Empty-Handed

   by NiteSage.

I suggested in my last article to try practicing without tools. I would like to be able to claim that the idea came to me from a philosophy of simplicity or some such high minded place. The truth of the matter is I tend to be a klutz. Practicing waving sharp objects about led me to more than one spontaneous dance around the altar dodging my own dropped Athame. The sleeves of my ceremonial robes on close inspection will show scorching round the sleeves, and my altar cloth bears the evidence that wine is a tough stain to remove. You can laugh but I bet at least once one of these things has happened, or will happen to you.

Also I must give credit to my earliest teachers. They had me practice a form of spell casting that was an excellent way to practice my focusing techniques, visualization skills, and energy directing. It got the spell cast effectively, was simple to understand and learn, and finally, used no tools at all.

Too often it appears we equate complexity with competence.This is a mistake. The simple way is often far more effective with less chance of error, which can be more powerful immediately and in the long run. Without a strong foundation of the basics our practice will continue to be weak. Complexity never replaces those skills we must master early on. For the true craft skills, each builds on the one previous one, deepening our understanding. All the rest is basically magical accessorizing.

Creating thought forms is simple. So simple in fact that there is quite a bit of literature written about the unintentional ones we create and how to deal with them. Suffice it to say for now that the unintentional ones are created through our worry and fretting, or fear, or hatred; in other words by our concentrated repetitive thoughts and emotions. Also later on in our practice we are often called upon to deal with those that have been left behind by others. So while the techniques for creating them are simple, thought forms are an important area of study for us.

To create a thought form takes time, energy, focus and imagination. That's all. It is an adaptable way of casting a spell. If for instance you want to do healing you could create a Pac man-like disease-eater. For protection you could create an entity that yells and flashes its warning, or a well-armed centaur to battle dangers for you. To locate love one could make a fairy matchmaker to look for a good match for you and then lead you to a meeting. For money a leprechaun whose pot of gold is in your wallet might work.

I tend towards thought forms that are mythic inspired as you can tell. Subtlety is not something I strive for. But don't be limited by my imagination. An arrow thought form will work just as well as a hunter. The important thing is to think of something that relates to your goal, and that you can visualize clearly.

Naming is a useful technique. If you name your thought form it is easy to call it - an instant connection exists just like there is when someone calls your name to you. I feel it adds a cohesive element to it. But naming is a powerful thing. It allows anyone with the knowledge of the name a connection. I personally name mine, but never write the name down, or share it with anyone else, or say it aloud except upon creation.

Once you have decided on the form and a name if you choose to use one, it is time to create it. I personally always create thought forms in a sacred space, though I do not know if that is strictly necessary. My thought on this is to keep outside unexpected influences from becoming a part of it.

Once you are in your sacred space and have stilled your mind, you visualize your thought form and begin to instill it with energy. For some people this process can be described as making something from ghostly to solid. For others it is like building a building or sculpting a sculpture. Again it is highly subjective; what ever way it works for you is the right way.

You continue visualizing and putting energy into it. Once you don't have to concentrate on the visual aspect anymore begin working on filling it with intention. Remember that this requires more than just thinking of the intention. It must be felt as well. Emotion is a major factor in successful spell casting.

I also add personality, though this is not strictly necessary. Because of this I feel it is also important to add motivation for it. Not my motivation but its motivation. It can be as simple as happiness because everyone is happier when they are fulfilling their purpose in life. I find in most cases I take on the mother aspect and simply offer praise and love. Every child desires the love and approval of its parent. I should note that this is my way of creating thought forms.

Others use this technique much in the way someone might make a hammer to fulfill the higher job of building the house. There is nothing wrong with going about it in this fashion. These thought forms are dissolved, erased, or cease to exist once they have fulfilled their purpose and that is ok. Though if you intend for it to cease to be, then I would strongly suggest you actively unmake it when you are through with it.

Further more if you intend to let it continue to be then you should create within it desires to do good things in the world, or conversely apply strong limits on what it is able to do. Remember that you are responsible for what those things you create do.

Thought forms can be made to do short- or long-term spell applications. I would think shorter terms would require less energy. But as I prefer to use them for more long-term applications they do take some energy to create and sustain.

Also I use only my own energy to create them but I understand that other types of practitioners use energies taken from outside sources. While I don't have personal experience, it comes to my mind that you should be careful about the unintentional influences that these outside energies might bring to your thought form.

Once you have completed its creation then you simply send it on its way to begin its work. For those long-term thought forms it is a good idea to call them back periodically to recharge them, check on their progress, and make sure they are remaining true to their intended purpose.

Some practitioners keep a tight reign on their work, while others are more comfortable with a more relaxed stance. It all depends on your own general outlook and style. Also it is an interesting and useful practice to try creating these with a partner or group. The exercise of combining different energies in this fairly simple manner will help you prepare for the more complex undertakings that come later.

There is a lot of good information out there on the Internet about thought forms, both those we mean to create, and those that occur from unintentional sources. If you are a newer practitioner this is a good area to research further. It will demonstrate well the different effects energy can have; the difference between exerting control in your life, and through ignorance creating problems for both yourself and others.

Blessings and Knowledge

   

to be nobody-but-yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~ e.e. cummings