Search out some Pagan and Wiccan chants; the Witchcraft Museum at Boscastle produces a CD and my own Coven has also released one of their own. Look for chants which are simple to learn, and repetitive. Learn a couple of these and practise them with, and without, drumming or clapping. Start slowly and gradually increase the pace until you are chanting as fast as you can. The advantage of producing your own music is that you can vary the pace to build the energy you develop.
In the Craft we tend to use a sequence of three or four chants, each repeated several times, and often ending with a repeat of the first. To give you some idea of this, the following is a sequence we might use, each of the chants being repeated four times before moving on to the next:
‘Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna.’
‘Lady of the Moon, Lady of the Moon. Come to us, be with us, Lady of the Moon.’
‘Power of the music, Power of the song, Power of the magic, Pass the magic on.’
‘Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna.’
If you have worked through the above exercises you will know how it feels when energy has been raised and should also be aware of the effect it can have on your magic.
WORKING WITH EMOTIONS
There are also ways of raising energy which do not require physical activity, but these are, for most people, much harder to achieve and control. One of these techniques is evoking and focusing very strong feelings. The problem with this is, as mentioned above, that it is quite difficult to focus and direct energies when we are personally involved. However, it is worth working on this, as for some people it can be very effective.
PRACTICAL WORK 4
Think back to an occasion when you were in the grip of very strong feelings. It is important that you choose an occasion sufficiently in the past for you to be able to distance yourself from the feeling, whilst at the same time being able to revisit it.
Think through all the circumstances of that occasion until you can actually ‘feel’ the emotion in question. While you are doing this, try to separate the emotion from the energy that is building within you. This is not easy and you may need to experiment with several memories and feelings. For some people, anger is often the easiest to work with as, whilst we can recall it, it is easier to distance ourselves from the actual emotion. But another feeling which can be accessed is fear: if you think back to a really scary moment in a film, you can often recall the energy-surge you felt, whilst being unaffected by the fear, which you now know to have been generated by the skills of the movie makers.
Once you have identified the feeling of energy rising within you, see if you can take hold of that and bring it into being by thought alone. For most people this will need a lot of practice, but if you persevere you will be able to summon energy at will.
As you practise techniques for raising energy you will soon learn which are most effective for you. You will also find that you can easily tell the difference between effective energy raising and the occasions when it does not come readily. You can use this knowledge to help you to determine when you are in a position to work effective magic. For we all have times when it is better not to try to work our spells. This may be because we are tired or ill. But it can also be because our elements are unbalanced, so if you feel sure that you are well and sufficiently rested you might try to revisit some of the exercises from the preceding chapter before trying again. Of course, there will also be some occasions when magic does not work for reasons which are not easy to identify; in this case it is better to put it aside and perhaps try again the following day.
Having the ability to raise energy is not enough on its own; we need to contain it, which is why we cast the Circle before starting our magic. The Circle has two functions: one is to contain the energy we have raised, otherwise it would simply dissipate rather than building up. The second function is that of protection; for once we open up our inner mind to allow the release of energy, we also open ourselves to energy from outside, and not all energies may be positive. The negative thoughts and feelings of those around us can also influence us and the magic we work, and the Circle protects us from these. Another way we can protect both ourselves and our magic, as well as build the maximum amount of energy, is by keeping silent about our magic. When we tell others about our magical intentions, there is firstly the possibility that someone may find out who could disapprove of the spell. This person may actively, or subconsciously, send negative energy in our direction, which could influence either us or the spell itself. This is why, when you work magic with others, everyone has to agree with the nature of the magic, for even passive disapproval will influence it. Not only that, but the more we discuss our intention, the more we reduce the actual energy we can put into it. Think of it this way: when you are upset by someone or something, you tell others and gradually the telling reduces your strong feelings. Likewise in magic, the more you talk about your intention, the more you dissipate the energy you could have directed towards it.
GIVING FORM TO ENERGY
For many Witches it is not enough simply to think about raising energy, it helps to give that energy a form. One of these forms is called the Cone of Power. In this, the energy is raised in a circular manner into an upward-pointed cone, which rises above the centre of the Circle. The energy is built up, layer by layer, using the base of the Circle as its starting point, and rising high above. It is usually visualized as a white, or electric-blue light, which can be focused into a powerful beam. Once the Cone comes to a point, and it is felt that no more energy can be added, it is released towards its intended destination. The Cone of Power can also be used as a sort of beacon, especially in magic which is intended to draw something or someone towards you, as when seeking a teacher or mentor in the Craft, or when looking for a Coven.
Another form is that of the Earth Dragon. This is most usually used in earth healing magics. This huge dragon is visualized as being coiled up within the planet. It can help to visualize the Earth as seen from space, and it is woken by the raising of energy, before being directed towards the needs of the planet or nature.
PRACTICAL WORK 5
Find a picture or photograph of the Earth as seen from space; if you can find a selection of views you may find it helpful. Next find an image of a dragon; one which looks powerful, but is also attractive to you. If you can, make the dragon picture very nearly as large as the Earth image. Then superimpose the dragon over the image of the Earth. Place this composite picture somewhere you can see it and spend a few minutes each day contemplating it. As you do so, try to visualize the dragon actually blending into the planet.
Once you can do this, then move on to visualizing the dragon uncoiling from the Earth and flying, deosil, around the planet. Practise these visualizations, without trying to work any magic with them, until you feel that you can really see the dragon in your mind’s eye. At this point you may find that the dragon in your mind is not the same as the one in the picture, but this is quite usual. Many of us find that the visualized Earth Dragon becomes quite ‘real’ to us with practice, and takes on a life of its own. As with other exercises, make a point of noting down your thoughts and feelings after each session, and this way you should be able to see your progress.
In addition to raising energy we also need to direct it effectively, which we do by focusing on the object of the magic, not only at the point of releasing the energy, but also whilst we are raising it. For this we use visualization and various magical tools and aids, such as images and candles, etc. Both tools and visualization will be covered in detail later in this book.
GROUNDING AND EARTHING
After every act of magic, spell, rite or ritual we should also ‘ground’ or ‘earth’ ourselves. Working magic of any kind invariably means accessing a state of altered consciousness and we need to ensure that we return fully to the ‘here and now’. Otherwise, you may find that you do not function as well in your daily life as you normally do – it can be quite dangerous say crossing the road, or driving a car, to be even partially on an ethereal plane! Also, when we have raised power for an act of magic, we may not have fully discharged this energy, and this can interfere with daily functioning. It is just as important to ground yourself after meditation, or even a period of intense concentration which may not be associated with Craft.
There are several ways of grounding or earthing ourselves:
Probably the simplest is to have a warm or sweet drink and something to eat. This not only goes some way towards replenishing the energy you have put in, but also gets the body’s physical systems working on a basic level.
If you are outside, earthing can be achieved by placing the hands and bare feet onto the land itself and allowing excess energy to pass into the land.
Another technique is to vigorously rub your arms and legs.
In all cases you should easily recognize the difference in feeling between your magical self and the normal ‘you’.
PRACTICAL WORK 6
Choose a time when you are certain you will not be disturbed, or required to perform any daily activity for at least an hour. Before you start, make a hot or sweet drink and a light snack. Place these somewhere safe in the room you are working in. Also have to hand a simple activity unrelated to the Craft, possibly the TV listings page to read or a simple manual puzzle. Avoid anything which is related to fire, electrical equipment, or is otherwise likely to be risky if you cannot focus your full attention on it!
Cast the Circle in your usual way and raise energy, using whichever of the techniques you find most effective. However, instead of working a spell, just move straight on to removing the Circle. Now attempt your activity. Notice how you feel and how easy or difficult you find it to concentrate on your task.
Next, rub your arms and legs vigorously as well as having your drink and snack. Do both because you are performing a fairly extreme experiment; usually you would not raise energy just to ‘see how it feels’. Perform your task again and notice the differences between your first and second attempts.
If you are still working on developing your ability to raise energy and don’t feel confident that you will be successful, try the following instead: Prepare the food and drink as before, but instead of casting the Circle and raising power, spin around for a full minute before attempting the task. Then earth yourself as described in the previous paragraph and try it again. This is not quite the same, but will give you a rough idea of the need for grounding and earthing. Again make notes on your experiences.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON
Another way of raising energy is the rite called Drawing Down the Moon, which takes place at the Full Moon. In the modern Craft this has become quite formalized, with a Priest invoking the spirit of the Goddess into a Priestess who then proclaims the Charge of the Goddess to the rest of the Coven. Drawing Down the Moon, when performed successfully, channels the spirit of the Goddess through the Priestess, and the Charge then becomes the words of the Goddess addressed to Her followers. However, this format for Drawing Down the Moon, as given in most ‘modern’ books on the Craft, implies that the Rite is only for those who work in groups or Covens, but this does not have to be the case. There are techniques for Drawing Down the Moon which can be an effective way of raising energy for the solitary Witch.
For the sake of completeness I have included the group, or Coven, form of Drawing Down the Moon, and also a Full Moon Ritual which can be used by the Solitary Witch.
The Priestess stands with her back to the Altar, preferably facing the Moon. The Priest commences by giving her the Five-fold Kiss. The Priestess now allows her hands to move slightly away from her sides with her palms facing forward. Whilst he continues she should look over his head at the full Moon and focus on allowing the spirit of the Goddess to enter her.
With the forefinger of his strong hand the Priest then touches the Priestess in the sigil of the First Degree: right breast, left breast, womb and right breast, whilst saying:
‘I invoke thee and call upon thee Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness, by seed and root, by stem and bud, by flower and fruit do I invoke thee, to descend upon this the body of thy servant and Priestess.’
He then kneels and, spreading his arms outwards and downwards, says:
‘Hail Aradia, from the Amalthean Horn. Pour forth thy store of love. I lowly bend before thee, I adore thee to the end. With loving sacrifice thy shrine adorn. Thy foot is to my lip.’
He kisses her feet and continues:
‘My prayer, upon the rising incense upborne. Then spend thine ancient love O Mighty One, descend to aid me, for without thee I am forlorn.’
The Priest then rises and faces the group and says:
‘Listen to the words of the Great Mother, she who, of old, was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Ceridwyn, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride and many other names.’
He then steps to the side and the Priestess, facing the group, raises her arms and delivers the Charge.
There are two key components to this Rite. The first is the ability of an experienced Priest to invoke the Goddess, which can help even the least experienced Priestess to become the vessel of the Goddess. However, the second component, the ability of the Priestess to open her mind to the Goddess, will enhance the Rite, or can help an inexperienced Priest to learn the technique. Obviously, for a Solitary Witch, the latter is essential, as she will be on her own.
PRACTICAL WORK 7—LUNAR DIARY
Every night for a full lunar month (29 days) take the time to look at the Moon. You may need to provide yourself with a diary or calendar which also indicates the time of Moonrise in your part of the world. It is best if you can actually go outside, or at least open the window, but if this really is impossible, then look through the glass. Notice the phase of the Moon; for example, new, first quarter, full, third quarter, or dark, where no Moon is visible. Also take note of whether the Moon is waxing (increasing in size), or waning (decreasing). Even if the sky is clouded over, you should be able to work out its phase. As you do so, consider which aspect of the Goddess this reflects. Keep a record of the Moon; its size, rising time, and position in the sky. If you are able to get outside, notice where the Moonlight actually falls, as the Moon also casts shadows. Alongside these, note how you feel physically, emotionally and spiritually, both in your daily life and whilst performing the exercise. You may like to continue this diary even when you have worked through this chapter, as you will also find it helpful for work later in this book.
