Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm (18 page)

chapter five
Magick

“I remember…I walked in Merlin’s footsteps, sometimes halting, sometimes fleet, with bright tremendous Powers and old Enchantment spiced with fear…”

Rosaleen Norton,
Thorn in the Flesh

W
e now look to the direction of below, the moon, and the quality of magick (the “k” is used here simply to distinguish between true magick and stage magic). The cycles of the moon affect us all and are of great importance in magick, ruling the realm of dreams and instincts. But what exactly is magick? Indeed, even seasoned practitioners still debate the definition—and since there are so many paths, techniques, and practices, it is no wonder! On its most essential level, magick is the art of causing transformation according to will. This transformation must always begin with the self, for when the self is in balance and connected with the inner and outer worlds, then energy is free to flow in accordance with the will of the individual. Hence, if you have been performing the exercises featured in previous chapters, you have already set foot on a magickal path, as you have begun the process of self-transformation with the aid of the elements, the spirits of the land, and your Faery allies.

Each chapter builds on the next, so in this chapter we will cover the subjects of sacred space, tools, and consecration, and bring all our acquired knowledge and experience so far to bear in some simple magickal exercises.

The magick of Faery Craft is not attached to or dictated by any particular doctrine or religion, nor is it in discordance with any particular path (other than fundamentalists of any religion that may have their issues with aspects of it), so it is purely a matter for your personal judgement whether it is for you. Certainly you do not need to be Pagan or Wiccan in order to practice these skills. This is wisdom of the land and its intrinsic energies, and thus it is open to all who feel the call.

The Seven Directions and Sacred Space

In order to be connected to the inner spiritual dimensions of the landscape, it is helpful to be aware of the interplay of the elements around you and your place in the universe. We are taught to be humble and not self-centred, and indeed we are all just a small part of the vast, unknowable span of existence. However, we are a part of that universe, and no part can be insignificant. Without the sum of its many parts, existence would not be. We are all of us the weavers of our own web of existence, all the centre of our own magickal universe. This is a key understanding when seeking for connection and awareness.

When we consider this, we can visualize ourselves as a central crossroads where the directions and their elemental correspondences meet. A number of magickal traditions work with the four directions and their elements as east (air), south (fire), west (water), and north (earth). In Faery Craft we expand this to include the additional dimensions of above, below, and within.

East

East is associated with the element of air, and hence with sylphs. It is the direction of new beginnings, clarity, truth and inspiration. The east rules over the mental faculties. When you call on the east, visualize the colour yellow or gold and imagine a cool breeze coming from that direction. Feel the power of the breath entering and leaving your lungs.

South

South is associated with the element of fire, of which the elemental being is salamanders. This direction brings the qualities of will, passion, and action. The south rules our creative and passionate drives. When you call on the south, visualize the colour red and feel glowing warmth coming from that direction. Feel the power of the electrical impulses within your body and the energetic potential contained within your centre.

West

West is associated with the element of water and the elemental beings called undines. The qualities brought by water include wisdom, understanding, intuition, and healing. Water rules over the emotions and instincts. When you call on the west, visualize the colour blue and the sound of running water or waves coming from that direction. Feel the flow of the water within your own body and how your emotions are affected by your surroundings.

North

North is associated with the element of earth and the qualities of endurance, stability, patience, and nurture. The elementals connected with this direction are gnomes. Earth rules over the physical body, your flesh and bones. When calling on the north, visualize the colour green, see and feel the presence of a mighty forest, and feel the stability of the earth beneath your feet.

Above

Above is the celestial realm, source of divine wisdom and the angelic and planetary powers. Above is the realm of our spiritual destiny and aspiration. When calling on the above, see a clear night sky and hear the song of the stars.

Below

Below is the realm of the ancestors, those who have walked these paths before us. It is also the land of the shining guardians of the inner, primal earth, the sidhe. When calling on the below, remember that every step we take is on the shoulders of the ancestors, and the land is made from their bones and blood. See a primal, vibrant landscape untouched by time and progress, and hear the deep, slow heartbeat of the land.

Within

Within is at the same time the divine celestial spark within ourselves and the spindle at the centre of all existence. When calling on the within, contemplate the vastness of the void and the huge potential of the divine self. Picture yourself as a star amongst a web of stars, and see the connecting energy between them all, with yourself at the very centre.

above:
south/fire
below:
east/sky

above:
north/earth
below:
west/water

Creating Sacred Space

There are many reasons why one may wish to create a temporary sacred space and various different methods by which to do so, a few of which are detailed below to give you an idea of different techniques. You may wish to do this if you are consecrating tools, performing divination (e.g., reading the runes, ogham, or tarot), creating offerings, working any kind of magick, or simply desiring a space in which to focus and connect. If conducting any kind of formal magickal work outside in nature (for example, group ritual or spell work; your solo meditations and connection exercises will be fine), you must ask permission from the spirits of place first and bring offerings. I strongly recommend building connections with a particular location for this purpose (see Finding Your Power Place, page 105).

Remember to use the power of your voice. This does not necessarily mean excessive volume, but it does mean speaking from your centre with conviction. If you are timid and afraid to be heard, you will not be!

Purifying the Space

If performing any kind of magickal or meditation work within your home, be sure that the space is not only physically clean and tidy but also energetically clean. A simple method of doing so is to use incense (frankincense will do) or a smudge mix such as lavender, sweetgrass, and sage. If you are able to grow these herbs yourself at home, then that is even better! Take a portable censer, ceramic dish, or large shell and fill it with a layer of earth to absorb the heat. Then, placing a lit charcoal disc on top of your earth, add your herbs or incense. Using a feather or fan, make sure the smoke reaches every part of the room. It is a good idea to regularly perform this simple rite throughout your home to keep the energies pure. Don’t worry, you won’t misplace anything that is welcome and meant to be there. You can also then seal this purification by going around the room a second time but with blessed salt and water or water from a holy well or spring if you have it, simply flicking drops of water with your fingers and tracing your preferred symbols of protection around the walls, doors, and windows. If you do not have a preferred symbol, I recommend the pentagram.

Exercise:
Calling in the Seven Directions

This is the equivalent of asking for their blessing and creating a simple circle; it’s not a full invocation.

Facing the east, raise your hands, palms facing forwards, and say:

I call to the east and the element of air! Grant us your qualities of clarity, logic, and inspiration here today/tonight…hail and welcome!

Turn clockwise to face the south. Raise hands, palms forward, and say:

I call to the south and the element of fire! Grant us your qualities of action, transformation, and will here today/tonight…hail and welcome!

Turn clockwise to the west. Raise hands, palms forward, and say:

I call to the west and the element of water! Grant us your qualities of emotion, intuition, and wisdom here today/tonight…hail and welcome!

Turn clockwise to the north. Raise hands, palms forward, and say:

I call to the north and the element of earth! Grant us your qualities of stability, nurture, and stamina here today/tonight…hail and welcome!

Reach and face the above. Say:

I call to the above, the stellar realm! Realm of the stars, the angels and the Divine, grant us your guidance and insight here today/tonight…hail and welcome!

Reach and face the below. Say:

I call to the below, the realm of the ancestors and the luminous beings of the inner earth! Grant us your wisdom, power, and knowledge here today/tonight…hail and welcome!