Centering and Grounding

Centering and grounding are the absolute essential first step for any energy working. It's the thing that makes sure you are pulling the energy from the Earth, instead of depleting your own resources. Without it, you will find yourself exhausted (or highly exhilarated) immediately after doing work, and then sick, headachy, dizzy, or faint afterwards. Sometimes the headache can persist for days afterwards.

All of these are signs that something is wrong!

When performing meditation, or preparing for a ritual or rite, often it necessary for you to allow yourself a way to clear out any doubts or wandering thoughts. This is called centering and grounding because this process is approached in two separate parts. First, before beginning anything else, not surroundings make sure you are comfortable if you are planning to meditate, and then you steady your breathing.

Centering

Center yourself by slowly bringing you awareness inward. Since we spend most of our lives focusing outward it may take some practice to become comfortable with this idea. This is also the time when you have the wandering thoughts those things that just pop into your head, like what to make for dinner, the meeting you have next week, etc.

The hardest part of centering is letting these thoughts come for a time, then simply putting them aside to focus on yourself and what you are about to do. It sounds easy, but think of it another way how many times have you tried to fall asleep and couldn't because these thoughts kept popping into your mind. Same thing, only your goal is to remain awake! Or at least, to relax enough for meditation but not so far as to fall asleep.

Grounding

Grounding is a two part process: first to allow any lingering negative thoughts to flow harmlessly away, and second to provide yourself a stable link while you are working. One way is to start by connecting to the Earth through your feet. See it as a cord of energy from your body that reaches down into the Earth, and a similar cord that reaches up to you from the Earth, with the two cords weaving together.

Through this cord allow any energy build-up to drain down into the Earth, Knowing that it will be harmlessly dispersed, and feel the stability of the Earth. This is also a major point to remember when working magic: if you do not allow yourself an outlet for the excess energy you have built up, it will remain with you.

This is why many Witches cast circles for magical workings; it contains energy until released.

Grounding and centering ritual

Face East and center yourself.
"I am grounded in the center of my being."

Visualise energy of below.
"I am supported by the powers of below."

Visualise the God/Goddess of above.
"I am guided by the powers of above."

Visualise the unity of self with center above and below.
"I am balanced in the axis of my being."

Extend your hand to the East. Visualise and make contact with the powers of
the elemental forces. Visualise clarity.
"I am inspired by the powers of Air."

Visualise purifying/transforming.
"I am enlightened by the powers of Fire."

Visualise healing/cleansing.
"I am renewed by the powers of Water."

Visualise nurturing/stability.
"I am nurtured by the powers of Earth."

Establish the balance of axis and elements. Feel this to be true.
"The forces are in balance within me and about me."

Feel the Sphere of the Circle.
"The Sphere is placed."

Feel the Cube of the Temple within the Sphere.
"The Temple is established."

Feel the Temple within yourself.
"I am the Temple."

Casting Circles and Calling Quarters

The circle is the sacred space in which magic is worked, where Witches can meet with the Goddess and God. The word "circle" may be misleading, though, because actually what you are creating is a sphere that encompasses all participants and the altar. The magic circle defines the ritual area, holds in personal power and shuts out all distractions and negative energies.

You can use objects on the ground to show the boundaries of the circle, such as stones, flowers, branches, candles (my favorite) or crystals. You don't have to use anything to mark the boundaries of the circle, if you don't wish to. Those are just suggestions. The circle is formed with personal power which is felt and visualized as streaming from the body to form what, ends up looking like a bubble or sphere made of mist.

Some use their athame (a-tha-may), or ritual knife, to direct this power; others use their hands. Once the energy is flowing through your fingertips or athame, walk the circle clockwise, envisioning the mist (or bubble, or light, or whatever works for you) trailing outward from you to form the sphere.

When the circle is completed, shut off the energy by shaking your hand or simply pulling the energy back into yourself. Once the circle is cast, you are ready to call the quarters if you wish. There are many different energies and beings that can be called, summoned or stirred to protect the circle or witness your ritual - from watchtowers to angels to fairies to elementals to elemental energies.

No matter which type of quarter call you use, when working with quarters, envision a door or opening of some kind and visualize the energy or being that will be coming through that door to guard the circle. All quarter energies should be thanked and released in the same manner they were called.

Here's an example of the type of quarter call I use during New Moon rituals. As I call each quarter, I face that direction and hold out my wand with both hands, feeling the energy from that element flowing into me:

To the North, I beckon to the powers of Earth
Let your renewing strength bury all ills and open new paths before me
To the East, I beckon to the powers of Air
To blow out the old and bring in the new on your winds of change
To the South, I beckon to the powers of Fire
To burn away regrets and shine your gentle rays upon me for growth
To the West, I beckon to the powers of Water
To cleanse me of negativity and purify my thoughts

I like to use elemental energies during quarter call. Because the New Moon is a time for new beginnings the quarter calls reflect the type of magic that will be worked inside the circle.

Do some research and get to know the energy you will be using.

If you use elemental energies, take some time to meditate on each element and figure out its properties and correspondences.

When you are finished with your spell or ritual, release the circle exactly opposite of the way you cast it. Pull the circle back into your athame or whatever tool you used in your casting, and release and thank any spirits or elementals you called.

There are literally thousands of ways to call quarters and cast circles. This is just an overview, because it's always best to figure out what works for you.

I work very well with element energies, but you might have an affinity for something else.

MEDITATION FOR RELIEF OF MAGICAL HEADACHES

Find a place to be alone. This place should be comfortably lit and free of smoke and fumes (this includes incense and essential oils). Place two chairs (one comfortable enough to relax in) facing each other. Sit in the relaxing chair. Take two slow, deep breaths and allow your eyes to fall naturally on the other chair. Now instruct your central 'self' (or your higher self, subconscious mind, or whatever you use for non-conscious workings) to form an image of the pain in that chair.

REMEMBER TO BREATHE!

As the image starts to appear, concentrate on making it as detailed as possible without letting your conscious mind interfere. Once the image is complete, note its appearance and then allow the remainder of your discomforts to flow into it (without otherwise empowering it or lending it your energy or essence).

REMEMBER TO BREATHE while doing this.

When the transfer is substantially complete, take two deep, relaxing breaths, stand up, and walk away (leaving the image in its chair). After an hour or so, the image will dissipate, making it safe to move the chair. After you have successfully done this two or three times, you can start streamlining it and customizing it to suit your own tastes. If the effectiveness starts to fade, return to this method for a few times.

This spell can be used for a variety of discomforts, but it can also mask medical symptoms. In case of chronic or prolonged problems, CONSULT A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY! After all, there are few enough of us as it is!