I hope they may be of some use :)
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")
2.2 Shielding
2.2.1 Concept
The concept of “shielding” in the psychic world is the concept of creating a protective device or barrier.
2.2.2 Objectives
The intention of these notes is to provide a basic introduction to this fundamental protective technique.
2.2.3 Desired outcomes
An ability to try several techniques for protecting oneself against incompatible/disharmonious energies/influences.
2.2.4 Assumptions
See 1.7 Assumptions.
Also note that the aura extends beyond the outlines of the physical body. How far it extends depends of factors such as the energy state of the person, and what nonphysical levels one is considering.
Another other key assumption here is that, just as some foods are unsuitable (even harmful) for some people[1], some energies/psychic influences are undesirable or even harmful for people. What is “undesirable or even harmful” varies from person to person, and may also vary depending on circumstances.
Finally, it is assumed that psychic energy can be directed (which is a common definition of magic) by various means to create a protective device, often conceived of as a barrier.
2.2.5 Background
This is one of the key techniques in many writings about psychic protection. Some techniques have become famous (such as the “Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram”; others, such as the viewpoints expressed by Kerr Cuhulain in “Magickal Self Defense”[2] are less well known.
One of the most frequent debates in Wiccan circles is the issue of “active” vs. “passive” defence.
With a “passive” self defence technique, one does not direct energy back at one’s attacker. The idea is to outlast the attacker (psychic attack takes a lot of energy on some level – even if the attack is being performed unconsciously), and to be non-violent, non-aggressive and not risk incurring any negative karma.
With an “active” self defence, one does direct energy back at one’s attacker. The thinking here is generally along the lines that one is returning the attackers creation back to them so that they can experience what they are dishing out and – hopefully – eventually learn not to indulge in that sort of behaviour.
All seems fairly clear cut, until you also consider:
Ø sending positive energy to one’s attacker (e.g., healing), which is an active technique, but one that probably incurs positive karma;
Ø the possibility that one may be responsible at an unconscious level for an attack that one is trying to consciously stop; and
Ø that if one has the ability to stop harm being done (e.g., if one is a police officer and does nothing to stop a violent attack that is being committed when one is in a position and has the resources to safely stop it), one incurs negative karma: the same applies on a psychic level.
2.2.6 Techniques
The most common technique used for shielding is visualisation, possibly with strengthening by using breathing, chanting, prayer or physical movement.
Technique
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Your comments
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1. Visualise a white “egg shell” around the outside of your aura. See it as solidly and in as much detail as you can.
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2. Visualise the white shell, but this time also physically move your hands up from the floor as if you are scooping plaster up and pack it into your aura.
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3. Stand, centre yourself, and take a settling breath. With your hands at your side, palms forward, breathe in and raise your hands, palm up, until they are fully extended above your head. As you breathe out, take your hands out to your side and down, visualising the shield being formed as you lower your hands. (This is based on Kerr Cuhulain’s previously mentioned book[3].)
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4. Try techniques 1 to 3 using different colours.
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5. Create an astral melody that you find safe, protective and energising (it must NOT be relaxing, or something that could put you to sleep: you generally want a firmer energy for creating shields) and imagine the sounds flowing round your aura and wrapping it in a safe cocoon.
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6. Repeat technique 5 using a suitable scent.
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7. Visualise wrapping your aura in bandages of whatever colour worked best for you. (The “ideal” colour will vary, depending on circumstances – and may be several colours.)
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8. Visualise (and act out, if you wish), hanging reflective mirror mobiles around your aura.
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9. Visualise the outside edges of your aura becoming a shimmering skin which filters energy, or shifts its frequency (the latter is based on the refractive techniques mentioned in Kerr Cuhulain’s book[4] .)
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10. Combine any previous technique with visualising protective symbols such as ankhs, pentagrams or runes (e.g., Elgaz) on your auric “ skin”
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11. Combine any or all of these techniques with protective spells (sometimes also called “setting wards”). A widely used traditional protective spell is “the lesser banishing ritual of pentagram” , which has been around for possibly centuries (and will be discussed in the next section).
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12. Activate a chakra (e.g., breathe a selected colour into it until it has a strong, clear ball of energy of that colour in it), then keep feeding energy in until the energy radiates out to the outside of your aura, and starts rotating around the outside of your aura, deflecting energy away. Repeat this from as many chakras as you feel are needed – if you vary the rotations, you may perceive the shields as grinding up any negative of disharmonious energy trying to come in.
Selection of which chakra(s) and colour can be by logic (e.g., if having emotional upset problems, try the solar plexus chakra and blue or green; if having mental confusion try the crown and blue; if having self expression problems try the throat and orange) or, best of all, by intuition + logic. As a variation, try building up rotating shields of colour – whether from a single chakra/point or several. | |
13. Ask your Higher Self/guides/helpers to let you know whenever something activates/tries to affect your shields – and remember to ask that your shields last for longer than just the time you think of them!
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See Figure 5 for an illustration of shielding (and of grounding).
Figure 5
2.2.7 Alternative viewpoints
Some people are inherently uncomfortable with the idea of having to defend oneself, seeing this as a negative thing promoting conflict. While this is directly disputed by the author, it is useful to keep in mind that these techniques are also about protection against energies/influences that clash with one, much as two colours, notes or scents may clash.
Another consideration is that one may not need formal shielding/protection if one is be stronger than the energy/influence. This is particularly a consideration as one gains experience and psychic strength: the energies/influences which used to be problematic may become easier to deal with. This is akin to exercising to build one’s physical strength: lifting weights that used to be hard becomes easier.
2.3 Grounding
2.3.1 Concept
Our various non-physical bodies are not necessarily always “properly” (effectively) aligned or focused together. Although there are times when it is right and proper that they not be aligned together (e.g., when astral travelling [sleeping], or for some states of altered consciousness), when they are not grounded, we may be distracted or otherwise less effective in our living than we could be, or we could be vulnerable to undesirable (e.g., disharmonious) psychic influences.
Grounding is the act of bringing all our non-physical bodies into an effective alignment or focus, often – but not always - centred on our physical body.
2.3.2 Objectives
The intention of these notes is to provide a basic introduction to this fundamental management of psychism technique.
2.3.3 Desired outcomes
An ability to try several techniques for grounding oneself, and be safer with respect to one’s psychic state of being.
2.3.4 Assumptions
See 1.7 Assumptions.
We are more than just a physical body, and our non-physical aspects are able to be directed by us, when we are in appropriate states of consciousness.
2.3.5 Background
When working at directing our focus to nonphysical levels, especially when learning, it is easy to become so focused on the nonphysical that one loses proper connection with the physical. This can result in problems such as distraction, or making oneself vulnerable to incompatible or undesirable energies.
Grounding is a techniques aimed specifically at making sure that one has a proper focus and connection with the physical – particularly when one finishes a psychic training session, as one needs to make sure one is, for instance, in a fit state to drive safely. One should no more think of driving ungrounded than driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2.3.6 Techniques
The following is not an exhaustive list of techniques. The aim is to help you gain an understanding of what is most effective at getting you to ground.
Technique
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Your comments
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1. Visualise a tree root growing out from the centre of your body into the earth. If you can, “feel” it pull you snugly into the centre of your being. 1
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2. Visualise a tree behind you, with roots going into the ground and branches forming a protective layer above, and merge into the tree. 2
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3. Eat or drink (non-alcoholic) 3
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4. Put your hands on the earth (not the floor – actual dirt that is part of this planet, not in a pot)
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5. Put your bare hands and bare feet on the earth (not the floor – actual dirt that is part of this planet, not in a pot)
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6. Do some martial arts centering techniques 4
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7. Do some focused breathing
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8. Touch a crystal that has been charged with the task of grounding you (haematite is useful for this purpose, but sometimes a large chunk of rose quartz can clear emotional energy that has been stimulated by a personal working and thus allow a person to ground more easily/quickly).
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9. Talk your experiences through with a teacher or other experienced person who is running the session to resolve any unacknowledged matters which you may be being held back (i.e., being kept in the non-physical/altered state of consciousness) by your guides/helpers until you acknowledge them.
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10. As a last ditch measure, splash some water onto any person who is having persistent trouble grounding – but beware! That will leave the person with a headache and probably
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11. If problems persist (e.g., problems sleeping, headaches, trouble concentrating), seek help.
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Notes:
1. You should be able to move physically, and still stay grounded. The connection is not physical, it is non-physical.
2. A very dear friend of mine who is HSP (a Highly Sensitive Person – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highly_sensitive_person and/or the 1999 book “The Highly Sensitive Person's Workbook” by Elaine Aron, ISBN 0-7679-0337-4) says this technique was particularly useful for her at managing HSP moments
3. This is a fairly traditional Wiccan/witchcraft technique after ritual work
4. See “Magickal Self Defense” Llewellyn, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7387-1219-2
See Figure 5 for an illustration of grounding (and shielding).
Things to avoid if you are trying to stay grounded may include:
· receiving healing;
· incense;
· relaxing music;
· anything which is a key for shifting consciousness to a magical state.
That probably sounds a bit obvious when you read it, but one of the biggest problems with getting beginners to ground is their enjoyment of being in an altered state of consciousness (which they may have had to expend considerable effort to get into – with a possible underlying fear that they won’t be able to do this again, so should keep it going as long as possible).
With people who are a little more advanced, there may be an element of “showing off”, along the lines of :”hey I’m such a strong psychic that I can’t really control it – I just waltz off into a trance without any say in the matter”. 99.9999% of the time, that it rubbish: a good psychic actually will have learnt control over her/hir/his abilities.
2.3.7 Alternative viewpoints
It is difficult for me to think of an alternative viewpoint to the issue of grounding. Perhaps there are those people who argue that it is only a matter of focus – as in, being “grounded” is really just a matter of having enough self discipline to ensure your focus is adequately on the physical world.
[1] What is unsuitable/harmful varies from person to person. Sugar is generally not harmful if not eaten in excessive amounts (until point calorific intake becomes an issue). However, some people are diabetic and can be harmed by relatively small amounts of sugar - although, in some circumstances (e.g., too much insulin) some sugar is, paradoxically, essential for a diabetic.
[2] Llewellyn, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7387-1219-2
[3] “Magickal Self Defense” Llewellyn, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7387-1219-2
[4] “Magickal Self Defense” Llewellyn, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7387-1219-2
1.7 Underlying Assumptions about “Reality”
Some key assumptions will be discussed in the next section. In addition, the following assumptions apply, but may not be examined in this workshop in any detail (unless they crop up in the course of any discussions J ):
Ø we have a non-physical part of our being (actually, several);
Ø some part of this non-physical essence survives the death of the physical body; and
Ø the essence which survives the physical death is capable of reincarnating into a different body.
Please refer to Figures 1 to 3.
It is also assumed that you will maintain independence of thought – you are NOT expected to believe or automatically accept any of this, but please respect others’ wish to participate in the workshop, and time constraints.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Tags: energy work, grounding, protection, shielding, past lives, death, reincarnation, past life regression, regression,
First published: Tysdagr, 30th August, 2011
Last edited: Tuesday, 30th August, 2011
