Hello, Can someone please me understand the difference between these two terms.
I might be wrong, hence why I'm posting this to double check. But am I understanding these two terms correctly. This is something from my book of shadows that I wrote a very long time ago and have just now found this page again. This was most likely written back during the start of my practice about 19 years ago or so when I thought I needed to know everything and have a term for everything.
"Drawing energy is the act of pulling energy from within yourself, from the natural world, or from a specific source, such as a crystal or a deity. This energy can be used in spells, rituals, or other forms of witchcraft.
Channeling energy, on the other hand, is the act of directing or manipulating energy that is already present. This energy can come from a variety of sources, such as the elements, spirits, or the universe itself. The witch channels this energy and directs it towards a specific intention or goal."
These are terms I hear a lot and I know there's a difference but I can't articulate it. Your definitions seem accurate but then you've got the drawing down the moon ritual where you channel The Triple Goddess and I'm confused on the terms once more.
The terms are used interchangeably, so I don't think it really matters, but channelling is more common. Drawing means you're pulling energy from within you, and channelling is connecting with an outside force [this could be magick but also deities and spirits] And if I'm wrong, someone please correct me because this is the first time I've thought about this and realized I'm not 100% on the difference either.
Re: Drawing vs channeling By: Lark Moderator / Adept
Post # 3 May 30, 2023
In my opinion they are two different things, but they are used together to achieve you magical aims.
So when working magic you "draw" the energy for the working from some source; whether that be from yourself, the earth, the heavens, or any other source of energy. You draw this energy up and into yourself.
They you "channel" or re-direct the energy towards your desired magical goal.
Think of it like a fire hose where water is the energy. You "draw" up the water into the hose. You direct the hose at the chosen target such as a housefire. Then, when you are ready, you turn the valve to release that energy. In effect you have "channelled" the water through the hose.
When you work magic you draw your energy from a source and then, like the fire hose, you contain and channel that energy towards you goal.
Thank you Lark! You seem to come from a genuine place of wanting to help other witches/spellcasters/what ever someone wants to refer to themselves. And thank you Nekoshema! You two make me think this site might be a good place to stick around.
But I am still a little confused, how can I tell the difference? Like if I'm drawing energy from say the moon to fuel a spell. Like I'm taking that energy in, holding it, performing my spell and putting that power from the moon into the spell. I personally call that channeling. Because it's as if there is , like Lark said, a "house" that the energy is going through and I'm putting that power into something , like a spell. Drawing always made me think of like "siphoning" energy, like it's not a continues action during the whole spell, Like in my practice when I channel spirits it feels like a cord like hose is connected to the palm of my hand and energy is being pushed through it and that "linked" feeling stays until I disconnect it. Whereas if I'm drawing energy it's like I'm taking in energy and then if say someone were to start talking to me and break my concentration that energy coming in just fades. I know this is just my personal practice but I would appreciate hearing if any other witches have had anything similar, or could just be one of those personal practice type things.
Honestly, the terminology doesn't matter. Depending on what energy I'm connecting to, it feels different [like you mentioned spirits vs charging magickal energy] what matters is you can sense the difference. Nobody's going to quiz you on which type you're preforming, so long as it works for you.
After thinking about this for a few days, here's what I came up with in terms of the two being different.
I think drawing is when you deliberately pull energy from somewhere or something, usually allowing it to build for a while. Channeling is when you allow energy from somewhere or something to flow through you without necessarily pulling it from that place or thing. You can focus your intention on drawing energy, or you can allow the energy to flow through you and redirect it somewhere else. One is active and the other is more passive.
I can see the difference. If, for example, we take the Energy of the Planets and we make those Future Colonies, and so as we talk about Mars we talk about kind of the Attitude of the People of Mars towards the People of Earth. So then now these Discussions about Earth Energy and Martian Energy from each perspective has kind of a similar Nature to what we are talking about now, but some might word that it has like “more serious implications”. And if I were to be on Mars and try to Draw on Energy coming from the Earthlings, it might be different than Channeling their Energy on my Planet.
