Magic Is Mysterious

Sometimes magic seems to work by itself. Your desires are met but you don't know what you did to cause the happy result. One example is what recently happened to me. There is a dear person in my life who, I believe, can benefit from knowing some of my skills. Every time I would try to give him some helpful tips he would get defensive and resist even listening to me. So I backed off and tried to see things his way. Suddenly he changed and showed that he could learn from me and even started applying some of the life lessons I had tried to get across to him. He told me that I had learned how to teach him. Seems like magic to me. You may find articles written about the 'Law of Attraction' in which it is explained that if you focus on your desires it will draw them to you. That seems like a lot of hard work but I do know that years ago I made a list of things and conditions that I desired then put the list away and forgot it. Years later I came across that list and was surprised to find that several of the things I had listed had come into my life in serendipitous ways. For example I had wanted a small round oak dining table and a friend of mine had had a nice one she wanted to sell at a good price and would take installments.
It seems like gratitude for the good already in your life,faith and patience all help to bring magic about. Magic is well formed and likes to be appreciated. Reach out to it. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of The Still Small Voice

Our intuition is a powerful friend. In the context of the skill set I have trying to teach the magic wand would be 'listening to our intuition' or still small voice. The magic wand is something we choose to use. I recently did that (listened to my intuition) and I believe it made my life better. Let me share the story with you. Several days ago I was thinking about wands, which lead me to the concept of tools. My research had brought up the black handled ceremonial knife, the athane, that is used to cast spells and perform rituals. I was thinking about lessons to be learned from that and I couldn't get beyond 'drawing a line in the sand' (one of the uses of the athane) and 'cutting things off.' My intuition told me that setting boundaries and cutting things away or loose are both legitimate activities for a wise magician but that I didn't really have my lesson yet and that I should wait. So I set that to one side and wrote about other things such as the wonder with which to approach the New Year. Then today issues came up between me and a person very dear to me. I thought about our communication and realized that in the past I had used 'cutting off" as a method of dealing with people with whom I had strong differences of opinion. But this person is too important to me to use old methods. Because I had been thinking about the athane I was able to see my old patterns of shutting down or cutting off, and talk with the other person about not wanting to revert to old patterns but that I would rather go deeper and discuss the loves and fears that were intertwined in our communications. Now I feel like I have another tool. I now feel comfortable with the athane. It is for protection, for setting boundaries, and for cutting away thorny fear based reactions. It is not for attack. Mine is not, that is. My sense of being comfortable with loving is stronger and thus my life is better. May your intuition guide you to your own helpful insight. Use the magic wand of listening to your still small voice. It will make your life better. May the spark be with you.

A Magical Phrase

There are many magical phrases. They all can cast a spell over us and help us become more than we were before they were uttered. One that I think is particularly appropriate now that we are coming into the beginning of a new year is: "What if...?" Relax in whatever manner is good for you. Breathe in deeply. Breathe out in a wondrous freeing way. Now begin to explore the ideas of 'what if'. What if situations that have been irritating you could be changed? What if you have more resources inside yourself than you have yet realized? What if you are surprised in wonderful ways tomorrow or this coming week? What if you are meant to understand something more fully than you have before? What if your sense of beauty, humor, joy, contentment kicks in more often than it used to? What if you suddenly come to appreciate family and friends on a deeper level? What if you are a wiser magician than you realized before? What if there are unlimited possibilities for change for the better? As you explore the ideas of 'what if' it is good to let any visualization come that wants to come to you. Let your senses help you enjoy the idea of 'what if..?' Let your sense of wonder help you explore the idea of 'what if..?' This phrase can become one of your magic wands. When you get into the right mind set it can open up your creativity for many wonderful ideas. So enjoy the idea of possibilities it opens up and enjoy the practical way it can help you decide what changes you need to make in your magical life. May the spark be with you.

The Magician's Cloak In Winter

In winter we are concerned that we keep our core warm so that we can survive the cold. Let us follow this as a metaphor. In the cold of life, emotional warmth can be lacking. So we really need to protect our core with something warm. Our core, or essence, is what drives us to make the decisions we do. We are all involved, whether we realize it or not, in a hero's journey. We are living a life that moves towards the goal of the happiness of living true to our higher nature.
First we start out slightly aware of ourselves, mainly through the perception of us by others. If our mother doesn't gaze lovingly down at us when we are babies we are blocked right there. But let us suppose that we grow to the point that we recognize ourself by name, in the mirror, and by some sense of self identity. When we get that far along we may think we need to wander down the paths ( in our winter walk)of identifying ourselves by labels or go down the paths of experimenting with what entertains us. Those are not necessarily bad paths. But they are not complete. The junction of the pathways is where I was thinking of the importance of the "jacket" or "cloak" which nurtures the core. The core is that which must make the "I am" decision, the part that is at home with itself and happy with self love. Part of that development might take place in the learning to keep track. We are aware of our body, where it fits in space. Then we become aware of what is outside of us. We learn to count and keep track. That evolves in learning to take responsibility. I Am. Then "I Will". We go through stages of perception and behavior. First it is "I am as others see me" until we can get to "I am as I see myself and it is in self love and acceptance". We also go through the behavior stages of "I act as I think others want" until we can get to the stage of "I act as I choose and I stand behind my actions." The way we nurture and protect ourself as we go along these paths or stages is with a jacket, or cloak, of self acceptance, which becomes self appreciation and self love. The magicians of old wore wondrous cloaks. Your protection and nurturing can take any form you want. Soft red velvet. Golden silk. Bright woolen plaid. Imagine what you will. It is yours to help you work your magic. Wrap yourself in a wondrous cloak and go forth. May the spark be with you.

The Use Of Power

Magic is very concerned with the use of power. Magicians are taught to guard their wands carefully so someone else can not steal it and use the power of it against them. In that context the wise magicians know not to give their power away. Yet in everyday life it is all too easy to give our power away without realizing it. We give up our ability to decide for ourselves in food, fashion, fads, and politics more often than we will admit. We can regain that with a little thought however. But the power we give away that I caution against is the power of self-esteem or image. We can get our feelings hurt, our souls wounded, by valuing what another person says to or about us if we have given them power over us. This is natural in a way. A child learns his self image from his care givers. But we must develop our own image of ourselves and accept ourselves. If you feel pulled down by judgments from others or by yourself notice that. Being pulled down is the operative idea here. I have actions I am trying to eradicate from my bundle of habits. But that is my choice and I don't need the extra burden of being pulled down as I notice them and work to change. If you have phrases in your vocabulary like: "She made me so angry." or "He hurt me so much." instead of "I became angry at what she said" or "I felt hurt at what he did." you are in danger of giving others power over you. Your feelings are your own, as well as your reactions, and you do choose them. Many people don't believe this but I might suggest an experiment to try. Find someone who speaks a language you do not. Ask them to say a loving thing and an insulting thing to you without any facial expression and without telling you which is which. Because you perceive the words as only sounds you will not react to them with joy or hurt. When someone is lashing out at you it is possible to tell yourself they are simply making sounds. We all have much more power than we realize. Not only should we not give it away, we should also look to use it wisely. We have the power to influence, to encourage, to educate, to persuade, and to witness. Those are powers that can change the world. Guard your power and use it wisely. It is magical. May the spark be with you.

The Magic of Choosing Your Omens and Portents To Nurture Hope

I have blogged before about the importance or magic of happy feelings. There is one feeling in particular that is very important but vulnerable. That feeling is 'hope'. It has been noted that citizens of countries who have hopeful attitudes about their countries actually do live in more financially successful countries. It is important to keep hope alive. One thing to remember about hope is that it can start out very small. If you need to have hope about a large thing you must first learn how to think hopefully. Sometimes you may be only able to hold on to hope for a second or two and then about a very small thing. That is okay. You managed to be free from crippling fear and to think hopefully for that much for that long. Thinking hopefully leads to hopeful actions. Then those actions are seen as proof that is was good to be hopeful and a wonderful spiral begins. Sometimes you may have to start by hoping for something that you believe is a sure thing. That is fine. Start somewhere. Learn in baby steps. One thing to do is look for signs to encourage you. You are hoping to learn to read. You see a picture of a book, or find that there is a library nearby. That is a sign that your learning will be encouraged. In the biblical story of Noah it is told of the dove coming back with a bit of green. That was a sign that the waters had receded and plants were growing on dry land. Signs are open to recognition and interpretation. What is a sign to one is laughed at by another. It is up to you, the wise magician, to find ways to nurture and guide your thinking. Your mind is your ultimate magic wand. Friends who listen to you about your projects, articles that suddenly appear, ideas that come to you; these can all be seen as the success that is waiting for you once you learn how to reach out for it. Do what you can to keep yourself going on your pathway to a better life. May the spark be with you.

Magic Basics-Part Three- Focus on Function

Wands(any tool you use such as your mind) and spells(actions to focus the use of your wands) are meant to make changes for the better. If they are misused the result can range from nothing to disaster. It is important to be clear about the purpose of any tool. Leaders are meant to lead. Yet we sometimes elect people to be admired or receive attention and they make poor leaders. Shovels are meant to dig. Guns are meant to shoot bullets at a specific target. Food is meant to satisfy and nourish life. The substances we ingest that fatten us and bring ill health should not be considered food. If you do something or make something that you want to use to bring about a certain result it is wise to think about how that thing is likely to function. A letter that is meant to bring closeness will not function for that purpose very well if it is full of insults and confusion. Many times we need to create a tool or ritual to burn off our anger, disappointment or regret before we move towards the result we want. Anti-magic (what some call black magic) is caught up with the negative emotions, with lashing out. Negative emotions have a purpose. Their purpose is to alert us to the need for a change. They don't need to cloud our judgment or make us mis-cast our spells. Love binds people to us. Manipulation does not. When we are strong and sure is is easy to give out to the world our songs, our spells of goodness, our joy. Then we will receive magical benefits in return. Cause the changes you need in your life by using your wands and casting your spells as they are meant to be used. May the spark be with you.

Casting Spells- Part Two

Because of the importance in getting help from your inner self in bringing forth anything into fruition I want to add a bit to the previous post. To recap, make a spell as clear, as personal, and as lyrical as possible. In addition realize that the word 'cast' is an operative word. Cast the spell out into the world as something that is essentially yours,something deep and dear to you. That visualization of 'casting' it out will give it a bit of oomph and pixie dust. It will also get your inner self to commit to it a bit more. A spell is a ceremony of commitment. Just like standing up and committing to a relationship with another person by saying 'I do' you are committing to results when you 'cast' a spell. Do not treat the casting of spells like wishes offered by a genie from a bottle or a whim. They can too easily go off target, have no power, or bounce back on you to your hurt. In some ways a spell is nothing less or more that fully saying "I will." That act of saying 'I will' embodies the faith in your ability to receive, achieve and deserve. I will become a published writer. I will buy a car. I will lower my blood pressure. I will get a college degree. Anytime anyone has said anything like that they have not modified it by 'I think' or 'maybe'. When you are planning you spell decided if you need to break you big spell down into little spells. Maybe you need to say thing like; I will get into college, I will raise the down payment for a car, I will take up aerobic exercises. Again I want to emphasize that the main point I want to make in this post is about the mental act of 'casting'. Do that with strength and flair. Reach out to the magic that surrounds you to help you get the energy for a good spell and cast it for all you are worth. May the spark be with you.

Magic Basics-Casting Spells

As you read in the lore of magic you realize that spells are endowed with ritual and ceremony. They are framed and performed in such a way that they seem to have a lot of power and importance. They are not cast lightly. Think about this in relationship to the power your subconscious has. If you want to impress on it changes and get it to help you create your new life a well crafted spell will be just the thing. Your subconscious perceives things differently than your left brain does. The workings of the subconscious are not easily evident, they are hidden or occult. Magic is called the study of the occult. To craft a spell state the desired change in as lyrical, clear and happy way as you can. Bring in any sensory messages you can. Here is one I might use: "I am writing, I am writing large on the canvas of life, clothing my message, my vision, my values in all the joy, fun, and excitement that I can bring forth. I am writing for the hearts and eyes of my precious readers, whoever and wherever they may be. It is so.' Spells are clear, assertive and reach out into the universe for you, as well as getting your inner self to help you. Let the energy of the magic that surrounds you help you to craft some spells for yourself. Once you have cast them it will be easier to stand behind them and work to bring them into being. Cast spells for positive changes in your life. If you have negative things in your life do not react with negativity. Craft the spell so that you stay positive. Here is a possible example. 'I recognize that I have lessons to learn in this situation. I proclaim that I will become clear about all and I will move toward self nurturing behavior in this situation. If I need to negotiate I will do so. If I need to break ties I will do so. I recognize the right of all for respect, especially myself and my soul. It is so.' May you be able to cast good spells for yourself. May the spark be with you.

Magic Basics-Using The Wand

Cause and effect is a basic part of magic. If you are not getting the effect you want you are "casting the wrong spells or mis-using your wand". I want to remind you that 'wand' is a metaphor for your mind, your attitudes, your actions or any tool you use to bring about the desired changes. So if you are not getting the desired changes it is good to stop and look at your practice of magic. You may not be clear about what you want. You may be pointing the wand in the wrong direction. If you have seen any Harry Potter movies you may have noticed that the students at Hogwarts school get very detailed instruction in their use of their wands. Just knowing there is a wand does not mean it will be used correctly. If you know that exercise will help you become healthier it also helps to exercise. Once I entered into a less than wonderful relationship because I had read "any relationship can be improved that can be talked about". I kind of blanked out the 'talked about part' and either because of his machismo or my shyness the relationship was never talked about and never improved. I didn't pick up the wand that had been presented to me. Using your tools is an art and a craft that is best approached with dedication and responsibility. We can all learn to manage our moods (that is one very effective magic wand). Being in control of yourself gives you control of your life. We can learn to use our mind better as well as develop other skills. So if you need to make a change in you life look for the tools to help you make that change. Some of the tools/wands you might use are: clarity of thought, self-nurturing, courage, creativity, cooperation with others, planning, research, among others. Don't be afraid to recognize the need for a better life. Become clear about your desires. Then reach out for them. If you are hit and miss about your goals they will be harder to achieve. Some people hold their desires inside until the need breaks out in anger. Then they exhibit such extreme anger that others react in negative ways, rather than agreeing to help that person achieve their needed goals. That is a very poor use of the magic wand. The wise magician recognizes that all have a right to a good life. Learn how to use your tools and get the good life for yourself. May the spark be with you.

Magic And Mirrors

I first saw an Illusionist when I was very young. It was wonderful. Even though my mother explained that many of the magic tricks were done with mirrors I still was awe-struck. At the tender age of five I had already decided that mirrors themselves were magic. My brother and I had a game in which we held small mirrors under our eyes so all we could see was the ceiling of whatever room we were in. Walking around (carefully) made us feel we were walking on the ceiling. That shift into another world was a lot of fun. Since that time I have noticed that in the lore of magic,( stories, spells, movies, and other references) mirrors often are mentioned. So of course I had to ask myself how a mirror could be used as a magic wand by the wise magician. The first thing that came to mind was the daily look in the mirror to see if one's hair is well combed or if one's wardrobe is free of any malfunctions. But it turns out that mirroring is a strong component of growth. Some therapists carefully mirror the client's statements back until the client actually listens to himself. Parents repeat the sounds a child makes to encourage development of speech. It also turns out that researchers in England and Italy refer to our mirror neuron system. What we see others do helps us learn to do or feel that same thing. So if there are changes you need to make put yourself in a place where you can see the good results of the actions you want to adopt. To become kinder it would be better to be around kind people than to listen to a sermon on kindness. When we journal we put down what we are trying to achieve, thus mirroring our efforts. Journaling is accepted as a great help in making changes and achieving our goals. So I suggest to the wise magician that you look for ways to see yourself as more successful, as moving towards desired goals in all the magical mirrors you can find. Friends who believe in you and will reflect your progress, your own visualization efforts, your journals, and the good examples set by others. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Active Visualization

Friends, life coaches, articles in self-help magazines, or therapists may have suggested that you develop the habit of visualizing your goals. Think of the home you want, the sleek figure you will have, the nice car or the new job you will find. Many times and in many ways people get the idea of visualizing static goals. But unless you are a musician or an athlete you may not be familiar with visualization as an active process. Many concert musicians practice their music in their mind as they travel from concert date to concert date. Many athletes are taught the concepts put forth in "Inner Tennis" and encouraged to practice mentally as well as physically. The Colorado Ski team, under Coach Suinn became successful for their performance, including in the Olympics as well as their habit of mental practice. Because mental practice is so powerful the wise magician would do well to use it as one of her wands. If you have any habit you wish to adopt, such as more exercise, eating more healthfully, or any goal that takes any action to achieve, you would do well to spend time on a regular basis visualizing yourself doing that necessary action. Put as much detail into this visualization as you can, refining and improving your visualization each time you practice it. It is amazing but muscle memory does develop from the mental practice of using those physical muscles. A long time before a bride walks down the aisle she must learn to be at ease with men, form good friendships, communicate well and so on. Each of these skills will lead to the eventual goal of a good marriage and can be developed at first in the laboratory of the mind. So take courage and envision the changes you want. Then visualize your self doing the needed action to get those changes. Some of the actions may be in getting help or in refining goals. But much is possible. The important thing is to reach for it. The energy from the magic that surrounds you will help you improve and continue your visualization until you reach your goal. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Wand Of Attention

They say that what you pay attention to expands. That can be both a warning and a promise. Attention is like any magic wand. You must be careful where you point it. For months and months I was aware of a part of my living room that just wasn't right. We had not fully moved into our new house. I kept focusing on that area as a cluttered and hopeless area. Then I began to pay attention to it as an area I could change. When I quit pointing my attention at the clutter and instead focused on a better use of that space a magical change began. What was hopeless wasn't that hard to change. That space is becoming less cluttered, more attractive and efficient. The same things are there. But they sure do look different.
When we focus on a drug problem rather than a wellness goal it is the same thing. Or on problems with a relationship rather than the joy of making changes for the better. Be careful where you point the attention wand in all cases. For me I can change the focus on my health. I have a particular health problem that is irritating and takes up time dealing with. I believe I will change my focus from worry and irritation to more healthy habits such as decreasing sodium, increasing exercise, improving my diet, increasing hydration. Even if I don't immediately see a change in this particular problem I will see a change in my focus and worry habits. That should help bring down my blood pressure by itself. Each concern is like a coin. Coins have two sides. You can focus on the delights and good points of something, including the delight of making it better for yourself. Or you can focus on the negative aspects. If you do so the negative aspects will seem to grow until they overwhelm you. So, as a wise magician, I suggest you look around you and focus on the good in your life. When you see changes you want to make focus on the successful ways you can make them. May the spark be with you.

The Magic That Is Around You

I often refer to the magic that is around you. Thinking of yourself as being surrounded by a nurturing field of great possibilities is part of the mind set of being a wise magician. This mind set does a great deal to keep you open to luck, great ideas and making good connections. Anti-magic is closed, helpless, hopeless, negative, unhealthy and dangerous. This idea of thinking you have a field of magic around you encourages you to make reality checks, to avoid closed loop thinking, to keep good goals in mind and to accept the good when it comes to you. Knowing that not every one can hook into the magic that is around you helps you recognize their baloney (or worse) when they throw it at you. There are concepts that people have developed over the centuries that show many cultures also accept that there is more than 'just us'. Some of these concepts are, karma, dharma, feng shui, synergy, synchronicity, synchrodestinity,the soul,love, luck, guardian angels, and providence. For centuries humans have recognized that life can be very difficult. Yet more often than not it seems to work out. I used to have a very dour 'baloney-tosser' in my life. He hated psychology because he said it wasn't a science. That was his surface excuse to avoid maturing. I didn't discuss it with him but I do know in my graduate courses in the history of science and intellectual thought that researchers often accepted a concept as 'useful' even if they weren't sure that it was a final concept. Magic is meant to be useful. It is well formed and practical. The purpose is to help you, the wise magician, shape a good life for yourself and others. So reach out to the energy of the magic that surrounds you and find a way to have some joy, some luck, some goodness in your life. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Staging

Last evening I was watching the old movie, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" with Angela Lansbury. In the movie she comments on a spell as being a bit theatrical then goes on to say that all the best spells are. That is true. Magic is appealing. It is also very useful and important but if it doesn't appeal it is less likely to work. The universe knows about appeal. Flowers have smell and color. Women strive to be glamorous. People tell jokes to make people laugh and thus feel good. HGTV has programs about preparing or 'staging' a room to make a house appeal to buyers. The Food Network shows a chef arranging a plate in an attractive way. When you state your plans or desires it is well to do so in a way that sounds good as well as being to the point. Important events in a person's life are often staged in wonderful ways. Think of weddings, confirmations, graduations and so on. The extra bit of time and trouble that it takes to stage a spell, appearance or event makes it stay in memory better and helps to underscore its importance. A wise magician will take this into account. Dressing well for work sends out the message that work is important to you. Having an attractive home sends the message that the residents and guest of that home are important. When you add the little extra bit of flair or polish to anything you are taking a bit of energy from the magic that surrounds you to make that thing better. Look around you. What can you stage in a better way in your life? You may be surprised and delighted at the benefits staging can bring to you. Don't be afraid to try it. Do only what is right for you. Remember "magic is well formed." But do try staging your life in better ways. May the spark be with you.