their own “secret” Book of Shadows and restrict access to it. This does, indeed, ensure that it’s secret—but not older or better than any other.
11
Exercises and Magical Techniques
FOLLOWING ARE SHORT sections on various exercises and procedures that are vital to your growth in Wicca and magic. Such activities, which consume no more than a few minutes of each day, shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re the building blocks upon which fluency in all Wiccan and magical rites will be gained.
Making them a part of your everyday schedule allows you to grow day by day.
The Mirror Book
Right now, as soon as you finish reading this perhaps, begin a “mirror book.” This is a magical record of your progress in Wicca. It can be anything from a locked diary to a spiral-bound notebook. In it, record all thoughts and feelings about Wicca, the results of your readings, magical successes and failures, doubts and fears, significant dreams— even mundane concerns. This book is for your eyes only. No one else need ever read it.
This book is a mirror of your spiritual life. As such it is quite valuable in assessing your progress in Wicca and life itself. Thus, when reading over the book, you become your own teacher. Notice problem areas and take steps to resolve them.
I’ve found the best time to record such information is directly before sleep. Date each entry and, if you wish, also include the moon’s phase and any astronomical information that might be pertinent (lunar phases, eclipses, weather).
One of the goals of the Wicca is self-knowledge; the Mirror Book is a valuable tool in achieving this.
Breathing
Breathing is usually an unconscious act that we perform continuously throughout our lives. In magic and Wicca, however, breath can also be a tool for disciplining our bodies and entering into alternate states of consciousness.
In order to meditate correctly, you must breathe correctly. This is the most basic of exercises and, fortunately, is also the easiest.
Deep breathing techniques require the full use of the lungs as well as of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is located about two finger-widths below the rib cage.As you breathe in, push out with this region.Notice how much more air you can intake.
For breathing exercises, assume a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down (although deep breathing is possible in nearly every position). Relax your body slightly. Inhale through your nose to a slow count of three, four, or five—whatever is comfortable. Remember to allow the air to fill your diaphragm as well as your lungs. Retain the air, then exhale to the same slow count.
Repeat this several times, gradually slowing your breath rate. Never hold your breath past the level of comfort. The inhalation, retaining, and exhalation should be controlled, calm, and free of tension.
Concentrate on your breathing process while doing this. As you inhale, breathe in love, health, tranquility, perhaps visualizing (see “Visualization,” page 88) these positive energies as golden-flecked air. In exhaling, breathe out hate, disease, anger, maybe visualizing black smoke exiting your lungs.
Oxygen is the breath of life and is necessary to our existence. Breathe properly and you’ll be a better person and a better Wiccan. Deep breathing is used before every act of worship or magic, and is a part of concentration and visualization exercises. Breathe deeply when you feel anger exploding within you. Exhale the fury and inhale peace. It works every time—if you allow it to.
Practice deep breathing exercises daily, and gradually increase your capacity to retain air. It is wise, if possible, to occasionally practice this near the sea or in a forest, far from the polluted air of our cities. Deep breathing in these natural settings is not only more peaceful— it’s also healthier.
Meditation
Meditation is an important art for inducing total relaxation. Too few of us find a moment of freedom from tensions and worries,
11
Exercises and Magical Techniques
FOLLOWING ARE SHORT sections on various exercises and procedures that are vital to your growth in Wicca and magic. Such activities, which consume no more than a few minutes of each day, shouldn’t be underestimated. They’re the building blocks upon which fluency in all Wiccan and magical rites will be gained.
Making them a part of your everyday schedule allows you to grow day by day.
The Mirror Book
Right now, as soon as you finish reading this perhaps, begin a “mirror book.” This is a magical record of your progress in Wicca. It can be anything from a locked diary to a spiral-bound notebook. In it, record all thoughts and feelings about Wicca, the results of your readings, magical successes and failures, doubts and fears, significant dreams— even mundane concerns. This book is for your eyes only. No one else need ever read it.
This book is a mirror of your spiritual life. As such it is quite valuable in assessing your progress in Wicca and life itself. Thus, when reading over the book, you become your own teacher. Notice problem areas and take steps to resolve them.
I’ve found the best time to record such information is directly before sleep. Date each entry and, if you wish, also include the moon’s phase and any astronomical information that might be pertinent (lunar phases, eclipses, weather).
One of the goals of the Wicca is self-knowledge; the Mirror Book is a valuable tool in achieving this.
Breathing
Breathing is usually an unconscious act that we perform continuously throughout our lives. In magic and Wicca, however, breath can also be a tool for disciplining our bodies and entering into alternate states of consciousness.
In order to meditate correctly, you must breathe correctly. This is the most basic of exercises and, fortunately, is also the easiest.
Deep breathing techniques require the full use of the lungs as well as of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is located about two finger-widths below the rib cage.As you breathe in, push out with this region.Notice how much more air you can intake.
For breathing exercises, assume a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down (although deep breathing is possible in nearly every position). Relax your body slightly. Inhale through your nose to a slow count of three, four, or five—whatever is comfortable. Remember to allow the air to fill your diaphragm as well as your lungs. Retain the air, then exhale to the same slow count.
Repeat this several times, gradually slowing your breath rate. Never hold your breath past the level of comfort. The inhalation, retaining, and exhalation should be controlled, calm, and free of tension.
Concentrate on your breathing process while doing this. As you inhale, breathe in love, health, tranquility, perhaps visualizing (see “Visualization,” page 88) these positive energies as golden-flecked air. In exhaling, breathe out hate, disease, anger, maybe visualizing black smoke exiting your lungs.
Oxygen is the breath of life and is necessary to our existence. Breathe properly and you’ll be a better person and a better Wiccan. Deep breathing is used before every act of worship or magic, and is a part of concentration and visualization exercises. Breathe deeply when you feel anger exploding within you. Exhale the fury and inhale peace. It works every time—if you allow it to.
Practice deep breathing exercises daily, and gradually increase your capacity to retain air. It is wise, if possible, to occasionally practice this near the sea or in a forest, far from the polluted air of our cities. Deep breathing in these natural settings is not only more peaceful— it’s also healthier.
Meditation
Meditation is an important art for inducing total relaxation. Too few of us find a moment of freedom from tensions and worries,
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