The Principles of Magic.
Part 1: The Nature of Energy.
By: Lunarian Stormbringer
The Principles of Magic.
SECTION 1: The Three Types of Energy
The fundamental basis for Magick (and all life) if a flow of force from
the Cosmos to the being that it is affecting. This concept is recognized
around the world as Mana (to the Huna of Hawaii), Chi/Ki to the Martial
arts masters of the East, Prana to the Sufis of India and so on. Many names
for the same basic force that grants life and changes the universe around
us. These forces are without "morals" as we see them, they are not good
nor are they evil, they simply are. This energy is measurable and perceptible
to the aware and/or trained mind, thus it can be defined and utilized.
There are three types of basic cosmic energy, all of which are a part of
how we interact with the Universe at large. The first I will discuss here
is the most basic of the three, Personal Energy.
The Human body has energy coursing through it from birth until death, when
that energy is released and returns to the Source of All things. This energy
flows along meridian lines within the body and can be drawn in or sent
out, from certain locations along these meridians. These locations are
known as the Chakras, as Chi Points, and other names, and regardless of
what they are called or how they are viewed they, are the same locations
universally. The hands, the feet, the 'third eye', etc., known the world
over for their power.
It is this energy that you utilize when working without tools and without
invoking Deity. This energy can be cultivated through meditation, exercise
of the body and mind, and through healthy living. Examples of its use are
best seen in the Martial Arts of the East. The Masters are capable of projecting
their own chi into an opponent and into themselves for healing. When you
charge an object with your energies you are projecting that same personal
energy into that object, just as the Master would.
The second form of energy is environmental. This is the energy that flows
from places and from things that are a part of nature. When you eat raw
vegetables you ingest the life energy from that plant into yourself, thus
amplifying your own. When herbs, crystals, incense or any other natural
item are added to a ritual, you combine their intrinsic energy with your
own for the purpose of achieving your goal. This energy is also known as
Ley energy (ley lines), Dragon Lines (in Feng Shui) or Songline ( to the
aborigines of Australia), places that are rich in this energy are empowering
and places that are deficient in this type of energy are very bad for the
person living there.
When you call upon the spirits of places
(such as forests, rivers, etc.) you are calling upon the resident life
energy in those areas and adding them to your own. There is ambient energy
surrounding you at all times, it is the energy in the Air that we breath
in that helps to sustain us.
The third type of energy is universal. This energy is known as Deity (god).
When working a ritual and invoking Deity or any other Spiritual energy,
you call upon this vast and limitless source of energy to help in
your working. This is also the destination of most magical workings. You
create the thought form (your purpose and intents) and send it to the universe
to be created as They (Deity/Gods) see fit.
Now (with this basic understanding of the three energy types) you can visualize
that the magician stand within a field of his own energy which is surrounded
by the energy of his environment, and then circles one more time by the
Universal energies. These three circles are all used in a proper ritual.
To call upon your own energies (by themselves) is unwise, for it may drain
you severely even with proper grounding of excess energy. The completion
of most pagan/wiccan rites includes a small meal afterward. This is to
help ground any excess energy you may have (as this can cause head aches,
muscle pains and hyper activity) but it is also to help replenish your
personal energy that was you do not become deficient (which is obviously
unhealthy).
During Ritual you expend your energy as a part of focusing and directing
the ritual energies that you have summoned. Here is where some people have
a failing and do not realize it, they use too much of their own energy
and not enough of the other two energies available to them. In proper ritual
workings your energies are the catalyst, and not the process itself, you
set the events in motion and are not consumed in the process. This proper
working of magick can be visualized like this (see images at the bottom
of the page): You are the match (personal energy) that lights the candle
(environmental energy) that is used to light the bonfire (universal energies).
Images like the cone of power are designed to focus the desired outcome
until it is ready to be sent to the universe to become reality, and this
is the extent you should have to expend your energies, summoning and focusing
the other two.
|
|
|
 |
 |
SECTION 2: Cultivating and Replenishing Personal Energy
The
first type of Energy (personal) can be cultivated through the methods stated
above, now I will list a few exercises that , if done regularly, increase
ones personal energy. I will also teach a method of recharging ones personal
energy through tapping into Environmental energies. The first method of
cultivating more personal energies is through controlled Breath.
There is a rhythm to all things, the spinning of the Heavens, the beat
of your heart, and to your Breathing. In this exercise breathing is done
from the diaphragm and with a slow inflation of the lungs. This exercise
is very simple and very relaxing. You start by breathing in for a count
of 3 seconds ( no skimping it must be three full seconds), then holding
for three seconds, then while controlling the exhale out for three seconds
then another hold for three seconds afterwards. This cycle is repeated
for however long the person feels needed to relax (5-15 minutes), all the
while focusing on controlling the breath as much as possible. The hands
may be placed in the lap palms up or lifted (palms up) from the lap on
inhale and lowered to the lap (palms down) on exhale. You may visualize
vibrant green energy being drawn in on the in breath if you wish. This
exercise once done for a period of time ( no less than 2 weeks) can be
increased to 4 second intervals, then ultimately up to 5 and even 6 seconds
as the student progresses. One of the many benefits of this exercise
is deeper relaxation and meditation, as well as stress reduction, all of
which are conductive to an increased energy level over all.
Now while it is common to feel tired after a ritual it is not needed. You
have done no more work than you would have otherwise, you only feel tired
afterwards. Once you cultivate more personal energy and learn to not over
exert yourself, you will find yourself less and less tired as time passes.
There are , however, times when the work you do may be greater than you
had been able to anticipate and you do feel tired afterwards. This next
exercise is to help you replenish your energy and to prevent post- magickal
malaise.
Sit
in a comfortable position with your hand and arms relaxed in your lap.
Breathe slowly in a 3-3 rhythm as mentioned before. Only this time visualize
yourself sitting in a Sea of silvery, luminous energy that ebbs and flows
in sync with your breathing. Visualize your whole area filled completely
with this water like energy. On the in breath, see the energy filling your
chest area with that silvery light, on the hold concentrate on forming
that energy into a ball and on the exhale push the ball into your lower
abdomen. On the last hold you visualize the energy being 'digested' by
your body and see it coursing through your veins. Repeat this for a few
minutes until you feel relaxed but invigorated, not fatigued. This should
only take a minute or two to complete after you perform your grounding
section of your ritual.
On
To the Part Two!