Part 3: Magickal Studies GSW
Magick is the awareness of the opportunity to manipulate and direct energy for the purpose of probability enhancement. I would say that in order for magick to be effective, it must be useful. How then can something be useful if the one being affected by it has no awareness of the product? When dealing with probability modification there is always an element of uncertainty as our spectrum of awareness is very limited in relation to that of the multiverse. Magic would be useful to the person if it left them in a better position than they would have other wise been with out magickal influence. Magick is a tool that is conducive to probability enhancement resulting in the beneficial outcome of a given situation which in turn increases the likelihood of future success in any given endeavour. The reality of magic is in the mind of the individual that sees it as such. I believe that magickal awareness in both intuitive as well as learned.
All humans long for some type of emotional and intellectual control as we fear the loss of both; resulting in a loss of our connection to society, the inability to effectively acquire essential resources, loss of dignity, death, and the perceived loss of life after death. The technology of the magician was created for the support of our hearts and minds as a means of preventing tragedy in our lives.
Magick is real for everyone who practices it and often meaningless to those who don't. The proof of this is that magic requires action on our part as well as observation and awareness at least on the part of the practitioner. What benefit is a thing to anyone if know one knows about it? Therefore magick without awareness has no power. Energy is useless without focus just as is magic without awareness. This is analogous to the sun and a magnifying glass effect.
Magick is a form of technology as it is an art and a science. It is the tool that builds the foundation of a civilization. This is one reason in which magick is not valued in the modern world as we are overconfident in our abilities with in our civilization and feel that our foundation is build on solid ground. We don't value that which we think that we don't need; therefore such technology becomes obsolete. One could argue that to embrace magick is to question that very foundation and such a notion has the potential to create the downward spiral of demise mentioned earlier. It could be argued that although most people in the modern world are unaware of the magick in which they wield or they think of it in different terms and view it in a different light, the result of such action is the same as this is a perceived benefit to their actions. Motivation and intention are the drivers of magic as well as a perceived benefit, although nothing is guaranteed.
Consecration
The magickal act of consecration is a ritual that is preformed by a wizard in order to symbolically sanctify or make a distinction between the magickal and the mundane worlds in relation to an object, person, or place; often with the intention of utilizing that which has been consecrated for spiritual workings. Acts of consecration come in many forms. In many traditions the practitioner will often conduct a consecration on the tools in which they wish to perform magick. "The consecration of the Chalice and Athame are done in the service of performing any other working in magick". (Oberon Zell-Ravenheart pg.106-107) In candle magic the anointing of consecrated oils upon the candle is symbolic of the separation of the candle from a mundane use to that of working magick. "In the rite of consecrating the sacraments, the wizard uses a purified chalice and athame in order to utilizes the union between male and female energies"(Oberon Zell-Ravenheart pg.179); to do magick for the purposes of dedicating one's self to a task. One definition of consecration describes the act as: "a solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal)". (Princeton)
In the Catholic tradition a priest will anoint the laity with consecrated oil that is kept in a sacred vessel called Chrism. "Chrism is essential for the Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation/Chrismation, and is prominently used in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Orders... These holy oils are usually stored in special vessels known as chrismaria and kept in a cabinet known as an ambry". (wiki/holyoils)
Another similarity between the many religious traditions is the use of holy water or consecrated water in the magical working of a consecration. This special water has been ritually blessed for the purpose of exercising negative energy out of the target area. The working involved in the act of consecration is necessary to purify the person, place, or object in order to prepare the subject for magick. In effect the wizard is performing an area cleansing on the target; using rituals; as well as the elements of the material world: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Spirit, in order to exercise negativity from a target subject.
One of the more interesting things that I have discovered is the consecration of ones familiar. In this act the familiar is brought in to the casters circle in order to perform magick. As a wizard, I feel a deep connection to Gaia as well as to the plants, animals, and elements that inhabit her. It is fascinating to me that this very powerful magical act has ways of incorporating these aspects into its many rituals. The skills involved in this magickal working are symbolic of the foundation in which a wizard’s magick is built upon and is vital in the confrontation of evil in its many forms.
The Altar
My alter table was given to me from a woman with whom I care for in my home. It is a white chest with a false front which gives it the illusion of being a dresser. The top of it lifts up and I can store my personal objects inside. It is an absolutely perfect alter chest and I love it all the more as it was a gift. The alters appearance in my life was definitely a synchronicity; as this was a need filled by the universe.
The alter is placed inside of my bedroom closet and this works for me as this area is a natural alcove with cabinet doors that open up like an armoire. Technically the alter faces South, instead of North. Ironically I have naturally positioned all of the elements upon the surface in there "proper" locations. This set up works quite well for me as the candle is positioned in the back. I have designed a quarter cross made out of some stones that I found while I was working for my uncle and for me the stones represents the Earth element and the cross represents the four elements: Air, Earth, Water, Fire, as well as being symbolic of the four seasons.
I use a simple stick of incense with a holder to represent the symbol of Air. I have a bell to serve this purpose as well. For water I like to use a simple glass of water and I use my fancy chalice to dress things up. My alter cloth is a white loosely woven cloth which matches the table and works quite well since I don't have any other cloths at this time. To celebrate Yule I have displayed a ceramic pig full of money next to the water element representing my mother and the feminine spirits of the goddess. Opposed to this on the left is a Christmas card given to me by my father; thus representing the masculine essence of the gods.
Yule has been my first pagan holiday in which I have decorated my alter. My magical practices at the alter have been the Core Energy Practices; Centering, Grounding, Self Cleansing, Shielding, Clearing Space and Meditation. The only other work that I would preform at this time would be a Tarot reading. Since the completion of the Core Energy Practices class, I have been making a regular practice out of meditating at the foot of my alter.
The Cord:
The Cord Assignment was the most difficult as well as rewarding challenge that I have had in this class. I began this assignment by constructing a beautiful turquoise rosary that oddly enough ended up consisting of 34 beads; although I was trying for 38 beads as I felt that 28 wasn't enough.
During this project I came to realise how much I enjoy the satisfaction of tactile stimulation while simultaneously reciting my mantra. The problems in which I have face are as I have described to you before. I struggle to make the time and keep pace with a daily routine, especially one that is as demanding as this was for me.
The result was that I found myself thinking about the mantra and the meditation during the course of my mundane routine. As I thought about the importance of growing in my magickal life, I came to realise the benefit of this meditation. I realised that my mind was working on my goals on an subconscious level; thus freeing up my conscious mind to focus on the task at hand. Now with the aid of this practice I can better accomplish the things in which I need to do in order to achieve my objectives.
One of the more interesting skills that I have developed is the ability to feel the different sizes and textures of the beads. In doing this, I can determine where I am at in the meditation and in doing so; I can finish the meditation by touch.
The Chalice
In preparation for the Chalice consecration ritual, I began the process by purchasing a silver plated goblet with an inscription of the triple goddess moon symbol upon the face of the vessel. In order to strengthen the magickal correspondence between the cup and myself, I prepared a witch bottle consisting of salt water and various herbs such as lavender, peppermint, and rosemary, which were steeped in the presence of waxing moonlight in order to increase the influence of lunar energies.
During the process, I began inscribing the traditional runes from the "Greater Key of Solomon" (Oberon 106). By inscribing these runes, I felt a connection to the great lineage of Wizards from antiquity. I soon realised that the literal translation of the runes might not be as important as the establishment of comradery between Wizardry apprentices.
During the ritual I used a green and white candle to represent the element of fire. I placed some of the lunar herbs in which I had used to consecrate the witch bottle upon a charcoal burner along with some Dragons blood resin. I used the resin with the intention of sealing the lunar energies to that of my own. I had place a fetish that included two genuine silver coins in the position of Earth upon my alter. I specifically chose the number two as it represents the Great Mother in Mathmagicks as well as corresponding to the silver metal in the coins.
Additional components included in the fetish included a bit of aloe, a clear quarts stone, turquoise rosary, and a black (d20 dice) Icosahedron. The turquoise and Icosahedron reflect a Water, Earth, Saturn, connection that I feel truly reflects the intention behind my magickal practice as well as supporting my personal Mantra "I will be successful in paying of my debts".
It was a Monday night during the Waxing moonlight nearly to full when I began the formal meditation and thus the beginning of the consecration of my Chalice. I had placed pure water into the chalice along with a bit of sage, and then I poured some of the water from the witch bottle into the vessel. I raised energy directed through my wand to charge the chalice. As I pass the cup through the smoke; I chanted "By Water and Fire be purified. No adverse will within thee hide. Be clear in service unto me; As I do will, so mote it be!" (Oberon 106).
The Rosary:
During the course of my assignment, I had created a wizards rosary using 34 turquoise beads. "The number 34 as well as the stones, corresponds with the number 7 and to the 16 petals of the Visuddha. Inspiration, communication and resonance are the qualities of Mercury as well as sympathetic vibration, harmony, assimilation, and the mantra yoga meditation". (Oberon 139) My intention in creating this Wizards rosary is to use the qualities of Mercury to help me reach my goals of being debt free by becoming a better communicator.
"Hidden deep with in my psyche, my true nature and personal energy is reflected in darkness. I feel the deepest connection to the color black. I have lived my entire life being completely different from everyone else; it is in the realm of the shadows where observations can be viewed in a different light. When the mind of the magician teeters on the edge of the undefinable, the eldritch becomes tangible. In order to confront such energies; The Black Wizard must be thoroughly grounded and trained in the art of Defensive Magick".*
My next project is to create a defensive rosary with the above excerpt in mind. I will use the rosary beads with the mantra, "I am centered and grounded". I plan to make this rosary using 40 obsidian and red garnet beads; the number and the stones correspond to Saturn and New moon. The color black is used in protective magick as well as in grounding. I envision this ritual to reflect a (Vulcan type of meditation) which has the ability to allow the practitioner to understand emotional subtleties and complexities in a practical context and thus learn how to identify the effects that emotions have upon one's physiology and psychology.
To further enhance the ritual I will burn patchouli and cinnamon oil during the meditation. I have included the use of red garnet along with obsidian in the rosary; as the stones correspond to the Muladhara which has the ability to purge negativity and assist with grounding.
The Wand
The creation of my wand first began with the felling of an oak tree. It is unclear if the oak came from that cutting or was simply picked up from the area. The wood in which I had chosen was initially over six feet long; I had intended to create both staff and wand from the piece. During this time, my uncle had given me a draw-knife in which I had used to split off the material for the creation of the wand. I placed the wood into a vise and began shaving along the length of the wood. The wand was measured and cut to length once the desired thickness was achieved. When I had created an approximate shape of the wand, I finished the construction processes by sanding the material as smooth as possible following the natural contours of the wood grain.
The use of oak in the construction of this wand holds special meaning for me. "Oak is a masculine wood that can easily channel natural life energies and is strongly connected to the Earth. The magickal properties of oak are truth, steadfast knowledge, and protection". (Willow333) As a tool of magickal working, this wand will help bring balance and objectivity into my practice. In my personal journey I am in need of the magickal properties of truth, steadfast knowledge, and protection; as my path is fraught with self deception, delusion, and a horrendous fear of the unknown.
The ritual of consecration took place this last Wednesday during the waxing moon as prescribed by the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. The consecration began at noon with the lighting of a special cinnamon candle that I had saved for the occasion. I used copious amounts of cinnamon in the process. One of the things that I noticed right away was the connection that was being established between the wand and I through the application of the cinnamon; it was everywhere.
During this process I made a point to memorise and chant the following incantation: "I consecrate thee, Rod of Skill to focalize my truest will. May my power flow through thee. As I do Will, so mote it be"! (Oberon pg.105). As a part of this process I chose to inscribe "The Greater Key of Solomon ,cut a green young branch" script upon the thyrsus. At first I was hesitant in doing this but know I am glad that I did. The script really compliments the unique appearance of this newly crafted and consecrated wand.
Work Cited:
Willow333 Beginning Witchcraft--magickal Celtic Trees
http://community.beliefnet.com/willow333/blog/2009/11/11/beginning_witchcraftmagickal_celtic_trees
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon 2004
Grimore for the Apprentice Wizard
