| The Lost Art of Candle Magick |
| I know that I mention on a couple of my pages that I no longer practise what people consider to be "Wiccan" magick. But just because I've lost interest in most ceremony and tools and so on, doesn't mean I've abandoned the basics of magick. I thought I'd speak more about that since I've received e-mails from people asking me to explain further. In my recent experiences with traditional witches and the more experienced Wiccans I know, I've noticed that many have swayed away from what I consider to be the basics of magick. I'm not quite sure why that is. It's as if some people feel that, because they are growing and developing more complex ideas and beliefs, then their rituals must then become more elaborate in many ways. Is that really true? I don't think it is. As we develop and grow magickally, we don't necessarily begin creating more involved, drawn out ceremonies. On the contrary, my practise may appear more simplified to some. Although I say "simplified," I don't mean that the magick itself is simple. My spells and rituals are not as physically elaborate, making them appear simple. Since there is no focus on, "What tool must I use here?" or "I'm so nervous, what if I mess up my lines?" that means I have my full focus on refining my own powers. I also often incorporate a personally developed technique that I consider to be high magick- which is a focus on elevation of the mind and spirit- realizing your higher self or uniting with the universal powers. Yet, even so, this technique is simple and not does not involve elaborate ceremony. And when I work with outside forces, such as herbs or candles, I am focusing on the flow of the spirit of those objects rather than focusing on, "At what moment do I light the incense?" or, "Oops, I was supposed to charge the rosemary with my powers after I spoke that line," etc. There is not a focus on the "physical" aspects of my magickal workings- making them physically more simple. For me, true power does not manifest by way of physically and orally involved ceremony. My magick is also for spiritual gain, not material. I know there are many people out there who love the physically intricate ceremonies and love to create elaborate rituals to perform. Everyone develops his or her own practise however he/she feel it is personally right. I'm not saying these people are stupid or that physically elaborate ceremony is stupid. It's the assumption that we need the intricacy and elaborate ceremonies in order for our magick to be legitimate- that is what is stupid. If we can break away from that belief, it's amazing how free we feel, what a burden is lifted from our lives, what incredible abilities we discover we are harboring. For me, abandoning the physically elaborate and wordy rituals helped me to refine my personal abilites even futher and gave way to more effective magick. I do not have to physically perform any actions to spiritually unite with the universal forces or to create a change with my personal powers. What does this have to do with candle magick? Well, light a candle, sit, and focus. You will be amazed at the peace you experience and the powers of your psyche. The basics are often most fulfilling for us. If anybody still has questions about my feelings on ceremonial magick, high magick, etc.- go away and don't bother me. Just kidding, feel free to e-mail me if you like. |