Part Five

Skrying can be a useful tool in one's magickal workings. It can help calm the mind, show a path intended for one, or allow one to peer through the veils of life and the afterlife. It can also allow one to contact the Source. There are many types of devices used for skrying. Some use a crystal ball, gazing into its depths and interpreting what they see. Some use a metal or glass skrying bowl, containing water that has been allowed to become completely still. Then there are magick mirrors, which can either be store-bought, or, preferably, hand-made. To make a magick mirror, one needs a small, circular piece of glass, and flat black paint. Simply paint one side of the glass black, allow it to dry, then turn it over and gaze into the unpainted side. Some prefer a flat piece of obsidian, for it's identification with nighttime and darkness. To skry, one needs to first clear the mind, using whatever techniques are effective. Then, after quiet and calm are achieved, gaze into your device of choice. Try to look into its depths, seeing past the surface. Remember, one is trying to see beyond the pale, so to speak. One may see symbols, shapes, or even whole pictures. Do not try to focus on them, for the subconscious mind will remember them and store them away for later interpretation. Also, do not simply try to force images to appear, for this is a working of the subconscious. Just let the images flow; the Source will show what needs showing. After the images stop, spend some time reflecting on what you saw. Maybe it was steps to a resolution of unfinished business, or a solution to a problem, or maybe it was simply the Source saying, in essence, "Hi." Even if the images make no sense to the conscious mind, the subconscious mind will connect them as needed, most likely in dreams. A word of caution: I would not recommend the use of a Ouija board. It can tap into dangerous energies, or connect with so-called "evil" entities. If one is not prepared, severe spiritual and psychological harm can occur. Always be careful. Namaste.

Part Four

Many people think you need a wand to perform magick. Well, yes and no. A wand, per se, is not a requirement, but if you choose to use one, think of it as an extension of yourself, or an antenna, transmitting your energy. A wand should be no thicker than your thumb, and no longer than the distance between your elbow and the tip of your middle finger. More important tools for rituals include your athame, or ceremonial dagger. It should be double-edged, with a grip that feels comfortable in your hand. The athame is ued for drawing your magick circle, or for pointing to the four points of the compass: north, south, east, and west, when these directions are included in the ritual. Some people prefer a sword, but this can be impractical for most. Another important tool is your chalice, or ritual cup. This is used for water offerings, or ceremonial wine. It is a sacred vessel and should never be used for mundane purposes. Depending on your preference, the chalice should be made of either gold or silver, and should be like a goblet. Then you have your skrying bowl, or skrying mirror. This is used for, well, skrying. Some people use a crystal ball for this purpose, but it's really a matter of preference. I prefer a piece of flat obsidian, but that's just me. For a skrying bowl, one just needs a large, shallow netal or glass bowl with about two inches of water in it. Let the water become still before attempting to skry. More on that later, though. Another obvious set of tools would be...candles. I know this seems stereotypical, but candles are an essential part of most rituals. They are used for light, to represent the fire element, and to send written requests into the aether. Then there is the pentacle, or focusing disk. This gives one a physical object on which to focus their mouth to properly channel its energies. It also provides a focus for meditation. Also, one needs a representation for each of the four elements: a handful of dirt for earth, water for water, a red candle for fire, and a feather or stick of incense for air. Finally, one needs an altar. It should be waist height, wide enough for all your tools, and preferably draped with an altar cloth. Each of the elemental representations should lie on their respective compass points, and the other tools should be arranged in a convenient place to reach them.

In closing, there are many tools that one needs for rituals, and this list is by no means comprhensive. If you think you need it, you probably do, and miscellaneous items will be added or removed from ritual to ritual as needed. Namaste.

Part Three

Blood is a very powerful magickal substance. It carries not only the life, but the essence of someone as well. It can hold memories, emotions, and powers that reside in one's body. It provides a deep connection to the Source that can be found nowhere else. Therefore, blood magick is one of the most powerful types of magick that can be found.When one uses blood in a ritual, one is applying a very powerful energy to said ritual; therefore always be cautious when using blood, for if not done correctly, the energies provided can produce more harm than good. Also, one should ONLY use one's own blood. To take blood from another, especially against their will, is abhorrent. Plus the ritual will not work as well, because it is not your energy you put into it, but another's. Also, only a small amount is needed, so one need not hurt oneself to obtain the needed quantity. Animal blood is also ineffective, as it comes from a "lower" lifeform and carries less energy, so animal sacrifices are unnecessary and, truth be told, frowned on by most. NEVER kill an animal to harness the energies of its death. If you do so, the repercussions can be, and often are, quite severe.


Tying in with blood magick is sharing of blood, whether donating or feeding. This is a very intense, very intimate act, more so when shared by , for want of a better term, lovers. The very act of opening your flesh for another can be very erotic, but take heed. One slip of the blade can lead to serious injury. Therefore, it is imperative that, for safety's sake, one should only cut oneself. Unless you trust your partner completely, NEVER allow them to cut you, for even the most careful person could slip. Also, one should always sterilize the cutting implement, and make sure the incision site is clean, to prevent the possibility of infection. In modern times, one should also be careful when selecting a donor, due to blood-borne diseases such as HIV. The procedure itself is really simple; first one should do a symbolic cleansing by shower or bath. Again, be sure to have the tools required ready beforehand. After the cleansing is complete, light some incense, select the incision site, and, with a razor blade or other keen, sharp edge, make an incision small enough to be scarless, or choose a site where a scar won't matter. The key is to allow for maximum blood flow with minimum damage. Be sure to sterilize your blade, and clean the incision site as well. Use alcohol for both, as well as for afterward. Once the incision is made and the blood is flowing reasonably well, allow the recipient to drink directly from the wound. After the recipient is done, use alcohol again to cleanse the wound and stop the bleeding. Done properly, this act will tie you to your partner in a very intimate, personal way and allow them to gain some insight into who you are.


In closing, blood is a very powerful substance. It can add energy to a rite, be used to feed another, or seal a magickal rite. But blood is also vey precious, and should never be wasted. Namaste.

Part Two

Rituals are an integral part of any religion. It allows adherents to entered an altered state of mind, one that is more receptive to the energies surrounding the ritual chamber. It provides a structure that the mind can wrap itself around, a rational frame for an irrational activity. It is also known as psychodrama. Pyschodrama is a term for ritualistic activity designed to instill a sense of reverence and power into oneself for the purpose of working magick. Magick is defined as "using one's will to affect changes in circumstances for the betterment of self and others," but it is more than that. Magick is a tool, a means to an end, that end being a reconnecting to the Source. Mankind's ultimate goal is reuniting with the Source, whether they be Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Pagan, or otherwise. There are many means, right and wrong, to reconnect, as many as there are religions. For the purpose of the treatise, only Pagan means will be discussed. Preparation for any ritual begins with gathering the materials needed, then a symbolic cleansing of the body, usually by bath or shower. Then one will progress to a cleansing of the mind, by meditation. One usually begins meditation by finding a quiet spot, assuming a comfortable position, and clearing the mind of all clutter. Once the mind is cleared, then one focuses on the object of the ritual, visualizing it in the best way possible for them, whether by an image connected to the object, or, in the case of communing with the Source, a representation that best suits the aspect of the Source one is communing with. Then, with the image or representation firmly in place in the mind, the ritual begins, usually with an opening of the magickal circle. Some also do a banishing, ridding the chamber of negative energies. The ritual itself can be written out or memorized, but most often, the more successful rituals have no script. During the ritual, energy is raised, harnessed, and put to use. The means of raising such energy are widely varied, and there is really no wrong way to do so. Finally, thanks are given, the circle is closed, and usually the participant grounds themselves by either physically touching the ground, thereby placing unused energy back into the Earth, or releasing the energy to the four winds. This is the basic structure of a ritual process, but it is by no means concrete. Most people add to, or take out, parts of the process as needed. Again, there is no real way to conduct a ritual, provided one feels comfortable in their workings. If something doesn't feel right, by all means, alter it until it does. The beauty of the Pagan path is nothing is set in stone. It is malleable, suited to be adjusted to one's needs. After all, we choose this path for the freedom it offers. And freedom is what we are after, freedom to reconnect with the Source as we see fit. That being said, once we reconnect with the Source, only then will we truly be free, free from care, free from pain, free to love. Namaste.

Part One

Meditation is essential for spiritual well-being. It allows one to center oneself and quiet one's mind. It also allows for communion with the Source. If one is to attain adepthood, it is required to be able to listen to the Source, to hear the instruction given for use of magickal abilities. To truly gain Power, first, one must submit. Submit to the Source, submit to the instructor, submit to the energies that flow through the universe. Some call it chi, some call it ka, and some call it the Breath of the Dragon, but it is the energy, or life force, of all living things. Amazing abilities await those who are patient enough to still their minds and listen. Only when one listens can one truly learn. There are those who believe it takes years, even lifetimes, to tap into those abilities.

But the good news is, one can start using them in as little as weeks, if one is willing to take the time to start from the beginning and take the first steps. It is a process, but not a long, drawn out one. It just takes a little time and concentration, but will pay off in the long run. That being said, one should not use said abilities for ill purposes, because there are consequences. Remember karmic law. There is a system of checks and balances. Do good, and reap the benefits; do ill, and it will come back to haunt you. Even the simplest little hex or curse can have massive repercussions, not just on this plane, but on the astral plane as well, and can result in serious, even fatal situations. Before performing any rite, ritual or spell, part of your preparation must be examining your heart to determine your intentions. If you have even the slightest doubt, it is advisable to wait until the doubt is cleared before you do something that could affect you adversely later.

In closing, let it be said that the Power is there; all one has to do is ask for it. The Source is generous to a fault, but be warned that there are consequences for every action. Namaste.