Copyright 1992 by T. Sheil and A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
Basic Guide
to
Handling Magickal Problems
Around the occult, there are many horror stories. Most are legends based on incidents, real and imagined, which have been exaggerated and embellished over the centuries. Nonetheless, fear of occult problems persists. Most real problems are not as dire as the legends. By understanding a few simple facts, you can deal with them easily.
Most magickal problems are caused by ignorance, misinformation, and overzealousness. Most newcomers to magick have no real background on which to rely, except for legends and fairy tales. They are prone to have misconceptions about their magickal experiences. Not knowing the facts, accidents are liable to happen. Likewise, some newcomers want to take on advanced practices immediately, leading to failure and misadventure. Few know the real hazards to avoid and how to remedy magickal mishaps.
The first line of defense is yourself. A healthy, alert individual of solid character is unlikely to encounter trouble. By maintaining a clear head, common sense and good habits, you shut the door to 95% of all potential problems. Some other guidelines are:
Magick uses your mind as its conduit. It is essential to give safetya high priority when it comes to magickal work.
Do not get ahead of yourself. Proficiency comes gradually
Will yourself back to normal consciousness after magickal work. Do not stay in a psychic state during everyday activities.
Maintain physical, social, sexual and mental well-being.
Never do anything which goes against your ethics. Know how low youwill go, and determine to go no lower.
Avoid practice when ill, upset, or otherwise distracted.
Do not practice with persons about whom you feel any doubts.
Practice consistently, and follow directions.
Don't invoke things that you would hate to meet in a dark alley.
People like to think they are experiencing something ``exciting'' - and being the target of Astral woes qualifies. In fact, many ``magickal attacks'' are nothing more than hysteria. The greatest problems are side-effects. Because so many side-effects resemble symptoms of occult pathology, magicians will seek for causes close to themselves first. Many a psychic attack has turned out to be nothing more than the flu. Always be sure to see if the cause of your magickal problem is not your own misconception or a physical malaise.
Real Astral and magickal attacks are rare. Few know how to cast a proper hex, despite what they say. They prey on fear. Likewise, accidents coming from Astral realms are uncommon. Check first for other sources of problems, BUT do not neglect to shield yourself, regardless of the cause. Though usually not magickal, that doesn't mean that such things never happen. Use the measures given in this booklet to negate any possibility of Astral woe. Keep a cool head, and don't get paranoid!
Remember: you have more ability to defend than anyone, anything or any event has power to harm.
If a problem proves too difficult, seek help. Get the assiatance of an experienced occultist. Most reputable occult shops can recommend someone. Please note that occultists are far better at handling problems than metaphysicians and ``New Age'' types. The occultists have practical experience in dealing with difficult situations. The others are usually misinformed and inept when handling anything serious. Some sources of Psychic Misadventure are:
1) Credulity, gullibility, indiscretion.
2) Shoddy or indiscriminate metaphysical practices.
3) Psychically-charged places, ``power spots'', ``hot spots''.
4) Association with psychics, metaphysicians, occultists, etc.
5) Personal work on the psychic and Astral planes.
6) Pathology crossing the veil: ``invasion'' by psychic entities.
7) ``Black magicians'', hexers, psychic antagonists, spellcasters.
1) Fear, paranoia, unnatural or unusual emotions, suspicion, ``spookiness''. Accept your feelings. They may be caused by oversensitivity, fatigue or illness. These are also the first signs of possible trouble.
2) Feelings not your own; alien feelings: guilt, hostility, rage, sexual weirdness, for examples. These thoughts can be a side effect of inner mental processes or thoughts you have sensed in a hypersensitive state. They can also be the result of focused malicious intent by an attacker.
3) Feeling as if a cold, steel wedge were at the nape of your neck, a painful knot in your solar plexus, odd or tense feelings at the ``third eye'' and/or the crown of your head. These could portend onset of a virus or flu. They are also warnings that a person is being watched, stalked, or under imminent Astral attack. They are telling you to be alert! Pay attention. These signs warn of disease, possible physical surveillance or attack, or Astral hostility.
4) Displaced Astral body; a feeling of being invaded. Another symptom of Viral infection. If no infection develops, then it is either magickal exhaustion or attack. Drink a cold glass of water, and ``will'' your Astral body back into your physical form. Shield yourself well.
5) A feeling of vulnerability or susceptibility. This is oversensitivity. ``Earth'' yourself and practice shielding. Work on your confidence.
6) Feeling drained of energy; nervous exhaustion. If tired, rest. Remember the acronym HALT - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. When hungry, eat. When angry, calm down. When lonely, take action. When tired, rest. Always shield yourself. If tiredness persists for no reason, shield yourself and see your doctor. It could be an Astral attack; it could also be a symptom of hidden physical trouble.
There are several basic methods of protecting yourself. The most common is ``shielding.'' It is part of meditation. When you meditate, image yourself surrounded by a shell of bright energy. As you inhale, image yourself charged with light. As you exhale, image the shell brightening and strengthening. Do this for five or six repetitions each time you meditate. Afterwards, let the image of the shell fade, but know that it is there. This ``shield'' will block out Astral interference, while allowing good influences passage.
With practice, you can mentally double the shield at will. Just use a ``password'' to yourself, such as ``Shield on!'' Your psyche will double the shield temporarily. If you need more security in a situation, imagine a silver reflective coating on the shield which deflects incoming energies. Shielding is simple but effective. Practice at least twice daily. It is better to do regular, short practices than infrequent longer ones.
As an added boost, image a power sign, religious symbol, or other token of overwhelming potency on your forehead and solar plexus when you meditate on the shield. Popular symbols include the Thor's Hammer, Odin Wheel, Cross, Star of David, Pentahram and Lunar Crescent.
To aim magickal energy at a doorway, object, or in the direction of trouble, image blue-white light pouring from your fingertips. With the first and middle finger of your right hand, ``draw'' a magickal symbol in the air. Imagine it taking form at the ``target.'' With practice, you can seal a doorway, cleanse or hallow an object, and deflect incoming energy.
To hallow a room quickly, face the ``holy' direction (East for Mediterranean Traditions, North for Norse/Teutonic, and most Pagan Traditions).
Trace a holy symbol and call a deity ot guardian. Proceed clockwise to the next point, and repeat. Keep your aiming had pointing forward as you turn. Image it drawing a line of light. Trace the symbol at all four compass points, and image tham as blazing. A line connects them. Then, trace the symbol above you, and then below you. Call on a deity, angel, or other power to hallow and protect the room. This will shield the room and fill it with protective energy.
Certain objects can be charged as protective talismans. Most common are religious medals and pendants. First, take the item and aim a holy sign at it (as explained above), declaring that the item is purified as you do so. Take the object, draw a holy sign over it, and then hold it in your hands. Invoke power into it, calling on a deity or protective entity to aid you. You may wish to say a prayer over it. When done, state that the item is charged as a device of protection.
You can make a protective amulet using a crystal (quartz, amethyst and tiger's eye are great), piece of metal (gold, silver, copper or brass) or piece of wood (pine, oak, rowan, ash, birch or maple). Draw a protective symbol on the item. Along with religious symbols, you might use such protective figures as the Elk Rune, Yew Rune, Pentagram, or Eye of Horus. Draw a holy symbol with your fingers over the amulet, and declare as purified. Finish charging it as above. Protective items can be carried, worn, or placed in the home.
If you receive an object which is blighted, do not touch it with your hands. Put it in the sink, splash salt on it, and then put it under running water. Draw a holy sign at it, to banish it, and use appropriate invocations or prayers. Then, put the object in a paper bag and take it outside. Pour more salt on it and either bury it, burn it, or put it in the trash.
A famous magickal device is a witch bottle. Fill a glass jar with nails, pins, razors, shards, stones, etc. Add red wine vinegar preferrably the kind flavored with garlic) and rosemary herb (available in supermarkets).
Invoke power, charge it, and declare that it is a protector against negativity. Cap the jar and seal with wax or rubber cement. You can bury it near the porch or hide it in a dark place. Witch bottles work for one to five years.
In the home, a straw broom can serve as a ``wand''. Image light streaming from the bristles, and aim it around the room, invoking hallowing power. Placing a broom upside-down against the door is an old spell to bar negativity from entering.
1) Malignancy and negative entities tend to hide in corners and underneath things. Cleanse those areas!
2) Malignant force thrives in filth and grime. Cleanliness thwarts negativity.
3) An ``Astral Bell'', or faint ring, often attends the appearance of a nonphysical entity.
4) Poltergeists are often the effect of a female teenager who is enduring stress. They are rarely caused by spirits.
5) Many second-hand items retain the imprint of their original owners, and may be sources of psychic trouble. Cleanse them.
6) Some religious items may be antipathetic to you. Some individuals are harmonious with one set of religious items, but ill-disposed to others. This only denotes that the person is somehow at odds with those aspects of religion symbolized by those items.
7) ``Nidhogg infestation'' brings a degenerate atmosphere. This is the dark, cold feeling which infuses slums and those places catering to human weaknesses: gambling halls, bordellos, shoddy taverns, etc. (Nidhogg is a serpent of Norse myth that symbolizes degeneracy).
8) Addicts, alcoholics and psychotics leave the worst psychic imprints.
9) Negativity naturally dissolves on the half-life principle. This is the same manner in which radioactive materials dissipate. It is found in places and things infused with negativity.
For Further Study
This is only a basic introduction to magickal safety. It gives plenty
of practical information. If you wish to learn more, we suggest: