Read an Excerpt
Carrying The Magic
Aim at the sun. You may
not teach it, but your
arrow will fly far higher
than if aimed at an
object on a level with
yourself.
-- J. Hawes
"Who, me?" This is the most common response I get from people when I tell them that true magic and the spark of the Goddess, already ties within each of its. We carry it all the time. It is part of what makes each person wonderfully quirky and unique. This means that the most important factor in working effective magic anywhere, anytime, is not a "hip" robe or funky crystal jewelry, but you. Okay, take a deep breath and let this revelation sink in. Once you get over the shock and realize that true magic lies within yourself, learning how to facilitate magical power will be much easier.
Finding ways to enable magic In any setting is a tradition as old as dirt, a tradition that was started by people who didn't have the local quickie-mart to rely on for daily necessities. So, when someone had a headache, instead of buying aspirin, he or She Would invoke the Goddess's power through a spell, an empowered potion, or an herb picked during a waning moon -- using an herb picked when the moon was "shrinking" was thought to make the pain shrink. Few of us have time for hour-long rituals or eloquent invocations, but this simple magic, which has worked effectively for centuries, could serve us all well.
The wizardry of the ancients frequently included the making of amulets, talismans, and charms that enhanced the bearer's power in the world or provided protection. One of these, which people still Use, is the lucky rabbit's foot. Otherexamples of ancient wizardry include wearing certain colors and scents, or repeating superstitions actions to control the seemingly senseless whims of fate. And If you think we've grown beyond such things, just look at the modern practices of color and aroma therapy, or at those of us who knock on wood and cross our fingers for luck, just in case!
Since the Goddess's magic is not about to disappear anytime soon (she's a very persistent lady), this book acts a guide to making a modern metaphysical medicine kit: fashioning spells, choosing accoutrements, and enacting mini-rituals to release metaphysical energy into Our lives, no matter where we may be. In this chapter You will become familiar with these tools and techniques, so you can tailor-make any magical procedure to effectively meet your needs ,and goals. As you read, remember that the implied magic here begins in your mind and heart -- with the belief that you really do have the power to change your life.
I Think I Can, I Think I Can!
Before you contemplate any magical procedures, you need to get rid of tendencies toward self-doubt, which also leads to self-defeat. The phrases "I can't" or "I'm not sure" really don't fit into the Goddess's lingo. It is one thing to recognize our limits and another altogether to create limits based on residual teenage angst or adult insecurities. Too many of us underestimate the power of the human mind and spirit to manifest tangible changes.
To make magic a reality, instead of just wishful thinking, we have to accept that there is much more to life, and to our own minds, than the supposed concrete "truths." Magic is part of the immaterial, which we can see manifested in those miraculous moments and bits of insight that defy pat, cookie-cutter explanations. It is long past time to believe in ourselves as powerful co-creators -- with the Goddess -- of our destiny. We also need to begin acting on that conviction.
Remember the "little engine that could"', If you believe you can, you can! Embrace a little bit of childlike faith and you'll find the Goddess's magic in the treasure chest of your heart, just waiting for you to unlock it.
A Pocket Full os Miracles
Just because magic begins with childlike faith doesn't mean that logical, adult insights have no place in metaphysics. Conscious, rational thought processes help with magical planning, first by evaluating the basic situation. What's going on ? What exactly do I want? What type of magical procedure is most suited to achieving my goal without arousing the neighbors' overactive Imagination? What symbolic components can I use to complete the procedure?
It's hard to answer these questions without first knowing exactly what each process entails. That's where this section will help. The following are descriptions, in alphabetical order, of the objects and techniques used in this book. Become familiar with these, so that when you go to pull the Goddess's energy out of your pocket, you'll know exactly what procedure to grab and how to use it effectively.
Amulet:
An amulet is a preservative -- that is, something worn as a remedy orprotection against evil. Common ancient amulets included stones, metals, hides, or plants with special words, phrases, or images inscribed on them. The St. Christopher medal is a good modern example that travelers still use for protection. Another example is the two-part Mitzpah coin. Two lovers each carry one-half of the coin to protect them while they're apart and ensure their devotion.
According to early experts, amulets worked best when made during a propitious moon sign, hour, weekday, and so forth. This can get rather burdensome for modern work-a-day folk. So, I suggest creating amulets whenever you wish, and I recommend adding symbolic timing when your schedule will allow. While timing does add another dimension to your magical methodology, and I recommend optimal timing periodically throughout this book, don't feel bound by it. Much more important than when you make an amulet is that you make it.
Charging:
Charging is a way of activating any object's latent magical potential for a specific goal -- and you need not have a Visa or Master card to do it! This process Is very similar to giving a battery a jump start. You place an object in moonlight, sunlight, water, or rich soil to gather the energy of that medium. Moonlight is a good choice for magic centering on the intuitive nature, while sunlight has a conscious, active principle. Water is soothing, refreshing, and healing; earth, grounded and growth-oriented. While there are other ways of magically empowering objects, these four work fairly universally for any charm, amulet, talisman, or fetish you might design.
Goddess in My Pocket. Copyright © by Patricia Telesco. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.
