Post by thekaos on Feb 7, 2006 11:46:52 GMT -5
Magick
Definition
Magick, in this context, refers to using rituals, objects, or habits to cause changes, either in a person's mind and attitude, or in the world. It may involve invoking a higher power to do work for you, or using a ritual to bring forth power within you to do work.
Some religions use magical ceremonies for blessings, rites of passage, and recognition. Examples would be baptism, communion, weddings and hand-fastings, prayers, rain dances, and some superstitions.
Traditions
The traditions around magick vary greatly. Most Christian traditions have magical ceremonies of various sorts, conducted by the priest or pastor, and involving sometimes an entire congregation. They may not be referred to as magick, but the rites fit the definition, involve God's power in some way, and have a purpose in the minds of the people involved.
Most Christian traditions restrict the use of magick to only religious officials, and only in the ways defined by the church. They discourage general people from pursuing psychic perceptions, and especially from practicing ritual magick without the church.
Other religions, such as Wicca, are much more open about who can use magick. Wicca is a nature-loving religion with a God and a Goddess. Its basic message is as long as you harm no one, do whatever you want. It supports the use of rituals to help you think differently, to accomplish things, and accepts the existence of psychic perception.
There are many other religions that support psychic abilities and ritual magick.
Magick and Psi
Magick and psychic abilities are related but somewhat different. Psychic abilities come entirely from within, and are generally under the control of the person involved. Magick can come from within or from other sources, and may or may not be entirely controlled.
They are two similar but different ways of causing changes in the world. They often work well together, because ritual is especially helpful for setting a mood that psi will work in.
Giving Readings
Definition
Giving psychic readings to friends can be fun. This includes all methods of telling the future, describing the past, learning about a distant place, practicing telepathy, and any other psychic use you can imagine.
Responsibility
Decide, before starting, how much responsibility you are taking for what the person does with the information.
Is it "for entertainment purposes only?" Do you expect your advice to be followed? Do you want your advice to be followed, or just noted and observed? How confident are you of what you are saying? If what you are saying is wrong, how will you expect the person to respond to you?
There are no wrong answers, just consider the questions before you start giving readings. Make your expectations clear to the person receiving the reading You can place as much or as little importance as you want on the your answers, as long as you communicate the importance.
Reasons
Consider, also, the reasons you want to give readings. This isn't to determine right and wrong reasons; it's just to understand what your goals are.
Do you want to:
practice perceiving?
help people out?
encourage discussion?
prove that psi exists?
test your abilities for yourself?
have fun?
try something new?
feel closer to people?
understand the world or people better?
learn?
Once you've determined why you want to do readings, you'll have a much clearer idea of what you're aiming for. You can keep your reasons totally to yourself. It just helps you to understand them.
Confidence
Confidence is very important when giving readings. It helps prevent anxiety, and keep you relaxed. This is the main reason readings are classified as Advanced rather than Beginner.
To stay confident, avoid verification until the end of the reading. It prevents comments from distracting you or making you analyze too soon. After you have given all the information you can, then the person getting the reading can verify how much seemed accurate.
Methods
There are many methods for doing readings, such as runes, tarot, dice, cards, I Ching, angel oracle, freeform telepathy, and others. Learn the history and common uses of a method before using it. Anything that gives you good results is a good choice.
Verification and Proof
Regardless of the method used, once the information is recorded, it's useful to determine which parts were correct. You should only do this after all impressions are recorded, so it doesn't influence the results.
Check details carefully, for colors, sizes, shapes, similarities, word sounds, and other things that may match. Watch out for the extremely general things that don't provide useful information. "You will have difficulty tomorrow" is too general. "You will have trouble with your car at lunch time" is not general; it's very specific and easily proven.
It's ok to be inaccurate at first. You will improve with time and practice. Give at least three months of readings before deciding whether you are generally accurate or not. If possible, keep records of each reading and how much of it proved correct. That way, you can see your progress over time.
Summary
Identify the purpose of the reading and questions.
Choose a method for giving the reading.
Use the method by its instructions.
Check accuracy after completely finished.
Credit:
Playful Phychic book
Definition
Magick, in this context, refers to using rituals, objects, or habits to cause changes, either in a person's mind and attitude, or in the world. It may involve invoking a higher power to do work for you, or using a ritual to bring forth power within you to do work.
Some religions use magical ceremonies for blessings, rites of passage, and recognition. Examples would be baptism, communion, weddings and hand-fastings, prayers, rain dances, and some superstitions.
Traditions
The traditions around magick vary greatly. Most Christian traditions have magical ceremonies of various sorts, conducted by the priest or pastor, and involving sometimes an entire congregation. They may not be referred to as magick, but the rites fit the definition, involve God's power in some way, and have a purpose in the minds of the people involved.
Most Christian traditions restrict the use of magick to only religious officials, and only in the ways defined by the church. They discourage general people from pursuing psychic perceptions, and especially from practicing ritual magick without the church.
Other religions, such as Wicca, are much more open about who can use magick. Wicca is a nature-loving religion with a God and a Goddess. Its basic message is as long as you harm no one, do whatever you want. It supports the use of rituals to help you think differently, to accomplish things, and accepts the existence of psychic perception.
There are many other religions that support psychic abilities and ritual magick.
Magick and Psi
Magick and psychic abilities are related but somewhat different. Psychic abilities come entirely from within, and are generally under the control of the person involved. Magick can come from within or from other sources, and may or may not be entirely controlled.
They are two similar but different ways of causing changes in the world. They often work well together, because ritual is especially helpful for setting a mood that psi will work in.
Giving Readings
Definition
Giving psychic readings to friends can be fun. This includes all methods of telling the future, describing the past, learning about a distant place, practicing telepathy, and any other psychic use you can imagine.
Responsibility
Decide, before starting, how much responsibility you are taking for what the person does with the information.
Is it "for entertainment purposes only?" Do you expect your advice to be followed? Do you want your advice to be followed, or just noted and observed? How confident are you of what you are saying? If what you are saying is wrong, how will you expect the person to respond to you?
There are no wrong answers, just consider the questions before you start giving readings. Make your expectations clear to the person receiving the reading You can place as much or as little importance as you want on the your answers, as long as you communicate the importance.
Reasons
Consider, also, the reasons you want to give readings. This isn't to determine right and wrong reasons; it's just to understand what your goals are.
Do you want to:
practice perceiving?
help people out?
encourage discussion?
prove that psi exists?
test your abilities for yourself?
have fun?
try something new?
feel closer to people?
understand the world or people better?
learn?
Once you've determined why you want to do readings, you'll have a much clearer idea of what you're aiming for. You can keep your reasons totally to yourself. It just helps you to understand them.
Confidence
Confidence is very important when giving readings. It helps prevent anxiety, and keep you relaxed. This is the main reason readings are classified as Advanced rather than Beginner.
To stay confident, avoid verification until the end of the reading. It prevents comments from distracting you or making you analyze too soon. After you have given all the information you can, then the person getting the reading can verify how much seemed accurate.
Methods
There are many methods for doing readings, such as runes, tarot, dice, cards, I Ching, angel oracle, freeform telepathy, and others. Learn the history and common uses of a method before using it. Anything that gives you good results is a good choice.
Verification and Proof
Regardless of the method used, once the information is recorded, it's useful to determine which parts were correct. You should only do this after all impressions are recorded, so it doesn't influence the results.
Check details carefully, for colors, sizes, shapes, similarities, word sounds, and other things that may match. Watch out for the extremely general things that don't provide useful information. "You will have difficulty tomorrow" is too general. "You will have trouble with your car at lunch time" is not general; it's very specific and easily proven.
It's ok to be inaccurate at first. You will improve with time and practice. Give at least three months of readings before deciding whether you are generally accurate or not. If possible, keep records of each reading and how much of it proved correct. That way, you can see your progress over time.
Summary
Identify the purpose of the reading and questions.
Choose a method for giving the reading.
Use the method by its instructions.
Check accuracy after completely finished.
Credit:
Playful Phychic book