Magick is a broad term given to the ability to make events occur in accordance with one’s true Will by the application of sufficient energy.

In other words, magick is the direction of energy to a desired goal or purpose. It is a manipulation of the more subtle forms of energy which science is just beginning to understand.

Many people add a "k" to magic to distinguish true magick from slight-of-hand and stage tricks.

When learning magick, Witchcraft, Wicca, etc., it is common for a person to keep a diary or notebook of experiences, thoughts, ideas, and things that work for them. This book is often called a "book of shadows" or perhaps a "grimoire." Despite popular belief, the book does not have to be anything "special" or expensive; it can be as simple as a spiral notebook or a three-ring binder. I like to use a three-ring binder, since it can be laid open flat, it’s easy to add pages, and you can also get pockets or add pockets to it (in case you attend a discussion or get handouts). I also like to use my computer! In all of these lessons, I will mention where you should make notes of how you feel and what you experience. These experiences can be quite useful, not only during the learning process, but also on. As your magickal abilities increase, you may want to write down "spells" that work for you, make notes on how things work, etc.

Before you begin your journey, you must be aware that the study of magick will change every aspect of your life. Your awareness will be expanded, and your appreciation of the world around you will increase. Magick is a field of study. As with many subjects, it takes a relatively short time to grasp the basics and a lifetime to master them. You will never stop learning!

We live in a sea of energy. Everything around us is energy; we are energy. Matter is energy in a very tight, very specific matrix or form. Energy bombards us in various forms every day: light, sound, heat, radiation, gravity, ultraviolet light, microwaves, radio waves, television signals, and many, many others. All these forms of energy both include and make up the more subtle energy that we use in magick. This more subtle energy form has been called the "ether," or "aether," by some. Regardless of the name, it is a form of energy that interacts with, and possibly comprises, all other energy types.

The energy that is used in magick comes from six basic sources.

1. The energy within ourselves
2. The environment around us such as plants, rocks, nature, etc.
3. Energy willingly given by others and/or energy created through various forms of personal empowerment
4. Energy from other planes of existence: astral, mental, elemental, spiritual
5. Energy from higher entities and divine sources.
6. **From the pain/suffering/death of living beings

WAIT!

The last item is included only for the sake of completeness.

TO CAUSE PAIN AND SUFFERING—WITH OR WITHOUT REASON—TO ANOTHER BEING IS WRONG!

In these lessons, I will not tell you how to use or manipulate such energies!

The physical body is a storehouse and channel for energy. The center of our energy system is our chakras. The chakras are energy transfer points within the body, and are responsible for regulating the energy field of the body. This energy field is known as the aura; some people like to call it the Human Energy Field. The body stores energy for normal and magickal use. In addition, the body can channel energy from outside sources to replenish itself and for use in magick. People tend to have three types of internal energy:

• Life essence
• Normal energy
• Magickal energy

The life essence is the core of our energy system. This energy is rarely tapped.

The normal energy of the body is that energy that is used in everyday life. It is the easiest energy to replace, and is replenished through eating, resting, exercise, and other activities designed to restore/maintain the body/mind.

Every individual possesses magickal energy to some extent. As with normal energy, magickal energy can be developed and its capacity increased. Magickal energy is the energy gathered from the energy that permeates all things. Magickal energy can be used to increase normal energy. Magickal energy can also be replaced through rest, as well as through several exercises that will be discussed throughout this course of study.

When working magick, both magickal energy and normal energy are used. Normal energy is used to fuel the body and to provide a vehicle for the movement of magickal energy. When the stored magickal energy is depleted, normal energy can be used in its place. As normal energy is used up (whether by magickal or non-magickal activity), the body becomes tired. If the body becomes too tired, illness can set in. If the normal energy is completely expended, the life essence can be drawn upon. This is extremely dangerous, because if the level of the life essence drops too low then physical death can occur.

Consider the previous paragraph to be a major warning. When working magick, the individual must be careful to observe his/her energy level. As the energy level decreases, the amount of physical and magickal expenditures also need to decrease. If the energy level drops too low, then illness and/or death can occur. This is neither fiction nor a Hollywood drama—it can happen.

All living things and all items in creation contain energy. The ground, sky, rocks, crystals, trees, plants, animals, elemental forces, etc., all contain energy. The combined energy field of all things in creation can be tapped when working with magick. This combined energy field is often referred to as the ether.

All living beings have the potential to be able consciously to transfer energy to other people. This is most often seen through prayer and good wishes. Magickal people can send energy to other people. This type of energy forms the third type of energy listed. It is energy that is freely given.

The physical plane is not the only plane of existence. As seen in Lesson Two, there are three major planes of Being—physical, mental, and spiritual. These three planes can be further divided. Within the physical plane there are the elemental planes: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit/Ether. Within the mental plane there are other planes such as the astral plane. Energy can be drawn from these planes or forces. This energy is the fourth type of energy.

Within the spiritual planes there reside the higher beings. These are beings that do not exist in physical form unless they desire to manifest in that way) There are many different entities on the spiritual level: elemental rulers, spirit guides, teachers, angels, demons, demigods, deities, etc. These entities can be petitioned for assistance and energy, though this method requires some type of compensation.

The last type of energy is NOT used by Witches, Wiccans, or any other practitioners of white or "gray" magick. This last category of energy is that which is generated by the pain and suffering of others. On ALL levels, causing other entities to suffer is wrong!

To use energy, you must first learn to sense the energy and then to control those senses.

The human body is a fairly amazing system capable of many things, including sensing the finer energies around us. Sensing magickal energy is ordinarily accomplished through a specialized form of the sense of touch. However, some people use other senses, such as sight and hearing, to locate magickal energies. In fact, every sense can detect magickal energies. Since the use of touch is the most common, that is where we will start.

Exercise 1 (Touch): Energy Field Associated With Palm Chakras

Get a sheet of paper, or a tape recorder. After you do this exercise, you will want to make notes of any perceptions, feelings, or senses, no matter how strange they might seem. For this exercise, sit in a comfortable position. Do not worry about posture—just relax.

1. Place the palms of your hands together in front of you.
2. Move your hands apart until they are about one foot away from each other.
3. Slowly move your hands together until they touch.
4. Move your hands apart until they are about six inches from each other.
5. Slowly move your hands together until they touch.
6. Move your hands apart until they are about three inches from each other.
7. Slowly move your hands together until there is about one inch of space between them.
8. Repeat the last two steps several times, creating a "bouncing" motion with your hands.
9. Take a few moments to write down any perceptions or feelings you experienced.

Many people report a tingling sensation in their palms; they may also feel warmth, coolness, pressure, etc. When I do this exercise, I feel a pressure similar to that observed when like poles of a magnet are brought together. If you have never seen this phenomenon, get either two bar magnets or two disk magnets and experiment with placing them together. Different poles will be attracted to each other, and like poles will be repelled by each other. If you did not feel anything when doing this exercise, don’t worry. Some people take a bit longer to get used to sensing the energy fields. Try repeating the exercise, but begin by rubbing your hands together briskly—as if they are cold and you are trying to warm them—for about thirty seconds before beginning.

This exercise teaches you to feel energy fields. The body has special energy transfer centers called chakras. There are seven major chakras located along the spine, 21 minor chakras (two are located in the palms of the hand), and there are over 101 other energy points located across the body. The chakras help to regulate the flow of energy within the body and to form the auric bodies. The auric bodies are basically shells of energy which surround the body. More information on the chakras and the auric bodies will be given in a later lesson.

Exercise 2 (Touch): Energy Associated With The Auric Field

This exercise will give you another method for sensing the human energy fields. Pay special attention to the feelings and sensations in your fingertips.

1. Place your hands together in front of you.
2. Move your hands apart until there is about half an inch separating them.
3. Pretend that there is an imaginary bar going through the centers of your palms, so that your hands will rotate only backward and forward.
4. Keep the left hand still and slowly rotate the right hand forward, then slowly rotate the right hand backward.
5. Repeat step 4 several times.

The energy field that surrounds the body is called the aura. The aura has many layers and shapes. The auric layer closest to the body tends to fit like a second skin. When you move your hands back and forth, the energy fields surrounding the hands bump into each other. People often feel either tingling in the fingertips or little ridges of pressure as the fingertips pass each other.

You should practice these exercises over several weeks to help yourself become acclimated to feeling the energy fields. The more you do these exercises, the more acute your senses will become. Eventually, you will be able to distinguish between subtle energy patterns, recognize color by feel, and much more. Being able to sense the energy fields and subtle patterns within them will be of extreme use if you do work with the various forms of magickal healing (also another topic covered in a later lesson).

Exercise 3 (Touch): Energies Associated With Your Auric Field

1. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch).
2. Hold your right hand about three inches above your left arm.
3. Slowly move your right hand nearer to your arm until you begin to sense the energy field.
4. Slowly move your hand up and down your arm, noting any sensations that you experience.

Ordinarily, the energy field is fairly smooth around the body. Unless you are suffering from some ailment or you have had some injury, the field will be fairly constant. Do not be surprised if you can feel places where bones have been broken, etc. All ailments will leave energy residue in the auric field, even long after the event has occurred and the injury has healed. The next time you hit your arm, try feeling the energy field over the spot and around it, and notice the differences in the energy field.

Exercise 4 (Touch): Energy Associated With Other Living Objects

Exercise 4 helps you to begin sensing the energy fields of other objects. Eventually, you will be able to sense the energy in dirt, ordinary rocks, etc. Everything has an energy field. You will find that living things have stronger energy fields than inanimate objects, the exception being crystals. In this exercise you will need a plant (either a potted plant, an outdoor plant or a tree, etc.) If you have a quartz or other crystal, that will be useful.

1. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch).
2. Place your hands about one foot from the plant, tree, bush, etc.
3. Slowly move your hands closer to the plant until you begin to feel its energy field.
4. Once you begin to feel the energy field, slowly explore the plant.

You will generally find there are stronger fields around flowers and buds, the tips of leaves, and around the root structure.

Repeat this exercise using a crystal.

Exercise 5 (Touch): Sensing The Energy Fields Of Others

So far, these exercises have been centered around living objects and yourself. This next experiment requires a second person. Remember, you must have permission to "feel" another person.

1. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch).
2. Put your hand about three inches above the arm of the other person.
3. Slowly move your hand closer until you sense the other person’s energy field. With different people, this occurs at different distances—anywhere from six inches to two or three feet, depending on the person.

The following experiments will generally produce results similar to Exercise 1.

Exercise 6 (Touch): Sensing The Energy Field Around Electrical Appliances

This exercise will get you accustomed to feeling strong fields around inanimate objects. You will need a computer monitor, or a TV, or a radio speaker, or a microwave, etc.

1. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch).
2. Put your hand(s) about six inches from the object you are sensing.
3. Slowly move your hand(s) closer to the object until you touch the item.
4. Move your hand slowly away from the item and toward it until you sense the field.

Electrical appliances will produce a stronger field than other inanimate objects. It may take some practice to begin sensing these fields, but eventually you will be successful.

Exercise 7 (Touch): Sensing The Energy Fields Around Inanimate Objects

This last exercise in touch moves to working with inanimate objects. Any non-living, non-electrical object will do.

1. Perform Exercise 6 (Touch), but use an inanimate object instead.

The energy fields of inanimate objects are more subtle than those of other items. It may take a good deal of practice of feel these fields, but given time and practice, you will be able to sense them. In addition, when working with objects and other people, do not be surprised if you pick up impressions of things that have happened to the people or the other objects. Some people have strong psychometric skill. Psychometry is a branch of magick devoted to picking up impressions from objects and is a subset of channeling.

Feeling the energy fields around objects can give you a great deal of valuable information. However, touch is not the only sense we can use. The second most common sense used in magickal workings is Sight. A heightened form of ordinary eyesight, Sight is that which lets us see the magickal energies. Sight may take longer to develop in some people than others. Also, Sight may manifest differently in different people. Some people may see brilliant and vibrant colors; others may see things in shades of gray; and some may see energy patterns. The more you use your Sight, the stronger and more accurate it will become. When beginning to train your Sight, it is not uncommon to see "glows" or "outlines" in a single color, usually white. With time and practice, you will be able to distinguish details and color and even more.

The next series of exercises will help you train yourself to see energy fields.

Exercise 1 (Sight): The Hands, Part 1

For this exercise you will need some white poster board or a sheet of white paper. You will also need a sheet of black construction paper or poster board. The sheet must be large enough so that your hand fits on it. In addition, you will need to perform this exercise in a dim room.

1. Relax.
2. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch) several times.
3. Hold your common-use hand (if you’re right-handed, use the right hand) in front of the white paper.
4. Let the focus of your eyes relax and gaze at your hand.

Given some time and practice, you will begin to see the auric field around your own hand. Try this experiment using both the white and black paper. Beginners sometimes have an easier time with a dark background than a light background, but this is not always true. During this experiment do not strain or try to force the experience—just let it happen.

Exercise 2 (Sight): The Hands, Part 2

1. Relax
2. Perform Exercise 1 (Touch) several times.
3. Hold your hand in front of the white paper with your index finger extended.
4. Feel a beam of white light jump from your index finger and strike the paper.
5. Let the focus of your eyes relax as you gaze at your hand and the paper.

Once you are able to see the energy field around your hand, try to expand your focus to include larger objects. Look at people and see what you "See." Try looking at plants and trees. Also, watch people who are really enthusiastic about a subject they are discussing. People who are speaking on a subject they feel strongly about will generally have a very highly energized auric field. My first experience with Sight was while listening to a person speaking to a club to which I belonged when I was in college. The lady was very energetic, very motivated. She was standing in front of one of the old-style blackboards, and I was completely absorbed in the topic. It was then that I looked past her and saw a bright outline surrounding her. About to point this out to a friend who was sitting next to me, I saw that he was noticing it also. Actually, about half the audience "saw" her energy field. Further exercises with the Sight are centered around other people and objects. You just need to relax, let the focus of your eyes slip a little, and "look."

Exercise 3 (Sight): Plants

You will need a house plant for this next exercise.

1. Place the plant in front of the white paper and dim the lights a little.
2. Sit and relax, and let your focus slowly fade
3. Look at the plant, then sort of through it and past it.

With practice, you should be able to see the energy field of the plant.

Exercise 4 (Sight): Self

In this exercise you will try to see your own energy field while looking in a mirror. You will need a quiet area—preferably with a solid color door, either white or dark—and a mirror (size doesn’t matter, so long as you can see your entire head in the mirror).

1. Find a quiet place with low lighting.
2. Sit or stand with your back to the door.
3. Look at yourself in the mirror.
4. Relax your focus and look "through/behind" yourself.

With practice, you will begin to see the basic outline of your aura. In time, you will be able to see colors, any problem spots, and—with more training—you will be able to distinguish between the auric layers (discussed in another lesson).

Exercise 5 (Sight): Others, Part 1

Exercise 5 depends on having a willing partner.

1. Repeat Exercise 4 (Sight), except have the other person stand/sit in front of the door.

Exercise 6 (Sight): Others, Part 2

Exercise 6 is done while observing other people. You might choose to do this exercise before a class starts, while in a mall, perhaps at a sporting event, etc.

1. Choose a location with several people.
2. Select one person at random and an object near them.
3. Train your focus on the object near the person, and then relax your focus so that you include the person in your gaze.
4. Relax and look "through/behind" the individual.

Please note that Exercise 6 can pose an interesting ethical dilemma. Since "Sight" is not a normally-developed extension to regular sight by non-magickal people, is it ethical to use "Sight" on another person without permission?

Problems to consider include:

• Is it permissible to use an ability on someone who has not developed that ability without that person’s express consent?

• Is it permissible to "bend the rules" while learning if it is only a "little" bend?

• Is the use of "Sight," as magickal people understand the term, nothing more than an extension of normal sight and thereby not an ethical issue?

• Is the use of Sight in public places anything more than the use of normal sight?

• If a person is putting off a very strong aura and you happen "See" it, is this an ethical "no-no?"

These are but a few questions to consider. There are no cut-and-dried answers. The issue of magickal ethics has already been covered in Lesson Two, but we will continue to revisit the topic in future lessons.

As I was writing this lesson, I considered leaving this exercise out because of its problematic nature. This lesson was originally written for an individual who did not have access to a group setting. If a group setting is available, practice with individuals in the group. Remember that the ethical nature of any action must be considered before taking that action. Therefore, I decided to leave this exercise in the lesson as an illustration that the subject of magickal ethics cannot be read over and then stored on a shelf to get dusty. The ethics of magickal actions, or any action for that matter, must be constantly reviewed and examined if it is to have any meaning or impact on our lives.

Sight will allow you to see energy fields, perceive subtle shifts in energy, spot trouble areas, etc. It is also useful when working with certain forms of channeling/divination. With practice, you will also be able to see the energy lines within the Earth, as well as energy pools. Remember that Sight may take some time to develop—each person develops at a different rate.

Any of the five basic senses can be developed to the point that you can use it to detect or feel energy. Energy flows have a definite flavor, they have a smell, and they have a sound. After "touch" and Sight, the sense of sound is usually the next one developed.

Everything vibrates. Even items which we consider to be non-moving, such as a chair, are really moving. This idea has been part of magickal theory for many thousands of years. Western science is just now beginning to understand the concept. All matter is made up atoms. Atoms are, in turn, made up of protons, electrons, neutrons, and other subatomic particles such as quarks, as well as other quantum-level particles. We now know that all of these particles are in constant motion. On some level, everything is always in motion.

Consider sound: sound is nothing more than the excitation of particles at a certain rate. This rate, for humans, is between 50Hz and 4.5KHz. Hz is the abbreviation for hertz; one hertz is defined as one cycle per second. 50 Hz means that a wave repeats itself 50 times every second. 4.5Khz means that a wave repeats itself 4,500 times per second. The higher the hertz, the higher-pitched the sound. At around 4.5KHz, sound passes beyond the ability of humans to hear. If you have ever taken music lessons or if you listen to music, you will know that in Western music there are seven basic notes, or tones, in a scale. These tones can be made to sound higher or lower by changing the frequency. If you go through the entire series of seven tones, you go through an octave and start again. Therefore, you can have the same "note" at different levels: "Middle C," "C above Middle C," "C below Middle C," etc. These octave notes are called harmonics. When "hearing" energy, it will register as a harmonic of a note or frequency that you can hear normally.

To learn to "Hear" energy, most people find it useful to start with bells and chimes. There is also another technique called "Inner Voice" or "Internalizing," wherein you vibrate a sound. The first step in learning to "Hear" is to establish a base.

For this exercise you will need a high-pitched bell or chime. If you do not have one, you can improvise with metal spoons, bowls, and pots. If you have two small metal incense burners, like those available in grocery stores, you will find that striking the two surfaces together will produce a nice chime sound.

1. Sit in a comfortable position in a quiet area.
2. Relax and strike the bell or chime.
3. Listen to the sound as it fades to nothing.
4. Strike the bell or chime again, but this time pay attention to the higher sounds.
5. Listen to the sound as it fades.
6. Strike the bell or chime again and pay attention to any vibrations that occur within your body.

Developing the sense of "Hearing" to perceive energy fields takes some practice, but it can be done. As you work, you may start to notice a low- or high-pitched whine just outside of your normal hearing range. Just remember to relax, work with the sound, and listen to it.

Of all the senses, taste and smell are usually the last and hardest to develop, since it is very difficult to teach someone to taste a food. However, it is possible to develop these senses to taste and smell energy. Since taste and smell are linked, the two senses are pretty much developed in tandem. If you have ever had a head cold or a stopped-up nose, you will know that at those times it is impossible to taste anything—at best, everything tastes very bland. We will draw upon this concept to help develop these last two senses.

I am going to assume that before starting these exercises you will already have begun using one or more of the other senses. Every emotional state has a specific rate or range of vibration. Since emotions can be very intense, the energy associated them will be correspondingly intense. Further, the "flavor" and "smell" of the energy will be very pronounced, especially when dealing with very strong emotions. The exercises for "tasting" and "smelling" energy will require other people to begin with.

he first step will be to "taste" and "smell" strong positive emotions. Generally, positive energy will have a pleasant taste and smell. Negative energy, on the other hand, will generally have a bad or unpleasant taste and smell. Very positive emotions can have a very sweet smell and taste. Very negative emotions can have a very bitter or sour taste and smell. You must understand that these statements are generalizations only.

Exercise 1 (Taste and Smell )(Optional, but highly recommended)

This exercise will require you to attend some type of religious service. I select this venue, because the emotions tend to be very strong and, usually, very positive. In addition, since there are a large number of people participating, the concentration of energy will be much greater. When attending any type of religious service, be sure not to be disrupting (even if you do not agree) and always be polite.

1. Sit in a spot that is out of the way.
2. Relax and open your senses.
3. Follow throughout the service and "feel" the flow of energy. You will be surprised at the amount of energy that occurs during song.
4. When you feel a decent "surge" or level of energy, inhale deeply.
5. Let your mind pick out the known and unknown scents. Think about the energy levels as you inhale.
6. Inhale through your mouth and taste the smells. Think about the energy levels.
7. If possible, make notes about your impressions and sensations.

With practice, you will be able to discern a particular "taste" and "smell" for positive energy. With further development, you will be able to "taste" and "smell" specific emotions.

Exercise 2 (Taste and Smell) (Required)

For Exercise 2, you will need another person, preferably a friend whom you trust. You need to do this when you are not wearing perfume/cologne and are reasonably clean. You should try to limit the number of outside smells in the area. Exercise 2 is designed to help you establish the tastes and smells of extreme ranges of emotions/energy.

1. Find a relaxed and quiet area.
2. Take several moments to breathe deeply, smelling and tasting what is in the area.
3. Ask your friend to think, feel, and remember a very positive experience and to describe it to you.
4. As your friend is talking, open your senses and feel the energy flows. While your friend is talking, concentrate on the smells and tastes you are experiencing.
5. After your friend is finished, ask him/her to think of a very bad experience and to relate it to you.
6. Sense the energy fields and patterns. Concentrate on the smells and tastes as your friend speaks.
7. After working through the base emotions, be sure to write down your impressions and experiences.

You should work with this exercise several times before attempting the third exercise, because you will need a base of reference from which to work.

This exercise also requires another person, preferably the same person from Exercise 2. If possible, you will want a second or third person to work with at different times.

1. Find a relaxed and quiet area.
2. Take several moments to breathe deeply, smelling and tasting what is in the area.
3. Ask your friend to feel a specific emotion such as love, joy, happiness, anger, hate, etc.
4. Have the friend tell you what they are feeling.
5. Relax and open yourself to the energies around you, taste and smell the energy being generated by the person.
6. Repeat these steps for different emotions.
7. After working through each emotion, write down your sensations and experiences.

With practice and study, you can learn to use any of the five basic senses to sense energy fields. You will be able to "find" certain types of energy and to recognize the energy types. If you branch out into healing, these senses will become extremely useful when treating "dis-ease" and other problems. The most important thing to remember through all of this is not to get discouraged or upset. Some people start with very strong potentials for "Touch," "Sight," "Hearing," "Smell," and "Taste," while others must struggle to learn to use these senses.

One of the first steps in manipulating energy is the ability to project it. The projection of energy involves the following steps:

• Summon the energy you will use
• Think of what you want the energy to do.
• See the energy leaving your body on a desired course and let it go.

Exercise 1 (Energy Projection): Directing A Beam Of Energy

1. Extend your arm and forefinger.
2. Feel and see a blue glow at your fingertip. The energy will feel cool and soothing.
3. See and feel the energy jump from your fingertip and travel out in a line from your finger.
4. See the energy strike a desired point away from your body.
5. When you are ready to stop, see the beam of energy stop.
6. The beam of energy will rapidly (instantly) fade when you cease the projection. The point that was formed will dissipate slowly until you will it to dissipate more rapidly.

Exercise 2 (Energy Projection): Forming A Pool Of Energy

1. Perform Exercise 1 (Energy), steps 1 through 4.
2. See the energy collect into a pool or a spot.
3. Continue until you have a spot the size that you desire.
4. When ready to stop, see the beam of energy stop and allow the spot either to fade or to be reabsorbed into yourself.

One of the first practical applications of directing energy is forming a Level 1 Circle. A Circle is a protected and sacred area used to contain your energy and to keep negative influences away from you. It also helps to put you in a mindset for working magick. I define three levels of circles:

• Level 1 – Base Circle
• Level 2 – Base Circle + Quarters
• Level 3 – Base Circle + Quarters + Deity

Circles are usually begun by facing to the East, since East is associated with the element Air, new beginnings, and inspiration. If you do not know the exact location of East ,do not worry—just choose a point and consider it to be East.

Exercise 3 (Energy Projection): Level 1 Circle, Standing In Place

1. Stand at the center of the circle that will be created.
2. Extend your arm and forefinger and see a blue glow at your fingertip.
3. See the beam of light strike the ground at the desired edge of the circle.
4. Slowly turn clockwise. As you turn, see a trail of blue light forming a circle.
5. Continue to turn clockwise until you reach the point from which you started and see the circle formed.
6. When the circle is formed, see the entire circle glowing with a blue light.
7. See the circle form itself into a sphere.
8. Know that the sphere will provide a protective barrier between the outer world and the inner space you have created.

Exercise 4 (Energy Projection): Level 1 Circle, Walking The Boundary Of The Circle

1. Use the procedures in Exercise 3 (Energy Projection), but instead of standing in the center of the circle, walk the boundary of the circle.

To reabsorb energy, you must see/feel the energy and then draw it back into your body. Imagine yourself or a body appendage, such as your finger, as a focal point and see/feel the energy entering through that point.

Exercise 1 (Energy Reabsorption): Uncasting Level 1 Circle

1. Stand (or face) the beginning point.
2. Extend your arm and forefinger and point to the edge of the circle.
3. Walk counterclockwise (or rotate) and see/feel the blue light of the edge of the circle being drawn back through your fingertip.
4. Continue to walk or rotate until you reach the beginning of the circle.
5. Optionally, state that the circle is closed:

Once you can sense energy with any of your five basic senses, you can create energy forms. These energy forms are the basis of being able to form and direct energy. Creating the energy form can be broken into the following steps.

• Create the object in your mind.
• Project a mass of energy to a desired point or to your hand.
• See the mass of energy slowly reform to the shape that is created in your mind.

To create an energy form, you must first decide what you want to create.

1. Create the image in your mind. See the object in as much detail as you can maintain.
2. Create an outline of the object in two dimensions.
3. Expand the two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional object.
4. Observe the object from various directions, making sure that you have the form correct from all perspectives.
5. Add basic color to the object.
6. Add shading and texture.
7. Refine the object until you are satisfied in your mind with what you have formed.

When working magick, it is often desirable to send energy to someone. This is especially true with healing work. Also, an individual may ask you to direct some energy their way. The direction of energy can be done as a passive act through positive thoughts and good will. It can also be accomplished through the more active method of projecting energy. Sending energy to an individual is nothing more than projecting energy and sending it to a desired location. Once again, the issue of magickal ethics must be considered. Sending someone positive energy to help them through the day may seem like a positive action. However, remember that you should not perform any action without express permission. If an individual asks for your help, then you are free to act. If, however, they do not ask for your assistance, then you may find yourself in a difficult position.

If you wish to aid someone, but do not have their express permission, you can petition a higher force (if you believe in such a force) for intervention. For example, you could build a bundle of energy and then ask that the God and/or Goddess (or the archetype of deity) take that energy and use it as he/she sees fit to aid the individual in question. There is also another option wherein you send the energy to the person with the stipulation or message that the energy is there if he/she wishes to use it. Notice that the first option involves the help of a higher entity. The second option prevents the energy from being absorbed by the individual until he/she desires it to happen. With such a working, the individual will know on some level that someone has sent them a "gift" of energy and may choose to accept it or not. Generally, that other level is the "higher self."

The following exercises are designed to help you send energy to other people.

Exercise 1 (Sending Energy): Passing Energy To Another Person Through Direct Contact

This exercise requires another person who is willing to take part in the experiment.

1. Sit or stand close to each other.
2. Take the other person's hand in yours.
3. Feel and see the energy collecting in your hand—feel it as warmth or coolness.
4. Feel and see a white light or energy flow from your hand to the other individual.
5. Allow the flow to continue for as long as desired. When ready, feel the flow stop.

This exercise should produce a reaction in both participants. Generally, the receiver will feel a warmth.

Exercise 2 (Sending Energy): Passing A Specific Type Of Energy (Hot Or Cold) To The Individual

1. Repeat Exercise 1 (Sending Energy), but visualize and feel with warm (red) or cold (blue) energy.
2. Repeat Exercise 1(Sending Energy), but instead of holding hands, have your hands separated by several inches.
3. Repeat the exercise again, but be separated by a few feet.
4. In each case, have the receiver tell you when they sense the energy reaching them.

Exercise 3 (Sending Energy): Tossing Energy Spheres

1. Sit/stand a comfortable distance from each other.
2. In your hand, form a sphere of white light or energy.
3. Throw the sphere to the other individual.

A variation on this exercise would be to have the other person have their eyes closed. You can also catch the energy and throw it back, just as you would a ball.

Sound is vibration, excitation of energy. Before something can be spoken, it must first occur as thought. Therefore, sound is a method by which a thought form can be manifested. Since sound is energy, it has power. There is a school of thought that believes certain sounds, such as the name of "God" or the sound "om," contain special power as the force of creation. The repetition of these sounds can be a method of generating power. This repetition is called chanting. In the moment that something is spoken, the individual speaker has power over that item, to a limited extent, for that instant in time. Chanting is often used as a focus for manifesting energy.

In addition to normal vocalization of sound, there is another form of vocalization called vibrating. Vibrating a sound is an external and internal manifestation of the energy. Vibrating a word has far-reaching effects on this plane, as well as on others. In some types of magick, high magick for example, vibrating a word is an essential part of the work. Every sound has the capability of setting up an internal resonance within the body. It is this resonance that allows an individual to vibrate a sound. Sounds that are vibrated can be audible or they can be silent (heard only by the individual). I believe that vibrating a sound is the basis for the idea that certain sounds can perform certain actions, i.e., stopping bleeding, mending broken bones, or even shattering objects.

The Hindus believe that the sound "om" embodies the creative force of the universe, that it is the word from which all creation is derived. Another example of this belief is seen in certain Buddhist sects that believe the underlying force of the universe is made manifest in the phrase "Nam-meyo-ho-ren-gay-keyoh (this is my poor attempt to put the phrase in a phonetic form)." Another famous chant is that of the Hari Krishnas, which was popularized by the song, musical play, and movie, all entitled Hair. This particular chant is used to fill the mind of the individual with positive thoughts, to the extent that no negative thought can exist.

Exercise 1 (Chant): Group Chanting

1. Sit or stand in a circle.
2. Relax.
3. Begin by saying the sound "om" and letting the "m" sound draw out.
4. Keep repeating the sound "om."
5. As you chant the sound, notice any changes within yourself and your environment.

This exercise can be repeated with any sound, word, or phrase. For example, you could change the vowel sounds, change the phrase "Peace, power, freedom, happiness." The list is endless. Try chanting the consonant sounds. Play around with chanting, vary the pitch, change the tempo.

Chanting can help put you into an altered state of consciousness, the in-between state where magick is worked.

When chanting in a group, it is important to remember that not everyone finds chanting to be helpful when raising energy. The external vocalization of sounds requires concentration. The raising of energy also requires concentration. The chant itself does not raise the energy but, rather, is a focus for the energy that is being funneled through the individual. Also, when chanting,for either pleasure or magickal working, all participants must be comfortable with the chant for it to have maximum benefit. Cast your thoughts back to the exercises on listening and feeling energy. Once you can sense an energy form, you can reproduce it. It is quite possible for chanting to be an external focus for some in a group, while others sense the energy flow and add to it.

Generally speaking, low-pitched sounds tend to make an individual more relaxed and therefore more likely to achieve a state of inner peace. This inner peace is very useful in raising energy. Higher-pitched sounds tend to be more energetic. Slow-tempo chanting tends to encourage a restful or peaceful state, while faster tempo chanting can produce an agitated state.

If you desire to use chanting in a group, then the individuals need to decide on a chant with which everyone is comfortable. When chanting a phrase, the phrase should have meaning to those taking part. It is also important not to "force" an individual into vocalization if that is not a method they enjoy, because this will result in a greatly diminished effect. As stated above, chanting is an external focus for manipulating energy. The internal workings of energy manipulation do not require an external focus—the external focus is there merely to assist the individual in concentration.

There are many different ways by which to raise power. Chanting, movement/dance, vibration, playing musical instruments are all ways in which to raise power. Two of the more well-known methods are the "cone of power" and "pool of power." The energy raised during a working can be used for a specific group goal, or it can be absorbed by the group as a whole.

Exercise 1 (Raising Power): Personal Empowerment

1. Stand in a large circle.
2. One member will step into the center of the circle and state the name he/she wishes to be called by the others and the number of times to be circled by the group.
3. The group will begin chanting the person's name and will move clockwise around the person in the center of the circle.
4. As the group of individuals circle, they direct energy to the person in the center of the circle.
5. This continues until everyone has moved around the person the desired number of times.
6. At the very end, there is usually a loud clap, roar, or some other signal to indicate that the event is finished.
7. The process is repeated until everyone in the circle has had a turn in the center

Until the group is accustomed to this exercise, the number of circles should be limited to five or seven. Going beyond this number has a good chance of overloading the person in the center of the circle.

Exercise 2 (Raising Power): Chair Lifting

1. A chair is placed in the center of the circle.
2. One of the group members sits in the chair.
3. The other group members gather around the chair and place one finger beneath the chair.
4. The group concentrates on the idea that the chair and individual are weightless and chants "light as a feather (or some other such phrase)."
5. Everyone will lift the chair at the same time and hold it aloft for a few moments and then gently set it down.

This exercise can be a lot of fun. DO NOT do this exercise while sitting under a ceiling fan!—the results can be extremely surprising. Generally, the participants will be amazed at how easy it is to lift the person using only one finger.

Execise 3 (Raising Power): Pool Of Power

A pool of power is a group effort. In this exercise, the participants will sit or stand in a circle and hold hands. One person will be designated as the "sounder." The sounder must be able to sense energy and must be able to provide an anchor for the working. The sounder will begin the passing of power and will monitor the power build. When the power has reached a level where it is still just barely contained, the sounder will call an end to the working.

The exercise can be done with either an external or internal focus, or both. An external focus could be an object to send the energy into or a phrase to chant (such as "love, peace, and happiness"). An internal focus could be the picturing of a concept or an image, such as a cup filling up.

1. Stand or sit in a circle.
2. Hold hands.
3. Think of the desired type of energy to focus (in this example, love will be used).
4. Each individual will picture love energy (usually thought of as pink) filling and surrounding themselves.
5. The sounder will start by chanting the word "Love" and will be joined by the other participants.
6. The sounder will form a bundle of love energy and pass it to the person on the left.
7. The person on the left will receive the energy and add to it, then pass it to the person on the left.
8. As the energy reaches each person, the individual will take in that energy and add more to it, in turn passing it to the person on the left.
9. There is no limit to the number of time the energy may be passed around the circle.
10. The sounder will monitor the energy as it builds, possibly humming or increasing the pitch and tempo of the chant as the energy builds.
11. When the sounder senses that an appropriate level has been reached for all participants, he/she will signal the release.
12. At this point, all members will drop hands, point into the center of the circle and see the energy forming a large vat of love energy.
13. Each participant will then dip an imaginary (or formed) energy cup into the pot of love, draw it out, and then "drink" it.

This technique can be used for gathering any sort of energy. Generally, pools of power are used to charge items, or to provide a central store of energy for use in other workings such as healing. It can also be used to charge a working space, such as the first time a permanent circle is created. The steps in the exercise above are a guide on how to perform a pool of power. The pool of power is simply the summoning and focusing of energy for a specific goal into a centralized location.

This lesson has been written to instruct the new student on how to sense and manipulate energy, and is one of the most "exercise-intensive" lessons in the series. It is intended for the lesson to be studied and practiced repeatedly over the course of several weeks (a minimum of 8 weeks) while other lessons are being presented. This lesson provides the basic techniques that will be used throughout the remainder of the course.

Cone of power will be discussed in a later lesson, since these require a greater degree of control than is normally available at this point in teaching.

The High Priestess is the second of the numbered cards in the Major Arcana and is numbered II. She represents the sum of esoteric knowledge, the balance between positive and negative (or extremes), and is the symbolic representation of the creative force in manifestation. This is a card which represents that balance between all things.

The High Priestess is shown sitting between two pillars or columns, one white and one black. Some say that these are the pillars from the Temple of Solomon. The black column is the pillar of Boaz and represents the negative life force. The white column is the pillar of Joachin and represents the positive life force. Between the columns is a veil representing that which separates the worlds of wisdom. The veil is usually decorated with pomegranates (the female element) and palms (the male element). The images represent the potentially reproductive force in the subconscious (that which allows ideas to be made manifest).

The High Priestess is clothed in a long, flowing gown. In the center of the gown, at her breast, is a Solar Cross. This cross has arms of equal lengths and represents the balance between the principles of positive and negative, active and passive, male and female. In her lap, she holds a scroll and a pair of keys. The scroll represents the sum of esoteric knowledge. The keys represent the method of unlocking the knowledge. Until the lessons on the scroll are learned, the knowledge contained within cannot be unlocked.

On her head is the symbol of the full moon surrounded on both sides by crescent moons. The High Priestess is the virgin daughter of the moon and symbolizes the eternal female. The hem of her dress flows out the bottom of the picture and appears later in the third card of the Major Arcana. The robes represent the flow of consciousness.

This card represents possible unrevealed futures and hidden influences at work. It is a card of balance and the reminder that everything has an opposite. It is the balance that exists in the higher order of things.