Shelle Wrote:

Hello Markus,
Been in a slump again. Tried a different candle today though. The ones in the cup just weren't working. Now, I need to ask a question. You are just so smart!! OK, say I take this lit candle and imagine I'm wrapping a string around the flame, then I take the ends of the string a tug, just little tugs but tugs. Ok, say the flame of the candle responds to the tug. Tug for tug, short little tugs, maybe half an inch. I'm pulling this from about an inch and a half from the flame. Not fast really! Now is there a scientific reason for this flame to be responding to my tugs or have I finally found my way? Let me know, ok?

Markus Replied:

Been in a slump again. Tried a different candle today though. The ones in the cup just weren't working. Now, I need to ask a question. You are just so smart!!

Oh no I'm not... cut it out ... (you can keep saying that if you really want to though ;)

OK, say I take this lit candle and imagine I'm wrapping a string around the flame, then I take the ends of the string a tug, just little tugs but tugs. Ok, say the flame of the candle responds to the tug. Tug for tug, short little tugs, maybe half an inch. I'm pulling this from about an inch and a half from the flame. Not fast really! Now is there a scientific reason for this flame to be responding to my tugs or have I finally found my way? Let me know, ok?

Well, hehehehe... are we talking about a scientific reason that includes magick? Or a stuffed shirt conservative reason? You've found your way, hun! Good for you!!! I told you developing you own way will work best... you did and it worked! Huzzah! There is no mundane scientific reason that I can think of for the flame to respond to the tug, it is indeed your mind influencing the energy within the flame. But now that you've done it, (hehe... grinning up a storm over here,) keep working at it until you are satisfied with your ability to manipulate the flame. Perhaps try a similar, but slightly altered method like pulling Up instead of backwards. You'll find that some techniques work better for different directions. When you get comfortable with each direction... and Not until then, you'll get frustrated again... try changing its form. Make it shorter. When you can do that try to make it taller. When you can do that make it wider without it shortening, or thinner without it lengthening. Take it a step at a time... and THEN when you feel you are comfortable with each of those functions separately, try combining them. Taller AND wider. or Wider and lean to left.

Now, you'll have to engage a good level of discipline here, not to rush ahead. If you do it slowly and a step at a time until you are proficient with each step, you will gain about 20 times more control than if you try to rush through it all in a week or a month. Youll also save youself 20 times the frustration. :) Trust me, I learned the hard way. :p

So, take your time and enjoy it... and congrats to you once again. Be proud. I am.

Your Grinning Friend,
Markus