Visualisation Visualisation is one of the most important qualities needed to perform a successful spell or ritual. Visualisation and meditation enhance concentration. These 3 things are all necesarry skills to possess in witchcraft and are what we use to strengthen our personal power. Visualization can change negative thoughts into positive ones, make goals into reality, and bring about clarity of mind. These are the real powers of a witch. These are the skills we use when we encounter problems in daily life. How we strengthen our mind and body to enable ourselves to perform powerful rituals, and yes, even the occasional spell or 2. Sound too flaky or unimportant? Think of it this way then. When a witch performs a spell or ritual, it always has to have clear intent, How effective do you think one would be if we couldn't clearly visualise the purpose in our head? Not "WISH" for something or "IMAGINE" it, but actually see it .. . . . . . in perfect detail. We visualise the result of out intent as we want it to be, and because we know how to visualise, we can see it crystal clear. Visualisation is not having a foggy image or vague intent in your head, but something so clear and tangible you can almost touch it. It is the most basic yet advanced technique that is used in Witchcraft and magick. Without it we wouldn't be able to even cast a circle. Now that I've made the importance of it clear, the next logical step is to give you instructions on how to learn this important technique. The following are some very effective exercises from the book Wicca- A guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham. These can be used for practice and to enhance your visualization capabilities. Just like meditation, visualisation takes time to enhance. Everyone learns at their own pace, and it will come more easily to some than others. Don't set any preconceived notions of how fast you should be able to learn how to master these exercises. Take all the time you need and repeat each exercise until you are totally confident that you have mastered it. These exercises gradually increase in difficulty and may take a quite a while to learn depending on the indivdual. Be patient with yourself. If you begin to feel frustrated in doing any of these exercises , stop and try again later. Remember to follow the relaxation and breathing suggestions in the 1st exercise during all of them.
Exercises 1. Sit or lie comfortable with your eyes shut. Relax your body. Breathe deeply and still your mind. Pictures will continue to pop into your head. Choose one of these and stick with it. Let no other images intrude other than the one you have chosen. Keep all thoughts revolving around the image. Retain this picture for as long as you can, then let it go and end the exercise. When you can retain one picture for more than a few minutes, move onto the next exercise. 2. Decide upon an image to hold and retain it within your mind. You might want to have it physically present so you can study it very closely first. Memorizing each detail, the way the shadows play on it, its textures, colours, perhaps even a scent. You could start with something simple first, like a plain jar or an orange, or more complex such as a jagged amethyst geode or a detailed picture. After studying it thoroughly, close your eyes and try to see the object with the exact clarity. Don't look at the object again with your physical eyes but with your powers of visualisation. When you can hold the image of a detailed object with perfect clarity in your mind for 5 minuets, move onto the next exercise. 3. Visualise something that you have never seen before. Make up a non-existent thing, anything!! Do this with your imagination and visualisation. For example, imagine what a piece of fruit would look like if it came from Jupiter. Perhaps a flower on Venus. Create a clear image of this object. Make it detailed, make it real. What colours does it have? How big is it? What shape is it? Remember that it is a real object in your mind. Turn it over in your mind so you can see it from all angles. Then let it vanish. When you can create and hold these non existent objects clearly in your mind for 5 minuets, move onto the next exercise. 4. This is the last and most difficult exercise. Hold a self-created image (like the one from last exercise) in your mind with your eyes open. Work at keeping it visible, real a palpable thing. Stare at a wall, look at the sky, or gaze at a busy street, but see the image there. Make it so real you can touch it. Try having it rest on a table or sitting on the grass beneath a tree. If we're to use visualization to create changes in the world, not the shadowery realm that exists behind our eyelids, we must practice such techniques with our eyes open.The true test of visualization lies in our ability to make the visualized object real and a part of our world. Once you have mastered these exercises you will see the power it carries, and how important a tool visualization is to witchcraft.