Visualization
What is Visualization?
Visualization is the ability to "see" with the mind's eye that which is not
physically present. It is one of, if not the most important, tools available to the
witch. I have likened Visualization to a form of Sympathetic Magick. However,
instead of creating physical images of one's goal, you make mental ones!
Visualization is how we communicate our desires to the Universe. From
casting circle, calling the quarters, cleansing objects, casting spells,
performing divination, and even healing, visualization is an essential part of
every magickal act. Therefore it is the wise witch who hones his or her
powers of visualization.
Practicing Creative Visualization
"Change [your] mind, and change the world!"
--theme from Wonder Woman
Creative Visualization is a technique which utilizes the power of the mind's
eye to bring about your desires. The goal of creative visualization is to change
your outer world by changing your inner thoughts. It is based on the idea that
what you dwell on inwardly, you will manifest outwardly.
To successfully use creative visualization, you must...
1. Set Your goal
2. Generate a clear mental picture of exactly what you desire.
3. Focus on this mental picture often.
4. Draw positive energy towards your goal.
Set Your Goal
It has been remarked that a dream without a plan is just a wish. Therefore,
once you decide exactly what you desire, you must set goals for yourself in
order to achieve that dream. Your plan may be comprised of a series of
smaller goals which lead to your main objective.
Generate a Clear Mental Picture
A picture is worth a thousand words and is open to many interpretations. It is
very important that your mental picture clearly describes your goal with as
little ambiguity as possible.
Focus on this Mental Picture
Continuous focus on your mental pictures reminds you of your goal and draws
opportunities to you that will help you achieve that goal. By focusing on your
objective, it is in the forefront on your thoughts and you are more likely to
recognize those opportunities when they arise.
Draw Positive Energy Towards Your Goal
It is important to keep the thoughts surrounding your goal positive. You must
believe that achievement of your goal is not only possible, but inevitable. It is
also very important not to allow the negative thinking of others to kill your
dream. Your visualization can be used in conjunction with meditation,
affirmation, and spells.
Vision Boards
A Vision Board is a
posterboard on which people
draw, past or collage images
that represent their desires,
objectives, dreams, and goals,
based on the Law of
Attraction. The purpose of
creating a vision board is to
clearly define one's goals,
dreams, and desires and then
draw then opportunities and
people into your life that will
assist you in creating your
own reality.
Vision Boards are traditionally created by using a piece of poster board,
scissors, glue, and magazines. The magazines are searched for words and
images that attract one's attention and seem to echo one's dreams and
desires. The internet is also another source of images. These words and
images are cut out and then glued on the poster board much like a collage.
As the concept of Vision Boards have become more prominent, websites
have sprung up offering software that allows one to create Vision Boards on a
personal computer and save them to the desktop, or print them out to be
displayed elsewhere.
Alternately, some people choose to create their own Vision Boards by taping
or taking words and images onto bulletein boards instead of a poster board.
Others, create their Vision Boards in sketch books. The decision of which
medium to use is entirely up to you.
Once completed, the Vision Board is put in a conspicuous place where you
will see it on a consistent basis. It should confer positive feelings to you about
your dreams and desires. The words and images will speak to your
subconscious and become a daily reminder of your dreams, goals, and
desires. It is important to you do not kill your dreams with negative thoughts.
At all times you must believe that your dreams are not only possible, but are
constantly manifesting around you. The Vision Board is a daily reminder that
you can create your own reality.
Healing with Visualization
"By visualizing a little girl on a playground swing, rhythmically swinging back
and forth, a woman is able to bring her irregular heartbeat under control."
--Excerpt from Mysteries of the Unknown, Mind over Matter (Time Life Books)
In hopes that seeing really is believing many people turn to visualization to
assist them in improving various areas of their lives. Baseball players often
visualize the baseball bat connecting with the ball, sending it flying out of the
ball park. Lawyers see themselves commanding the full attention of the judge
and jury as they make their cases, persuading them to his or her side. Artists
and painters often have an inner vision of their creations before shaping them
in reality.
On a deeper level, many people suffering from the pain of injury and disease
often turn to visualization to alleviate their pain and assist in their own
recovery. For example, a man suffering from pain may visualize a large dial
on which is a pointer that can indicate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10. With the
understanding being that 10 indicates severe pain, whereas 1 indicates no
pain at all. This man may visualize the "dial" slowly moving from 10 to 1.
Subsequently his pain will lessen as well.
How visualization works remains a mystery, but scientist are just discovering
what witches have known for centuries, that the mind, body, and spirit are
connected. That which affects one, often affects the other(s). Scientist do not
deny that visualization works in certain cases, but visualization is not a
substitute for qualified medical care. Ideally, visualization should be used in
conjunction with modern medicine.
Workbook of Shadows
EXERCISES
1. Think of a goal that you would like to achieve. Write this goal in your
journal. Below your goal write three affirmations, or positive
statements, concerning the achievement of that goal.
2. Associate the goal with a mental picture and practice visualizing that
mental picture for a few minutes each day.
3. Look through several magazines, newspapers, and periodicals and cut
out pictures that you associate with achieving your goal. Create a
collage using these pictures and include your affirmations in the
collage. Put the collage in a conspicous place where you will see it
every day.
4. Make a copy of your collage and paste this in your journal as well.
5. Practice visualizing yourself healthy and strong in mind, body, and
spirit. Reaffirm your visualizations with positive statements such as
The body is whole, the body is strong.
6. If you have a specific ailment or condition, write this in your journal.
Using creative visualization determine a visual trigger which will assist
you in healing or controlling the condition. Record your visual trigger in
your journal and note your progress.
