How submitting and letting go of control can deepen your experiences and magical work.
Take classes at Magical Experiments University: https://magical-experiments.teachable.com/
Become my patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
Get free books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Picture courtesy of pexels
Sigil walking is a technique I’ve developed based off Bua Gua, which is a martial arts moving meditation of circle walking. I recently had the opportunity to learn the basics of Bua Gua and it occurred to me that the principles of circle walking could be applied to charging and firing sigils for practical magic, or for invoking and working with a spirit. It is suggested that for you to get the possible use out of this technique, you should make yourself familiar with some type of walking meditation that moves the energy.
In Bua Gua, when you walk, you are pushing your internal energy to the Earth to connect with the Earth energy and then bringing that energy back up through your body and connecting it with the Stellar energy. Or at least that’s my experience when I do the walking. Since you are raising energy in this way, it occurred to me that you could also direct that energy accordingly, either for a practical magical working, or as a way to connect with a spirit.
To do this technique, first you need to come up with the sigil that you’ll walk. If you’re working with a spirit, then you would walk it’s sigil. If you’re creating a practical magic working, then you’ll create the sigil. For my initial experiment with this process, I created a sigil using the classic chaos magic approach of taking a statement of intent and getting rid of the repeating letters. I then got rid of the consonants, which left me with two vowels, which allowed me to create a simple shape to walk. I would suggest, at least initially, keeping your sigils simple to make the sigil walk easy, because you want to memorize the pattern you are going to walk. A complicated pattern will be harder to remember, whereas an easy pattern to remember will allow you to focus on the actual process.
The basic walk that I’m doing is only using three hand positions, and is mostly just straight line walking, which works well for this process. I would imagine that a more developed version of the walk could be applied to this technique, but I’m presenting this based on my experience and what I know.
I start the sigil walk with my palms pointing to the ground. I walk the pattern once that way, and the focus is on accumulating the energy that will be used to charge and fire the sigil. The next time I walk the pattern, I raise my hands to my chest, with the palms facing inward, like I’m carrying a ball. At this point I’m charging the sigil as I walk. The third time I walk the sigil, my hands and arms are raised to my left and right, with palms facing upward. At this point I am firing the sigil.
You don’t have to limit your walk to three repetitions. Instead you can walk it as many times as you want and do whatever hand position feels appropriate. You should do the sigil walking until you no longer think about the sigil, but instead of achieved a state of blank mind, where you are just doing the walk and letting the sigil go.
If you do this process to invoke a spirit, you would still walk the sigil pattern of the spirit, but instead the focus would be on achieving communion with the spirit. You’ll use the same hand positions, but when you raise your hands to the heavens, you’re welcoming the spirit and inviting it to walk and talk with you in sacred communion. You will walk the sigil pattern of the spirit for as long as you are in communion with it. I’ve done this process with the archangel Suvuviel.
As I continue to learn more about Bua Gua, this technique will undoubtedly be refined. I have shared more about this technique in my ultimate sigil magic course if you want to learn more.
I discuss the importance of curiosity in the path of the magician and why curiosity must be cultivated in your life.
Get free e-books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Learn magic at Magical Experiments University: https://magical-experiments.teachable.com/
Become my patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
In a recent blog post I shared how my relationship with the spirits has evolved over time into a symbiotic relationship. Part of how that relationship has come about has involved taking an approach to spirit work which goes against what you typically find in western ceremonial magic. In traditional evocation, for example, a person might summon a spirit, compel it to do specific actions with other spirits and then banish the spirit. This creates a relationship based on coercion of the spirits involved, and also attempts to separate out the spirit world from our world, creating a false division.
I’ve never found this approach to evocation to be workable, perhaps because I have a fundamental problem with the concept of coercing a spirit to do something. I’ve also never employed banishing techniques in my work with spirits, because of that false division it creates. Instead my approach to spirits is informed by my desire to have an ongoing, symbiotic, cooperative relationship with the spirits I work with. As such, I’ve always approached my spirit work with a perspective of how can we mutually achieve our desired goals and help each other.
I share tips and tricks to organize your magical projects and workings.
Get free e-books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Join Magical Experiments University: https://magical-experiments.teachable.com/
Become my Patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
Photo by Josh Marshall on Unsplash
My relationship with the spirits I’ve worked with has changed a lot in the 2.5 decades that I’ve been practicing magic and doubtlessly it’ll continue to change as I explore and deepen the relationships I have with the spirits. When I first started practicing magic, and connecting with spirits, the focus was on establishing a relationship and figuring out what being in a relationship with a given spirit entailed.
Later, I went through a period where I questioned my relationship with the spirits and whether they were even real. I wondered if the work I was doing was all in my head or if there was any real substance. Such doubts are good to entertain because it forces you to examine your work carefully and test and verify what you are doing.
I got through that period of time and I changed my approach to working with the spirits because of it. Instead of doing the standard western occult practices I began exploring and developing alternate approaches, because I realized that one of the most significant weaknesses of standard western practices is the focus on objectifying the spirits and keeping them at a distance, only to be called on when its convenient for you. That approach doesn’t allow for a genuine relationship because its all about control of the spirit.
The most significant change I made was to switch how I connected with spirits from a vision and linguistic oriented approach to an approach that is experiential based. The problem with visualization/linguistic approaches to spiritual work is that the focus is on making the spirit communicate with the person on terms that the person is comfortable with. the spirit appears in a form the person can make sense of and communicates in the native language of the person. It’s all very convenient for the person, but what’s not considered is whether anything is lost in translation.
In contrast an experiential model is focused on experiencing the spirit and letting the experience speak to and through you. The experiential approach is a symbiotic focused with a recognition that both spirits and people benefit from interacting with each other. With this approach, I’ve found that my relationships with the spirits have become more intimate because I’m not trying to limit the communication to what’s comfortable for me, but instead am open to how the spirit would otherwise communicate through vibration, pressure or other sensations.
This doesn’t mean I automatically assume that every sensation I experience is from a spirit. For example if I start itching, it doesn’t necessarily mean a spirit is trying to contact me. Instead, to determine if a spirit connecting with me experientially, I look at the context in how its happening as well as the experience itself, because what I find is that the experience will be consistent with the spirit. So if a feeling of pressure is part of the experience I have with a spirit, I’ll use that feeling of pressure to gauge whether or not the spirit is contacting me. I’ll use the context of the situation I’m in to determine if that has bearing on the experience I’m having at the time.
The symbiotic focus of the work is also done from a different perspective than standard western practices. Instead of focusing solely on how the spirit can benefit me and get me results or focusing on a devotional approach that only caters to the needs of the spirit, the focus is on how can we create an interdependent relationship where all parties benefit. As a result the work with the spirit is oriented toward developing a communal relationship that is ongoing and omnipresent, but at the same time is voluntarily and occurs on terms that are respectful to all parties. For instance, when I do my Sphere of Art work and connect with the archangels, its done with a recognition that the connection isn’t forced and that after the work is done, the archangels can still connect with me any other point of the day or night. The same applies with other spirits I work with. The ritual context is useful for checking in, but the experience doesn’t automatically stop because the ritual has. The ritual is just one way to connect, and this where that awareness of a consistent experience with the spirit is key because you use that awareness to determine if a spirit has connected.
But the symbiosis goes beyond even that. It is an integration of the spirit and the human, a connection that is lived in the moment, instead of artificially broken off by the ending of a ritual and the banishment of the spirit. It is the mediation of the spirit and the human, connecting to each other and the world. It is the choice I made long ago when I exchanged my life essence for the essence of the elementals and gained an ongoing conversation with the elements that has transformed my life and magic. I’m doing the same now in my living space, creating an ongoing conversation with the spirits I work with that never stops by setting up a permanent space of interaction that isn’t stopped, but instead is embraced.
I discuss spur of the moment magic vs daily magic
Get free e-books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Become my patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
I answer the question of whether or not we should do magic against the corona virus.
Get free books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Work with the corona vaccine entity: https://www.magicalexperiments.com/blog/corona-vaccine-inspiration-entity
Work with the anti-corona entity: https://www.magicalexperiments.com/blog/anti-corona-virus-entity
One of the books I’m reading right now is Book Blurbs Unleashed by Robert J. Ryan (Affiliate link). I’ve been using the book to help me improve my copywriting skills, when it comes to developing book blurbs. A book blurb is a description about a book that gives you an idea of what the book is about, but also is written to persuade a person to give the book a chance. Anytime you read the back cover of a book or a description in an online store, you’re reading a blurb.
I’m okay at writing non-fiction blurbs. They’re pretty easy to write because you’re presenting a just the facts explanation about what the book is about. But with fiction blurbs I’ve struggled because I’ve never written them before. I picked up Book Blurbs Unleashed, because I knew I needed some help crafting a good fiction blurb.
I discuss the inner alchemical and magical work I'm doing in relationship to the corona virus and share some other thoughts on what we must all do to get through this time.
Get free e-books at http://www.magicalexperiments.com/free-books
Read the blog article at: https://www.magicalexperiments.com/blog/a-ritual-for-protection-and-healing
This is a ritual for healing and protection. It can be performed daily or as often or as little as you wish. It involves working with the four elemental archangels: Raphael/Air/East, Michael/Fire/South, Gabriel/Water/West, and Auriel/Earth/North.
Note 1: This ritual is not a substitute for getting proper medical care or taking appropriate precautions in relationship to the Corona virus or any other illness. It is intended to be a spiritual ritual, to call on the aid of appropriate spirits that may prove helpful during a time of crisis, medical or otherwise.
Note 2: For the opening and closing of the ritual you can use whatever standard opening and closing rituals you use. I use the stillness work and calling of the sphere of art from the Inner Temples tradition of the Inner Convocation, which is taught by R.J. Stewart. If you’re interested in that work you can pick up the Sphere of Art on RJ’s website.
What I share below is what I developed with the blessings and aid of the archangels and is freely shared in the hopes that it might of service to anyone seeking spiritual aid, protection, and comfort during this trying time or any trying time of your life. It is not part of the Inner Temple Tradition of the Inner Convocation teaching and I am not claiming it as such.
Note 3: This ritual is done from a place of reverence and respect for the archangels. You can change the wording if you feel called to, but please do so with respect. You can substitute other spiritual entities, but please do so with respect and reverence.
Drawing of Archangel Raphael Copyright Taylor Ellwood 2020
After you have done the initial work of setting up your sacred space, face to the east and state the following:
“Hail Raphael, archangel of the Air and the East.
We humbly seek your purifying breath, knowledge and guidance.
We ask for your protection and grace.
Please provide us the knowledge of healing and the power of life, and give us guidance where needed, to help us make the best choices in protecting ourselves, our family and our community.”
Close your eyes and allow yourself to commune with the Archangel Raphael, opening yourself to any spiritual transmission that is shared.
Drawing of Archangel Michael Copyright 2020 Taylor Ellwood
When you are ready, face the south and state the following:
“Hail Michael, archangel of the Fire and the South
We humbly seek your purifying flame, protection and guidance.
We ask your for your protection and grace.
Please provide us your fiery protection and give us guidance where needed to protect ourselves, our family and community.
Close your eyes and allow yourself to commune with the Archangel Michael, opening yourself to any spiritual transmission that is shared.
Archangel Gabriel copyright Taylor Ellwood 2020
When you are ready, face the West and state the following:
Hail Gabriel, Archangel of the Water and the West
We humbly seek the ebbing and flow tides of compassion, love, and health.
We ask for the flowing tides of giving and receiving.
Please provide us your compassionate embrace, your healing touch, and give us guidance where needed to help us protect the health of ourselves, our family, and our community.
Close your eyes and allow yourself to commune with the Archangel Gabriel, opening yourself to any spiritual transmission that is shared.
Archangel Michael Copyright Taylor Ellwood 2020
When you are ready, face the West and state the following:
Hail Auriel, archangel of the Earth and the North
We humbly seek the cosmic law of destruction and regeneration
We ask for the wisdom of death and rebirth
Please provide us the rest of regeneration that we might face whatever destruction comes with fortitude and grace and give us guidance to aid ourselves, our family, and our community with the rest and calm we need to face these trying times.
Close your eyes and allow yourself to commune with the Archangel Auriel, opening yourself to any spiritual transmission that is shared.
When ready thank the archangels and close the ritual space.
This is a purposely made simple ritual, developed for the purpose of calling on the spiritual guidance of the archangels. It’s recommended you memorize the chants, as this allows you to embody the connection between yourself and the archangels, and strengthens the ritual work accordingly.
As stated above, this ritual can be done as often or as little as your like, but you should also continue to exercise appropriate precautionary behaviors in your everyday life.
I discuss how to cultivate a non-dogmatic approach to magic and share why your own experiences play such an important role in developing that approach
Become my patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
Get the Process of Magic: books2read.com/u/bazrax
I share my thoughts on dogma in magic, on the limited perspective that there are only certain ways to do magic, and why this perspective is limited and ultimately limits the evolution of magic.
A lot of my magical work, of late, has involved the use of magical tools. In the past, I’ve gone through periods of time where I’ve been very minimalistic in my use of magic tools, but as with anything else, I find it useful to change up my routines, especially if there is justification in making the switch. Over the course of the last year I’ve been working with alchemical substances and pentacles and I thought I’d share an update focused on around how I’m using these tools and how that usage is evolving because of the work I’m doing.
Tonight I discuss what it means to be still with power and how learning to be present with power can be a useful exercise.
I recently finished reading The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (affiliate link) and one of the things that intrigued me about the book was the author’s focus on the power of words. In the book, the gods have to be careful what words they speak, because if they speak something and it’s not true, it drains away their power, because their power is trying to make it true. Whereas if they speak the truth, then the words channel their power and makes what they say real.
It’s an interesting rule for that world, but it made me think about the power of what we say and write. My next non-fiction project is The Magic of Writing, which explores how writing can be used as a magical tool, but also explores the power of the word in general. One of the ways I have explored the power of the word is through how what is written or said does have an effect on one’s life.
1-22-2020 Tonight I connected with Ratziel/Chockmah/Neptune. I know Neptune isn’t traditionally associated with Chockmah, but I actually think it makes a lot of sense, when you consider that Chockmah is both wisdom and pressure. Chockmah fine tunes everything and when I consider that seat salt is the alchemical substance associated with Chockmah as well as my previous experiences with the planetary energy of Neptune, it seems to make a lot of sense. Ironically, William G. Gray doesn’t set a lot of store by associating Neptune with Chockmah, though he notes its done by modern day quabalists. The irony is that his own explanation of Chockmah and Ratziel completely supports the connection, but it makes me wonder if ever worked with the planetary energy of Neptune.
Ratziel also showed up and what was interesting is that she made it a point to show me how Chockmah and Binah connect and work together. I felt suspended between the saturnic energy of Binah and the Neptunic energy of Chockmah and I felt how that balance played off each other and strengthened each other. It also gave me ideas about where to take this work next. Feeling balanced between both forces made me realize how essential this work is because in finding this balance, I’m also creating opportunities to deepen my connections with the powers and work with the more holistically. There’s a lot more to share, but I’ll do it once I’ve had more time to process the experience and research I’m doing for this month.
I discuss what low effort magic is and share several techniques and examples of low effort magic I've used over the years.
Become my patron: https://www.patreon.com/TaylorEllwood
I discuss the principle small actions lead to big changes and how it can be applied to magic
I share thoughts on how to apply magic to change current events and address issues that are happening in the world and also speak to practical considerations of making such changes.
