|
Symbolic baneful actions are also cathartic actions. They drain and
clear our poisonous feelings and allow our own emotional healing to
begin. If we deny ourselves this outlet, what happens to the grief and
pain and rage?
I am part of the All. "An it harm none" is about me too. Release of my
feelings is my right.
At first it seems like an insoluble paradox. But the same understanding
of magic that forbids projection of our bad feelings can open a safe
channel for those feelings. Here's one possible form:
Preparation:
1/ Understanding
Think about the Alcoholics Anonymous prayer "Grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I
can, and the wisdom to know the difference." People of any religion can
recognize the wisdom in these words. This ritual is intended to ease
emotional pressure. I believe that is a step towards granting all three
of those things to ourselves. If your hurt is ongoing, take steps to
stop it...What good this Circle does you will be temporary at best if
you are not acting on both the magical and material planes...
Prevention and healing are human tasks; to do them is to change the
things we can change. Justice - the evening of karmic balances - is the
business of the Gods, and may take place across a span of many
lifetimes. Karmic balance is not a thing we can change.
2/ Set Up
* You have some decisions to make. 1: Whether you will work alone or
ask one or more trusted friends to witness and facilitate your working.
2. Nest, exactly what kind of symbolic action will release your
feelings? Will kicking a pillow suffice, or do you need to make a
poppet, or will screaming work? If you want to work with a physical
symbol, prepare it in advance. Do not use anything you will want to
keep after the rite or ever use again. 3: Figure out whether you can
cast a Circle to include your bathroom, or leave a cast Circle for a
period of time. If possible, have a warm scented tub waiting for you.
If not, a basin of warm scented water and a washcloth within easy reach
just outside your Circle will suffice. Also, a ritual meal, including
something green and growing, and something sweet, should be prepared and
waiting just outside the Circle.
3/ Procedure
Waning moon is a good time, and the Dark of the Moon is even better.
Cast the Circle and invoke the Watchers in your usual manner. Call on
the Crone, on She who weeds and prunes and disposes of the obstructive
and unnecessary.
Just inside the Circle, like a membrane in an eggshell, cast a grounding
shield. One possible image for this shield would be a black absorptive
chain link fence, supported at regular intervals by fence posts that are
lightning rods. Whatever happens within this space will be grounded.
Make clear to yourself what you wish to drain. Say it aloud, even if
you are alone. Recall what happened to you in detail and let the
feelings grow strong.
Now let go of your feelings. Do whatever will help you to release what
is in you. Beat on a pillow or rip up a doll. Scream till you cry.
Don't stop till you are emptied. Then fling the thing you used as a
symbol out of the Circle.
When you are sure you are all done, all drained, contract the shield
into a tight ball in the center of the Circle. As it contracts, it will
gather the negative energy from the Circle. Ground it. Affirm that you
are sending this energy to the fire at the heart of the Earth to be
purified in that blast furnace and cycled to wherever strong energy is
needed. Know that what you now let go is gone. Affirm this vocally.
Wash or bathe in ritual manner, feeling the last traces of your bad
feelings dissolve away. If others are present, allow them to wash and
serve you.
Rest for a few minutes. Feel the peace of emptiness.
Then invoke the Maiden's energy for new beginnings. Have the ritual
feast, and indulge your senses. Gentle and joyful music would be
effective, and you may wish to switch to a sweeter smelling incense.
This is a time to dream dreams and plan plans. You have removed an
energy drain from your life, and you can.......?
Thank and dismiss whatever Beings you have called on, throughout the
whole ritual. Close your Circle as usual. Do not do any other kinds of
working or worship within this particular Circle.
Follow Through:
The final part of any effective magical working is "acting in
accordance" on the material plane. By doing this we give the magic a
channel through which to manifest. For this working, there are three
forms of follow through, and all are important.
1/ Remember that painful feelings are partly habitual. Stop feeding the
habit. Don't talk about the pain with anybody until at least the second
full moon after the working. This gives the habit the chance to fade
out. Eliminate the topic from your internal dialogue as well.
Thinking about action to change your life is perfectly ok; the problem
is reiteration about the old feelings of frustration and helplessness
that impede change.
2/ If the hurtful situation is current and ongoing, continue with any
steps you were taking to change the things you can change. In fact, you
will probably find you have more energy than you did before to devote to
your projects.
3/ Be sure to use some of your newly freed emotional energy to reward
yourself. Take time for friendship, love, and pleasure. The object of
the exercise is to clear space for the enjoyment of life, so start right
now.
(by Judy Harrow, HPs, Proteus Coven)
Copyright remains with the original author
|