I can't visualize

[DarkHeart13]

Hey guys....
I was hoping some of you might be able to help me....
I've been studying my religious path for about 2 years now. I've been into Wicca for about a year and a half. Anyway, when I cast my circle I cannot see that white light that we are supposed to imagine! I call upon the God and the Goddess to be with me and I feel that they are, but it annoys me so much that I can't even visualize a white light! When I meditate all I do is breathe! I can't open the chakras or anything because I can't imagine any color! All I see is black, black, black! I feel nothing because I have no color! Is there anything to help me?
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine

[Aquarian_Moon]

Well, you've been studying much longer than me (I'm only into my 4rth month or so), and I don't know anything about opening up the Chakras yet, but I personally don't have any concerns with not being able to visualize the supposed "white light" boundaries of my Circle (or group Circle). In my case, it's more like light itself is trapped inside the Circle, and the boundary for me is where the light from the candles "hits", and becomes black. It's definitely a sphere, and (I think) sometimes I see a bit of a greyish white haze, but I don't bother much over it. The important thing is knowing where the boundaries are, and not whether I can see the "wall" or not.

Oh yeah, and if you're talking something completely non-related to what I thought you were talking about (i.e boundaries), just smack me, and tell me to shut up! :fishsmack

[SacredWithin]

Hey guys....
I was hoping some of you might be able to help me....
I feel nothing because I have no color! Is there anything to help me?
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine

My question is an honest one. Do you really have to have color to feel something?

[DarkHeart13]

Well, you've been studying much longer than me (I'm only into my 4rth month or so), and I don't know anything about opening up the Chakras yet, but I personally don't have any concerns with not being able to visualize the supposed "white light" boundaries of my Circle (or group Circle). In my case, it's more like light itself is trapped inside the Circle, and the boundary for me is where the light from the candles hits the boundaries, and becomes black. It's definitely a sphere, and (I think)sometimes I see a bit of a greyish white haze, but I don't bother much over it. The important thing is knowing where the boundaries are, and not whether I can see the "wall" or not.

Oh yeah, and if you're talking something completely non-related to what I thought you were talking about (i.e boundaries), just smack me, and tell me to shut up! :fishsmack
Maybe if I hold something white while I cast my circle I will eventually be able to visualize. I just can't visualize anything! It's really frustrating when you are in a great meditative state and you try to do astral projection but you can't cuz you can't see anything but black! Thanks for your post though.
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine

[DarkHeart13]

My question is an honest one. Do you really have to have color to feel something?
I think you can feel without color but it is really frustrating when you're trying to do a ritual and you can't visualize! It takes away from the power of your ritual because I get so caught up in the fact that I can never see anything that's really not there!
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine

[SacredWithin]

Okay, in my opinion, I think that what you visualize isn't really going to be there in physical form. That takes a lot of energy! If you want to enhance your visualization skills. Hmmm.... perhaps you can try a few non-magical related excerises such as trying to draw a picture from memory. The reason why you feel you cannot visualize is because you have not worked on the use of your imagination. Another thing you could probably do is try to write stories or make your own art or something. Anything that involes creativity... start doing it. After a while, I think you should be able to visualize. You have to activate your imagination in order for something to happen.


Another reason is that you do more expecting than working. Meaning you expect the spirit world to do more for you than you are willing to work for. That is why I suggested that once you start getting used to using your creativity, then things will get a lot easier for you. I have no other explanation for this.

[DarkHeart13]

Okay, in my opinion, I think that what you visualize isn't really going to be there in physical form. That takes a lot of energy! If you want to enhance your visualization skills. Hmmm.... perhaps you can try a few non-magical related excerises such as trying to draw a picture from memory. The reason why you feel you cannot visualize is because you have not worked on the use of your imagination. Another thing you could probably do is try to write stories or make your own art or something. Anything that involes creativity... start doing it. After a while, I think you should be able to visualize. You have to activate your imagination in order for something to happen.


Another reason is that you do more expecting than working. Meaning you expect the spirit world to do more for you than you are willing to work for. That is why I suggested that once you start getting used to using your creativity, then things will get a lot easier for you. I have no other explanation for this.
Thank you....
I will most definately try that...
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine

[sincerebliss]

humm..sometimes I have that problem. Personally, It all happens in your mind and if you believe you are protected and ask the God and Goddess for protection, then don't worry! :)

[MoonDust]

IMHO
Visualization shouldn’t be as complicated as we make it out to be. It’s one of those “it’s there because I believe it’s there things.” Believe to see not the other way around.
Hope it helps.

[Romani Vixen]

Some people just plain and simple *can't* visualise. I only know one personally, and that's related to his PTSD.

To work out of it... I'd recomend starting with something really simple. Get an apple or orange (or something like that). Hold it in your hands and examine it thoroughly. Then close your eyes. Drawing is a good way too.

[RedRaven]

here`s a helpful tip ... don`t try to visualize! like some people here already said, some people just can`t do it. what you should do instead is imagine whatever you are doing. for example, go to your kitchen, get a glass of water and drink it the go sit down. from there imagine and feel in your mind the exact thing you just did. you`ll find that imagining is similar but much easier ;) feel things and imagine that you are doing it, don`t just try to picture it

[Jenett]

Not everyone is a visual learner or doer.

There are actually a number of different modes of learning (or 'multiple intelligences') Our society is biased towards visual stuff, and the majority of people are comfortable with visual input and manipulation. However it's not everyone's first choice.

I'm very much a verbal person, and an audio person, and a kinesthetic (touch) person before I'm a visual person. Actually 'seeing' energy doing anything was very hard for me.

However, I could focus on other senses, much more easily. My circle casting involves an audio component, there's stuff I 'hear'. I feel pressure and temperature changes. I started with those, rather than visuals.

As I've spent more time working and practicing, the visual stuff has gotten easier, but it's still not my preferred sense to use for energy work. (and reliably getting visual impressions in things like guided meditations took .. oh, probably 2 years of regular practice.)

[dawns_eve]

Do you need to visualize this circle just so you know where it is and know it's been cast? I'm not exactly sure why u need it. If not, I have heard of people actually using a cord or string to physically surround themselves and create a circle.

[Rudas Starblaze]

hey, Jada,
remember when i said i have no use for a circle? try it like this, think of yourself as the circle, your body. clear your mind of everything, no thoughts, nothing. take a deep breath and exhale slowely, and while doing this, concentrate on what makes you happy, (this could be anything, an animal, an object, a friend, etc., which ever it is, you should feel calm and at peace). take another deep breath, let go of reality, and exhale slowely, and like the others said, "imagine" what it is you are wanting to see. grant it, if its something or someone you have never seen before, this will be very hard. but just relaxe and stay calm and at peace everytime you try this, eventually you will get it. you know what to do if you have any questions about what i do!! ttyl!

THE ROUGE WITCH IS BACK!!!
ILLAW,
Rudas Starblaze

[Rowan Darkmoon]

Visualization can be very frustrating, and there are days when everyone can't visualize. Or maybe that's just me. :) I've found that in addition to the creative work that people have already mentioned, one that works well for me is to pretend I'm different sizes looking at something. So say you have an apple, and you can imagine it in black and white since color is a problem. And it's hard to imagine colors when you're looking at the back of your eyelids. :) You could keep your eyes open and look off into space or a blank wall.

Pretend you are an ant crawling over the apple. What can you see? What would an apple look like really close up? If you have a problem imagining it, trying writing it down and imagining it at the same time. Then pretend you are really big. What would the apple look like if you were a giant? For opening the chakras, there are a lot of things that you can do that doesn't involve color although it does involve visualization. But again, you can incorporate it with writing down. You can imagine each chakra as a flower...any color or no color if you like. As you open the chakra, the flower opens. When you close the chakra the flower closes.

You could also try some of the physical suggestions that others have mentioned. I have found for me that it is easier to imagine casting a circle as a sphere that gets bigger and bigger rather than as a ring. I'm not really sure why, but imagining I am holding a ball of energy that keeps getting bigger and bigger until it surrounds me is easier. That way top, you can feel it as it gets bigger and you can sense the change in temperature and pressure, which was someone else's suggestion. Hope it helps.

Rowan

[DarkHeart13]

Thank you for all your suggestions! I will definately try them!

I tried visualizing the apple but the image wouldn't come up....I know what the apple looks like so I talked to myself in my head...I told myself what the apple was supposed to look like, what it felt like, etc. Maybe if I just tell myself this enough I will finally be able to visualize it.....
I think about seeing something but I just don't see it.......
I will keep trying though..

Thanks again for your suggestions....
Blessed Be,
Jada Raine