Visualisation Practice
The visualisations included on these pages are very simple for people who have had little or no experience and want to build their mind's eye!
Just click below on one of the links below (they are the names of the visualisations) and it will scroll down automatically, to return back to here, just scroll back up again.
#Note: All Visualisations were taken from Starhark's book "The Spiral Dance" available from HarperSanFrancisco publishers.
The Tree of Life
The Apple
The Blue Flame Pentacle
The Knot
Candle Gazing Exercise
Mirror, Mirror
The Hammer
The Tree of Life Exercise
This is used whenever I start any kind of magical work. It is a way of 'grounding' or connecting with the energy of the earth.
I start by closing my eyes, or blurring my open eyes, and breath deeply a few times. Then, eyes open(much harder without practice) or closed, I visualise my spine extending, like a tree, into the earth, roots connecting with a great power. Then, with each breath, I visualise small stars of light travelling up my "roots" into my body. I do this untill my body is full of light. (With my eyes open, I can see my own aura as a bright yellow light). Then, after each breat, and drawing in or more power, I visualise branches extending from my crown or top of my head, and they extend back into the earth, creating a circuit of power, returning unused power to it's source.
After the magical work, everytime I breath out, I visualise all the unused power traveling through my branches back into the earth, and my roots growing back up into my spine, and with my last breath, the branches go into the earth.
The Apple
Visualise an apple. Hold out your "hands"; turn it around in one 'hand'. Feel it's shape, size and weight. Notice it's colour, reflection of light on it's skin. Bring it to your nose, and breath in. Smell the apple. Next bite into it, feel yourself "chewing" and swallowing. Continue until the apple is all gone, and "throw" the core away.
Ice Cream cones are very excellent subjects (however I seem to get a craving for ice cream afterwords though).
The Blue Flame Pentacle
Simply called The Pentacle by Starhawk in her book
This is also very important for magic working (used in casting circle).
Visualise a flickering blue flame, like a flame from a Bunsen burner. Now, using the blue flame, draw a Wiccan pentacle. Watch it form out of the blue flame. Hold the image in your mind for a few moments. Now retrace the pentacle with the flame, going backwards, and erasing it as the flame goes.
Practice this until it is easily performed.
The Knot
Simply visualise yourself tying a knot-any knot you find you can tie easily in reality. Try not to see a mental picture of yourself from outside; instead, put yourself in the picture. Do it from your point of view. See your hands moving, and feel the string. Feel every movement you would make, then pull the knot taut.
This visualisation is used to bind a spell.
Candle Gazing
In a quiet, darkened room, light a candle. Ground and Centre (Tree of Life exercise).
Gaze at the candle and breathe deeply. Let yourself feel warmed by the light of the candle. Let it's peaceful radiance fill you completely. As thoughts surface in your mind, experience them as if they came from outside. Do not let the flame split into a double image; keep your eyes focused. Remain for at least five minutes, up to ten and then relax.
Mirror, Mirror
Ground and Centre. In a mirror, gaze into your own eyes. Focus your attention on the space between them. Repeat your name to yourself, over and over. Again, as thoughts surface, experience them as if they were outside you. After five to ten minutes, relax.
The Hammer
Ground and Centre. Visualise a heavy hammer in your hand. A stubborn nail is sticking out of a board in front of you. With all your strength, drive the nail into the board. Repeat, doing it three times in all.
Always good for anger, I've found.
There are more visualisation practices within other Meditation pages, don't worry, their is a lot to learn!