It took me the longest time to figure out what Pathworking is.. I feel dumb now, since someone just explained to me what it was.. I’ve been doing that since I was young in the occult, it was called “ground and center time” or “meditation guidance”. The rhythmic drum beat, ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta ta , the soothing voice of the high priestess and priest telling us certain things, and the visual effects that our mind’s eye creates. Felt like I was in occult kindergarden and it was nap time, it was incredible. For a youth occult practitioner it helped me able to understand visualization with my mind’s eye, to connect, to feel, to sense what it was.. To understand how magick linked between the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. I highly recommend it if you have someone in your group that can do it, that understands the speed of drum beats and “key words” ( rhythmic chanting, visual describing.) I wish I was skilled in this area, but sadly I rely on a recordings.. Candle light, mysterious darkness, and the sound of a drum… ancient words spoken… images conjured in the mind.. wow really reminiscing a time period so long ago..
Pathworking February
This month the bloggers post about Pathworking. It does appear as two of our early month bloggers were unable to write for this month so please bear with us and hopefully some of our later month bloggers will come up with something nice for you.
Also, this month you’ll be able to get the Official Melissa Press debut title Infernal Colopatiron by S. Connolly. I am anxiously awaiting my own copy. I’ve heard great things. Watch tomorrow for the PayPal buttons on the Infernal Colopatiron page (for those of you who didn’t pre-order).
A relatively slow month on our path through 2012.
Frank
Bringing in the new
Each year always feels like we have a fresh slate, doesn’t it? We can start over with new routines or habits that we didn’t have before. I think once a year every magician should do a thorough cleaning of her energy and space. Some people do it in the spring time when they’re cleaning their house. Do it whenever you want and start to make it part of your yearly ritual. I think you’ll find it really works.
The first thing I do is gather up all the ritual tools, talismans, lamens and so on and take it all to the kitchen. Everything gets a thorough scrubbing. It’s dried. All stones and necklaces are put in a bowl with salt for a week.
I vacuum and dust my ritual room and I wash my altar cloths and the altar. Everything is gleaming when I’m done. I also check tools for wear and tear and replace them accordingly.
I will perform a ritual of cleansing on the entire room and fumigate it with a strong clearing incense. I reinforce all my wards.
Then I do a self purification ritual combined with an elemental balancing so I can start my year balanced and feeling new. I like to do this ritual on January first. Once all of this is done I feel better prepared to consider the magic I want to perform in the new year.
How often do you clean and clear your ritual space and what rituals do you do to start the year anew?
Setting Magical Goals
Setting goals in magic is no different to setting goals for other ordinary hobbies. For instance, this year I have set myself the task of putting on an extra couple of kilo’s of muscle and to improve my jujitsu. This is acheivable. If on the other hand I set my goal to this year I want 23 inch biceps and go from my first dan grade to my third – this is impossible. Do not set goals that you know cannot be reached – you will end up demoralised and put off improving yourself.
The same can be said when setting magical goals (apologies of the font has changed – something not quite right here, but I shall continue). My end goal is to be able to perform the classic Darth Vader “I find your lack of faith disturbing” neck pinch, but I know this will require quite a lot of work and also quite a lot of belief in myself to be able to achieve this. I have to believe myself that I am capable of doing this. If I don’t believe that I can do it, then no amount of ritual or ceremonial magick is going to help me. You have believe something is possible.
Hence, start small. Set small magical tasks such as maybe wanting an out of print book. Focus on the problem, and see what emerges. Don’t expect immediate results – things take time. I once wanted a tritium 24 hour display watch. I found one, and it was only available in the US (and it cost a lot). I could not find it in the UK at all. I contacted the supplier – no response. I so wanted this watch. About 3 months later, it appeared for sale on Amazon in the UK – for a mere £700 ! Suddenly I didn’t want as much. BUT, the watch became available. Sometimes this kind of experience teaches – did I really want the watch or not ? I have had very many experiences such as these, so I will not use coincidence to attempt to explain them. Using coincidence would weaken your self belief.
Keep your magic to yourself, even if you have great success. I believe that the ability to perform magic is not only down to self belief but it is also a gift given by the unseen. Blab about it, and the unseen may decide to take it off you.
As for ritual – that is up to you. Personally I believe that the use of magical tools are to help focus the mind to the job in hand. Elaborate ceremonial magick (Solomonic Goetia for example) is made deliberately complicated – puts off all but the very determined. You have to fish out the important parts from the unimportant.
Magic is a path that must be walked to the end, not just an afternoon stroll. Set your goals carefully and with thought.
Magickal Goals and You, and you and you and….
This is my first outing into anything even semi public for my thoughts and imagination. So as the man said to the proctologist, “Be gentle”.
First up is setting magickal goals. The more I looked at this subject, the more questions I asked myself. Which isn’t always a good idea if you are out and about and asking the questions out loud. But I accepted the odd looks and continued to ask away. First I wondered how is this any different then setting any old goal? We all set goals all the time. I set the goal two weeks ago that I would have my Christmas tree down by the beginning of the new year. It’s still up. I haven’t even made moves towards it in case it has the power to draw me in. So how is a magickal goal any different from any other run of the mill day in and day out goal? This is just my opinion, but usually magickal goals involve the Demonic Divine in some way. Either by invoking their help or by simply asking for their presence. Maybe asking for their advice or maybe just getting a feel for their thoughts on the matter. The other question I asked myself was, who makes the magickal goal? Is it just me that decides on something that I want to accomplish? On the surface the answer to this would be yes. I make my own decisions. I know where I want to focus my energy. Be it magickal or mundane. Right? Well not always. Even in every day life some goals make themselves known regardless of my wants or desires. For instance, a flat tire is discovered before work. The goal of getting to work has now changed to first changing the tire to eventually getting new tires. This goal imposed itself upon me. The same can be said for magickal goals. Most times I am in control. I choose what my next magickal goal will be. But sometimes circumstances dictate what the next goal will be. Illness, for example, can bring up another magickal goal straight to the forefront. Sometimes the choice of what goal is taken out of our hands by the Demonic. Many of us have had the occasional nudge into a direction we weren’t expecting. Sure, the decision is ultimately ours to make, but if there is a goal the Demonic Divine wants you to have, chances are good you will find that will eventually be your goal as well. So is magick something that is just thrust upon us? Something we may or may not have any control over? Is it something special or is the same as vowing to take down a tree before the end of the new year? Magick is something special. That is innate in the word itself. It is something by our will in conjunction with the Demonic. In order to set any goals for ourselves in magick we need to listen to the Demonic. If we don’t do that, setting goals in magick would be as random as saying random words in a different language without any knowledge of those words. Once the goal is set to listen to the Demonic, then all other goals could be worked upon. All of us know how to set goals, and we know to break those goals down into manageable portions. But with magickal goals we don’t always take it to the other level. Magickal goals are symbiotic in nature. It is our will. But it is also the Demonic’s will. And we set our voices and our vibrations to harmonize with the Demonic. Together is when we are able to set magickal goals.
A Rite of New Year Intent
I never start my year with magickal goals. I generally start my year with a new list of goals for project completion, self-work, or mundane things. This year my list looks like this:
First Quarter Goals:
- Finish 3 projects in the first quarter
- Clean out boxes and bookshelves in office.
- Put together boxes for donation.
- Taxes: Feb 15 to L.
Then I go through and break these goals down into smaller chunks in my task manager:
Project A
- Finish writing by January 25.
- Send to editor January 26.
- Finish Editing by February 15.
- Make corrections.
- Check on page 9 artwork.
- Galley proof due February 28.
- Proof + Final Corrections March 15 – to print.
Once this is done I might look at my projects, compare them to the calendar, and schedule magickal work to help facilitate the project. If I’m having a rough time starting or completing, I may schedule a creative energy rite sometime during the first month. If I want prosperity for a project I might schedule a rite on a Thursday (Jupiter – prosperity and success) during the month of the book’s release. I may work an anti-theft curse on the book to deter pirating.
So in my case, the magickal goals are often secondary to the main goals. However, sometimes magickal goals are on the yearly agenda. In previous posts people have mentioned magickal goals for learning divination or working on meditation. I don’t treat these goals any differently than I do any other project. Last year my goal was to concentrate and focus on the creative process as opposed to the end result. I accomplished that goal simply by observing and working fewer, more meaningful rites where I could concentrate on the process of creation (both magickal and with my writing). This year my goal is to work my Lord of Khemenu Initiatory Rite (LoKIR). It’s about going back to the beginning to take a fresh look at things from a new perspective.
I also have a yearly rite for my new year goals that I perform every January and I want to share it with you.
Start by constructing your ritual space standard. At the center of the room invoke your patron/matron for wisdom and guidance. At the altar, begin by copying your goals onto a sheet of paper. Read each goal aloud with strong intent. Seal the list with your sigil, the sigil of your patron/matron, and a drop of blood (use sexual fluid if you refuse to blood-let). Burn it in the offering bowl. Perform any divination necessary about the goals. Close the circle standard.
I realize this may seem overly simplistic, but statements of intent are often simple. And yet they’re also powerful. There’s a great deal of power in words and the intent behind them.
Goals, Achievement, Progress
The custom of setting new resolutions or goals, right in line with the birth of a new year, seems entirely too Pagan of an idea to be of modern decent. At least to me, anyway.
That does not however, change the fact that the modern practice is an empty shell of what it could, or should, be. It only goes to show what the Will of Man, what our inner resolve and fortitude, has been ground down to. A half-hearted attempt to remedy some aspect of life that is lacking at the given time, with failure being expected and success seen as some sort of long shot due to the “difficulties” of the task.
A resolution to quit smoking, to be kept only until the first truly stressful day.
A proclamation of life-changing philosophy, only to be forsaken at the first opportune of convenience.
The fact that the practice of setting resolutions without intending to keep them is so prevalent, only further proves the decline of our collective resolve and strength of will. And a resolution is nothing more than those two things. A person resolving to strive for a goal, and then employing their own strength of will to adhere to the resolution and the pursuit of the goal. But when resolutions are made carelessly, or even worse, made with the predisposition to failure, it cheapens the entire endeavor and counter-acts what the process is supposed to be about. A personal resolution is essentially a promise made to oneself. But if even that kind of promise is made with the expectation of being broken, it can only lead to further personal and inter-personal promises being broken. For how can your word really mean anything to someone else, when it doesn’t even mean something to you?
Spiritual and Magical goals are immensely important. In an environment with such little structure and formal organization, one’s own personal goals are often the only markers of achievement and progress one has. It is for this reason why care must be taken as to what goals are set, and how they should be achieved. Unlike New Year’s resolutions, spiritual or magical goals must be met. For if a goal is not met, then there can be no progress onto the next goal, or the next achievement. If a goal has failed to be met, there can be many reasons as to why, such as the goal itself being too lofty, the time allotted to pursue the goal being too short, or simply the amount of effort put forth to achieving the goal being insufficient. Regardless, these are all things that should be responsibly contemplated before setting or re-evaluating a goal, so that success can be achieved and a new set of goals can be undertaken. Because it is this progression of success and achievement that builds confidence and forges inner fortitude and strength of will. The knowledge that one has succeeded, and will succeed again, if enough will is exerted. It is damn near impossible to perform any act of magic without a strong will. That is what (most) magic is. Human will, raised and directed. So whether they be short term, or long, spiritual and magical goals are essential to the spiritual and magical progression of any practitioner.
One of my short term goals for the coming year will be to finish and hang decorative pictures around my home that display Demonic Sigils, Enns, and prayers to begin the process of including more daily devotion in my life. One of my long term goals for the coming year will be to establish contact with at least two Demons from Demonolatry hierarchies. When these goals are achieved, more will be undertaken, and the progression will continue.
“Remember, who dares, wins.” – Frater U.D.
S. Connolly Reading Testimonials
Here’s what clients have to say about readings they’ve gotten from me. If you have something you want to share with other about your experience with my service, please contact me (or Frank) at [email protected].
TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve had a lot of people cold read me. Cold reading is hard to do. I was really surprised by and impressed with your accuracy and insight. Thank you!” – Sarah H.
XX
“When you said Teresa and Margaret, I went cold. Never have I had a reading so bone-chilling accurate that I started crying. You knew about my sister (Teresa) and my aunt (Margaret), the only two people I know who died in the past four years. It was incredible.” – Lisa B.
XX
“How did you know these things about me? I keep trying to find out how you did it. Amazing!” Lang W.
XX
“I honestly thought you were full of it when you told me there would be a death in my family. I guess I just didn’t want to hear it and that’s why I reacted so negatively toward you. Well, my dad died suddenly a month after the reading with no history of previous health problems. It was a heart attack. I hate that you are so accurate, but I no longer think you’re full of it.” Mike H.
Goal setting time
It is that time of year, to test your willpower in keeping a goal going for a year or dropping a habit.
I’ll like to add a few things before you the reader go off into a mantra of completing your goals.
First) Is it realistic? Are you pledging your blood every morning and evening for your patron? You think realistically is that manageable? Or meditating morning and evening time? Is that going to work in your schedule if you have to be up at 3am for work? Start off small and then go big if you can manage it, is my advice.
Second) Is it something you want to do for yourself, or is it what you think you should do? That sounds pretty simple. Do you really want to learn how to do magick squares cause it really excites you, or do you want to learn it cause its expected of you to know cause you are a magick practitioner. Are you doing this to impress someone? Oh look at me I can preform the Rose Cross flawlessly, or recite all of the 9’s enns with no error, I’m really cool…
Third) I call it the rule of 3. It has to be done 3 times in a role to give it a good start. Its my superstition. For example, I meditate every night for 3 weeks.. a very good start.. but opps I was to tired to meditate on monday, but you know what I’ll do it tomorrow night and I’ll be back on it every other night with no problem. If you can get a good solid 3 weeks with it, or 3 of something your on a good start.
Ok thats short..
Goodluck!
Resolutions or Goals?
I’m not a resolution man. Resolutions are for people who have no intention of really doing what they resolve to do. They are feeble promises we make to ourselves about superficial things. My wife keeps making resolutions to eat less sugar and more vegetables and it hasn’t happened yet.
Goals are something I can get behind because those seem to be more well-thought statements of intent. What is magic other than a statement of intent for change and understanding? It’s pretty much the same thing.
I think it’s important when we set goals to make them reachable and realistic and as my friend Steph always says, be specific. It’s great to say that this year you’re going to learn tarot but it’s better to say this week you’re going to meditate on the death card for at least an hour. It’s even better to say today you’re going to meditate on the death card. Then the following day pick another card. The ultimate goal may be to learn tarot by the end of the year but if you break that task down into smaller tasks it’s more manageable to work with.
The same goes for meditation. If your goal is to meditate more this year like Frank mentioned yesterday is his goal, start with five minutes a day and work yourself into a steady practice, slowly increasing the time as you go. Do not jump in and try to do too much, or leave your time frame so open that you’re able to push it off to another day over and over again or you’ll never do anything.
That’s the difference between a resolution and a goal. Resolutions are sweeping statements of intent without attention to the steps to getting there. Goals are statements of intent with focus on the steps to achieve the result you want.
If you work at meeting small goals steadily you are going to get through things faster and reach your end goals faster. This doesn’t just go for magic or spiritual stuff. It goes for everything. The more goals you reach the more effect you have on your life and the more you truly become the magician who creates his own world.