For those of us who believe in various forms of magic ... tell us here which type of magic you use and how you perform it.

For those who don't believe in magic or want to learn more about certain types ... come here and see who you can talk to.

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I'm an energy worker as I like to call myself. I'm a very independent person and have spent years dabbling with all sorts of magic: spells, curses, rituals, summonings, healings, shielding, ... I've also read several books and articles about many systems that are out there. In the end there was one thing that really worked for me though and that is direct energy work and meditation. This means I'm a fan of the oriental views on 'magic', though it's more accepted and not so much magic over there. They often work with energy in their healthcare: accupuncture, reiki, tai chi, chi gong, shiatsu, ...

Most of what I do involves meditation and taking control over my internal energy and occasionally external energies around me. Practices relate to Kundalini, Tantra, Tai Chi, NEW energy ways, shielding, psychic vampirism (though I don't usually try to take energy from people.) and a lot of other things I've come into contact with.

I have also studied various forms of magic. I am currently concerntrating on channelling and control energy.Do you have a particular sheilding technique which you use?

I have also dabbled (still am) with all sorts. However, I think one that the main thing that holds me back is that I doubt my own ability. I am sometimes too conerned with 'getting it right' to actually put my all into my workings.

If I am making a spell, I usually incorperate candle magic and engery manipulation into the process. I like the symbolism of ritual and tend to research the relevant items rather than making up a spell completely on my own.

Most of my shielding is based on visualisation and aura control. I draw in energy if I need a strong shield use my own energy if that suffices and just visualise the energy transforming into a shield. Depending on what shield I want I can give it different properties.

On shielding techniques, I've heard depictions from many otherkin and vampires, anyone that usually uses energy work, tell that if under direct attack from someone who's energetically superior, it is not wise to shield.

Their explanation is that, if say someone is attacking you with energy, and you use energy to create a shield, then you're wasting away your energy, and it's just being destroyed or in some cases absorbed by others, and that it's best under those circumstances to rather than shield, let down your shields and absorb their energy, using it against whoever is attacking you, and let them waste their energy instead.

Also for like fighting back and using energy back against them to try and stop them from attacking you energetically, use their energy against them.

Now mind you, this is like telephone, so when I describe it, it sounds more like some fantastical star wars battle, instead of some people who have truly been hurt by such attacks.

So in earnest, what are your opinions on this?
I'm curious as to what others think.

Moon,

I'm terrible at energy work and horrible at shielding, but a technique someone told me of, instead of shielding, but directing energy works fine for me. Surprisingly well and I hardly have a hard time anymore deflecting negative energy.

Not sure if it's same as Zan, but it has helped me, and I believe i'm horrible at energy work as well.

As for doubting your abilities, a friend once told me that if you don't use your abilities, then they will eventually use themselves and maybe not so productively. So doubting you can do it, should not stop you from trying, cause it gives you some modicum of control over what you can do, when it works properly, just need guidance and training.

Kinda like me

If you're being attacked by someone superior you'll get your ass kicked without much doubt ... but it's in my opinion still a lot foolisher to lower your defenses. Even the most elementary shields, that we can all make will lower the impact of an attack. People who can drain energy from others can use shields .. but even then it's relatively easy to make your shields out of something 'unappetizing'. Why do you think psychic vampires prefer unsuspecting or willing donors?

On top of that it is almost never a good idea to completely lower your shields. I've done it once and it was by far the most painful energetic and emotional experience I've had. As soon as we lower our natural defenses we become a juicy target to any mallicious astral, energetic or other being out there.

Controlling someone elses energy is extremely difficult in my experience. It would be like trying to grab someone's arm and punching them with their own fist. You can do it if you're a whole lot stronger than the other person but you'll have to struggle constantly to maintain control. Much easier to just punch them with your own fist.

With most things I do I don't follow a set path or way in relation to magic...and i dont really use physical materials much..partially because my parnets dont know about all this so when i was younger i was unable to obtain a lot of the materials....i try and let my natural instinct to guide me in terms of making spells...i doa combination of makign my own spells and using other..as for types of spells and magical ways it depends on my purpose..as i mentioned in the old grove though i am best at weather magic...

although recently i have not been doing spells unless necessary....but i have been concentrating on my shielding

as for attacks...i am not experienced with much energy work but i agree with what zan said...i feel more secure with several different layersto my shield with different effects..some of them nasty

Honestly i believe for magick that one doesn't need tools. They're more visuals to help channel energy and focus, but one day you'll just be able to do it without the tools anyway. So you're better off.

Kinda like when I started doing Calling of Four Corners, used physical and metaphorical representations of each element, but now, if I wanted to do a corner call, all I'd have to do is stand up, close my eyes(optional) and concentrate, repeating the words. (For respect purposes)

As for shielding thing, I'm sure not to let shield down completely, I'd have to ask people to explain as they did better job of it than I do. Telephone again, just thought I'd bring it up to see what others thought of possibility. And funny should mention fist thing, person who explained it used same analogy

I don't see tools as have any genuine innate magical ability or purpose. They have certain properties or symbolise various things and the practicioner may choose to imbibe them with magic or use them to aid representation of the spell in their heads. Ofcourse, things like crystals influence the energy around them.

I hope I'm not sounding too muddled at this point

You're making sense to me and is same as what I mentioned, just shortened. LOL

That's why i figure you're better off not having used tools when first casting spells or doing magick work.

I was an avid tool fan. Mostly earthy things as I didn't really need spells at first, cause figured no abilities or such things as past lives.

Now I'm taking it all in stride, but without tools, unless earth things. Such as gems, rocks, etc.

I was never big on tools because when I first started at home I couldn't get any without looking suspicious!

At first I would focus on finding existing spells, already written and use them...but now I tend to spontaneously use my own spells...I feel its more effective if it comes from inside you

*Laughs* I would always try to get my own spells or words for them, only they'd come to mind in some weird word form.

Like sik coney vies dabone sier tu.

I'm like yep, can't interpret that on my own, so not doing that.

So nixed spells.

Besides most of my abilities were before I awakened, and when I did lost a few that were natural for various reasons.

Though today still felt that connection to dogs

yeah its always better if you actually understand the spell you're casting i think that each word makes a difference and even word word that you didn't know about could change the whole meaning!

*Nods* Which is why i didn't want to risk it. Figured either the thing might be a curse, or something evil and would utter it with a smile. So I was like yeah, best to avoid those.

There was something else I was going to mention, but forgot it.

i'm sure many people who play around with the occult not really understanding the gravity of it unknowlingly conjure up stuff..then again it is their fault for assuming its all a game

but i guess that is a bit side tracked