I can't seem to get it right

[night_mare]

Hello. I am 16 and I have been learning and practicing witchcraft for about five months. I am very enthusiastic about it, but my problem is that every time i do anything- from charging a crystal to simply meditating, something goes wrong. There hasn't been a time when i charged a crystal that it hasnt broken. It ALWAYS breaks the next day. This could be a coincidence but i don't think so. Also one time when I was charging a crystal i got a severe headache- and i never get headaches. I had to stop because it hurt so bad. Also, i tried a spell where it was required to visualize wonderful things about each element. As hard as i tired, i could not do that. I saw houses burning in the fire, people drowning in rivers, and horrible dust storms. The whole thing was actually kind of disturbing. So i am just very confused now as to what i am doing wrong. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and thank you for your time.

[Celtique]

Perhaps someone or something is trying to tell you you're not quite ready for those aspects of witchcraft yet. There seems to be something within you unsettled, or restless, that taints your attempts at spells and the like.

My suggestion would be leaving the spells behind for a while, and focus on yourself. Try the simplest forms of meditation, and try clearing your mind and body of whatever this disturbance seems to be. Spend time cleansing yourself, making sure you are healthy, and that your mind and body are truely prepared for recieving the energies of the world. You are your own canvas, and it's important to make sure you are at peace with yourself, in your own body before you can properly channel, focus, or find happiness in any belief.

Good luck!

[Bainidhe Dub]

If you think about the positive aspects of the elements, you'll realize that everything has a duality to it - Fire warms us, provides us with a way to cook, and lights the way on dark nights. Water cools us in the heat of the summer, and with Earth it brings forth the grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as the flowers and trees around us. Air allows the birds to fly, and gives us songs and music, as well as the obvious oxygen to breath.

Practice your visualizations - make a point of focusing specifically on the positive qualities; write them down beforehand if needed.

:hugz: welcome to MW by the way :)

[Faeawyn]

What method are you using to charge your crystals?

[night_mare]

hi again. the method i have been using to charge my crystals is this: i have been cleansing the crystal ahead of time in salt water. later i hold it in my receptive hand while gathering my energy within myself. Then i set the energy to a certain purpose by visualizing what i am going to need the energy for. After this, i push the energy out of my body into the crystal. i learned about this method from an older wiccan friend who has been my mentor since i began. Then i personalized it so it felt right for me. -------oh and a banner would be wonderful! thank you!

[Faeawyn]

Sounds like a good method. I have no idea why the crystals are breaking. Are they all different kinds of crystals, or just one certain kind?
I'd be happy to make you a banner :)....just tell me what you like...colors, pics, etc..and I'll whip one up for ya.

[Kitfox]

Strangely enough, I had a very similar experience when I first started. I eventually stopped doing spells all together and haven't done one for about two years. Every time I do one, something goes wrong and my head gets all fuzzy.

I like to think I'm" allergic".

However, I also had the same trouble with crystals. I stopped working with those too and concentrated on the god and goddess. I research them and did ritual, raised energy veeeeeery carefully, and concentrated on the non spell aspects. I learned how to belly dance and drum instead of working with crystals and spells. Eventually I went back to crystal work and I continue to do it now but sometimes I still get the fuzzy head/headache problem. I take it as a "sign" that I'm concentrating too much on the magical and not the spiritual.

I don't know if this helps you at all, but it might be a wake up call.

Perhaps you are spending too much time worrying about working spells and with crystals and not just observing. Spellwork may not be for you. Consider your other options. There are other ways to ask for things that may not be as harmful. I like to sit outside somewhere and just talk out loud to Them. For me, that works just as well as any spell.

PM me if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them! Plus, I'll make you a fun avatar if you'd like! :)

[Anahita]

This may have nothing to do with it, but I do know that some kinds of crystals are negatively affected by being put in salt water. I don't mean on the energetic level; the salt can actually affect the molecular structure of some crystals. Also, bigger temperature changes can cause crystals to crack. Maybe instead of cleansing with salt water, you can try burying the crystals in dry salt or using incense or passing it over a candle flame.

I would also highly recommend making sure that you are well-grounded and centered before doing any energy work, charging crystals or otherwise. If you're grounded, then the earth can take any excess energy and you can retain your equilibrium.

I hope something works for you.

- Anahita

[Kalika]

Hello. I am 16 and I have been learning and practicing witchcraft for about five months. I am very enthusiastic about it, but my problem is that every time i do anything- from charging a crystal to simply meditating, something goes wrong. There hasn't been a time when i charged a crystal that it hasnt broken. It ALWAYS breaks the next day. This could be a coincidence but i don't think so. Also one time when I was charging a crystal i got a severe headache- and i never get headaches. I had to stop because it hurt so bad. Also, i tried a spell where it was required to visualize wonderful things about each element. As hard as i tired, i could not do that. I saw houses burning in the fire, people drowning in rivers, and horrible dust storms. The whole thing was actually kind of disturbing. So i am just very confused now as to what i am doing wrong. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and thank you for your time.

:hugz:

Don't get discouraged!!

A few questions for you....

Do you ground your energy after exercises?

Do you allow yourself to "come back" after a meditation... or do you just get up and start going about your normal routine?

What are you currently working on?

Sometimes, it works best to let these things come naturally... like when you get a real urge to do a spell/ritual/meditation... and are at a place where you can do it right then and there.... do it. :) Sometimes it just has to be the right "timing" so to speak.

I hope that you are able to find the help you need here... and if I can help, I will.

Blessings,

Kalika

[night_mare]

hi- thanks for all of the advice so far! Here are the answers to your questions: I have been using only two kinds of stones; quartz and amethyst. I only used the amethyst once because it broke the first time i used it and i didn't have any more. I have never grounded my energy after excercises- in fact i didn't even know what that meant until i looked it up a few minutes ago :). After a meditation I usually stay seated for a minute to let myslef recover before i go on with my day.

[Phae Talon]

Eventually I went back to crystal work and I continue to do it now but sometimes I still get the fuzzy head/headache problem. I take it as a "sign" that I'm concentrating too much on the magical and not the spiritual.

I don't know if this helps you at all, but it might be a wake up call.


Actually, this sound more like a problem with grounding and centering than a sign. I am an Aquarius, and it took me a LONG time to be able to get the grounding and centering down ... before I could I would often find myself dizzy, headachey, and sometimes nearly passing out after an energy working.

The only advice I can offer to you and to the original poster is to practice practice practice! It is REALLY important that you get this part down for your spellwork to be successful (otherwise you can just end up hurting yourself). Daily meditation helps to keep a focus so you can better control visualizations.

Good Luck with it. :)

--Phae

[Phae Talon]

A friend of mine teaches an online Witchcraft course that has some really good lessons on grounding and centering (which actually goes the other way around)

http://www.annwnscauldron.com/temple/lessons.html

--Phae