What form(s) of magic(k) do you practice?

RyuJin wrote: I did the ceremony on halloween which just happened to have a full moon...

That sounds excellent.

I realize I could simply look this up, but figure asking you will yield a more interesting answer... What is hedgecraft? Is it related to shamanism and/or witchcraft?

Do you recall which version of Enochian magic you studied? The Golden Dawn interpretation of the elemental tablets is obviously the most accessible, but I also found it a bit too complicated for my poor little brain.

Hedgecraft is sometimes called kitchen magic...it's a blend of ritual magic, herbology, etc...practitioners are often called kitchen witches ( due to the use of ordinary household items etc) or more traditionally hedge-riders, because spiritually they ride the boundry (or hedge) between this world and the spirit world...

Golden dawn sounds familiar....of course it's been almost 24 years since then...I do remember learning that my magickal responsibility was dragon's blood...

RyuJin wrote: Hedgecraft is sometimes called kitchen magic...

Ah! Thanks. I thought that sounded familiar. I've heard the terms "kitchen witch" and "hedge witch" on various occasions, but wasn't aware of what those practices fully entailed. The way you've described it, I'm imagining sort of a mix of witchcraft, hoodoo, and shamanism. Cool.

It seems like you have a pretty sophisticated and diverse collection of techniques that you use then? Did you design/construct your own staff and wand?

Arcade wrote: The way you've described it, I'm imagining sort of a mix of witchcraft, hoodoo, and shamanism.

There's also a lot of orphan folklore and superstition involved in some of it, too. It's basically the "local" everyday variant of magick. It's one of those things that, in the cultures or families it's big in, seems to be as engrained as tradition in the cultures and/or families in which it's practiced. I've spoken with a few folks that see it as "normal" and a "harmless gateway" to other practices and/or faiths.

Which brings me to a curious question for this thread, if I may--those of you who have answered, do you practice a religion as well? Does it influence your practice? Is it compatible, or is your practice secular in nature?

I no longer practice magick, but while a Satanist I had my own kind of brand of magick; a mix of Egyptian heka, goetian (goetic?), and other things from my interaction and work with others.

do you practice a religion as well? Does it influence your practice? Is it compatible, or is your practice secular in nature?

At the time, my answer would have been yes to practising (I was theistic then), however not of one of the big organised religions obviously. It was a very big influence on my work.

Edan wrote: a mix of Egyptian heka, goetian (goetic?)

Yep. Goetic magic. I've dabbled. Egyptian magic, on the other hand, I've always found incredibly complex. Such a detailed, intricate system. I took an Egyptology class in college and the magic and religion section of the course was very fascinating, but also made me realize how challenging any form of modern application of Ancient Egyptian practices would be. I would enjoying talking with you about this sometime.

steamboat28 wrote: Do you practice a religion as well? Does it influence your practice? Is it compatible, or is your practice secular in nature?

Technically, I'm a practitioner of Haitian Vodou (a monotheistic religion), since I attend fets (celebratory services for the ancestors) a few times a year, but as of this moment I don't consider myself a Vodouisant. I try to distance myself a little by specifying that I'm a NOLA voodoo practitioner (which, in my case, is a fairly secular practice), but the local Vodou community is full of lovely people and I like that community element sometimes, so I am often pulled in that direction. It definitely affects and influences my practice. I have integrated into my regular practices a decent amount of techniques, rituals, and ideas that I've learned at fets.

I also practice Germanic paganism (Anglo-Saxon Heathenry), but am not connected in any way to modern reconstructionist communities. If I were to claim a religion, I would say that this feels closest to who I am. But is it a religion without a community element? I'm not sure. Still, the spiritual connection that I feel with the Germanic deities is very strong and most definitely influences my magical practices. Passionate modern Heathens might argue that magic was rarely practiced by the ancient Germanic people, but that spiritual current can still be an inspiration (and it has been for me in a big way).

The wand just sort of appeared, I was working out on my porch and heard something fall on my air conditioner pretty hard, when I went and looked it was sitting there...I was kind of reminded of yoda's walking stick and kept it...

The staff was a small tree that had been cut down and left laying in back of the complex for over a year....everytime I walked the dog my gaze was drawn to it, so eventually I picked it up and went to work...the markings include my astrological symbol, the kanji symbols for:dragon, earth, air,fire, water. There is also a leather grip I made and the feathers are from a young bald eagle that was molting and currently resides atop a flagpole 3blocks away....




It's hard to see but the head of the staff is carved into a dragons head...I have a philosophical lifestyle....as I dislike the concept religion has become....philosophy is flexible, religion is rigid....

Wow, RyuJin! Very nice. It's not often that I find myself flowing with the kind of drive and creativity that clearly inspired your pieces, so I genuinely appreciate your work.

RyuJin wrote: I have a philosophical lifestyle....as I dislike the concept religion has become....philosophy is flexible, religion is rigid....

Understandable. There are some religions with a greater amount of flexibility, but I don't like things carved into stone either (unless we're talking about runes).

I'm really glad this topic was started because it inspired me to continue my pagan studies (on a site similar to TOTJO in function and purpose but for Wiccans and other pagans). I'm not a diehard fan of the Wiccan tradition, but what I appreciate is the structure while their emphasis is in modifying the structure to suit the needs of the individual or coven. I've actually been writing my own versions of standard rituals (Open the Temple, Consecration of Tools, etc) with Jediism incorporated in as well as less emphasis on specific deities and more on the values of the Jedi and the interconnectivity life through the Force.

Jamie Stick wrote: I'm really glad this topic was started because it inspired me to continue my pagan studies

Excellent. I think we've spoken about this, but I was a proper Pagan for just over 6 years (mostly non-traditional, though the first year I was practicing Wicca). I wasn't aware of Jediism at the time, but I can totally see how you would be able to integrate what you've talked about into your Pagan beliefs and practices (and vice-versa). That's also inspiring.

It's great that you're writing your own rituals and moving in your own direction. I found the basic framework that Wicca set out for me invaluable, but once I had a solid understanding I started traveling down my own branch of the path as well. All the best to you. I hope your journey takes you interesting places and brings you much peace and joy.

Hmmm.. Well, I don't do magick, or any energy work, actually.

I've been working on it for a number of years, but nothing ever happens. lol. I'm ok with being a non-Force sensitive Jedi.

I've written my own book of shadows filled with information about herbs, incense, crystals, rituals, blessings, wood properties(for wands/staves), reiki, runes....it's currently 36 pages...

Left out is anything pertaining to deities as I don't see anyone or anything as superior or inferior to me...

Connor L. wrote: I've been working on it for a number of years, but nothing ever happens. lol. I'm ok with being a non-Force sensitive Jedi.

Well, certain forms of magic(k) don't require a noticeable connection to the Force or even belief to be effective. For some people, magic is primarily an exercise in learning to control (or map) the mind, working with psychological archetypes, or creating a link to the subconscious that allows more direct communication with parts of the brain that may be tougher to access via typical means. Magic can also be a creative outlet or a simple way to identify goals and clear pathways toward them.

When I first started practicing magic, I had very little connection or sensitivity to the Force. It wasn't until many years later that I found myself engaging with specific forms of magic that were compatible with the way I feel/think and this sensitivity became apparent. So maybe you haven't yet found magical techniques or philosophies that mesh well with who you are and how you see the universe?

RyuJin wrote: Left out is anything pertaining to deities as I don't see anyone or anything as superior or inferior to me...

Continuing with the idea that I suggested above, you could choose to see deities as projections of the Self - or as direct lines to parts of your mind that are generally inaccessible. I have worked with deities and created servitors in the past that were obviously representative of aspects of myself (psychological projections), and this process of interaction and intention in action can be used to your advantage if you don't see it as profane or intrinsically damaging.

I do tarot with a deck I'm really connected with although I haven't for some time. I've also done general energy/image readings on people when requested but I haven't done that for even longer lol. Mostly because it's an odd subject to bring up.... Seems like I only have myself to work with lately and my deck likes to tell me that I already know the answer It's much more forthcoming when reading for others.

I'm still doing more reading into Shamanism (thanks again Arcade!!) but I've adopted the general principles and done journeys for myself and once for another (I think what I’ve been reading is mostly neo-shamanism??? I’m not sure the exact name). Most of the time with absolutely fascinating results and sometimes very frustrating (I don't like hearing that my problems are my fault ) But the more I work with this, the more attached to the world and even more attached to animals and their spirits than I was before.

I've seen/sensed/smelled/spoken with ghosts/spirits since I was very young. Most of them were family or family friends and even personal protectors who weren’t human. Once I figure out what was going on I knew there was nothing to be afraid of.

I've worked with energy. Reclaiming my own, ridding myself of others', moving stagnant energy, claiming/clearing space. The last bit I've been doing quite a bit with the new house. And when I started moving things around, something doesn’t like it so I've been fighting it. I've never had direct confrontation before. The only thing I know about this is it’s a being that feeds on fear, seems to do everything it can to incite fear (including influencing dreams). And being someone who’s fearful to begin with, I’ve had to call in help which has also been very interesting.

I haven’t done a lot of research into them but I love the energy of stones. While I was deployed last, a friend sent me a medicine bag with some semi-precious stones (and a print-out of their meaning) and I’ve been carrying it around ever since. I’ve added a few meaningful things to it too. I also picked up a few small stones when I was at my last base just before I left from a new age shop. An uncut quartz crystal piece that I felt nearly vibrated in my hand, and a small, round yellowish stone that when looked at with the right angle of light, holds tiny brilliant flashes of light and a miniature rainbow (caught my eye out of a whole basket of stones). The store owner told me what it was but I can’t for the life of me remember what it is. But she told me it’s used to help contact spirits (how perfect!)

I also want to get into more incense work. I love the way smells can make me feel and I want to ultimately make some of my own stuff. Once finances settle down I want to order a white sage plant and some lavender. I had some seeds growing before I left but they didn’t survive the trip

Kamizu wrote: (I think what I’ve been reading is mostly neo-shamanism??? I’m not sure the exact name).

There are some that speak of this as "plastic shamanism" in a derogatory sense. I don't have a dog in that fight, as I see shamanic animism being roughly the same across all cultures, even if it isn't across all times, but I do understand why workers of the older ways could be upset by it, and I do feel a stronger connection/power comes from the more ancient paths.

Kamizu wrote: I've never had direct confrontation before.

Ping me on Facebook or something.

Kamizu wrote: I haven’t done a lot of research into them but I love the energy of stones.

Kamizu wrote: I also want to get into more incense work.

They are fantastic. Remind me and I'll send you a something.

steamboat28 wrote:

Kamizu wrote: (I think what I’ve been reading is mostly neo-shamanism??? I’m not sure the exact name).

There are some that speak of this as "plastic shamanism" in a derogatory sense. I don't have a dog in that fight, as I see shamanic animism being roughly the same across all cultures, even if it isn't across all times, but I do understand why workers of the older ways could be upset by it, and I do feel a stronger connection/power comes from the more ancient paths.

I definitely want to do more studying on some older and various paths (any books you can recommend?). I was reading some things Arcade sent my way and I think maybe 'core' shamanism is more what I'm doing right now? (Maybe 'neo' is the slang? haha :huh: ) No idea :laugh: I'm just kind of floating my way down this river here. Figured I'd check out the branches as I come to them

steamboat28 wrote:

Kamizu wrote: I've never had direct confrontation before.

Ping me on Facebook or something.

Kamizu wrote: I haven’t done a lot of research into them but I love the energy of stones.

Kamizu wrote: I also want to get into more incense work.

They are fantastic. Remind me and I'll send you a something.

will do!

I already use the "aspects of subconscious self" approach in regards to deities...in regards to spirits...I have a rather lengthy post about my experiences buried somewhere in the forums...recently. (about 6years ago) I discovered I have a degree of control over things in that vein...

RyuJin wrote: I already use the "aspects of subconscious self" approach in regards to deities...in regards to spirits...

I hope it didn't seem like I was suggesting that you weren't aware of this process (or that you didn't utilize it) in my last post. I was speaking generally.

I would love to hear more about this if/when you feel up to it. You are welcome to PM me anytime.

Kamizu wrote: I definitely want to do more studying on some older and various paths (any books you can recommend?). I was reading some things Arcade sent my way and I think maybe 'core' shamanism is more what I'm doing right now? (Maybe 'neo' is the slang? haha :huh: ) No idea :laugh: I'm just kind of floating my way down this river here. Figured I'd check out the branches as I come to them

"Core" shamanism is specifically what I was referring to earlier, as a lot of people got suuuuuuper offended that these completely disparate cultures with disparate (though vaguely similar) concepts and ideologies all got their animism lumped in together with actual shamans (i.e., the Mongolian style, where the word originated), with their term being slapped across every kind of animism but Shinto. I don't disagree with Michael Harner's distillation of animistic technique and ritual in The Way of the Shaman, but any time you lump wildly different groups of people together, I get twitchy.

Also note that " plastic shamanism " is a term that denotes exploitation, either by the "shamans" themselves, or the teachers/authors/etc. they learn from. It's not an across-the-board slur, by any means, but it has broadened slightly to include ignorant "shamans"-- something core shamanism is good at creating if its adherents don't do a little extra homework.

Also also...

...it's worth noting that "shaman" is a title that isn't taken lightly, or bestowed upon oneself. There are a scad of things that make a shaman, and those of us who haven't experienced them should remember that what we do is simply "shamanic"; a step on the same path as they walk.

RyuJin wrote: I already use the "aspects of subconscious self" approach in regards to deities...in regards to spirits...I have a rather lengthy post about my experiences buried somewhere in the forums...recently. (about 6years ago) I discovered I have a degree of control over things in that vein...

I'm always interested in other peoples' conception of deity, since my particular path has brought me a really, really weird mismatch of concepts into my worldview.