correct words, and all the words, and no other words. Energies doesn't understand what is implied ;) so one must always make sure that what you say cannot be misunderstood. :)

Blessed be

[Mairwen]

Emy ~ yes, magical energies respond to specific intent. If you're vague, that's what you get in response. :D

[Mairwen]

COOL! Happy to see this thread taking off! It's wonderful (and neat!) to see how different people do things. While we do have our similarities, none of us do things (on a personal basis), exactly the same. Love it! ;)

Keep it going!

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Mairwen
While we do have our similarities, none of us do things (on a personal basis), exactly the same. Love it! ;)


Thats the magic of magick!! :sunny:

[lilmama913]

I really like wtches and i would like to learn how to do spells and witchcraft.

[Mairwen]

Welcome to the boards! :D

Some of the information you seek probably can be found on this forum, New Pagans or the Ritual Forum. Have a look around!