Visualization is
the ability or skill to see something that doesn't 'really' exist in front of
your eyes, either keeping your eyes closed or open. A mental image is the representation in a person's mind of the
physical world outside of that person. It is an experience that, on most occasions,
significantly resembles the experience of perceiving some object, event, or
scene, but occurs when the relevant object, event, or scene is not actually
present to the senses. There are
sometimes episodes, particularly on falling asleep and waking up, when the
mental imagery, being of a rapid, dreamlike and involuntary character, defies
perception, presenting a kaleidoscopic field, in which no distinct object can
be discerned.
Visualization is a technique of communicating with
the subconscious mind by means of creating images in the mind’s eye. It is taught in conjunction with meditation
because the two often go hand-in-hand in Wiccan practice. Visualization can help you achieve a
meditative state and visualizations increase in effectiveness when performed in
a meditative state.
Meditating is one of the Thirteen
Goals of a Witch.
Probably all Witches meditate, more or less, to some degree. They use these skills when they use a
grounding technique, do creative visualization, take a trance journey, focus on
a spell or create ritual.
Visual 'visualization' isn't the only possibility
there is, so you shouldn't be too worried if you can't do it. Working magick, rituals, spells, meditations
and what have you are perfectly possible for 'sightless' people as well. It can require somewhat more work, as texts
and instructions are written for those who function in sight, but it is
possible. By modifying exercises and
instructions you can make them work for other senses as well. That modifying requires a bit of creative
application, but you can do it! Work on
your strongest sense, you may with time be able to make your other senses
stronger. Even if you are visually
oriented, doing exercises on other senses can help you in creating a more
complete visualization experience.
A basic exercise often given is a candle-based one.
Here's one version: Light a candle and
have it stand at your eye-level about two feet away. Look at the flame, inspect and study it, its
movements and colors, how the flame stands out against the dark background. What do you smell? What do you see? Can you feel the heat? (Don't burn yourself or other items around
you!) Concentrate all your attention to
the flame until it's practically all you can see. Then close your eyes, still facing the candle,
and start building up the image of the flame using your mind's eye.
In the beginning you may see only a faint glimpse
of the flame, but don't panic - exercises take time. If your concentration breaks and the image
disappears, try building it again without opening your eyes. When you can keep the image in your mind for a
long period of time, try adding the movement of the flame, then expanding your
exercise later on so that you can see the whole candle. You can also start modifying the image in your
mind by making the candle larger, changing the color of the candle or the flame
- whatever you can think up. Clarity is
more important in this exercise than the time you can keep it up. With time you won't need stimulus to start
with, that is, the candle to watch. It
may also be useful to see yourself returning to the room to close a
session. Perhaps shutting any doors you
have opened during the visualization.
Some people find it helpful to have specific
visualizations that they repeat from time to time or in certain situations. For example, when you are tense and need
comfort, you can visualize a huge, black, purring mama cat; you're her kitten. A similar visualization is to see yourself in
the lap of the Goddess, however you picture her, or perhaps on the shoulders of
a benevolent
father God. When you want to
help someone calm down, picture a shower of water flowing over them, washing
away their concerns. Many meditations
begin with picturing yourself in a particular location that has sentimental
value.
While image often plays a primary role in
visualization, don’t forget your other senses. Besides seeing an orange, try to smell it,
feel it and taste it. If you visualize a
waterfall, hear the rushing water and feel the cool touch of the droplets on
your skin. You can even employ your
sixth sense during visualization. As
with a verbal description, the more senses you can engage, the more effective
your visualization will be.
Now that you are able to visualize objects you have seen, you
can move on to visualizing for a specific purpose. You can visualize for almost any purpose:
positivity, energizing, protection, success, love – anything. Remember that solid visualization is the basis
for almost every spell or magical ritual you will perform. With proper visualization, magic simply works
better. Creative visualization is a way to combine prayer and meditation so don’t forget to thank
the Divine Spirits for aiding you in this process.
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