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Shadow Work: When Darkness is Repressed

Any behaviors and traits we repress of unwanted pieces creates what psychologist Carl Jung called the personal shadow. The aspects we dismiss within will turn against us. Just give it time. The shadow will operate on its own without our full awareness. Sometimes we will say or do things we normally would not do, and later there might be regret.

Projections

Whatever qualities we deny in ourselves, we will see in others.

In psychology, this is called projection.

We project onto others anything we bury within ourselves.

Let's say someone is really mean to you, and it becomes very frustrating.

You understand the anger and behaviours being presented toward you as an individual.

Identifying these behaviours means that these qualities also exist within you or else the behaviours wouldn't bother you so much.

Psychotherapist Robert A. Johnson wrote:

                "Unless we do conscious work on it, the shadow is almost always projected; that is, it is neatly laid on someone or something else so we do not have to take responbility for it."

As Jung writes in Psychology and Alchemy:

                “There is no light without shadow and no psychic wholeness without imperfection.”

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Shadow Work – What is the Shadow?

The shadow is the darker aspects to our personality.

It is the negative emotions and impulses we experience. It is what we deny about ourselves and what we are truly capable of. Whatever is perceived as inferior or unacceptable will become a part of the shadow. Anything that does not agree with who we project ourselves out to be will dive into this dark, hidden side.

The personal shadow self represents the parts of us we no longer claim to be our own, including positive qualities we have dismissed.

The aspects of who we are and what is thrown away or simply dismissed do not go anywhere. We can deny these qualities for as long as we like to, but they still exist as part of our unconscious.

The unconscious is everything we are not conscious of. Examining and becoming aware of your personal shadow self is discovering what you as a person are actually capable of and accepting it for what it is. There is no way to destroy the shadow self because it is in part pieces to who we truly are on the inside. It stays with us and when any troubling situations happen the shadow is there.

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Toxic Spirituality II

No matter what group you are a part of, online or in real life. You will often find toxicity and opposing views.

From Clans, Covens, and Online Communities they are all often plagued by these behaviors.

Let’s get right into it…

The Bad Group Admins

Whether they are helpful and understanding, or Elitist jerks, they all can vary. They are often busy being spammed by all the types of people who are found on this list. And often have the same issues you do. Having people who participate and play nice can be amazing, but it can be a real bad day, when one of the kids don’t want to share juice boxes. Elitism can run rampant, forming cliques and very judgmental groups who use the ban hammer liberally to avoid dealing with facts. It is like opening a can of worms in a kindergarten class. Some kids want to peer in curiously, while other individuals will just eat the contents of the can, then lastly the rest will likely run away screaming.

The elitists who are in other positions of power always seem to include the questionable Coven Priest, Priestess, 15th generation witch, etcetera…

Their opinion must be respected by those around them because apparently the sun itself shines brightly out of their own ass and there is no questioning allowed, because they have a lifetime of experience and maybe even a blood line that has been practicing for a decade or two.

Same frame of mind goes for the long-standing practitioners.

Some share knowledge freely, while others do tend to scoff and sneer just a touch at people new to things. Like I know you have knowledge but take your holier than thou attitude to your boss and see how much he appreciates it.

Disappointments

Now Jimmy, come up here for show and tell, and tell the class about how you spent the last 6 months studying furiously into a subject hoping to get people to discuss it. Only to post the topic and await the chance to engage in intelligent and meaningful conversation…WRONG!

All you are often rewarded with is a few random likes, maybe even one from your grandmother stating, very clever dear; a smiley face, and perhaps a total random who simply laughs at the content. Not a care in the world.

Unreasonable Spell Seekers and Scam Sellers

Have you ever been messaged by a random person, and someone’s begging you to cast a spell to give them unlimited money, power, wealth, and women?

Between the people who post about those who charge money for this service, and the ones desperately seeking those services…Often fall short for fake trinkets and charm for 400 dollars each.

Most practitioners have probably heard every story and spell under the sun. Let’s not forget the shape shifter spells.

Spells.com is notorious for this. Where everyone can post and generally people will believe the idea that slathering yourself with salt and fish scales under a full moon will turn you into a mermaid.

Angsty teens looking for a way out of their lives because their parents took away their phone. So, they became a werewolf to rip their heads off. Oh yes… let’s give unstable teenagers claws and set them free… tide pod challenge ain’t got nothing on this.

The Ghosting Creditors

Oh, here is a nice legitimate source of information for a few students. They will learn and grow with their paths…

Again… No…

Not everyone will grow.

Some will simply take the information and leave, post the links claiming they solely found the source, or use articles and information you have given them saying they have SO many years of experience. They will Ghost you and copy your work.

This is often found out by citing basic information they already have and expanding into usually any other branch of it.

And having them say, I don’t have time for that, or yes, I know of it, and then they all end up arguing over something like spelling.

Spelling can matter between deities and spirits alike. More often than not… it’s not just a spelling mistake. It’s more like a whole other pantheon and belief system that do not overlap very well.

Strict Rules and Regulations

Gee whiz. Seems like everyone is offended these days. If it isn’t the right-hand path bashing the left-hand path it’s the other way around.

Morals and guidelines for how beliefs should be carried out and interpretation of texts varying in farfetched swings, Dogma being shoved down people’s throats. Does no one agree to disagree anymore? Nope. People have a tendency of wanting to be right and omnipotent in their views and ideas like they are the next messiah.

Karma is also a very often overused term in some places, much like the concept of Hell and all its wonderful threats.

Much like the people who claim energy attacks to start drama and get kicked for no specific reason.

Offended by breathing and existing in their space, punishable by being called a bad person, and kicked blocked, banned. Hmm, disagree well… no, we can’t have that. Actually, cited a proper source. See the above note on creditors.

If you know a fraction more on a subject than someone else… well then… be prepared to get a keyboard warrior army chasing after you for being mean and destroying a person’s confidence and persecuting their beliefs. Much like the anti-vax squad. Yes, every community has those. Even the ones who claim enlightenment.

Drama Llamas

These people will go out of their way to gather information, or sometimes they don’t even go that far. They see a label such as Left-hand path, or even vampire. Kick and scream that they are being attacked. Or feel hunted and get people banned because they throw off the group vibe.

Some don’t give you that courtesy, they will Direct message you and have actual conversations regarding a topic, get to know your understanding and use your DM’s and claim fault, or attack due to a disagreement, then smear your name all over the place like last night’s drinking game coming back after a breakfast burrito.

Role players and wannabes

Some people are superficial and follow the fads, for whatever psychological need they may have, whether its claiming to be a wolf that howls at the moon or some star seed or God who is trapped in a vessel. Some will take things too far trying to throw their non-existent power around like a rock in a glass house.

Don’t let your crappy life impact others happiness and paths. Pretending to be something else will not get you very far into the game known as life. Look, even if your soul identifies as non-human, it won’t help you much here. The laundry will still be there tomorrow. Grocery shopping and doctor’s appointments will still be needed, and these claims won’t help in our daily lives because we are all here living the human experience.

Not all of it is bad

Some people can have a stimulating well researched baseline with their facts and are eager to learn. To be humane and accepting of new knowledge and even make friends within the community. They can be hard to discern, because everyone has jobs, lives, and general chaos that they must deal with at any given time. Toxicity is rife in all areas. But I suppose our approach to the part of our lives that are difficult, makes people grow.

Purpose, ambition, and understanding. Anything you believe can be achieved within reason.

Relationships require work, skills require honing. Research must be undertaken with careful planning and notes. Or what you are left with may be just a messy desk full of paper everywhere and no idea if that is a book, or an ashtray.

Knowing when to walk away, when to not give the miserable ones with nothing to do ammunition.

Recognizing facts and truths and having patience with those that are genuine and willing to learn. There is a lot to learn from the occult community. From any community.

What is said here is similar in its behavioral structures in so many other facets of life.

I suppose I can finish by saying, Opinions are like ass holes, everyone has one.

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What is Toxic Spirituality?

Spirituality is the practice of getting to know yourself better on a deeper level and learning about the world around you.

While this can provide physical, mental, and emotional health benefits, it can also take a turn for the worse. Sometimes spirituality can push harmful messages, toxic positivity, judgment, gaslighting, and cultish behavior.

Nine Toxic Spirituality Habits

1.   Spiritual Bypassing and Toxic Positivity

Spiritual bypassing is when you use spiritual concepts to avoid certain emotions or situations in your life. 

Toxic positivity is when you believe you need to be always positive to gain proper manifestation of your desires.

Suppressing emotions can lead to a buildup of unprocessed thoughts dependent on circumstances, and eventually you will mentally implode.

2.   Spiritual Narcissism

Spiritual narcissism is the belief that your spirituality makes you better than others. It’s the Us vs. Them mentality.  

The stronger your ego identifies with a specific belief the more difficult it will be to see any issues.

3.   Idolizing Spiritual Teachers 

The best teachers are the ones that help connect you to your inner self. Their goal is to act as a guide more so rather than be the ultimate truth. 

The trouble idolizing spiritual mentors is that there will be a point you’re going to disagree, and it will cause cognitive dissonance if you see them for more than they are.

4.   Superstitions and Attachment 

If you heavily rely on spiritual practices, items, and rituals to exist in the world and become solely dependent about superstitious beliefs linked to any of them, you are diminishing yourself.

You don’t need crystals to protect yourself.

You don’t need the wand to draw energy.

You don’t need the cauldron to burn incense or make potions. Although, even I can admit having one makes things more interesting.

5.   Hyper Discipline

I see this a lot. There are those that talk about the importance of discipline in spirituality. Likewise, I see others talk up the importance of flexibility.

Spirituality is a personal experience. If disciplined daily practices or rigid rituals work for you, then great, but if it feels forced reconsider things.

6.   Lack of Discernment

Not every spiritual practice will be right for you. Not everything will resonate. Not every metaphysical concept will ring truth. That’s good. It’s healthy to ask questions and think for yourself.

If you accept without question, you’re allowing yourself to be programmed by external forces becoming conditioned.

7.   Clinging to Truth

What’s true for you may not be true for someone else, and what was true for you last year may no longer be true for you today. 

Our beliefs can change over time as we learn and experience different facets to spirituality. Fighting for the word of truth or standing behind a specific religion promoting acts of war is an act of blasphemy. In that regard, belief and religious culture do not always coincide.

8.   Emotional Hypochondria

It’s possible to become attached to your own healing, making you feel the need to become a better, and better version of yourself.

Always overanalyzing everything will lead to an emotional burnout, and you will be hyper aware of every single feeling.  You will become self-depreciating, and you will be running in a circle like a silly hamster in its wheel going nowhere.

9.   Manic Manifesting

Shut up about manifestation.  I’m tired. It’s everywhere.  Constantly visualizing your desires, parroting affirmations, and trying to control every single frequency makes it feel manic.

Thinking on what you don’t have will make you see less of what you do have, and it is like beating yourself up mentally every day for those things you do not have.

Thinking on it without action is an obsession. The secret was a fun concept for a book, but unless you put it into actual action. There will be no change, Laws of physics, every action has a reaction. Because thinking is more like potential energy, but that still needs an activator. No one is going to miraculously fix things for you. You can do worksheets on what you want every day for the rest of your life, but at the end of your life you will have nothing you want except a pile of worksheets with your hopes and dreams that never happened.        

Diminishing Toxic Spirituality

If you’ve been participating in toxic spirituality, own it and grow from it. Be mindful of your intentions, ask questions, and navigate your experiences.

When something isn’t working you will know it, when you realize that something is wrong, it may have already set you back. When something keeps replaying in your mind, maybe that’s an area to work on. Or delve deeper, but with an analytical mind, rather than one that accepts everything. It’s like eating at a buffet. You can see the chicken is green, you can smell its rancid. But the person with you says it’s good. Are you going to take that at face value and trust them, or make your own choice?

Correct motivations for spirituality, belonging to a group is great. They help people feel connected, and it gives joy to be able to connect. While it is not for everyone, some people see the appeal in it, but as a result can become absorbed into the group and lose their individuality. Their need to be accepted can drive them to poor decision making, at the expense of their autonomy due to peer pressure.

Some go into practice to fuel their ego or have something unique and quirky to talk about. If it’s a fad, it probably isn’t the best idea. If you must run around yelling to your bullies at school, I'm a witch I will curse you. That is likely not the right reason to delve into a spiritual journey. While it may be doing it for your own sense of internal control over an aspect of your life, the journey becomes more about what you have against others, rather than delving within yourself and finding yourself.

Money, Power, Quick fixes. Spirituality and religions offer seemingly quick results with fake promises. Love spells, Churches, Community support. While in theory sounds too good to believe. Often the promises made by various people, groups, and sectors of religion can be very appealing; at times it is used for the profit of the people providing the services.

You would be surprised how many people offer snake oil, or a djinn in a ring for money. To give you all you want. If you are looking for your life to magically be alright, please remember this isn’t a modern fairytale.

Happy endings happen in movies because they can’t fit it all into an 80-minute run. There's character development, there’s ups downs, trials and moments of success and happiness. Without those moments, we don’t really discover who we are. We are more of a hollow once off character in a movie playing a role. We do not find us; we do not create... an Us in such a short time.

It’s best to be yourself, and not part of some collective.

The spiritual journey is yours so do it for yourself.

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Gotta love the scams.

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Offerings

Often provided in exchange for asking the spirits to assist the practitioner or/and to show appreciation and veneration.

The kinds of offerings that are provided may differ from culture to culture and the types of spirits.

Offerings are typically left on the altar for 1 to 2 days, then discarded.

If you have pets that can reach the altar, it is safer to keep the offering in a sealed container to prevent them from stealing or consuming the offering which may not be safe.

Types of Offerings

Items – Jewelry, Weapons, Dice, Keys, Statues, Crystals, etcetera which you dedicate to the spirit, and then either wear/use in their honor, or break in this world so it goes to them.

Perishables – Food and Drinks which you give to them from your kitchen, either to lay out on the altar, or at a time/location that is sacred to them.

Intangibles – Art, Writings, Prayers, and Songs. Sometimes Physical or Mental Self-Developments, or a specific piece of work you create that is specifically dedicated for them.

Some spirits will allow an offering to be consumed by you the practitioner in their honor, and some will even allow it during invocation or evocation where both parties may share the experiences. Once your offering has been made, the spiritual essences of what you offered will be consumed.

After consumption perishables shall be poured outside or thrown away.

For non-perishables, the items can be worn or used, or simply left to sit on the altar.

If you ever wish to re-purpose or replace an item, it is necessary to disconnect it from that spirit with a cleansing method of your choosing beforehand.

For the more experienced practitioners there are other types of offerings and agreements I don’t see many people talk about. I will try to discuss those types now.

Bodily Fluids –Saliva, blood, tears, etcetera can be given to an entity you fully trust. It can also be used to seal, bind, or strengthen rituals including curses and hex workings.

Energy Contracts – When business deals or agreements are made between you and a spirit, you invoke a contract between parties. It takes your energy to communicate toward the other world, and to receive information. It’s a give and take dynamic for everyone involved, even the spirits.

Energy Bindings – This is a more unique exchange of energies. The practitioner would bind their energies or pledge themselves to the spirit in question. This can be done in several different ways. The one that is the most common is taking a pledge of loyalty to a deity for the duration of the practitioner’s life or beyond that.

Astral Dreaming Gestures – For practitioners that can dream walk and are aware of their surroundings or for those of you who channel energies oftentimes messages are being received and exchanged by the spirits being called upon. When one dreams, they discover themselves, and sometimes gestures are exchanged between you and the spirit.

 Hybrid Workings –Sometimes a combination of offerings take place depending on the ritual. To give a perspective, getting a tattoo to honor the spirit is a contract sealed away within the flesh of the practitioner. It’s an energy contract and binding offering using blood and flesh pledging yourself and your alliances to the spirit in question or/and what they symbolically stand for.

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Spirit Work Book Recommendations

Someone asked me for resources, here they are, but while I don’t completely agree with everything a book, or online resources have for information to offer, I do recommend these books and websites for a read through so that one can become more familiar with spirit work and how it might help you along the way of your own pathworking and journey.

Books

Spirit Conjuring for Witches: Magical Evocation Simplified by Frater Barrabbas

The Witch's Book of Spirits by Devin Hunter

The Witch's Guide to the Paranormal: How to Investigate, Communicate, and Clear Spirits by J. Allen Cross

Dedicant, Devotee, Priest: A Pagan Guide to Divine Relationships by Stephanie Woodfield

Spirit Boards for Beginners: The History & Mystery of Talking to the Other Side by Alexandra Chauran

Medium: A Step-by-Step Guide to Communicating with the Spirit World by Konstanza Morning Star

Consorting with Spirits: Your Guide to Working with Invisible Allies by Jason G. Miller

A Spirit Work Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Streamlined Spirit Work by Naag Loki Shivanath  

Online Guides

How To Communicate With Spirits & Ghosts, According To A Witch (nylon.com)

How to begin spirit work | Hart & Horn (hartandhornstore.com)

Spirit Work (crowsbone)

Deity Work: Everything you need to know to begin working with the spirits | by Angel Alexander (Kali Moon)

Hello From the Other Side: A Spiritual Medium Reveals How To Communicate With Spirits and Ghosts | Well+Good

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Demon or Deity? Deciphering Spirits

How to Confirm That You’re Talking to a God or Goddess

You can thank St. Augustine of Hippo for this. In the early 5th century, he wrote a theological essay against Paganism titled, “On the Divination of Demons.”

St. Augustine’s mother was Christian, and his father was Pagan. He understood both sides. He wrote many philosophical arguments for Christianity, his largest being The City of God.

In "On the Divination of Demons," Augustine fought back against an Oracle predicting the invasion of Serapis's temple. He argued that demons spoke to this Oracle. He argued that All Pagan Gods are Demons in disguise. He ridiculed fortune tellers and future predictions comparing them to the circus.

Do the arguments hold some sort of validity?

While Spirits can impersonate Deities this guy can now be pushed away from the conversation.

I’ll ask that question again.

Can Spirits Impersonate Deities?

The short answer is Yes.

The long answer depends on your experience level and knowledge.

If you are not used to the deity’s signs and how they communicate or you do not know which red flags to look out for, you are prone to deceit.

Red Flags

Messages drastically change.

For example, recently you received a sign from the Goddess Hekate. She wants to work with you.

The next week, another message tells you that She does not like you. Deities rarely change their mind without good reason. Double-check the divination.

People do everything for you.  

Deities do not need to go through others to speak to you. Even if you cannot hear Them directly, deities can contact you in different ways. If someone else does a reading that sounds completely different, question it. Especially if it’s random and not requested. Do not use other people to translate things for you all the time. Spiritual journeys are personal. They are meant for you, and a lot of people get hurt this way. Other individuals love taking advantage of people using them for their own motives. Just be careful out there.

Overly negative or apocalyptic.

I've heard an unfortunate amount of people claim that the world was going to end after contacting their spirits. Why would they let go of any worshippers telling them that? Why would they give someone a sense that they are the chosen one? Question that. No one is special. We are all here for the human experience. Try dealing with that first even if you don’t want to.

The entity is trying to force you into things.

You do not need to answer spirits. A deity could ask you to worship Them. You can also say no. With years of experience, I have never heard of a deity punishing someone for not working with Them. If a message sounds like a threat, then question everything, and it’s probably best to ignore it.

How to Guarantee That You’re Speaking to a Deity

Ask the same question several times.

Use your preferred divination technique writing down all the answers to your questions. After one day has passed, repeat the same method rephrasing the questions asking the spirit again. Sometimes there are inconsistencies. Question what feels right and what does not.

Thoughts belong to whom?

Are the thoughts yours or are the thoughts external from you? Sometimes strong emotions are mistaken for spiritual signs. It’s easy to get caught up in your own head and let it take over hijacking the metaphysical exercise. Always question this. Did you anticipate a specific answer? This can also lead to derailment. It doesn’t hurt to ask again to gain confirmation. Before contacting your deity, stabilize your emotional state.

Gathering valuable resources.

Contrary to what I just said you can seek outside opinions for valuable resources. Become familiar with the deity’s information beforehand and ask about other peoples’ experiences. Just don’t let people take over the work or tell you how to think. Try to do the work yourself. Research is key.

Different techniques for you.

Try a different form of divination to see if the answers are around the same or greatly vary. This won’t hurt and it will help you learn more. Trust your instincts in spirit work. It’s okay to question things.

Protection orders.

If there is constant anxiety and worry, then do yourself the favor and put-up protection wards before spiritual communications begin. It will give you some peace of mind and it doesn’t hurt anything at all.

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Spirit Work II

Spiritual Imposters

Before committing yourself to a deity or spirit one must communicate by learning about the entity in question, making certain they are who they say they are. Discovery of a spirit you thought you were working with is something else that leaves one feeling betrayed, upset, and oftentimes empty. Knowing the signs can really help discern things.

Mental Sock Puppets

A mental sock puppet is the result of talking to yourself and concluding self-talks as something else. The ego talks, you listen to yourself. Not a spirit. Or you establish contact but are incredibly biased hearing your thoughts. Not theirs.

It acts in accordance to your expectations.

You received no new information.

It’s only as knowledgeable as you are.

It only abides by your will. No one else.

It gives no signs unless you’re looking for them.

These are easy to get rid of if you identify the problem, recognize the problem, and let the narrative and ego go. No one needs to hear it. No one wants too either. You only end up hurting yourself and other people if things get too out of hand.

Lying Spirits

Some spirits are opportunists. They can portray an illusion pretending to be someone they’re not in order to gain loyalty and trust. They can take the form of a deity, guide, companion, or anything else that you would be most receptive to. This is why it’s good to know the basics to energy work and magick. Remember to learn different energies and how they feel to you. Remember to analyze the situation, yourself, the spirit, the environment, and working before proceeding forward. A lot of these malevolent entities like to feed off you or cause more drama that’s not necessarily needed.

Spirit Work and Continued Relationships

Veneration and Practice

This is about worshipping the deities or spirits you work with and highly depends on your practices and influences you choose to use and construct.

Most times there will be an altar setup or shrine dedicated to these spirits. Offerings of food, drink, incense, and trinkets would be a way of showing your dedication and interests of the spirits. There are other forms of interaction I have seen before.

Connection through art, music, nature, and meditation are just some of these other mediums. You don’t have to make this complex, and sometimes people have busy schedules making veneration hard to come by.

Try to keep things simple and remember it’s always okay to take a break due to circumstances. Spirits understand life comes first.

Patrons and Matrons

A Patron and Matron are deities that a devotee has a connection to. Its beyond standard devotional relations and is the main contact point for guidance and protection. It’s important to recognize that these types of relationships are built. They are not assigned.

Wicca is known for the patron and matron concept where duo theistic practices entail encouraging practitioners to seek out two divinities. The patron and matron would represent the divine masculine and divine feminine.

This is not a requirement in most practices, but in Wicca it is recognized in many circles.

Fallow Times

There are times where communication between you and the spirits can be difficult, and that’s okay. It happens with everyone. It doesn’t mean a spirit has left or that you’ve lost your ability to communicate. This feeling is temporary, and it’s a reminder that whenever this does happen, you need to take care of yourself first. Get the rest you deserve and try again later. Remember, this is normal due to circumstances – including stress, environmental factors, and any sort of disturbances one may have.

Oaths and Vows

There are many reasons why an individual would take an oath and vow. That’s between the practitioner and the spirit. This promise can come about for many different reasons, and even sometimes at the request of the spirit. However, this isn’t required if you are just working with them. It doesn’t mean control or status either. You can’t parade this around to get your way in certain situations. It doesn’t look good or help. Be aware of that. Remember why you did this, and what does it mean for you. That’s the most important part.

Displeasing Spirits

Those that are new to Spirit Work sometimes worry about displeasing the spirits. Repeat after me, deities and spirits who choose to work with you won’t get mad at you for being a human.

They will know there will be shortcomings, quirks, and variations.

You have NO obligation to listen to ANY person on this subject otherwise.

IF you do upset a spirit or make it angry question yourself as to why. Remember, communication is the key, and sometimes frictions can happen.

IF the behavior seems off and out of place, you may be dealing with an imposter. Check your sources and confirmation methods before determining the circumstances.

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Spirit Work

Working with spirits was popularized and developed in the 1840’s to the 1920’s. Spirit work has also been known as “Necromancy.”

The term necromancy as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

1: Conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events

2: MAGIC, SORCERY

Some may define that any working, communication, or magic involving the dead (and therefore spirits) is a form of necromancy.

By necromancy, I don’t mean to physically raise the dead. If that was truly possible, then I believe there would be a lot of skeletons and rotting corpses lurking around.

A spirit is a being that does not exist in our physical world. Many spirits can project messages into our world, but they cannot manifest into a solid, physical form here. Most spirits will reside within the astral – which is a separate dimensional plane from our own.

When someone works with spirits it is called spirit work and can take many different forms. Some people want to learn, and keep it strictly business, while others want to be friends or even more in some scenarios.

Deities, Spirits, or Ghosts

Deities are spirits who are seen as divine. They draw their powers from faith and being worshipped in a particular religion.

Spirits generally are entities with many other subcategories, but they tend to draw their powers essentially from the elements of nature and from peoples’ beliefs.

Ghosts were once humans or animals who have died and sometimes, they can remain in our world.

Religion and Spirit Work

Lots of people use spirit work to become closer to their faith or desired path working.

Abrahamic religions use spirit work to commune with God. While there are other individuals who only commune with the Angels or even better, those that commune with the Demons.

Pagans, on the other hand, use spirit work to commune with the various deities and spirits alike. Some people are aligned to a sole practice of religion or single pathworking, while other people are not tied down to any particular practice.

Building Spiritual Connections

Everyone is different in their approach on building relationships. These relationships can be started by either you or the spirit. Some people keep things strictly as business while others build friendships. However, they should not be a direct replacement for mundane relationships, especially not romantic ones.

Remember that spirit work takes effort.

Do the research. Sharpen your mind. Trial and Error.

Don’t let people play translator. No one should be the dedicated “interpreter.” Sometimes it’s okay to use a third party, but do not make it a habit. People can lie. Your relationship is between you and the spirit.

You can say “No.” Spirits can be held accountable for their actions, and you don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.

Spirits can say “No.” Spirits are like people, and they aren’t playthings. They’re autonomous beings capable of making their own decisions.

Incompatibility. Sometimes a personality, method, and antics might not work very well with you. Recognize when it happens. This may mean taking a break or going separate ways.

Discernment

The process of discernment is interpreting and vetting metaphysical experiences. It helps you build what’s known as UPG or Unverified Personal Gnosis.

UPG is your direct experiences with a spirit or deity. If someone else has the same UPG as you they got all by themselves without help, then that UPG can be considered SPG, or Shared Personal Gnosis.

Your experiences don’t have to match other people’s.

Don’t tailor your UPG to match others. Many people fall into this trap simply because they want to belong to a community or be recognized by authority figures or in some cases both.

Spirit Communications And Synchronicities

When spirits try to get your attention, they will do it in a way you will understand.

They’ll show rather than tell who they are. However, some aren’t as forthcoming because names can give power.

Sometimes the spirits will gauge you and wait for you to come to your own conclusions before giving away their name.

Sometimes the spirits will want to know more about you before giving away their name. Sometimes the give and take relationship must be further established before names are given.

For example, we had consistent communications with a certain Fae entity that did not give away any maliciousness, but at first, they failed to give a proper name. Instead of turning this spirit away we both decided to ask for the Fae to give a name we can call it, until trust could be further established.

The name they gave us was Charles the fox. So, we called him that, but we didn’t believe him to be a simple, ordinary fox. He’s a Fae after all, and it took us roughly one year or so for him to give us his names. Even now, I had to ask permission for this to be included within the writing itself.

… And people tend to forget that sometimes spirits are like this.

…And then there are those ones that aren’t forthcoming about showing much of anything at all because they probably may be imposters – and have malevolent intentions.

One half of this tricky puzzle includes examination of coincidences being too much of an experience to be just coincidences.

Omens

Omens are a sign that appears in the physical world, and they can be good or bad omens. Most often, omens will directly relate to the spirit’s associations. Omens tend to be “gut feeling” experiences and not every unique thing you see may be one. When you’re unsure about a spirit making contact, you can ask for signs. Don’t look everywhere for a sign, though. Not everything is.

Dreams

Spirits can send messages through dreams, and it’s up to you to determine whether a dream is significant based on what happened and why. Analyze things from a logical and psychological manner before delving into spiritual territory. Record whatever makes the most sense to you and any repeating dreams as necessary.

The Astral

The Astral is whenever you are communing with a spirit by projecting and speaking with them. This requires Clairaudience or Claircognizance to be able to recognize and comprehend messages being received. Many people also need to make sure that the experience is not your imagination. Learning the differences from internal thoughts and external thoughts outside your own can be a challenge.

The astral is a dimensional plane that exists outside the physical world. The only way to communicate there is by learning how to project your consciousness.

There are many different dimensional planes, and an infinite number of places and people. One of the astral planes corresponds to earth, however it is hard to discern this. One would have to do research and examine other peoples’ experiences, coming to a well-rounded conclusion. 

Divination Methods

Divination is whenever you are communing with a spirit through methods of divination, such as pendulum, cartomancy, scrying, etc.

However, not all forms of divination are guaranteed results. Pendulums are swayed easily by subconscious influence. It’s important to have an open mind and factor in repetitive results as a sign.

Telepath Linking

Telepathy is whenever you are directing thoughts towards the spirit in question. This method can be difficult to achieve due to the mind and imagination wanting the results. Sometimes, desired results will redirect your mind to fill in the result most wanted versus actual spirit communications taking place.

Rule of Three

Repetition is key to the rule of three, as it is a measurement that can help you decipher potential signs from everyday mundane activities. Most signs will show up in different ways around the same time if a spirit is eager to meet you. If you aren’t sure, ask for more before making any solid conclusions.

Confirmation Bias

“This is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information that confirms or supports one’s prior personal beliefs or values.”

The more you work against this, the more authentic interactions will potentially be. Use different methods of discernment to help assist you. Don’t try to push things together, that just don’t stick and eventually fall apart.

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Divinations By Books

Chartomancy – paper divination using charts.

Dictiomancy – divination by dictionary.

Stichomancy – by books: line or lines of verse divination.

Stoicheomancy – specified elementary divination which is using specifically Homer’s works such as the Iliad, Odyssey, or the Aeneid, but it may also have been used to refer to the Bible, Quran or Virgil’s writings as well although this is up for debate.

This is a fun and easily customized method of divination. It’s divination through books.

Take ANY Book of Your Choice! Pick a Favorite.

Flip it open and point at a passage.

Type Up the Passage for Others to See!

What Does It Mean to You? What do you see and feel that could be significant in that passage to You?

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Photo Readings

Pictures are known to cause mental first impressions. At a glance, we have preconceived thoughts, which can be a bit biased at times. You must not do this when making an attempt and try instead to have a clear mind and focus to properly obtain a successful read.

Select a picture of a person, place, object, animal, or art. Pick something you have not seen before. Working with a photo you are not familiar with is often a better way to develop your skill sets. Look over the picture and write down things that are noticed or felt. Allow time if needed. Write down everything that is experienced!

•              Does the picture feel hot or cold?

Hot or Cold can give away clues and relate back to the energies attached to the photo in question. Is it positive or negative? If there are cold or hot spots in the photo, where are they located? This can also help determine if the place, person, object, or animal had any health concerns.

•              Do any initial thoughts or emotions come to mind?

Are there any positive or negative associations when looking over the picture in question. Is the place, person, object, or animal in question good or bad? What emotions do you experience and can determine during this reading?

•              Do any colors pop up? If so, where on the picture?

Colors can give away clues and relate back to the aura within the photo, and possibly the overall state of well-being in question. I suggest writing down any color if seen, where it is in the photo, and then further investigating what each color's metaphysical definition is.

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Clair-senses & Exercises

Clairvoyance: The ability to see the not so ordinary. Your intuition speaks directly to you in the form of sight. Images form in your mind or interpret information through pictures.

Clairaudience: The ability to hear or interpret information from spirits. Clairaudience is a way of receiving intuitive messages without using your physical ears but rather hearing messages within your mind.

Clairsentiency: The ability to sense the presence or absence of spiritual beings and feel energies.

Clairempathy / Psychic Empathy: The ability to feel another’s feelings as their own. This is different from regular empathy, which is the ability to identify with another’s feelings.

Claircognizance: The ability to just know things out of nowhere. It can tie into Precognition.

Precognition: The ability to know something is going to happen before it does, premonitions.

Clairtangency: The ability to assess metaphysical properties through touch.

Clairalience: The ability to perceive metaphysical smells.

Clairgustance: The ability to perceive the metaphysical through taste.

Artistic and Divine Inspiration: The Poets have given many names to the unprompted artistic impulses found in creatives. The Norse concept for this is oðr. The Welsh and Celtic concept for this is Awen. This is the act of receiving metaphysical or divine information through artistic impulses.

Exercises to Improve Your Clairvoyance Skills

Exercise 1

Sit quietly with your eyes open.

Focus on a still object in front of you.

In your mind, take note of the objects and furniture around you.

If you see shadows, sparks, or movement, keep focused on the item in front of you.

Sit for as long as you feel comfortable.

Make notes on what you saw and felt.

Exercise 2

Sit with your eyes closed.

Clear your mind and thoughts.

Once you feel your thoughts leave you after a comfortable amount of time, focus on your eyelids and that black canvas it is.

Imagine that blank canvas and focus your intentions while keeping an open mind.

Allow whatever images that come to mind to play out. Don’t try to make sense of it.

Document findings in a journal. 

Exercises to Improve Your Clairaudience Skills

Exercise 1

Go to a place where you are most comfortable.

Close your eyes, relax your body, and let hearing be your dominant sense.

Gently tune in to sounds that you don’t normally focus on.

Really pay attention to the layers of sounds and identify what each one is.

Document your findings in a journal or record yourself.

Exercise 2

Sit with your eyes closed.

Clear your mind and thoughts.

Once you feel your thoughts leave, focus on your eyelids and that black canvas it is.

Focus on the sounds around you and slowly try to tune them out.

Imagine an old radio with a frequency dial. Turn the dial through each station.

With an open mind take notice to any sounds chiming through. It’s okay if you hear nothing. Keep moving through each station. You won’t run out of them.

Put your intentions into each turn of the dial taking note of any sound. 

Document your findings in a journal.

Exercises to Improve Your Clairsentiency Skills

Exercise 1

Get more familiar with your energies by touching how your hands, feet, eyes, etcetera feel.

Learn how the environment feels around you rather it be the city or rural areas.

Learn how animals and plants feel from one to the next. Not everything is the same. Become aware of that. Every plant has its own pattern past the base patterns. Every animal has different markings apart from the next. Identify those traits.

Once that is learnt and recognized. Learn to feel the airs around you in different regions if one is able to do so.

Exercise 2

Visit different haunted facilities observing all the key details.

Take note of the atmosphere. How does it feel?

Take note of the emotions you feel during a tour.

Take note of the temperatures surrounding you.

Take note of any odd experiences and the people with you.

Exercise 3

Meditate with a specific spirit.

Take in the surroundings before starting.

Consider your moods beforehand. Noting them down.

Focus on the intentions for communication.

How do you feel during the meditation? What about after?

Did anything in the environment change?

Did temperatures in the environment change?

Did you feel hot or cold?

Did you feel any movements outside yourself?

Document your findings.

Exercise to Improve Your Clairempathy Skills

Ask someone you know to show you a picture of somebody they know very well, but you’ve never met at all.

Look at the picture and feel into it by observing all aspects. Focus on how this person was feeling when the picture was taken.

Ask yourself what kind of person this individual is.

Share your findings with your friend.

Now, ask your friend for feedback. How correct were you? Repeat this exercise as many times as you want with different people. Remember to keep a journal for any findings.

Exercises to Improve Your Claircognizance Skills

Exercise 1

Grab a pen and pull out your notebook. Before you start writing, ask yourself a question. What guidance do I need today? How can I find a resolution with a problem? How can I be helpful today?

Then set a timer for five to twenty minutes and write whatever comes to you. Don’t edit yourself. Express yourself fully and write whatever comes to you.

The more you do this exercise, the easier it will be.

Exercise 2

Meditate before bed falling asleep to a method of relaxation.

Clear your mind during this meditation pushing away any internal thoughts.

Focus your intention on an open mind and dreams. 

If a dream begins let it play out.

Upon waking write down your findings. Keep a dream journal taking note of anything that happens later in this world.

Compare and contrast experiences in this world versus your dreams.

Exercise 3

When topics are being discussed among individuals take note of things you know but have not studied or read about or heard about from any other source.

Document any experiences keeping notes on things if any. 

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Cleansing Methods for Magickal Items

Before using a magickal item it is suggested that you clear away any existing negativity and/or personal energies.

You never know who may have handled it. Most items will require a single cleansing before being ready to properly use.

However, some items may retain lingering unhelpful energies even after a cleansing method is performed.

Items inherited from another person who had it in their possession for an extended period, or items previously charged and used for specific purposes may be more difficult to cleanse.

If one application doesn’t do the trick, repeat the process. If that is still not sufficient, try a second method.

Please be mindful of closed practices when performing these techniques. Always check and research before choosing a cleansing method.

Remember to use logical means when determining which method would work the best for the situation.

Keep in mind, there are stones that can be damaged by submerging them in water.

Metals may be damaged by salt.

Lightly colored quartz, amethyst, and other stones may lose all or a portion of their color and energy when they are left in direct sunlight.

The least damaging methods of cleansing include direct moonlight, sound manipulation, and using your own personal energy.

Smoke Cleansing – This has been used for a long time. Smoke from dried herbs bundled together, candles, or incense are widely used today. Using the smoke pass it over and surround the item while focusing on sending any negative energy away allowing it to become neutralized. Incantations may be used in conjunction. Deities, Elementals, or other spirits may be called to assist if needed.

Water – Submerge or sprinkle water over items while focusing on your intent to cleanse the item of unwanted energies. Remember to be sure that the item can handle water. The best resources come from natural bodies of water including rainwater, creeks, rivers, and the ocean.

Sea Salt – Make certain that the salt will not be damaging beforehand, bury it in the salt and leave it for a few hours or a few days. This lets the salt absorb the unwanted energy.

Sunlight – Bathe the item under direct sunlight making certain there will be no damage warranted. Leave the item there allowing the solar energies to properly cleanse.

Moonlight – After sunset place the item under the moonlight. Bring it back in prior to sunrise allowing the lunar energies cleanse away any unwanted energies.

High Vibration Sounds – Try using your favorite music to turn up loud. When applicable use Tibetan Singing bowls, lead crystal bowls, gongs, drums, or tuning forks.

Pyramid Energy – Items can be placed under or inside charged pyramids meant for cleansing and protection returning the item to a neutral state.

Personal Energy – Use your own personal energy to cleanse items in question. This method is generally safe for every item. This can be intensive for some depending upon the quantity and quality of energies needing to be pushed away.

Charged Crystals – There are some crystals that can be used to strip away unwanted energies having the natural ability to do so. Amethyst crystals excel at this. Items may be placed on larger crystals or have smaller crystals set on or around the item to properly cleanse.

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Ways To Protect Yourself – Banish Negative Energies and Entities

Cleansing: This is mainly for weaker negative entities and energies. Do something you think will actually work for you and your situation. Keep it simple and use salt or smoke to cleanse your spaces. Simple protection spells also serve as a solution in these scenarios. Creating and tailoring your own spells will make things more effective and overall efficient.

Traps and Binds: There are many different ways to bind and trap spirits and entities depending on the culture things originate from. Many of these methods involve using specific symbols or objects.

Fire Rose Thorn Spell Jar

Ingredient List

  – Salt water - 1 part Sea salt to 8 parts of spring water.

  – 1 dried Rose 13 Rose Thorns

  – 1 Small Glass Jar + a tightly fitting lid

  – 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

  – 1 teaspoon honey

  – 5 hardware nails

Instructions

Put the Rose Thorns into the jar one at a time focusing on the intent desired; in this case driving negative entities and spirits away.

Crush up the Thorns in the jar.

Crush up the Rose petals and add them to the jar.

Slowly add the Saltwater.

Add the cinnamon powder, honey, and nails one by one.

Keep the jar open overnight.

The next morning before the sunrise close the lid.

Cover the jar with a cloth and dispose of it away from the house.

Holy Water

Christians use water that has been blessed by a church official. Wiccans use water blessed by their coven leader. Wet your fingers with the blessed water and run them along the thresholds for protection.

Banishing Rituals

Different rituals exist, but a simple way to perform a banishing ritual is to write down the problem on a piece of paper, being specific as possible. After deeply focusing on the problem written down on the piece of paper, burn it. Cleanse it with fire.

Objects of Protection

Herbs: Sage, Acacia, Angelica, Aloe, Amber, Bay leaf, Betel nut, Carnation, Lavender, Peat moss, Peony, Radish, and Yew.

Crystals: Agate, Amber, Calcite, Citrine, Jade, Jasper, Malachite, Moonstone, Onyx, Tiger’s eye, Tourmaline, Obsidian, and Topaz.

Counting Remedies

Many people feel that bad spirits must perform certain tasks when faced with them. One of these tasks is the activity of counting individual grains. 

Having a great many of them in one space and the inability to pick them up as they go, the spirit gets frustrated with having to start repeatedly and will soon leave your house.

Merely spill the grains of your choice in the haunted room, preferably the doorway every night and clean up in the morning. 

Black Salt

Ingredient List

  – 1 cup of Sea Salt

  – Ashes From Incense

  – 2 Crushed Eggshells

  – 2 teaspoons Black Pepper

  – 1 Bag or Jar

Instructions

Finely crush eggshells.

Add sea salt, ashes, and pepper blending them together.

Put contents into a jar or bag for safe keeping.

Sprinkle black salt upon the thresholds for protection.

Keep near the bed to ward away nightmares.

Witches Bells

Bells are hung from the door handle or near the thresholds to protect your home, and ward off harm, negativity, and bad spirits. Any type of bell will do. Some practitioners even have a collection of bells.

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Negative Energies and Attachments

People forget that energy is everything. It's the currency of life. Many of our workings and every day lives revolve around clearing out our own energy fields. We must do this in order to properly function and the most common type for all people is working through emotional trauma. We must also not forget to safeguard our family and homes. Of course, remember to analyze things first thinking of possible mundane solutions before diving into metaphysical explanations. The focus should be about ourselves first. You must help yourself and remember to regularly think about these main things whenever it comes to your energies and sacred spaces.

Attachments and Psychic Attacks can come from many different things including spirits, negative entities, negative thought forms, or projected intentions. This can all lead to imbalances and cause problems for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Key factors to look out for when dealing with negative situations include:

The Physical consisting of unexplained pain, scratches, bruises, body marks, feeling tired, and lethargy.

The Emotional consisting of unexplained extreme emotions or waves of depression, anger or fear.

The Mental consisting of destructive thoughts or impulses, poor concentration, external thoughts not belonging to your own, insomnia, and panic attacks.

The Spiritual consisting of negative dreams, inability to shift feelings of not being alone, feeling blocked or stagnant energies.

If these things are not acknowledged or properly taken care of you will begin to feel the side effects even more so where your own auric fields and protective shields are weakened by the negative energies. As a result, you will not be feeling like yourself and take damages.

Finding Your Stillness

It's encouraged to be aware of your own internal and external environments. Any form of self-care that promotes grounded mindfulness is ideal. This means that you as an individual should take time to yourself in order to properly center and ground. Meditation or binaural beats is the most common remedy for this however any way to achieve relaxation and peace of mind is highly suggested here.

Psychic Attacks

People carry huge emotions and at times negative energy can subconsciously manifest or be consciously harnessed. When emotions are manipulated or directed by malicious intent this can cause psychic attacks.

Spirits may also be tied or stuck to certain lands and objects that can influence us causing another variation of a psychic attack. Think of it like this. Are you renovating a new home or being disrespectful on sacred lands? What about buying antiques or secondhand goods? This will stir up any energies including old spirits that are linked to these places in question.

Maybe you're feeling off from your usual self with little to no reason or having bad dreams.

One of the most important aspects in this is trying not to retaliate. Fighting whatever the attack may be is not always the best course of action to take. What I mean with this is that fighting back or even gossiping about it means that you are accepting the attack and engaging in a trap of agreement. It's basically putting yourself further into a negative situation, and there can be consequences depending on the circumstances. Many need to remember that when it comes to casting magick and directing our energies we should always strive for the best possible outcome for any and all involved.

If you feel like you are experiencing psychic attack, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to calm down and try to seek out positivity. Healthy ways to solve the problem is to rise above the situation and this can be accomplished by visualizing prayers or performing a healthy ritual that involves self-care. With time and practice this will strengthen your own energetic boundaries and eventually the projections will no longer bother you as an individual.

If you wish to further utilize magickal protections, then there are a few different ways in order to achieve this.

Stones I typically recommend for personal protection include black tourmaline, black obsidian, and black kyanite. Energy cleansing works well here too, and cord cutting between yourself and any individual that you may have had a toxic situation with.

As long as you are mindful one may also try to perform visualization methods, spells, or rituals to Return to Sender. A very simple way to visualize this is to think of yourself gathering up the trash and taking it outside away from you and your home or to be a bit more literal taking a broom and sweeping away all the negative energies that surround you and your environment.

Another method is to try and create or use protection sigils, engraved candles, or written petitions. It's entirely up to you as an individual and whatever you think will help is the best possible choice for you. The more faith and confidence you have in something the better the results typically will be.

Attachments

Whenever an entity, spirit, or hyper dimensional being tries to latch onto us that is an attachment. Often these attachments are described as demonic, but that is not always the case. Not every spirit or entity is demonic. Don't let the word demonic scare you.

Transmission can occur whenever there are tears or holes in our auric fields and sometimes attachments can come from another person after crossing paths with each other.

These spirits are generally parasitic, and they come to feed off our energies after forming an attachment. This may cause unexplained aches and pains, fevers, feeling drained, or finding instability within our own emotions. Attachments can also manipulate our feelings and thoughts.

Unfortunately, attachments will stay with you until they are properly removed.

Cord cutting is highly recommended in order to sever the connection and establish your boundaries.

Scanning your energies and keeping in check with your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health is the key to success.

Actively feeding your needs and your shields is the solution we are looking for here.

Overall, protection from psychic attacks and attachments comes from being empowered within ourselves.

Keep in mind that entity removal one time does not make you immune to future attachments either because every situation will be different. This is why it's important to find stillness in your mind and your soul, and to know your own shadows. If you know your shadows and are actively working through them, then they are no longer your weaknesses. You will be better prepared for any situations where they may be used against you.

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Invocation And Evocation

Invocation and Evocation are English words that are often used interchangeably.

They are both derived from the Latin word, "vocare" which means to call forth.

Both words can deal with summoning interaction with non-human entities.

Yet, many people, especially those with knowledge of the occult, believe there are differences.

Evocation

With an evocation, a non-human entity is summoned, but is not linked to the caller. The entity remains in an outer area. The energy that is used to summon the entity is also believed to be derived from outside of the caller.

Invocation

With an invocation, the caller becomes a medium. The entity that she summons is meant to come forth within her. This person is generally believed to use inner resources or energies to allow this to happen.

When the process of invocation is successful and a non-human entity is acting through a person, a number of changes are believed to be possible. The person’s voice, for example, may be altered. Her physical appearance and demeanor may change.

Legal Terms

Law is another area where both of these words can have relevance and may be confused. In legal terms, an invocation involves summoning something from another case. This could be documents or physical evidence. An evocation involves transferring a case from a lower to higher court. If a case, for example, is removed from a district court and taken to a supreme court, it has been evoked.