Basics from Higher Magick

The Chakras
While some may argue with my point of view on this, it is my contention that in many cases the exploration of the chakras is over emphasized. Too many new practitioners appear to be overly concerned with the degree to which they can open one chakra or another, for one reason they read about or another.

The Chakras, as I have come to understand them, are a metaphor for the flows of energy through the body that originates within Indian mystical tradition. Many consider them deeply important to magical practice as they provide for us a rather clear understanding of both our physical, mental, and spiritual state of well being as well as the manner in which we interact with the world on all three of these levels. Their contemplation allows us to not only monitor these interactions and energetic flows to help maintain a degree of health, but also come to a deeper understanding as to how we work on all levels, and, through this, how the world around us works.

If you take time to simply meditate upon the chakras, observing them within your practice as you go through daily life, you will observe changes within the flow of your energy rooted within your mood, physical state of being, as well as with how open, aware, and receptive you have become to all things. For example, the heart chakra might flutter open when love blossoms between you and another, or it may grow dark with negativity after you have been hurt or had your heart broken. Similarly, the third eye chakra may open as you become more aware and understanding of the energies that exist around you.

You will note too, that you need not stress about these things. Indeed, struggling, and generally trying too hard to develop your chakras in any way will only cause more harm than good. The goal is harmony and understanding, within and without, and to rush the development of anyone chakra simply because you wish to attain a new experience will only leave you inhibited further down the road.

The Elements
Among the chakras, the Elements are the next thing that all new comers gravitate to. They seek to immediately answer the question "What is my element?", to which they are lured through misconception and curiosity, often believing that in having a personal element they will gain greater ability within magic, regarding that element, or otherwise possess fantastic powers that (as we have discussed above) are simply not attainable.

Well, the answer to "What is my element?" is simply: All of them. You are all of the elements at once, even as you embody none of them. Water is the glue that holds you together. It flows through every cell, tissue, and organ, and helps sustain you with all of the nutrients you need. Earth gives you substance and form. It is what defines you, what makes you solid and stable. Fire gives you passion and the spark of life. It is the pure warmth of the living. Air is whim, creativity, thought. It is the vapors of your longs and the vapor of your mind. You are all of these things.

What then, of spirit you ask? You have read of the fifth element, as it is sometimes called. Traditionally, Spirit is not an element at all. The elements cling to the physical. They define matter and all that exists in this world. Spirit is the touch of the divine. It is your soul, it is good and evil.

And what then of the other sub groups that some modern practices teach of? Lightning, smoke, light, darkness, ice and so forth? These are unnecessary. They are but aspects of the four base elements, which encompass all. Smoke is air given form, a coupling of air and earth. Ice is water deprived of fire. Darkness is the absence of fire's light. Lightning? Fire and air, striking briefly.

You need not seek to be any one of these. You are not just one. Sure, you may possess a kinship or a familiarity with the aspects of a single element above all others. In this case, begin your studies with this one. Allow it to help you understand the rhythms and flow of nature as you expand your study of the elements to all others. If you pin yourself to one, you only hinder yourself.

Thank you for the wonderful post Awake :)

Thank you for the great post, I learned some stuff from here.

This should be required reading ;)

Excellent. You should write a book.

I agree with LdyGry! Why isn't this an article? Awake, you should make this an article and I will post the link everytime I see someone new! I already bookmarked this thread. Ready, set, see newbie, copy and paste link! =p

It will end our solemn head shakes, frustrated sighs, face palms, and repetitive beatings of the unfortunate wall, table, or desk with our skulls. At least I can hope!

awake this was brilliant and i am sure will help us all not just the newbies, brilliantly written and was clear and easy to understand. many blessings macus

A very spiritual/ mystical and practical introduction. So informative and really useful to me.

Thank you for this post.

Zols3

Thanks for all of the praise, heh. It's not an article yet because I may be adding to it, I think.

Thank you! Really helped!

This thread has been moved to Other Spells Discussion from Welcome.