Centering

Take several deep breaths and exhale slowly. Shut eyes and feel connection to the earth.

Centering is the process of pulling your energy to the navel, or slightly above or below.

Centering is normally done after the grounding process.

To get the feel of centering, imagine that your energy is a big sheet stuffed in a little box, (you). Let the sheet expand past your body. Lit it flap in the breeze for awhile, then suck it back in. Let it out again, this time half way, then pull it back again. Now let it out a bit and bring it back.

http://www.deszone.net/centering.htm

Matt Manley - Centering

The term 'center' refers not to the center of your physical being (your body) but to the essence or seat of your spiritual essence. Basically, it is place within you that is the seat of what makes you, *you* and the place where all your energy is directed from and to. This is very important to understand because if you consciously work with energy then you need to be able to find your center to control the energy at hand. A good example concerns grounding. There are some people who can do it naturally, but most can not. When you ground, you are opening a conduit between a source of great energy (usually the earth) and your center (which is also *you*!) for the purpose of accessing that energy for what ever it is you want to do with it.
You already know where your center is and have already used it. It is the source of your life-force, the seat of your soul. When your depressed you loose energy (natural containments are down) and when you are excited or you feel powerfull, you instinctively gain energy (you reach out and take it).
To find your center, you need only become aware of it. There are several methods of doing this. One that I recomend is feeling passion about something you love, like a piece of music or (for me! astronomy!) perhaps you have a favorite object that you really love or maybe a person! Bring this image into your mind and focus on your feeling for it. Make sure you choose something possitive as negative emeotions are too distracting for this to work. You may feel physical sensations from what your feeling. That's O.K. Begin to focus inward past the emotion you have triggered to the actual source of the intence feeling. You should do this with your eyes closed. Continue to focus inward, past all thought and physical sensation, to the essence or 'base' of the emotion. When you are able to focus on your center (find it) you should feel and almost overwhelming conection with everything natural around you. You might feel as if you could reach out and touch the entire universe (and in fact you can!) or that your consciousness is expanding into some other realm! What your feeling is your own energy flowing up and around into your physical body; carressing it, directing it and bringing life!
Another method is to sit in a quiet place and meditate. You might use music to aid you but the over all key is, again to focus inward. The difference is that instead of concentrating on a strong emotion, you focus on something nuetral and unconscious like breathing. You should focus and concentrate on your breathing untill you loose touch with everything else. Again you will eventually reach a 'place' where your consciousness begins to expand and possibilities seem endless. This is your center.
Once you can center at will (become aware of, *not* become emersed in) you can then begin to learn to consciously focus energy and use it!

by dragYnsol (Fawn Stewart)
http://wuzzle.org/cave/center.html

On the Use of Personal Power

"If you are using your own personal power then all you have to do is visualize a sphere of golden light around you or sprinkle salt around you."

It is not advisable, under any circumstances, to use your own personal energy for spellwork. It can be incredible damaging to your health, energy levels, psychic balance etc and is extremely dangerous. I am speaking here from experience.
A spell is a series of actions and laws that result in the achievement of a specified goal through the raising and manipulation of energy. It is much easier to raise the energy needed and ground out the excess, this way you do not create an internal imbalance.
A witch's power relates more to the ability to focus and/or channel energy than on how much energy they can draw from themselves.
In healing especially it is important that energy directed energy is raised or the spell caster will find that they have forged a bond/tie to the person they are healing. What usually happens is that as the other person gets better the healer becomes more drained.
I know this sounds harsh.... I just wish there was someone around to warn me about this when I first started practicing magic.

Following is some information on grounding and centering that may help.

Grounding and Centering

There are many different techniques and interpretations that come under the heading of Grounding and centering. In Wicca, we Ground and Centre to link in with natural energy flows around us and to bring those flows to balance within ourselves.

When working magic, especially when raising energy, it is important that the witch know and understand how to Ground and Centre properly. This will aid the stability and focus of the energy that is raised as well as allowing the witch a method of dealing with excess energy both within the circle area and within themselves.

Raising energy refers to the Wiccan practice of filling the sphere of the circle area with tangible power that is generated in one or more ways including; dancing, drumming and chanting. This generated power is then focused and channeled and released in a specific way and for a specific purpose and is the essence of Wiccan magical practice.

Grounding:

To Ground is to literally establish a link to the Earth and the power flows within it. This is a two-way link. It allows the witch to draw energy into themselves and also to siphon energy back into the earth. It is very hard to perform either task without first establishing that connection.

As with all Wiccan magical practice, intent is the key here. The aim is not to steal / pull / rip or drag the energy out of the earth but to establish a gentle merging and flow of energy that passes through the witch for a time. This energy can be then be manipulated for a time and then the witch will release the energy by letting it flow back through them into the Earth. They will then disengage their connection.

A classic example of this technique occurs during a circle cast. Prior to the circle being cast, a connection to the Earth is established, the energy flows through the witch, out along the blade and is used to create the sphere that contains the circle area. At the conclusion of the circle, the edge of the sphere is pierced and the energy is allowed to flow back to its source. This is generally performed by either treading the circle again and drawing the energy back into the blade, plunging the blade into the earth with the witch acting as the conduit, or by a subtle act of will whereby the witch declares the circle open but unbroken and lets the sphere of energy dissipate and flow naturally back into the Earth.

Grounding can also be important within the circle itself, especially after magical workings. If a connection to the Earth has not been established before or during the circle, and partaking of Cakes and Ale has not managed to bring the witch's internal energy back into balance, ie. they feel lightheaded and highly charged, then grounding, to drain the excess energy from the witch, is an ideal solution. Being filled with excess energy in an unbalanced way can lead to difficulties after circle, including a swing to a marked lack of energy, and illness.

To prevent the above problems caused by a lack of proper grounding, the excess of specifically raised energy within a circle is usually sent back into the earth by placing one's hands upon the ground, letting it flow into the earth. Each individual will ground out their own excess energy whilst the acting High Priestess will gather and ground out the excess energy contained within the circle. This is why many Wiccans will automatically drop to the ground and place their hands upon the earth after raising or directing energy.

Centering

Where grounding involves establishing a connection to the Earth, Centering involves using that connection to achieve a balance within oneself. Balance and harmony is established between the witch and the earth as well as an internal balance between physical, spiritual and mental aspects, male and female aspects and light and dark aspects.

There are many exercises that can help the witch become aware of their centre. With practice the witch will find the technique that works the best for them as an individual.

The majority of techniques work from the point where the witch is grounded in the earth. They then match their own centre with a like point in the earth and join the two together, thus creating a stable point from which to work their magic.

originally posted in The Realm of White Magic Message Board
Written by "Blayze", 1999

Grounding, Centering, Shielding

Part I Grounding and CenteringFirst of all: Calm down, take deep breaths and do not be afraid.

I am somewhat of an empath, and I see the 'little people'. Always have. They are just their. So your gremlins are not something to be afraid of, just treat them with respect.

Sounds to me like you could need two things - learn how to shield and how to cloak for protection.

As for your psychic ability, of course it's scary, especially if you have gotten horse manure about it in the past. But it can be harnessed. Forget about the yoga. That will only open up even more.

Part II Shielding

First: Ground and Center - I use to imagine that my spine is extended and transformed into a tree trunk with deep roots and a vast top. The Top reaches out to Heaven, growing beautiful leaves and flowers. The roots extend into the earth, fanning out to the sides, with a sturdy mid-root that burrows down, down, in to the center of the earth. Do not stop until you see the Magma. Now you are Grounded and Centered. Do this over and over till you can clearly visualize the process in your mind

Imagine that your mind is a precious gem in a display box in a museum. Now, you have to install security walls around the display box - visualize yourself building the walls out of fortified glass, putting in the bolts and brass fittings. If you like you can see it happen like special effects in one of your favorite movies. Mine is Matrix at the moment. Now, create an alarm. Think of a 'trigger' sentence or 'trigger event' - something you feel is for you the boundary of your mind's openness - maybe the feeling you have just before a 'premonition' or just before you feel the precence of the gremlins. Attach a specific alarm to it, like a sentence you wouldn't normally hear or say; something like 'all dogs have three legs' or The moon is a piece of green cheese'. Now visualize a cabel going from a box containing the alarm to the surface of the security wall you just built. And repeat the 'alarm sentence' over and over again. Again use special effects, see the signal travel from the wall to the box, and hear the alarm go off.

Now, when the alarm go off - see a huge brass door come down from the ceiling, holding out whatever is coming from outside away from your mind. Do this until you can clearly visualize the process in your mind.

Part III Protection, Daily and Dreams

Protection: This is real easy. First Ground and Center before getting dressed in the morning then as you dress imagine that with each piece of clothing you put on a piece of armor, namning each piece, imagine that it glows white or gold as you put it on, and keeps glowing as you move about. Now you are ready to go out into the world. Do this over and over until you have the process firmly fastened in your mind. This can be used at any time during the day when you feel you need to affirm your protection.

For dreams: Ground and Center then Imagine that your bed is a four poster bed. Now attach hangings around the four sides, colours is white or gold, blend in some red and green too, weave the hangings in your mind, make sure to tie them four corners, so that the four poster becomes a closed 'room' - you are inside and you will not have disturbing dreams.

Part IV - Sealing off

This I have not tried, and don't know if it works.

But try some thing like this.

Ground an center

In your mind create a room, any shape, inside your mind. Give it distinct outside walls [the outside walls is all you will have to see] so you can see it clearly. Maybe use the colors white, gold and red. You could use white, red and black, the colors of the Goddess, but as you have used gold, white or red with your protection, it would be easy to use those.

When the room is ready, with a door that can open - make it open into the room, away from the rest of your mind - imagine your gift. Give it a good, easily reckognizable and neutral shape. When you have that, imagine that you take the gift and put it in the room you created for it. Close the door firmly and lock the door, using a key that glows gold or white. Make sure you put the key in a place in your mind where you, and only you, know where it is. Maybe together with a pleasant memory of some thing or some one that meant a lot to you. Write down on a piece of paper where you put it - don't loose the paper. You might want to open the door in the future.

Shadow Bear

(This was written by my husband, Shadow Bear, also 2004, in Care2)

Spell crafting 101

Course of miracles - that is SPELLCRAFTING

Ok, it has been said that there is a spell for everything. There is. Because it's YOU who MAKE spells. Don't start looking for a spell to use when you need one. Even if they would work, your own spell works better.

It can't be said too many times, that the only thing you NEED for spellcrafting is YOU. It is nice to have a pretty altar, amazing tools, candles, stones, ribbons and herbs and oils and all other interesting things, but that is just decor. All you NEED is you. I will be talking about correspondences and tools too, as I like them - and they help one to concentrate and makes the atmosphere better - a little placebo can't harm LOL

There are several "laws of magic", which we are going to go through one by one too They are pretty self-evident, but talking about them makes you really REALLY understand and remember them

There are more or less elaborate rituals and ceremonies involved - if you wish to - their only purpose is basically... yes, you guessed it "atmosphere" LOL But as we are working with our MINDS the "placebo effect" is pretty important.

Basically, what you do is to silence yourself. Stop the world for a while.
And concentrate on what you are doing.
You are "asking" something from the Powers That Be - what ever makes magic happen. Spirits, flow of magic - what ever you think magic is. Shifting the Weave a bit... You are not demanding anything, you are asking. It is with magic as with everything else, you'll just get trouble by forcing your will throuhg, the Universe is there to PLEASE you, it is enough to just ask Talk the Universe to want what you want.
So concentrate. Think of what you want. Think of why you want it. Think of that there are several possibilities to get what you want. Try to think of several possibilities. Choose one and concentrate on that. Think of it really hard. SEE it happen. FEEL it happen. LIVE it happen... BELIEVE IT HAPPEN. SAY IT. SAY IT LOUD AND CLEAR. "This IS happening!" Be sure it IS happening and enjoy the feeling And open your eyes and thank the Universe for making your wish come true

That is basically what spell-crafting is. All the rest is staging

Reposted from Care2's Witches and Witchcraft. I wrote this some 8 years ago... 2004.

Whatever you ardently desire,
Sincerely believe in,
Vividly imagine, and
Enthusiastically act upon,
Must inevitably come to pass.

- Sybil Leek, Diary of a Witch

The Language of Stamps

The placement of the stamps was very important in the Edwardian times. The lovers send each other messages that way in a secret language only they knew.
Now, this secret language was usually as secret as the Language of Flowers... that is, most people understood it.

This code language was based on how the stamp was situated compared to the name of the receiver, and the angle of the stamp.
Some languages only used the angle, and it didn't matter where on the letter the stamp was.
There were also more complex system developed. Some used the color of the stamps, in some versions it mattered whether you used one stamp or two, some gave different meaning to stamps from different countries!

There are 8 sections of a letter. Nine, if you count in the name section. Above the name, right upper corner, right side of the name, right lower corner, under the name, left lower corner, left of the name and left upper corner. One can place the stamps in any of these corners - or could, when the letters were stamped by hand.

Now, straight above and under the name are sometimes counted as belonging to upper right/left or lower right/left.

Usually it's enough to place the stamps upright or upside down.  The simple interpretation is "yes" and "no".

(This is a Bulgarian stamp. It's very pretty and one can see clearly how it is turned)

But then there was a need for more positions... 


Slightly tilted, left, right, upside down... It really wasn't intended to be accurate measures, just the points of the compass (4, 8 or 16). One could also use the clock face.

More complexity was added by using one, two or more stamps, or assigning different meanings to different colors of stamps (that time stamps were of one color).

Sometimes the meaning was the total opposite from one system to another, so it was important that the lovers used the same code. These codes were sold as post cards or small leaflets for more complex codes, and it was thought that the person bought two copies of the code, and gave the other to his/her lover.

Here's a lot of examples of different codes in different languages
Here's more, in French  and here's another
Here's a translation of a Swedish card from 1902
Here's a lovely article about this

So - what I suggest you do is to create your own system together with your friend, and see that you keep the code key somewhere where others can't find it, but where you will... you wouldn't want to forget your own key :-D
I also suggest you forget all about color coding your language, as the stamps of today are most often printed in many colors.

GODDESSES

The Goddess is creation
the Goddess is birth
The Goddess is death

She is the young woman
the spring
that opens earth's womb
and gives warmth and life to earth
She is the wind in spring
she is the joy
she is the soul of the earth
she is love and lovemaking
she is receiveness
she is fertility
she is the blooming
she is peace, joy and light
she is the creator
she comes from the darkness and
spreads the light.

The Goddess is Creation
the Goddess is Birth
The Goddess is Death

She is the Mother
She is Birth
She is the Child
She is the Giver of Life
She is the Spring for ever flowing
from the mother's breast
She is the Quickening of Life
from the Mother's Cave
She is the Green Fertile Earth
Protectress of All Life
She is the Swelling of Woman
She is the Weight
She is the Womb
with the full grown Child
She is the Child Bearing Woman
Fertility and Overflowing
She is Summer and Autumn

The Goddess is creation
The Goddess is birth
The Goddess is death

She is the old woman
and the ancient wisdom
She is the fall,
leaves that slowly fall
towards the ground
the Winter
Long sleep
Violence
Tempest
Darkness
the Womb of the Earth
She lightens up the riches of the underworld
She rules over Life and Death
She is the magick
She is the Mystery
She is the power
She is the Fire that burns
around the mountain of death
She is the Queen of the Witches
She is the Skillful
Fearsome
Violent

Written by me, Ketutar Jensen, possibly 1999, 2000, somewhere there.

Countdown to Beltane 2013

Let's try again. It's 30 days to Beltane, four weeks.

Oh... I made this "infogram" or something... It is over 5000 pixels high, and Blogger refuses to publish images that big. But - the last part refuses to be as wide as the others. >:->
And I can't find a photo album that agrees to publish it in right size. *sigh*