Path: ultra.sonic.net!news From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (lorax666) Newsgroups: alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic,alt.pagan,alt.religion.wicca,alt.magick.tyagi,alt.religion.pagan,alt.witchcraft,alt.magick,alt.pagan.magick Subject: Wiccan Grounding and Centering + Reference (LONG) Date: 20 Jan 1999 12:59:05 -0800 Organization: Sonoma Interconnect,Santa Rosa,CA(us),http://www.sonic.net Lines: 167 Message-ID: <785g2p$kmg@bolt.sonic.net> References: <01be41b8$1475b980$LocalHost@Malachite> Reply-To: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com NNTP-Posting-Host: bolt.sonic.net X-Newsreader: NN version 6.5.1 (NOV) Xref: ultra.sonic.net alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic:7716 alt.pagan:219757 alt.religion.wicca:170450 alt.magick.tyagi:15480 alt.witchcraft:1022 alt.magick:132114 alt.pagan.magick:13585 49990120 IIIom "Bunyip" : # I have been studying paganism, particularly Wiccan-style # paganism for just under a year. I understand about casting # circles, calling the quarters etc, and I also think I know # how to set up an alter [s/b 'altar' btw -- 666] appropriately. # I am slowly building up my BOS and am very much enjoying my # "magic" education. are you studying within a particular group (if so, why aren't you asking these instructors?), or on your own with books? the terms which you mention are conventions of Wicca that have made it into print so I can't tell and I'm curious. # What I can't find an explanation of, however, is # "ground and center". I know it usually goes before casting # the circle, but I have no idea how to do it. as I had it explained to me, grounding and centering is a personal orientation with respect to the present -- entering into the here and now. it is a dwelling in the consciousness of emphasized presentness prior to engaging altered states of consciousness as encountered within the rite, sort of like establishing a base from which to experiment or explore so as to be able to return here easily. there are certain physical and/or mental symptoms which can be ascertained quite easily and can be as obvious as asking someone what the date is or who the current political leader is within the resident culture (i.e. "what is the President's name? what year is it?"). I have been told all of my life that I am 'well grounded', 'solidly grounded', 'very centered', etc., and this is on account of my attention to detail, focus of attention in conversation, ability to remain quiet and connected with my discussion partner, and ability to remain 'on track'. when I explored the disciplines of meditation (there are a goodly number which are described by this name), I learned about zazen and hatha yoga (mainly because they were popular in my 70s-80s CA physical and textual environment and they appeared approachable). I complemented these with candle-watching and noticed that all of them came relatively easy for me despite the usual difficulties that most experience when taking them up (anxiety over distraction and indiscipline of mind, the psychological pain of self-examination, etc.). when I began to learn about Wiccan ritual style I understood that the effect of the guided visualization which often preceded the rituals we created was to bring us to a more present state of mind, convinced of a deep connection to the world within which we normally live, centered upon the activity that we were about to undertake. you can probably find quite a few 'grounding and centering' visualizations online or in Wiccan publications. if my library were in order I might recommend a few (the first source I'd try would be Starhawk's _Spiral Dance_, but that is probably because this was considered a standard during the time I was studying Wicca as it manifests in Gardnerian lines; you might also look to Buckland or the Ferrars). these visualizations often seem to incorporate an imagined arboreal or vine-like extension of the bodily nervous system, transcending corporeal form, and connecting with the globe I call Terra, sometimes also extending outward to encompass starstuff and the outer reaches of space. this is the general conception behind the Hermetic 'Qabalistic Cross' rite that is integrated into many Western ceremonial styles (with pseudo- Christian overtones, luxocentric in liturgical bias). extending outward and establishing and retaining that connection with the world, one is then directed to return like a tidal wash or contracting rubberband back to the present, refreshed by the contact we have made and readied to direct the variety of energies we now have at our disposal to the tasks we accept in our Circle. # I don't want to start any magick before I know how to do it the # right way, and these two aspects seem important. there is no right way. those who affirm a right and wrong way need the impetus to carry through with the Act. those who stick with the studies come to understand that structures are elementary and provide valuable crutches and training wheels with which the Master may dispense or vary depending entirely on hir whim or need. in terms of Wiccan sensibilities, the grounding and centering and Circle casting are important elements, along with calling of quarters, for PREPARATION and ORIENTATION. the competent witch, even in Wiccan lineages, is fully capable of doing spellwork without these ceremonial props. some will tell you that recipes are more for FOCUS and INTENSITY, and that, given their ability to focus in the present and the degree of their intense attention, they no longer need the ceremonial support. grounding and centering is like drawing out the boundaries of your artistic landscape, finding your place and style in the world so as to feel capable of moving on to the Art proper. it can be assisted by such simple measures as having had sufficient (but not overly-indulged) food, sleep, and reflective time prior to entering the Circle. it can be enhanced through avoiding (or ingesting) certain substances at key times, taking a hot shower or bath prior to ritual, and resolving all outstanding emotional issues with loved ones such that one feels comfortable and stable in one's life generally. # Yes, I have read Cunningham's A guide to Solitary Wicca, # but I'm still as clueless. interesting if he didn't cover it. I have not delved deeply into that text, but noticed its value even in its scanty info. for better information on Wicca and Neopaganism generally I would consult the variety of internet forums on the subjects in question -- you'll get a wide variety of response, but it isn't difficult to separate the whackos from those who seem to know something about the subject. I have cross-posted this response for the benefit of just such a discussion and review of what I have presented here. good luck and blessed beast! internet research recommendations: FTP ftp://drycas.club.cc.cmu.edu/pagan/archive ftp://ftp.lysator.liu.se/pub/religion/neopagan ftp://ftp.teleport.com/users/rain WWW Gehennom Goo http://www.hollyfeld.org/~tyagi/Magi/gehennom.html Hollyfeld Archives http://www.hollyfeld.org/Esoteric/Text/Neopaganism http://www.hollyfeld.org/Esoteric/Usenet/Neopaganism http://www.hollyfeld.org/Esoteric/Usenet/Wicca USENET news:alt.religion.pagan news:alt.religion.wicca news:alt.pagan news:alt.magick.tyagi news:soc.religion.paganism IRC #pagan_tea_house #wicca #witch EMAIL Generally consult the GOO or Usenet newgroup notices here's one I ran across just recently that appears to be attempting to accumulate URLs for other lists: Spellcraft http://www.sacredspiral.com/spellcraft/spllcrft.html lorax666 of the Evul Wikkhunz tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com -- emailed replies may be posted; cc me replies if you want a response