Maybe you could add some sort of symbol to your cauldron when it's going to be used for activation rather than destruction? Like placing one of the wands cards from the Tarot in front of it to represent the fire as will rather than destruction? Like an on/off switch for activation/destruction.
So one Samhain we did a bonfire and my daughter picked up a half burnt stick and draws this gorgeous picture with the char from this stick. That’s a very sacred piece of art for me and it changed the way I see fire. Taking the ashes of something you’re letting go of and creating something beautiful and new that serves you is really the duality of fire. And no matter how much energy we release into the cosmos, we’re always left with something so why not put it into something we can be reminded of this fresh start or new ideas that came from what we broke down and released.
Oh Kelly-Ann you are so full of complimentary "i am" energy. I am such a mix of beliefs but I do trust there is no right way or wrong but thru intuition and good intention of your energy there are no mistakes and I compliment you on knowing yourself. I honestly don't know much about casting but what I do is much the same as you with helping When I manifest only once did I burn my notes I find it works for me to feel the ground, breath in my intention after giving thanks. I also love to work with water. I visualize as I throw it over my head the clearness moving out negativity and bringing in positive healing it's kind of like a flowing stream or creek that is blocked by twigs and by breathing in the clear positive energy we are able to release the blocks. I always enjoy your video's Kelly-Ann and thank you for sharing your special "I am" with us. Namaste
Yes! The fire thing- I totally get that. I tend to try and focus on the destructive action of the flames when using for banishing and focus on the smoke and sparks carrying my intention to the universe when manifesting. I totally get you with that dilemma. Thanks for another thought provoking video x
Fantastic commentary and thought provoking. I don't feel the need to carve out sacred space for many workings... though if i am going to be pulling something in to commune with (elements, divinity etc), then I like having a cleansed space (intentionally cleansed if nothing else) to invite spirit into - akin to straightening the house before having guests over... or if I feel like I want to energetically contain an intent or working to be released at a precise time... or for a feeling of security/safety. And I am also with you on 'casting' on/for other people. I hold energetic space for others but also find it tricky to navigate sending energy ... even sometimes healing... because who the hell am I to know what is best/what is needed? So that's tricky for sure.
Oh my goddess, yes! The question of always casting a circle. That sometimes is the deciding factor if it's late and I'm tired but I want to do a little something magickal. Thank you!
Hi Kelly-Ann, I tune in to your ramblings every now and then and you never fail to put a smile on my face. Then you go on and mention you like minimal techno and I lose it! I felt absolutely compelled to reach out and confess my love for you! You're a beautiful soul and I f****** love you! You've taught me a lot over the last little bit, and I cannot thank you enough! Have a beautiful day, sunshine :)
So...I always tell the person I'll be casting for them before I do it. This way if they have an opposition to it, they can let me know. I have zero concern about it opening up some unwelcomed can of wicked worms as my intent is always from a place of love for the person. I also chant a little something acknowledging the cosmos know what is best so if what the person wants doesn't happen, it was for their own ultimate good. To repeat what so many have already said, you are a true blessing to us now out and proud Natural Born Witches! ❤ So much love to you!❤
This chant helped me with the creative aspect of fire: "Paper will give way to flame. The essence of the word remains. Fire destroy and fire create. Let what is written be our fate. Fly up to the heavens, fiery bird. Bring back the fact behind the word"
Oh my god I love this video! Just so vulnerable and authentic! 💓 For me there is quite a bit of stuff that I can relate to in what you are saying, especially in link with the elements! There's also been a thing with Tarot lately... I'm going to get very personal haha: I always had some shadowy thoughts and somewhat of a negative narrative around the "Fortune teller" archetype and way of dealing with divination, especially around the concept of "future" in Tarot. I always wanted to treat tarot like a psycho-spiritual tool (only pieces of paper with images literally) that would only have the importance and convey the magick I would decide to accord to it, me, being the wielder, power center and interprete. But here is the thing: Multiple times, Tarot has brought me very clear and specific snapshots about the future that turned out later to be true or manifested (either for me or for others). Like if my decks had an "intelligence" on their own at times. These repetitive events always challenge my beliefs about destiny and future that I'm not sure if i'm ready to bend just yet. I want to keep my readings as empowering as possible and leave the idea of 'here is what is most likely to happen' out of it but in the same time these moments keep happening very often and I wonder if I should keep ignoring the call or stop watering it down any further. It always blows my mind every time it occurs and leads me to ask myself if there might be indeed some external forces working out there independently from our will. Big confusion and a scary thought to say the least...
I often find myself exploring the nuances between psychology and the craft too, it’s made sense to explore the connections with my career, passion and all elements of my beliefs so I can seek the link in both aspects of my life. Yet when suddenly something unexplained than doesn’t fit occurs with no connection, I’m still thrown totally. Back down the rabbit hole as you say. With the rest of your discussion I’m always cautious of sharing my two cence being much less practiced, rough round the edges etc in many areas of craft however I was so drawn in by the discussion of fire as it’s something I’ve pondered and work with most often, both to manifest and to end. For me fire traverses both creation and destruction similar to there’s a fine line between love and hate. The energy of fire has the ability to be both and therefore the focus is on the intent. Also when creating I’m looking to break away from the other variables or the current blocks so it feels like there’s a mergence. Enjoyed this ramble.
I think that when I try to get my head around using fire to manifest, I think about forest fires or when farmers burn their fields. At first there is a lot of destruction but then through that, new life and grow and manifest. Urgh, it really is a confusing point for me too! Loved this video.
That is an interesting thought- power from within vs. yonder! I think my past Catholicism still influences my thinking especially about how I draw power especially with spell work. I am trying to consciously realize that I do have power within- it is something I am battling with as a witchling !
I loved your last point about confusion around which magical model you use. I work primarily with the psychological model, because I feel like that's where I'm most likely to create change and results because I'm working the magic on myself and I have more control over myself than anything external. But the discussion around the energetic model speaks to me because I experience spell craft as energetic in nature. When I'm casting I feel the energy being raised and I feel it being directed. Also, if I want to cast a spell relating to something outside of my immediate influence, for example casting for someone else like you had mentioned earlier in the video, then I have to be using the energetic model, because the psychological model wouldn't apply because I'm not trying to alter anything in my psychology or influence myself. That train of thought then usually sends me down the rabbit hole of "how much effect can my magic actually have on the external world? Do I even believe that I can influence the external world with my magic?" I've certainly experienced an instance or two where it seems like I have, or were those coincidences?
In regards to fire, for me it's the middle path, it can destroy but it's also is energetic and can bring things into being (tapas). I think of it this way, take vegetables for example, they use the earths resources to grow, taking in sunlight, water, soil, but in return it gives back to the earth by fertilizing the soil if not harvested when they decompose, plants share a root structure supporting one another, communicate, releasing Co2, and when they are harvested, it feeds all sorts of creatures. It's a give and take, and I think fire is the same way. It's a neutral, the middle path.
In terms of creating results by burning a piece of paper: the way I get my head round it is that I see the paper burning and turning INTO the fire, whose heat and light radiate OUT into the room/atmosphere and it is therefore literally radiating and pushing out the energy of what was written on the paper into physical reality.
I rarely use fire to manifest but when I do it s a way to send the lettre/request. There is a destruction but the destruction itself is a way to transform the intent and send it, like you would send a letter: once the letter send you can't take it back, it s no longer in your control.
The power thing and having momentary confusion about where it's coming from - Totally identify with this. Its weird.. and yes, i think one could go down a rabbit hole on that one.. or not. Paradox. :) thanks for sharing!
I think the use of fire depends on the intention. I try to combine it with moon phases, waxing for manifesting, waning for banishing. Either way, burning releases it to the universe whatever the spell is for... ashes to ashes. Also.. that photo of Rachel True and Faruza Balk is love. Both seemingly haven't aged since The Craft it seems.
I do cast for others if they ask. I, first, tried to help once someone who was close to me without her knowing and I think it ended up being too successful- so I decided to just help others if asked! But I think I have no opinion really! You do you!
I have a similar paradigm in my practice where I only call upon my own power, or really use myself as the source of my power, as it were. Something I have found helpful is having something of a "magical battery" that I can charge with my own energy and essence on days where I feel extra zippy, and then I can use that to draw power from later if a spell needs an extra boost or if I am feeling drained. I use a spell jar for this purpose filled with correspondences very personal to me (totem herbs, crystals, things with my favorite color, representations of my guides, etc).
I can understand your conflicted relationship while working with the element of fire. When I work with fire I put my intention and energy into the physical manifestation of fire, the gift of Prometheus. As I'm building a fire or lighting a candle I revel in the excitingly primal magic of its nature. I think about what fire is in its creative aspect: beautiful dancing movement, light, color, warmth, and so on. Physics states energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can and does change physical form. So when I burn a piece of paper with the intention to create or bring something to me the alchemical process of burning is merely transforming the paper or whatever I'm burning into smoke and ash. When smoke rises I visualize it as carrying my will out into the universe. It's like sending an email or a letter to the cosmos, and the only way I can see it getting there is by rising in the form of smoke. The ash can become nutrients for the soil in my garden. When I burn letters I've written to ancestors I see the smoke as my messenger if that makes any sense. I love scrying smoke, especially when it spirals out of a stick of incense...so beautiful. I think for many it's easier to see fire for its destructive abilities. It can destroy forests, homes, lives, and more. The smoke and ash it creates can choke you. That destructive ability of fire is what I focus on when there is an unhealthy thing in my life I need to release. I sometimes like to visualize myself as a volcano. Releasing emotions and whatnot like lava, and in doing so destroying obstacles and the like. After I feel I've released what I needed to I'll visualize beautiful greenery sprouting from the lava rich soil left behind , and reflect on what I need to grow and nurture within me. That's a way of getting rid of blockages between the root and heart chakras. Perhaps it's more helpful to look at the element of fire (if not all of the elements) not as a tool for creation or destruction, but rather transformation. Let me know your thoughts if you have any, and the time to spare them. Thanks again for another thoughtful video.
For fire I could consider the energy of creation and destruction is the same. In order to create something you need to vanish all other alternatives/things you don’t want. Maybe that could be added to manifesting, a sentence about how all other things are destroyed
I use fire to both activate and release--I think of it as as symbol of destruction and transformation, and my intentions are often transformative so that's how I roll with that. At the heart of it, it's a catalyst for change, and whether it's positive or negative depends on the words I speak and the tone I'm using. My "no frills" circle casting involves speaking words of protection, sage-ing a circle around me, and imagining myself encased in a glowing orb. Shortly after, I have an ASMR and that tells me things are good--honestly, I pretty much rely on ASMR (the response, not the sounds) as the major indicator of transitions in ritual. Creating sacred space in a serious way is me saying, "All right--some serious witch shit is about to go down now."
Vesta is my matron so I work with fire constantly. To me the intention is what’s important, fire can be used to create or destroy, we can use the flames on the stove to cook something delicious and nourishing but if the flames get out of control they could burn the house down. To me, something set alight in the cauldron is a symbol of release and committing what you intend to The All whether that is creation or destruction. Thinking about it I sometimes differ the source of the flame depending on the intention, I use different colour candles or my vestal flame to set paper alight during spell craft so that might be helpful to play with 💓🔥
I use fire for both but in the beginning I couldn’t because of various similar worries. I got over it by doing some intense shadow work to better understand why and where these fears came from from within my psyche. To use your words yes you can rub along with both but only when your psychospiritually ready. You will know deep within your psyche when that time is. And there I was thinking I was the only one whom had an issue with that. It’s probably far more common than we realise I would imagine. Always love your videos! Blessed Be & Namaste,🙏 Love Caz⭐️❤️🌙xo
It's interesting as i try not to over question what I'm doing, because if I do it just sends me mad. In the past I struggled with lack of confidence about my magical practices, in that am I doing it correctly etc etc, but these days I trust my instincts much more on the what, when, why, of doing spells and rituals.
I know what you mean about the fire jawn. One thing I build into all my ritual is that I cannot fuck it up. Even if it’s against personal gnosis or larger gnosis, even if it’s an accident, etc... It is all conspiring in accordance to my will. So that’s how I get over that :)
I don’t do Magick for others, but I will occasionally do Magick with others for their benefit & I will ask people I love if I can read them or influence their energy for them.
I do cast for others without them knowing - usually healing/ prosperity/ happiness etc especially for my pets when they get sick as I know I am doing everything I can in the physical so it's that little bit of a kick to what I am already doing.
I know for me, I would be curious as to how you craft not so much to know or use your spells, but just to experience how you are in sacred space. You have a very sincere, creative and intriguing way of speaking and I think witnessing that in a ritual setting would be wonderful.. I'm confused about deity. I have atheistic tendencies for sure, but I almost feel like casting deity aside, I'd be missing out on something. I've come to look at them all as egregores, and that mindset seems to work for me but I still don't feel drawn to "work" with them. On the other hand, it feels silly to call on energies of air or other elements. I suppose I should look within more. Fire for me is both also, although I tend to use it more for banishing. Love your channel and look forward every day to new videos! Blessed Solstice ☀️
I'm very comfortable with fire being used both ways. Here in Australia we have horribly destructive bushfires every year BUT we also have plants that have adapted to NEED the fire in order to reproduce. It's amazing! Destruction and creation at once. Why shouldn't fire magic work the same 😉
I love walking a Witchy path because I get to make all these types of decisions for myself, and I hate walking a Witchy path because I have to make all these types of decisions for myself. I understand what you are saying about making spell crafting your own but I also understand why new witches (or even seasoned witches) would be interested in what other people are doing. Using a music analogy of my own, I know what music I love based on the music that I already know of. You might know music I have never heard of, but that I would love if I had the chance to hear it. If I don’t ask what you are listening to, how will I ever find out? On a side note... Rachel True followed you on Twitter!!! That is so, so cool! 😁
To ignite the paper with a match and light it on fire would be creative igniting. If the paper is thrown into already burning fire then it is destroying and breaking down that paper.
I get it too. I felt the same way. And I think both uses are valid. But personally I think what you do after burning matters too. Maybe you would like to scatter the ashes (outside or into the sea) of what you burn to banish it, and integrate the ashes into a charm, satchel, etc. to carry with you to bring the thing to you? Just an idea that might help if you feel your intention alone isnt enough and you need a physical reflection of it.
I’ve always seen fire as a transformation. The burning and ending of one thing to allow the growth of something new. Like when the underbrush of a forest burns. I only really use it when my intentions are to work in favor of one thing over another. But even manifesting it works because you are getting rid of the lack of intention or lack of result in favor of what you are manifesting. Plus I tend to work on morphing and growing more than trying to manifest something out of the blue, so it works. And if you are riding yourself of something you are removing the negative to allow for growth of the positive. So it really work both ways in my opinion. I don’t know if that made any sense, lol. But that’s how fire always felt to me.
On healing magic for others: I was recently thinking about this and if I send good energy or thoughts to someone, it is definitely not with the intention of immediately healing them, but to help them find what is necessary to heal. My brother and father have both called upon spirit healers that just straight up "heal" health symptoms, but it never ever lasted. In my mind, the person who is sick has to go through the healing themselves. For many people, this concept of doing the work yourself is a given for emotional healing, but I think it applies to physical conditions as well. There's never such a clear separation. In this way, healing spells are almost as interfering as hexes in my concept of magic. Whether the intention is subjectively good or bad is beside the point - it's the interference with someone else's life and path that I, personally, find problematic. Nothing is objectively good or bad - who knows? If your hex has someone's hair falling out, maybe they'll be overjoyed because they've always wanted to rock a bald head. :D And in the same way, a straight-out healing spell could hinder the person from making an important experience. So just sending strength, patience and whatever is necessary to walk a path to healing seems more prudent to me.
Fire is a chemical reaction that changes matter from one thing (wood or paper) into another thing (ash and smoke). Therefore to me it represents change and can be used either to create or destroy.
I truly appreciate how your mind works. I also respect how you present these grey areas in the craft. I think it might warrant a VR to field my own ramblings but I am definitely comforted by your perspective and that I am not the only one who questions basic tenets of the craft (ie: the use of fire, drawing energy, doing workings for others, etc...) Thank you for sharing.
Voilà ma belle. I uploaded a VR to this lovely video. What a great way to spend this Saturday evening. I trust you will have many interesting responses to your juicy topics.
For me I see the cauldron as a manifesting tool, so anything in that is creating. I use a plate if I am burning something to purify, also I choose incenses that send the message of what I intend. But yes can relate to the conflict, so this is the mental division I now use.
wow, great topics. I ran into the question about how to use fire and I came to the conclusion that I can use it for both . I put my intention on burning a paper with my written intention to manifest and visualize it going out into the universe to be manifested.. or I burn a written intention on getting rid of something and visualize it being released as it burns from me. kind of like grounding and releasing any unwanted energy down the grounding cord into the earth to be absorbed . the earth can neutralize the energy back into pure form . the universe can do the same with the energy I am releasing that no longer serves me. its whatever my intention is for the burning ritual.
I use fire much like I use water. Sometimes to create, sometimes to destroy (so to speak). As for circle casting, I've never been much of a fan of it. I think I did it early on in my practice because I thought I had to do it but throughout the years I've come to trust my own method of opening sacred space and it doesn't involve casting a circle lol.
I think when new people ask for spells, theyre fresh, they admire you, and they don't have a bases yet of how they want to do things. But since they admire you (and I mean you in a general sense) they want to immulate you first. Now obviously if something is personal to you and you want to leave it private do so, but sometimes baby witches gotta copy first before they figure out how to bring their own creative juice to their practice.
As I was hearing you talk about the fire problem, I wondered isn't it the same in a way? I feel destroying negative thoughts is manifesting positive thoughts. Does that make sense? I see the release of certain energy as the gain of other energy. So if that does make sense with you well there you go haha... if not I'm happy to go more in depth ;)
About casting for others: I tend to think that I can be exactly that one variable that is needed. That being said, I do cast for others, sometimes with consent and sometimes without...
Ha! You just put my issue with fire into words. I've never been able to quite put my finger on why it makes me uncomfortable. Now I've something to work with. I always get such a chuckle as I'm watching your videos and I suddenly have one of those "that's it" moments. I do love your rambles. Thank you so much for being you.
I don't know if this will help but I immediately thought of the wild forest fires we have here in the US. Some of those fires are needed in order to help the new seeds open and grow. It's called pyrophitic plant germination. A tree that needs fire in order to sprout is the ever green cones of some pine trees; there are other trees too. Same with plants; the blazing star flower and lupine. There's a plant/tree called sandplain gerardia which is endangered because there haven't been fires where they are. These fires also destroy invasive parasitic invader plants which protects the plants being strangled or starved. You can research Fire Ecology to learn more. Hope this helps with the balancing creating/destruction question in your mind.
Something about fire magic that may help: I totally use it for both creation and destruction. Something to help with the weirdness is to use your wand/athame/finger/etc above or around the cauldron while it’s burning. To create, go clockwise. To destroy, anti-clockwise. That way even if you do feel weird about potentially manifesting the opposite of what you want, you can feel like you’ve done something to guarantee it to go in the direction you want :)
i've gotten someone a job for $70/hr and got someone pregnant with twins. i was surprised and thrilled. i would never do a love spell though. that's where i think there's too many variables. you could easily accidentally traumatize someone by getting them the person they THINK they want, or by making them super attractive when they need to be working on themselves solo.
I definitely use fire for both creation and destruction. I see one as the fires of the forge, that you create things in but bring them into being through a more intense energetic birth, and sometimes I use fire for destruction and I see it almost like a forest fire - it destroys so many things in its path, but is also a form of rebirth too (afterall there are some species of fir or pine trees where the seedlings don't germinate until they've been burned in a fire). I also have quick and dirty methods of spellcraft and circle casting too, and these methods have developed over time from having kids. If I want to do spellcraft but won't have time in the evening, I'll do it while I'm home with the kids, and I'll have to get it done fast. I will cast spells for others, but I do have a framework of rules for myself of when, how, and why I'll lend myself magickally to another person's life. If it's something I see that they need to work on healing that is really deep and emotional, I'll maybe lend my magickal self to giving them strength or comfort to help them get through it, but I would never try to cast for a specific outcome for them. If someone asks for magickal juju for job interviews, having a day go a certain way, etc, I'm happy to lend some energy their way, but I also give the caviot of my energy being used for their highest good. I've had that experience too of not knowing whether or not it's the right time to cast a spell. I often decide to err on the side of adding in the magickal, and also make sure it's known as I'm casting the spell that if what I'm casting for is not in my highest good to have the energy aid what IS in my highest good instead.
I don’t always cast circle. Actually most times when I’m doing a working in my home I don’t. My home is sacred space, I actively make it so regularly. I do however create circle for ritual or when outside of my home. I guess it really comes down to how I feel and intuition, but for the most part my home and my property are my circle. I have only worked for others with their consent though I could see a situation where I might take it on myself, but I’d have to sit with it first and figure out if it’s ego. Is the working truly geared toward their highest good or is it merely what I want for them.
Really enjoyed this! When I’m working at home, I rarely feel the need to draw circle, just ‘wash ‘n’ go space with my personal cleansing routine, which might be more or less elaborate depending on my own energy at the time. For special date rituals I can go full on ceremonial, but I rarely ‘carve out space’. When I used to work largely in groups, circles were pretty mandatory, and sometimes gave me a constricted feeling ( like polo necks & high collars do to me !). I suppose I just don’t feel the need now, I will work in a protected bubble outside - but it has to be a no fuss popable one! Manifestation fire magic for me is candle magic, or smoke, and burning is reserved for releasing and protecting. It’s just so ingrained in my bones to work that way, but it’s all in the intent right?! I’ve often heard you talk about manifestation using fire with your cauldron and it’s always intrigued me, I think ‘How the fuck does she do that ? Respect!’ I bandy healing magic about like confetti, but only do specific spell-craft for others if they ask, and I wouldn’t want anyone to do spells for me. I mean I REALLY wouldn’t, unless I’d asked of course, it’d freak me the hell out, UGH NOOOOO! When to do magic? For my mind every breath we take is creating something, so I guess the more constructed conscious stuff just happens when I feel an urge to change gear or ramp things up, or change direction in some way. I loved this, much fun to watch and ruminate on why we do what we do.. ❤️ Thank you!
So I kinda see it as it is both. When you're creating something you're technically destroying the state of being that existed before that thing was here. And when you destroy something you are creating a new reality.
Answer to question about fire. I believe it is the intention of what I am doing over what the element represents This is relevant for the magic aspect. We all have different practices, and should have different practice. I don't and never have followed a dogmatic approach to my practice.
I see fthe fire element similiar to the death card. It's all about transformation. One must let the old go in order to move forward. As for sacred space, I believe we are the sacred space, as spiritual beings, through our intentions & the energies we bring with us because of our spirituality. As for the magical psychological, I agree with you. Although ultimately I do tend to lean towards the philosophy that it's our higher selves, who already know the truth our ego minds block us from knowing. Thanks as always for for sharing your beautiful energy & light. You mean so much to so many.
Its interesting what you say about confusion about the use of fire. In the Tarot, fire corresponds with wands and also with creative force. It is paradoxical (and also fitting, then) that fire is a destructive force. I think your intuition is so far guiding you correctly as destruction IS creation, and vice-versa. You cannot destroy anything without also creating (new opportunities, space, beginnings) and you cannot create anything without destroying something (old habits, time, objects) etc. Anyway, you get what I'm saying. Point is, fire to me does both simultaneously which is why you might be drawn to it for both types of intentions. I'd say let your intuition guide you, and have clear in your mind the intention both what you are creating/destroying AS WELL AS what you intend for this act to thus simultaneously create/destroy with said manifestation as the fire is surely doing BOTH! That's how I think of it, it is always both creating/destroying at the same time.. For instance, if you intend for it to destroy or release feelings of self-loathing intend for it also to be creating a sense of self-love. Or if you are intending to bring forth material-abundance also intend that it destroys habits of laziness or perhaps a habit of frivolous spending.. That's just my take on it. Or maybe that's a cop-out, since focused intentions are usually singular in nature. I myself usually don't let it bother me.. but if, as you say, the insecurity pops into your brain about "uh-oh what if you're actually destroying your intention" or what have you, I'd just replace it with a firm affirmation that "no, the thing I am destroying is actually _____" typically something that nicely complements whatever it is you're trying to create. (I'm so sorry for the long message!) Love you, Kelly-Ann! Thanks for your great videos!
The way I see fire is tranformative. You need distruction to bring in the new. So I hold both true at the same time. I destroy my old state to bring a new
I love how the fire purifies, whether in manifesting or banishing, which is why it works so well in both. Hmmm, and the sacred space I carve out is usually in relation to the intensity of the intention at the moment. At times I feel the need for it to be more elaborate than usual, it just depends on what my gut tells me.
veronica jude I’ve also tried to use two different vessels for different types of fire, and that seems to work well for me. Like, for a while I did cauldron work for destroying and incense for creating, and now I have a soapstone bowl that I use to burn manifestations. It could work to have a second small cauldron, too.
Haha that is so funny for me because it feels like such a cultural conditioning. I couldn't think of myself as having to cast a circle for everything, or anything for that matter, unless I am using traditional magick , like the Goetia. Brazilian magick is very direct and effective and we don't cast circles at all. Also, fire magick is like my specialty. You can certainly use the creative and the destructive aspects of any element. Fire can burn things down but it illuminates and warms us up. Fire is civilazation. If you're feeling confused you can always use the sword (language) . Simple affirmations ought to do the trick. "Let it be born" and "Let it perish", "I create" and "I destroy" or anything along those lines.
The only time I cast a circle is during group work, as a sign of respect to the beliefs and needs of those participating with me. Personally, I never sit down at my altar and cast a circle for any reason. Planning and creating my physical space is enough for me. All of my practice falls within the realm of prayer. The ether, the All, the Divine or whatever will either respond to that prayer or not, whether I'm in my space or not, whether a circle is cast or not, whether I'm relaxing in the bathtub or shopping at the mall. Intention in thought is everything, and then doing the necessary practical work to contribute to the outcome (ie. Applying for jobs if my prayers are for financial security). Casting a circle, for me, suggests that I either don't feel I'm "allowed" to be spiritual without it, or that I'm harboring fears that require the perceived protections of a circle. Prayer and spiritual practice is never, to me, a state of fear, so I've never needed the protection of a circle. And my body and mind is it's own sacred space, though I do try to create an environment in my home (my altar) that nourishes my body and mind.
Definately had that same issue with fire for a long time, then when I started working with the Celtic goddess of fire Brighid I started seing it as there being multiple types of fire. Hearth fire and the fire of inspiration I see as creative forces because something is being made from it. Forge fire is transformative, changing one thing into something else. Wildfire is destructive, it removes things, yet in it's own way creates space for new growth. Thats just my two cents on it
I think of fire as a tool of transformation. If I wish for something, and place that intention into fire whether that be paper in a cauldron or burning a candle then the intention is the thing that alters in its form. The same for something I wish to banish from my life. As for circle casting, much magic is part of every day life for me so I wouldn't cast for most of that. If I think a working is likely to bring something in such as goddess channelling or another 'externalised' sort of energy, however, then I would cast a circle for protection. I always cast a circle for ritual as that creates a liminal space.
I'm fairly new to the craft. The thing that has confused me the most is which direction to cast a circle as I live in the southern hemisphere. I've seen so many conflicting ideas. It feels intuitive to do it clockwise, yet most say anti-clockwise. I'm tending to think it probably doesn't really matter. I still don't get the difference between a wand and athame.
My thoughts are that you open a circle when you are going to call spirits, quarters and even God/esses to be present. The idea is that, as you open a portal for them to enter, you shield from negative energies that may try to come along so nothing gets in the way. You can say you would want to create a circle if you are using Ouija. You can even do it for any divination if you feel you are opening a portal. If you go into trance to travel to the other world than you could, if you do astral travel where you leave your body, you should because when you are gone something else can enter. If you feel like creating space makes you focus more than do it.
What if, the single purpose of Fire is transforming, because the problem is, with fire, you never just destroy or never just create. You always just make change. Transform.
I loved this whole thing, but I really related to: to cast or not to cast a circle. I tend to not cast a formal circle for most "everyday" stuff. I do try to remember to at least shield myself, depending on what I'm doing. I have had to get over my hang up about feeling like a circle is absolutely necessary because it's in the books and it's what many witches say you have to do. Most of the time in my freaking hectic life if I'm going to get anything done I've gotta save the time of casting a formal circle and focus on my intention. Also, as someone who is a relative newcomer to the path I'm still trying to figure out the nuts and bolts of spellcraft. So where I would maybe ask others about how they do things, I don't necessarily want exact details so that I can do the same thing. I think your gym analogy is spot on. But I don't always know what actual components or methods are good options for certain things. For instance I don't want to feel stuck in a candle magick rut because I'm not sure of another effective way to perform a spell for a given thing. So I might ask another witch about how they approach spell work to get ideas that I can make work with my own details plugged in. I loved the whole ramble though! Thank you for all of it! 💜
Great video. I appreciate your honesty in discussing things you might be unsure about. From time to time I feel like my writing is channeled but I’m not clear what that means to me or where I think it’s channeled from. I enjoy writing and journal a lot and sometimes I zone out a bit and when I read back what I’ve written I find it surprising, as in it feels like I’m reading something someone else has written. The paradigm I’ve selected to explain this is that I’m expressing a thought from my higher self or my Buddha nature but I’m not entirely certain about this. I have considered the possibilities that I’m channeling some kind of spirit guide, tapping into a collective unconscious, or even that I’m sending myself messages from the past or the future. I wish I had a concrete explanation of the experience but I’m trying to be OK with just having the experience without understanding it. I don’t cast spells but I do pray in the form of chanting for myself and others. For myself, I chant for all kinds of things I want and need but for others, I tend to limit my chanting to their happiness, health, and safety because I feel like I just don’t know if a new job or a new partner or whatever is really the path to happiness for them.
Assuming you looked into the Qabalah, the way to solve the Fire problem is to work with correspondences to set your intention straight (or use tools to further support your intention). Keter (Spirit/Fire) and Chokmah (Fire, somewhat Spirit) are Sephirot which are (/correspond to) Creative Fire, and Geburah, which corresponds to Mars, is a more Destructive Fire. So looking at Skinner's Tables you could then for example burn Musk incense while trying to create or manifest something, or you could burn Cinnamon incense when trying to destroy something (as these scents correspond to Chokmah and Geburah respectively). Or in simpler terms, add more corresponding things which remind you of creation to your Ritual/statement-of-intent when trying to create, and vice versa when trying to destroy. Even if there's flip-flopping going on in my mind during a Ritual (which is normal), the wave of intent created by the preparation of the Ritual and the Rite itself will still set your intentions straight and lead up to the desired result. (sympathetic magick basically) One could also use XVI The Tower as Destructive Fire and XX Judgement/The Aeon as Constructive Fire for example.
I hadn't even contemplated some of these!... The feeling I get thinking about these things reminds me of the feeling I get from Buddhist Koans. Trying to think about a 'one handed clap' etc my mind enters a zone of stillness (probably from an overload malfunction haha) - I got exactly the same from these 😍
You said something about feeling like you have to draw power from around you & not from within you... how do you get around that mindset? Because I feel like I've somehow accidentally overthought & cut myself off from... my own inner power. Just something is missing & I don't know how to fix it. ......I dunno. Maybe I'm overthinking stuff...
@Chaos Burrito I haven't actually heard of that before, but I'll do some research into it def! Well, I do work with Mary as my matron Goddess, so I look to KellyAnn def as a rolemodel & a huge inspiration in my craft. But I'm quite new & am still finding my footing down this path.
Here's my take on fire: Fire both creates and destroys, at the same time, always. To "create" one thing you must "destroy" something else. Fire "destroys" wood and "creates" heat, light and CO2. At all times you are breaking down one material to create another. This applies to any kind of magic too. When you do a money spell, you are simultaneously "creating" wealth and "destroying" poverty. When you "create" art, you are "destroying" the paper/clay, etc (i.e. changing its form). There is always a transformation: the death of one thing and the birth of another. One variable is increased while its counterpart is decreased. So when using fire (or magic, or anything) one is not choosing *whether* they want to create or destroy, because both naturally occur together. What we're choosing is *what* we are creating and therefore destroying, and vice versa.
So for me the main appeal of magic has always been its openness and accessibility- so I just get really super confused when I hear people talk about it like it's something exclusive and elitist, I guess. I'm a solo chaos witch myself, at least that's the closest label I've found that describes what I do- I just think that it's for everyone and I don't like the elitism that comes with some of the traditions. I understand that historically the need for secrecy to protect people from persecution is a thing, but this is different from assuming that certain people just can't do magic because whatever. It's to me a commoner's religion, not something to be hoarded for people who are "spiritually special" enough to afford expensive supplies or what have you. I also do a lot of basic-ass spell craft, but I'm not super ritual-oriented, if that makes sense? And sometimes when I talk about how I do things I get eyerolls or "god you're doing it so WRONG" and I'm just like, yah, you don't get to decide that stuff for me? Idk.
See, for me, drawing power from other things is about interacting with the world, like working with friends - so magic becomes this dance with my own power mingling with the herbs or water or energy. It has my flavour but isn't all mine. I have always wondered if our core personality is the cause of it, so not so much insecurity but the feeling of where our own strength lies. I know my strength comes from good relationships and connection and I think that's why I like this magical interweaving of my power with what I'm working with. It's not always the case for me, but it often is. I suppose some people might say this relating to astrology or personality type, but I think that's tricky because you'd need a whole chart with all interactive elements possible, so saying a sagittarius, gemini or libra is more or less likely to use power from only within or from others simplifies it too far, though there might be a correlation. But I do think our core ways of looking and relating to the world relates to it for many of us, though I do think insecurity comes in for some people. I also don't think magic is a last resort - if it was there's pretty much no point in being a witch for me. Healthy balance is always key for me. I am nosy though, so I love hearing how other people do things, but I think it's bonkers to follow a spell blindly. I find things interesting to listen to or read but I think it's often about people feeling worried about doing something 'wrong'. I think part of it is the preachy sounding texts that are around, and also the general lack of questioning many people have been encouraged in. But again, I think it's personality a bit - if someone tells me to do something I question it and always have - no matter if it's a teacher, a parent, a friend, an author. I was not loved by many teachers, but it didn't matter to me because I learnt so much, the whys and hows and what is opinion and what is fact, and it's been a blessing in my Craft. Fire wise - It is my response and what I am using that matters, a bit like burying something - if I bury a piece of paper, it will rot away, but if I bury a seed then it will grow.
For me, I never do any type of work or spell for anyone unless they've asked me for it. It's about their free will and I can't make a change in their life without their permission. I could always offer a prayer to the one true creator to help or heal them, but that's not me creating the change...it's up to the creator. If someone who cares about me wanted to do a spell or a long-distance healing, I would want them to ask me if I minded.
😄 this was really fun! So good to know other people think about these things too. When I use fire for manifestation/ bringing things in, I see the burning as sending my intention into the metaphysical realm. Kind of spreading it out and sending it off with the smoke. I also like to combine it with kitchen magic/ cooking and actually make something that embodies the manifestation. When I use it for destroying I don’t watch it up. And will sometimes bury anything that remains. But I know what you mean 😄 Circles, I rarely do. I think of it more as a magic carpet that can take me other places. So I only cast a compass if I need to go elsewhere. Or need the protection (rare). I pretty much never use it for divination, whichever method I use. OMG the petitioning thing 😄 I totally have this. I get this urge to call on all kinds of things I don’t “believe” in sometimes, and why?!? It just kind of feels necessary 😄 and then after I’m like, that was odd. I only cast for others if they ask, with the exception of sending love. I’ll cast for most things but only if it is well indicated (usually do divination first, and have a good old chat and see what practical things can be done). I do feel like the ideal amount of spellwork is none. But many situations fall outside of ideal, it’s not a last resort. Rachel True 😄 goals. I love thinking about why magic works 💕
Ha! I never burn to manifest for the same reason. I use fire to illuminate my manifestation by setting papers or whatever near a flame (or sometimes under). Burning for me is a solid banish. ♥️🤣
Oohhhh. Fire. Okay. So fire does create and destroy. It actually is the physical form of the idea of "create to destroy". Or how something must die for something else to come into being. Or how you have to make space in your life by getting rid of something, for something else to come in. I love this topic, because as someone who works with Loki, I ONLY understand fire as a death/rebirth-destruction/creation paradigm. Fire ALWAYS destroys. And it ALWAYS creates. Like how Kali the destroyer has to destroy things so that the creator can create again. Or how some people believe that Ragnarok is a repeated part of a birth-death-rebirth cycle. Think of it like this: wildfire destroys lots and lots of things. Homes, roads, animals, people, plants. But the wildfire is a natural cycle (usually). It happens so that the shrubs and weeds and grasses can be converted into a much more useful carbon material, to feed the next generation. And from the fire a new generation of seedlings is born, even more lush than the last. Because having that quick access to nutrients is just what they need to grow quickly and flourish. It usually happens in areas that are relatively arid, and have overgrowth of plant material. And some seeds can only germinate after burning. (Volcanoes are the same way) So instead of thinking of it as an either/or, consider ALWAYS using it for both. Kind of like how you can banish on the full or the new moon, you just have to work on the wording of your intent. So, creating manifestation? You can be like: "I destroy these magical items, with intent, so the fire may aid me in manifesting ____", or "with this destruction I manifest ____ through the burning of fire". Or something like that. And on the flip side: "I burn this habit to the ground, that something more healthy for me can be born of the ashes" or "I destroy ____ with the fires of recreation so that I may create ____ in my life" If you always think of fire in the destruction-creation paradigm, and that's worked into your magic/spells/mentality, than you may have less trouble with it. Less split second of doubt or fear. I actually have a piece in my bone casting set that means "change by fire" it is the Crucible. The fire that changes something into something else by heat and destruction. Ramble comment for just 4 minutes of your video love. It's 6am. I'm going back to bed, and I may comment on the rest later. But I HAD to comment on this one. :)
I toootally have the fire issue as well! I want to burn things so bad, but then my mind questions it every time. XD I just try to ignore it and do what feels right. And the circle thing as well - I do it very rarely and if I do it, it sometimes feels like I'm half-heartedly doing it. Not that it's any less potent, but if hardline protection fanatics knew I just visualize a light and am done with it within a minute, they might gasp. :D
Another enjoyable video! I can't properly give my response to everything here, but some thoughts I'd like to share: Regarding the circle casting thing, I think if we are ever unsure about whether to use a certain technique or not, it can be helpful to look at the original context of where this technique comes from (if we are able to) and that can help us to frame whether we find it necessary or not in our personal situation. Magic Circles are ancient and we know they were used in Sumeria, but a lot of ideas about magic circles amongst modern witches come from the specifically Wiccan magic circle (which can vary a fair bit in function from other older forms of magic circle). Just something to think about. I found your discussion about the times you can't fit an experience into the psychological Jungian model really interesting, personally, because I've been outside of the purely psychological model for most of the years of my practice. I actually do have more of a tangible belief in deities/spirits/outside forces, so for me it isn't something I grapple with, but I enjoyed that insight into your own model. The subject about power from within vs power from without was also interesting and yes, very deep. Could it be that you are experiencing some kind of ego dissolution there? Maybe when you notice you are looking for something outside of yourself its because you are realising there is no separation and what is "out there" is connected to you and you are a part of it and vice versa. Reminds me of the famous quote from Lon Milo Duquette likes to say, "It's all in your head, you just don't know how big your head is". Again, for me personally, its not so much of a thing as I don't think of everything I do as coming from within me and see my magic more as a partnership between what I have that is uniquely mine and what is around me. Blessings x
This is basically me in a video. And it helped me very much, so thank you. I often wonder if others have the same doubts about all you talked about or it is just me. About fire, I somehow resolved it thinking that, however my intention is, I need the fire to send a message to the universe. Pretty much how, in the ancient times, people would burn animal entrails as offerings during rituals and feasts, so that the smoke could ascend to their Gods. And at the same time, I don't think that fire is just medium or a tool; in a way, I consider fire as a living energy and so I tell myself: "How can this particular energy comunicate? By burning and consuming things, of course, so this is how I must speak to it". I hope it makes any sense.
Yes! I love weirdness. The element of “fire” is tied into Prometheus in my own vision of it and Brigit. When I resonate with deity and or archetypal energies, I see Prometheus as the bringer of fire to humanity. So he embodies this “creator” archetype. He inspired us to use our inner passion and interests as a guide regarding our purpose. With Brigit, she brings fire in the light of “the forge”. So she uses fire to produce the image of a weapon. In my own practice, the vision is a space of voidness. As a creator, a magician, I bring to this circle or space a story. The idea is similar to an author or an artist. Within the witch is this author and artist.
Perhaps, with fire, you can think of both Manifesting and Destroying the same way. For example, perhaps you can change the way you word things. God/ess bring me prosperity or God/ess take away my stress. And then when you word things like that you can see the fire burning it away as it no longer being yours but in the hands of God/ess, universe, cosmos, whatever. So you can banish and manifest in the same way . . . . ? I don't know if that makes sense.
Maybe you could add some sort of symbol to your cauldron when it's going to be used for activation rather than destruction? Like placing one of the wands cards from the Tarot in front of it to represent the fire as will rather than destruction? Like an on/off switch for activation/destruction.
So one Samhain we did a bonfire and my daughter picked up a half burnt stick and draws this gorgeous picture with the char from this stick. That’s a very sacred piece of art for me and it changed the way I see fire. Taking the ashes of something you’re letting go of and creating something beautiful and new that serves you is really the duality of fire. And no matter how much energy we release into the cosmos, we’re always left with something so why not put it into something we can be reminded of this fresh start or new ideas that came from what we broke down and released.
I understand what you’re saying about using fire. It will help to always focus on your INTENTION. That is all that matters. 💕
Hehe! Fan girl mini-wee! Oh Kelly-Ann! 😄
Oh Kelly-Ann you are so full of complimentary "i am" energy. I am such a mix of beliefs but I do trust there is no right way or wrong but thru intuition and good intention of your energy there are no mistakes and I compliment you on knowing yourself. I honestly don't know much about casting but what I do is much the same as you with helping When I manifest only once did I burn my notes I find it works for me to feel the ground, breath in my intention after giving thanks. I also love to work with water. I visualize as I throw it over my head the clearness moving out negativity and bringing in positive healing it's kind of like a flowing stream or creek that is blocked by twigs and by breathing in the clear positive energy we are able to release the blocks. I always enjoy your video's Kelly-Ann and thank you for sharing your special "I am" with us. Namaste
Yes! The fire thing- I totally get that. I tend to try and focus on the destructive action of the flames when using for banishing and focus on the smoke and sparks carrying my intention to the universe when manifesting. I totally get you with that dilemma. Thanks for another thought provoking video x
Really enjoyed this video, and agreed with a lot of points. Could you do a video on prayer beads and meditation? I’m a bit stuck :)
Fantastic commentary and thought provoking. I don't feel the need to carve out sacred space for many workings... though if i am going to be pulling something in to commune with (elements, divinity etc), then I like having a cleansed space (intentionally cleansed if nothing else) to invite spirit into - akin to straightening the house before having guests over... or if I feel like I want to energetically contain an intent or working to be released at a precise time... or for a feeling of security/safety. And I am also with you on 'casting' on/for other people. I hold energetic space for others but also find it tricky to navigate sending energy ... even sometimes healing... because who the hell am I to know what is best/what is needed? So that's tricky for sure.
I so enjoyed this! Thank you✨
yea, fire for creating things like a message sent. The circle can be self empowering, like with Rune work. Fascinating stuff 🙂
Oh my goddess, yes! The question of always casting a circle. That sometimes is the deciding factor if it's late and I'm tired but I want to do a little something magickal. Thank you!
Hi Kelly-Ann, I tune in to your ramblings every now and then and you never fail to put a smile on my face. Then you go on and mention you like minimal techno and I lose it! I felt absolutely compelled to reach out and confess my love for you! You're a beautiful soul and I f****** love you! You've taught me a lot over the last little bit, and I cannot thank you enough! Have a beautiful day, sunshine :)
So...I always tell the person I'll be casting for them before I do it. This way if they have an opposition to it, they can let me know. I have zero concern about it opening up some unwelcomed can of wicked worms as my intent is always from a place of love for the person. I also chant a little something acknowledging the cosmos know what is best so if what the person wants doesn't happen, it was for their own ultimate good.
To repeat what so many have already said, you are a true blessing to us now out and proud Natural Born Witches! ❤ So much love to you!❤
I’ve been loving your intro song!
I see the use of fire in the sense that the spell is like a Phoenix, where the fire can destroy the Phoenix , as well as give birth to it.
This chant helped me with the creative aspect of fire:
"Paper will give way to flame. The essence of the word remains. Fire destroy and fire create. Let what is written be our fate. Fly up to the heavens, fiery bird. Bring back the fact behind the word"
Very enjoyable and interesting, thank you!
Laughed out loud at some of these , just because I thought it was only me thinking these things 😂 great video 💜
Oh my god I love this video! Just so vulnerable and authentic! 💓 For me there is quite a bit of stuff that I can relate to in what you are saying, especially in link with the elements! There's also been a thing with Tarot lately... I'm going to get very personal haha:
I always had some shadowy thoughts and somewhat of a negative narrative around the "Fortune teller" archetype and way of dealing with divination, especially around the concept of "future" in Tarot. I always wanted to treat tarot like a psycho-spiritual tool (only pieces of paper with images literally) that would only have the importance and convey the magick I would decide to accord to it, me, being the wielder, power center and interprete. But here is the thing: Multiple times, Tarot has brought me very clear and specific snapshots about the future that turned out later to be true or manifested (either for me or for others). Like if my decks had an "intelligence" on their own at times. These repetitive events always challenge my beliefs about destiny and future that I'm not sure if i'm ready to bend just yet. I want to keep my readings as empowering as possible and leave the idea of 'here is what is most likely to happen' out of it but in the same time these moments keep happening very often and I wonder if I should keep ignoring the call or stop watering it down any further. It always blows my mind every time it occurs and leads me to ask myself if there might be indeed some external forces working out there independently from our will. Big confusion and a scary thought to say the least...
I often find myself exploring the nuances between psychology and the craft too, it’s made sense to explore the connections with my career, passion and all elements of my beliefs so I can seek the link in both aspects of my life. Yet when suddenly something unexplained than doesn’t fit occurs with no connection, I’m still thrown totally. Back down the rabbit hole as you say.
With the rest of your discussion I’m always cautious of sharing my two cence being much less practiced, rough round the edges etc in many areas of craft however I was so drawn in by the discussion of fire as it’s something I’ve pondered and work with most often, both to manifest and to end. For me fire traverses both creation and destruction similar to there’s a fine line between love and hate. The energy of fire has the ability to be both and therefore the focus is on the intent. Also when creating I’m looking to break away from the other variables or the current blocks so it feels like there’s a mergence.
Enjoyed this ramble.
You crack me up. So many memorable quotes :)
Thank you for teaching me that it's okay to say "That ain't me baby, that ain't me" to anything in life that.. ain't me
New to your channel, I feel happy hearing your accent! Also your picture behind you so dark yet welcoming. Love ya!
I think that when I try to get my head around using fire to manifest, I think about forest fires or when farmers burn their fields. At first there is a lot of destruction but then through that, new life and grow and manifest. Urgh, it really is a confusing point for me too! Loved this video.
That is an interesting thought- power from within vs. yonder! I think my past Catholicism still influences my thinking especially about how I draw power especially with spell work. I am trying to consciously realize that I do have power within- it is something I am battling with as a witchling !
I loved your last point about confusion around which magical model you use. I work primarily with the psychological model, because I feel like that's where I'm most likely to create change and results because I'm working the magic on myself and I have more control over myself than anything external. But the discussion around the energetic model speaks to me because I experience spell craft as energetic in nature. When I'm casting I feel the energy being raised and I feel it being directed. Also, if I want to cast a spell relating to something outside of my immediate influence, for example casting for someone else like you had mentioned earlier in the video, then I have to be using the energetic model, because the psychological model wouldn't apply because I'm not trying to alter anything in my psychology or influence myself. That train of thought then usually sends me down the rabbit hole of "how much effect can my magic actually have on the external world? Do I even believe that I can influence the external world with my magic?" I've certainly experienced an instance or two where it seems like I have, or were those coincidences?
In regards to fire, for me it's the middle path, it can destroy but it's also is energetic and can bring things into being (tapas). I think of it this way, take vegetables for example, they use the earths resources to grow, taking in sunlight, water, soil, but in return it gives back to the earth by fertilizing the soil if not harvested when they decompose, plants share a root structure supporting one another, communicate, releasing Co2, and when they are harvested, it feeds all sorts of creatures. It's a give and take, and I think fire is the same way. It's a neutral, the middle path.
In terms of creating results by burning a piece of paper: the way I get my head round it is that I see the paper burning and turning INTO the fire, whose heat and light radiate OUT into the room/atmosphere and it is therefore literally radiating and pushing out the energy of what was written on the paper into physical reality.
I rarely use fire to manifest but when I do it s a way to send the lettre/request. There is a destruction but the destruction itself is a way to transform the intent and send it, like you would send a letter: once the letter send you can't take it back, it s no longer in your control.
The power thing and having momentary confusion about where it's coming from - Totally identify with this. Its weird.. and yes, i think one could go down a rabbit hole on that one.. or not. Paradox. :) thanks for sharing!
I think the use of fire depends on the intention. I try to combine it with moon phases, waxing for manifesting, waning for banishing. Either way, burning releases it to the universe whatever the spell is for... ashes to ashes. Also.. that photo of Rachel True and Faruza Balk is love. Both seemingly haven't aged since The Craft it seems.
I do cast for others if they ask. I, first, tried to help once someone who was close to me without her knowing and I think it ended up being too successful- so I decided to just help others if asked! But I think I have no opinion really! You do you!
I have a similar paradigm in my practice where I only call upon my own power, or really use myself as the source of my power, as it were. Something I have found helpful is having something of a "magical battery" that I can charge with my own energy and essence on days where I feel extra zippy, and then I can use that to draw power from later if a spell needs an extra boost or if I am feeling drained. I use a spell jar for this purpose filled with correspondences very personal to me (totem herbs, crystals, things with my favorite color, representations of my guides, etc).
I can understand your conflicted relationship while working with the element of fire.
When I work with fire I put my intention and energy into the physical manifestation of fire, the gift of Prometheus. As I'm building a fire or lighting a candle I revel in the excitingly primal magic of its nature. I think about what fire is in its creative aspect: beautiful dancing movement, light, color, warmth, and so on. Physics states energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can and does change physical form. So when I burn a piece of paper with the intention to create or bring something to me the alchemical process of burning is merely transforming the paper or whatever I'm burning into smoke and ash. When smoke rises I visualize it as carrying my will out into the universe. It's like sending an email or a letter to the cosmos, and the only way I can see it getting there is by rising in the form of smoke. The ash can become nutrients for the soil in my garden. When I burn letters I've written to ancestors I see the smoke as my messenger if that makes any sense. I love scrying smoke, especially when it spirals out of a stick of incense...so beautiful.
I think for many it's easier to see fire for its destructive abilities. It can destroy forests, homes, lives, and more. The smoke and ash it creates can choke you. That destructive ability of fire is what I focus on when there is an unhealthy thing in my life I need to release. I sometimes like to visualize myself as a volcano. Releasing emotions and whatnot like lava, and in doing so destroying obstacles and the like. After I feel I've released what I needed to I'll visualize beautiful greenery sprouting from the lava rich soil left behind , and reflect on what I need to grow and nurture within me. That's a way of getting rid of blockages between the root and heart chakras.
Perhaps it's more helpful to look at the element of fire (if not all of the elements) not as a tool for creation or destruction, but rather transformation. Let me know your thoughts if you have any, and the time to spare them. Thanks again for another thoughtful video.
For fire I could consider the energy of creation and destruction is the same. In order to create something you need to vanish all other alternatives/things you don’t want. Maybe that could be added to manifesting, a sentence about how all other things are destroyed
I use fire to both activate and release--I think of it as as symbol of destruction and transformation, and my intentions are often transformative so that's how I roll with that. At the heart of it, it's a catalyst for change, and whether it's positive or negative depends on the words I speak and the tone I'm using. My "no frills" circle casting involves speaking words of protection, sage-ing a circle around me, and imagining myself encased in a glowing orb. Shortly after, I have an ASMR and that tells me things are good--honestly, I pretty much rely on ASMR (the response, not the sounds) as the major indicator of transitions in ritual. Creating sacred space in a serious way is me saying, "All right--some serious witch shit is about to go down now."
Vesta is my matron so I work with fire constantly. To me the intention is what’s important, fire can be used to create or destroy, we can use the flames on the stove to cook something delicious and nourishing but if the flames get out of control they could burn the house down. To me, something set alight in the cauldron is a symbol of release and committing what you intend to The All whether that is creation or destruction. Thinking about it I sometimes differ the source of the flame depending on the intention, I use different colour candles or my vestal flame to set paper alight during spell craft so that might be helpful to play with 💓🔥
I use fire for both but in the beginning I couldn’t because of various similar worries. I got over it by doing some intense shadow work to better understand why and where these fears came from from within my psyche. To use your words yes you can rub along with both but only when your psychospiritually ready. You will know deep within your psyche when that time is. And there I was thinking I was the only one whom had an issue with that. It’s probably far more common than we realise I would imagine.
Always love your videos!
Blessed Be & Namaste,🙏
Love Caz⭐️❤️🌙xo
It's interesting as i try not to over question what I'm doing, because if I do it just sends me mad. In the past I struggled with lack of confidence about my magical practices, in that am I doing it correctly etc etc, but these days I trust my instincts much more on the what, when, why, of doing spells and rituals.
I know what you mean about the fire jawn. One thing I build into all my ritual is that I cannot fuck it up. Even if it’s against personal gnosis or larger gnosis, even if it’s an accident, etc... It is all conspiring in accordance to my will. So that’s how I get over that :)
I don’t work with a circle. My altar is my circle. My mindset is my circle.
I don’t do Magick for others, but I will occasionally do Magick with others for their benefit & I will ask people I love if I can read them or influence their energy for them.
Stream of consciousness replying: I do have 2 cauldrons. 1 fancy (manifestor), & 1 no frills (disposal).
I do cast for others without them knowing - usually healing/ prosperity/ happiness etc especially for my pets when they get sick as I know I am doing everything I can in the physical so it's that little bit of a kick to what I am already doing.
I know for me, I would be curious as to how you craft not so much to know or use your spells, but just to experience how you are in sacred space. You have a very sincere, creative and intriguing way of speaking and I think witnessing that in a ritual setting would be wonderful..
I'm confused about deity. I have atheistic tendencies for sure, but I almost feel like casting deity aside, I'd be missing out on something. I've come to look at them all as egregores, and that mindset seems to work for me but I still don't feel drawn to "work" with them. On the other hand, it feels silly to call on energies of air or other elements. I suppose I should look within more. Fire for me is both also, although I tend to use it more for banishing. Love your channel and look forward every day to new videos! Blessed Solstice ☀️
For the fire, I would use a certain incense for banishing and a certain incense to manifest while you’re using fire
I'm very comfortable with fire being used both ways. Here in Australia we have horribly destructive bushfires every year BUT we also have plants that have adapted to NEED the fire in order to reproduce. It's amazing! Destruction and creation at once. Why shouldn't fire magic work the same 😉
I love walking a Witchy path because I get to make all these types of decisions for myself, and I hate walking a Witchy path because I have to make all these types of decisions for myself.
I understand what you are saying about making spell crafting your own but I also understand why new witches (or even seasoned witches) would be interested in what other people are doing. Using a music analogy of my own, I know what music I love based on the music that I already know of. You might know music I have never heard of, but that I would love if I had the chance to hear it. If I don’t ask what you are listening to, how will I ever find out?
On a side note... Rachel True followed you on Twitter!!! That is so, so cool! 😁
Geek Girl Does Tarot I love this comment! ✨
J Jones Thank you ☺️
I love that music analogy!
To ignite the paper with a match and light it on fire would be creative igniting. If the paper is thrown into already burning fire then it is destroying and breaking down that paper.
I get it too. I felt the same way. And I think both uses are valid. But personally I think what you do after burning matters too. Maybe you would like to scatter the ashes (outside or into the sea) of what you burn to banish it, and integrate the ashes into a charm, satchel, etc. to carry with you to bring the thing to you? Just an idea that might help if you feel your intention alone isnt enough and you need a physical reflection of it.
I’ve always seen fire as a transformation. The burning and ending of one thing to allow the growth of something new. Like when the underbrush of a forest burns. I only really use it when my intentions are to work in favor of one thing over another. But even manifesting it works because you are getting rid of the lack of intention or lack of result in favor of what you are manifesting. Plus I tend to work on morphing and growing more than trying to manifest something out of the blue, so it works. And if you are riding yourself of something you are removing the negative to allow for growth of the positive. So it really work both ways in my opinion. I don’t know if that made any sense, lol. But that’s how fire always felt to me.
On healing magic for others: I was recently thinking about this and if I send good energy or thoughts to someone, it is definitely not with the intention of immediately healing them, but to help them find what is necessary to heal. My brother and father have both called upon spirit healers that just straight up "heal" health symptoms, but it never ever lasted. In my mind, the person who is sick has to go through the healing themselves.
For many people, this concept of doing the work yourself is a given for emotional healing, but I think it applies to physical conditions as well. There's never such a clear separation.
In this way, healing spells are almost as interfering as hexes in my concept of magic. Whether the intention is subjectively good or bad is beside the point - it's the interference with someone else's life and path that I, personally, find problematic.
Nothing is objectively good or bad - who knows? If your hex has someone's hair falling out, maybe they'll be overjoyed because they've always wanted to rock a bald head. :D And in the same way, a straight-out healing spell could hinder the person from making an important experience. So just sending strength, patience and whatever is necessary to walk a path to healing seems more prudent to me.
Fire is a chemical reaction that changes matter from one thing (wood or paper) into another thing (ash and smoke). Therefore to me it represents change and can be used either to create or destroy.
I truly appreciate how your mind works. I also respect how you present these grey areas in the craft. I think it might warrant a VR to field my own ramblings but I am definitely comforted by your perspective and that I am not the only one who questions basic tenets of the craft (ie: the use of fire, drawing energy, doing workings for others, etc...) Thank you for sharing.
Voilà ma belle. I uploaded a VR to this lovely video. What a great way to spend this Saturday evening. I trust you will have many interesting responses to your juicy topics.
For me I see the cauldron as a manifesting tool, so anything in that is creating. I use a plate if I am burning something to purify, also I choose incenses that send the message of what I intend. But yes can relate to the conflict, so this is the mental division I now use.
wow, great topics. I ran into the question about how to use fire and I came to the conclusion that I can use it for both . I put my intention on burning a paper with my written intention to manifest and visualize it going out into the universe to be manifested.. or I burn a written intention on getting rid of something and visualize it being released as it burns from me. kind of like grounding and releasing any unwanted energy down the grounding cord into the earth to be absorbed . the earth can neutralize the energy back into pure form . the universe can do the same with the energy I am releasing that no longer serves me. its whatever my intention is for the burning ritual.
I use fire much like I use water. Sometimes to create, sometimes to destroy (so to speak). As for circle casting, I've never been much of a fan of it. I think I did it early on in my practice because I thought I had to do it but throughout the years I've come to trust my own method of opening sacred space and it doesn't involve casting a circle lol.
I think when new people ask for spells, theyre fresh, they admire you, and they don't have a bases yet of how they want to do things. But since they admire you (and I mean you in a general sense) they want to immulate you first. Now obviously if something is personal to you and you want to leave it private do so, but sometimes baby witches gotta copy first before they figure out how to bring their own creative juice to their practice.
As I was hearing you talk about the fire problem, I wondered isn't it the same in a way? I feel destroying negative thoughts is manifesting positive thoughts. Does that make sense? I see the release of certain energy as the gain of other energy. So if that does make sense with you well there you go haha... if not I'm happy to go more in depth ;)
About casting for others: I tend to think that I can be exactly that one variable that is needed. That being said, I do cast for others, sometimes with consent and sometimes without...
Ha! You just put my issue with fire into words. I've never been able to quite put my finger on why it makes me uncomfortable. Now I've something to work with.
I always get such a chuckle as I'm watching your videos and I suddenly have one of those "that's it" moments. I do love your rambles. Thank you so much for being you.
I don't know if this will help but I immediately thought of the wild forest fires we have here in the US. Some of those fires are needed in order to help the new seeds open and grow. It's called pyrophitic plant germination. A tree that needs fire in order to sprout is the ever green cones of some pine trees; there are other trees too. Same with plants; the blazing star flower and lupine. There's a plant/tree called sandplain gerardia which is endangered because there haven't been fires where they are. These fires also destroy invasive parasitic invader plants which protects the plants being strangled or starved. You can research Fire Ecology to learn more. Hope this helps with the balancing creating/destruction question in your mind.
Something about fire magic that may help: I totally use it for both creation and destruction. Something to help with the weirdness is to use your wand/athame/finger/etc above or around the cauldron while it’s burning. To create, go clockwise. To destroy, anti-clockwise. That way even if you do feel weird about potentially manifesting the opposite of what you want, you can feel like you’ve done something to guarantee it to go in the direction you want :)
I use fire for banishing
i've gotten someone a job for $70/hr and got someone pregnant with twins. i was surprised and thrilled. i would never do a love spell though. that's where i think there's too many variables. you could easily accidentally traumatize someone by getting them the person they THINK they want, or by making them super attractive when they need to be working on themselves solo.
I definitely use fire for both creation and destruction. I see one as the fires of the forge, that you create things in but bring them into being through a more intense energetic birth, and sometimes I use fire for destruction and I see it almost like a forest fire - it destroys so many things in its path, but is also a form of rebirth too (afterall there are some species of fir or pine trees where the seedlings don't germinate until they've been burned in a fire). I also have quick and dirty methods of spellcraft and circle casting too, and these methods have developed over time from having kids. If I want to do spellcraft but won't have time in the evening, I'll do it while I'm home with the kids, and I'll have to get it done fast. I will cast spells for others, but I do have a framework of rules for myself of when, how, and why I'll lend myself magickally to another person's life. If it's something I see that they need to work on healing that is really deep and emotional, I'll maybe lend my magickal self to giving them strength or comfort to help them get through it, but I would never try to cast for a specific outcome for them. If someone asks for magickal juju for job interviews, having a day go a certain way, etc, I'm happy to lend some energy their way, but I also give the caviot of my energy being used for their highest good. I've had that experience too of not knowing whether or not it's the right time to cast a spell. I often decide to err on the side of adding in the magickal, and also make sure it's known as I'm casting the spell that if what I'm casting for is not in my highest good to have the energy aid what IS in my highest good instead.
I don’t always cast circle. Actually most times when I’m doing a working in my home I don’t. My home is sacred space, I actively make it so regularly. I do however create circle for ritual or when outside of my home. I guess it really comes down to how I feel and intuition, but for the most part my home and my property are my circle.
I have only worked for others with their consent though I could see a situation where I might take it on myself, but I’d have to sit with it first and figure out if it’s ego. Is the working truly geared toward their highest good or is it merely what I want for them.
Really enjoyed this! When I’m working at home, I rarely feel the need to draw circle, just ‘wash ‘n’ go space with my personal cleansing routine, which might be more or less elaborate depending on my own energy at the time. For special date rituals I can go full on ceremonial, but I rarely ‘carve out space’. When I used to work largely in groups, circles were pretty mandatory, and sometimes gave me a constricted feeling ( like polo necks & high collars do to me !). I suppose I just don’t feel the need now, I will work in a protected bubble outside - but it has to be a no fuss popable one! Manifestation fire magic for me is candle magic, or smoke, and burning is reserved for releasing and protecting. It’s just so ingrained in my bones to work that way, but it’s all in the intent right?! I’ve often heard you talk about manifestation using fire with your cauldron and it’s always intrigued me, I think ‘How the fuck does she do that ? Respect!’
I bandy healing magic about like confetti, but only do specific spell-craft for others if they ask, and I wouldn’t want anyone to do spells for me. I mean I REALLY wouldn’t, unless I’d asked of course, it’d freak me the hell out, UGH NOOOOO!
When to do magic? For my mind every breath we take is creating something, so I guess the more constructed conscious stuff just happens when I feel an urge to change gear or ramp things up, or change direction in some way. I loved this, much fun to watch and ruminate on why we do what we do.. ❤️ Thank you!
So I kinda see it as it is both. When you're creating something you're technically destroying the state of being that existed before that thing was here. And when you destroy something you are creating a new reality.
Answer to question about fire. I believe it is the intention of what I am doing over what the element represents
This is relevant for the magic aspect. We all have different practices, and should have different practice. I don't and never have followed a dogmatic approach to my practice.
I see fthe fire element similiar to the death card. It's all about transformation. One must let the old go in order to move forward. As for sacred space, I believe we are the sacred space, as spiritual beings, through our intentions & the energies we bring with us because of our spirituality. As for the magical psychological, I agree with you. Although ultimately I do tend to lean towards the philosophy that it's our higher selves, who already know the truth our ego minds block us from knowing. Thanks as always for for sharing your beautiful energy & light. You mean so much to so many.
Yessss love this 💗
Its interesting what you say about confusion about the use of fire. In the Tarot, fire corresponds with wands and also with creative force. It is paradoxical (and also fitting, then) that fire is a destructive force. I think your intuition is so far guiding you correctly as destruction IS creation, and vice-versa. You cannot destroy anything without also creating (new opportunities, space, beginnings) and you cannot create anything without destroying something (old habits, time, objects) etc. Anyway, you get what I'm saying. Point is, fire to me does both simultaneously which is why you might be drawn to it for both types of intentions. I'd say let your intuition guide you, and have clear in your mind the intention both what you are creating/destroying AS WELL AS what you intend for this act to thus simultaneously create/destroy with said manifestation as the fire is surely doing BOTH! That's how I think of it, it is always both creating/destroying at the same time.. For instance, if you intend for it to destroy or release feelings of self-loathing intend for it also to be creating a sense of self-love. Or if you are intending to bring forth material-abundance also intend that it destroys habits of laziness or perhaps a habit of frivolous spending.. That's just my take on it. Or maybe that's a cop-out, since focused intentions are usually singular in nature. I myself usually don't let it bother me.. but if, as you say, the insecurity pops into your brain about "uh-oh what if you're actually destroying your intention" or what have you, I'd just replace it with a firm affirmation that "no, the thing I am destroying is actually _____" typically something that nicely complements whatever it is you're trying to create. (I'm so sorry for the long message!) Love you, Kelly-Ann! Thanks for your great videos!
The way I see fire is tranformative. You need distruction to bring in the new. So I hold both true at the same time. I destroy my old state to bring a new
I love how the fire purifies, whether in manifesting or banishing, which is why it works so well in both.
Hmmm, and the sacred space I carve out is usually in relation to the intensity of the intention at the moment. At times I feel the need for it to be more elaborate than usual, it just depends on what my gut tells me.
veronica jude I’ve also tried to use two different vessels for different types of fire, and that seems to work well for me. Like, for a while I did cauldron work for destroying and incense for creating, and now I have a soapstone bowl that I use to burn manifestations. It could work to have a second small cauldron, too.
Samantha Fern I think that’s a great idea!
Haha that is so funny for me because it feels like such a cultural conditioning. I couldn't think of myself as having to cast a circle for everything, or anything for that matter, unless I am using traditional magick , like the Goetia. Brazilian magick is very direct and effective and we don't cast circles at all.
Also, fire magick is like my specialty. You can certainly use the creative and the destructive aspects of any element. Fire can burn things down but it illuminates and warms us up. Fire is civilazation. If you're feeling confused you can always use the sword (language) . Simple affirmations ought to do the trick. "Let it be born" and "Let it perish", "I create" and "I destroy" or anything along those lines.
The only time I cast a circle is during group work, as a sign of respect to the beliefs and needs of those participating with me. Personally, I never sit down at my altar and cast a circle for any reason. Planning and creating my physical space is enough for me. All of my practice falls within the realm of prayer. The ether, the All, the Divine or whatever will either respond to that prayer or not, whether I'm in my space or not, whether a circle is cast or not, whether I'm relaxing in the bathtub or shopping at the mall. Intention in thought is everything, and then doing the necessary practical work to contribute to the outcome (ie. Applying for jobs if my prayers are for financial security).
Casting a circle, for me, suggests that I either don't feel I'm "allowed" to be spiritual without it, or that I'm harboring fears that require the perceived protections of a circle. Prayer and spiritual practice is never, to me, a state of fear, so I've never needed the protection of a circle. And my body and mind is it's own sacred space, though I do try to create an environment in my home (my altar) that nourishes my body and mind.
Definately had that same issue with fire for a long time, then when I started working with the Celtic goddess of fire Brighid I started seing it as there being multiple types of fire. Hearth fire and the fire of inspiration I see as creative forces because something is being made from it. Forge fire is transformative, changing one thing into something else. Wildfire is destructive, it removes things, yet in it's own way creates space for new growth. Thats just my two cents on it
I think of fire as a tool of transformation. If I wish for something, and place that intention into fire whether that be paper in a cauldron or burning a candle then the intention is the thing that alters in its form. The same for something I wish to banish from my life. As for circle casting, much magic is part of every day life for me so I wouldn't cast for most of that. If I think a working is likely to bring something in such as goddess channelling or another 'externalised' sort of energy, however, then I would cast a circle for protection. I always cast a circle for ritual as that creates a liminal space.
I'm fairly new to the craft. The thing that has confused me the most is which direction to cast a circle as I live in the southern hemisphere. I've seen so many conflicting ideas. It feels intuitive to do it clockwise, yet most say anti-clockwise. I'm tending to think it probably doesn't really matter. I still don't get the difference between a wand and athame.
My thoughts are that you open a circle when you are going to call spirits, quarters and even God/esses to be present. The idea is that, as you open a portal for them to enter, you shield from negative energies that may try to come along so nothing gets in the way. You can say you would want to create a circle if you are using Ouija. You can even do it for any divination if you feel you are opening a portal. If you go into trance to travel to the other world than you could, if you do astral travel where you leave your body, you should because when you are gone something else can enter. If you feel like creating space makes you focus more than do it.
What if, the single purpose of Fire is transforming, because the problem is, with fire, you never just destroy or never just create. You always just make change. Transform.
I loved this whole thing, but I really related to: to cast or not to cast a circle. I tend to not cast a formal circle for most "everyday" stuff. I do try to remember to at least shield myself, depending on what I'm doing. I have had to get over my hang up about feeling like a circle is absolutely necessary because it's in the books and it's what many witches say you have to do. Most of the time in my freaking hectic life if I'm going to get anything done I've gotta save the time of casting a formal circle and focus on my intention.
Also, as someone who is a relative newcomer to the path I'm still trying to figure out the nuts and bolts of spellcraft. So where I would maybe ask others about how they do things, I don't necessarily want exact details so that I can do the same thing. I think your gym analogy is spot on. But I don't always know what actual components or methods are good options for certain things. For instance I don't want to feel stuck in a candle magick rut because I'm not sure of another effective way to perform a spell for a given thing. So I might ask another witch about how they approach spell work to get ideas that I can make work with my own details plugged in.
I loved the whole ramble though! Thank you for all of it! 💜
Great video. I appreciate your honesty in discussing things you might be unsure about.
From time to time I feel like my writing is channeled but I’m not clear what that means to me or where I think it’s channeled from. I enjoy writing and journal a lot and sometimes I zone out a bit and when I read back what I’ve written I find it surprising, as in it feels like I’m reading something someone else has written. The paradigm I’ve selected to explain this is that I’m expressing a thought from my higher self or my Buddha nature but I’m not entirely certain about this. I have considered the possibilities that I’m channeling some kind of spirit guide, tapping into a collective unconscious, or even that I’m sending myself messages from the past or the future. I wish I had a concrete explanation of the experience but I’m trying to be OK with just having the experience without understanding it.
I don’t cast spells but I do pray in the form of chanting for myself and others. For myself, I chant for all kinds of things I want and need but for others, I tend to limit my chanting to their happiness, health, and safety because I feel like I just don’t know if a new job or a new partner or whatever is really the path to happiness for them.
Assuming you looked into the Qabalah, the way to solve the Fire problem is to work with correspondences to set your intention straight (or use tools to further support your intention). Keter (Spirit/Fire) and Chokmah (Fire, somewhat Spirit) are Sephirot which are (/correspond to) Creative Fire, and Geburah, which corresponds to Mars, is a more Destructive Fire. So looking at Skinner's Tables you could then for example burn Musk incense while trying to create or manifest something, or you could burn Cinnamon incense when trying to destroy something (as these scents correspond to Chokmah and Geburah respectively).
Or in simpler terms, add more corresponding things which remind you of creation to your Ritual/statement-of-intent when trying to create, and vice versa when trying to destroy. Even if there's flip-flopping going on in my mind during a Ritual (which is normal), the wave of intent created by the preparation of the Ritual and the Rite itself will still set your intentions straight and lead up to the desired result. (sympathetic magick basically)
One could also use XVI The Tower as Destructive Fire and XX Judgement/The Aeon as Constructive Fire for example.
I hadn't even contemplated some of these!... The feeling I get thinking about these things reminds me of the feeling I get from Buddhist Koans. Trying to think about a 'one handed clap' etc my mind enters a zone of stillness (probably from an overload malfunction haha) - I got exactly the same from these 😍
I never cast circles, its never been a problem for me?
You said something about feeling like you have to draw power from around you & not from within you... how do you get around that mindset? Because I feel like I've somehow accidentally overthought & cut myself off from... my own inner power. Just something is missing & I don't know how to fix it.
......I dunno. Maybe I'm overthinking stuff...
@Chaos Burrito I haven't actually heard of that before, but I'll do some research into it def! Well, I do work with Mary as my matron Goddess, so I look to KellyAnn def as a rolemodel & a huge inspiration in my craft. But I'm quite new & am still finding my footing down this path.
"I know my ass from my elbow" - SO GOOD! I love your phrases
Here's my take on fire: Fire both creates and destroys, at the same time, always. To "create" one thing you must "destroy" something else. Fire "destroys" wood and "creates" heat, light and CO2. At all times you are breaking down one material to create another. This applies to any kind of magic too. When you do a money spell, you are simultaneously "creating" wealth and "destroying" poverty. When you "create" art, you are "destroying" the paper/clay, etc (i.e. changing its form). There is always a transformation: the death of one thing and the birth of another. One variable is increased while its counterpart is decreased. So when using fire (or magic, or anything) one is not choosing *whether* they want to create or destroy, because both naturally occur together. What we're choosing is *what* we are creating and therefore destroying, and vice versa.
So for me the main appeal of magic has always been its openness and accessibility- so I just get really super confused when I hear people talk about it like it's something exclusive and elitist, I guess. I'm a solo chaos witch myself, at least that's the closest label I've found that describes what I do- I just think that it's for everyone and I don't like the elitism that comes with some of the traditions. I understand that historically the need for secrecy to protect people from persecution is a thing, but this is different from assuming that certain people just can't do magic because whatever. It's to me a commoner's religion, not something to be hoarded for people who are "spiritually special" enough to afford expensive supplies or what have you. I also do a lot of basic-ass spell craft, but I'm not super ritual-oriented, if that makes sense? And sometimes when I talk about how I do things I get eyerolls or "god you're doing it so WRONG" and I'm just like, yah, you don't get to decide that stuff for me? Idk.
Sorry, I’m just commenting as I’m watching!!! lol
I don't know if I have any advice yet, but "quick and dirty" is really speaking to me. Lol
See, for me, drawing power from other things is about interacting with the world, like working with friends - so magic becomes this dance with my own power mingling with the herbs or water or energy. It has my flavour but isn't all mine. I have always wondered if our core personality is the cause of it, so not so much insecurity but the feeling of where our own strength lies. I know my strength comes from good relationships and connection and I think that's why I like this magical interweaving of my power with what I'm working with. It's not always the case for me, but it often is. I suppose some people might say this relating to astrology or personality type, but I think that's tricky because you'd need a whole chart with all interactive elements possible, so saying a sagittarius, gemini or libra is more or less likely to use power from only within or from others simplifies it too far, though there might be a correlation. But I do think our core ways of looking and relating to the world relates to it for many of us, though I do think insecurity comes in for some people.
I also don't think magic is a last resort - if it was there's pretty much no point in being a witch for me. Healthy balance is always key for me. I am nosy though, so I love hearing how other people do things, but I think it's bonkers to follow a spell blindly. I find things interesting to listen to or read but I think it's often about people feeling worried about doing something 'wrong'. I think part of it is the preachy sounding texts that are around, and also the general lack of questioning many people have been encouraged in. But again, I think it's personality a bit - if someone tells me to do something I question it and always have - no matter if it's a teacher, a parent, a friend, an author. I was not loved by many teachers, but it didn't matter to me because I learnt so much, the whys and hows and what is opinion and what is fact, and it's been a blessing in my Craft.
Fire wise - It is my response and what I am using that matters, a bit like burying something - if I bury a piece of paper, it will rot away, but if I bury a seed then it will grow.
For me, I never do any type of work or spell for anyone unless they've asked me for it. It's about their free will and I can't make a change in their life without their permission. I could always offer a prayer to the one true creator to help or heal them, but that's not me creating the change...it's up to the creator. If someone who cares about me wanted to do a spell or a long-distance healing, I would want them to ask me if I minded.
Maybe you need 2 separate cauldrons?
the modern cauldron seems to be an indoor fire pit.?
😄 this was really fun! So good to know other people think about these things too.
When I use fire for manifestation/ bringing things in, I see the burning as sending my intention into the metaphysical realm. Kind of spreading it out and sending it off with the smoke. I also like to combine it with kitchen magic/ cooking and actually make something that embodies the manifestation.
When I use it for destroying I don’t watch it up. And will sometimes bury anything that remains.
But I know what you mean 😄
Circles, I rarely do. I think of it more as a magic carpet that can take me other places. So I only cast a compass if I need to go elsewhere. Or need the protection (rare).
I pretty much never use it for divination, whichever method I use.
OMG the petitioning thing 😄 I totally have this. I get this urge to call on all kinds of things I don’t “believe” in sometimes, and why?!? It just kind of feels necessary 😄 and then after I’m like, that was odd.
I only cast for others if they ask, with the exception of sending love. I’ll cast for most things but only if it is well indicated (usually do divination first, and have a good old chat and see what practical things can be done). I do feel like the ideal amount of spellwork is none. But many situations fall outside of ideal, it’s not a last resort.
Rachel True 😄 goals.
I love thinking about why magic works 💕
Ha! I never burn to manifest for the same reason. I use fire to illuminate my manifestation by setting papers or whatever near a flame (or sometimes under). Burning for me is a solid banish. ♥️🤣
Oohhhh. Fire. Okay. So fire does create and destroy. It actually is the physical form of the idea of "create to destroy". Or how something must die for something else to come into being. Or how you have to make space in your life by getting rid of something, for something else to come in. I love this topic, because as someone who works with Loki, I ONLY understand fire as a death/rebirth-destruction/creation paradigm. Fire ALWAYS destroys. And it ALWAYS creates. Like how Kali the destroyer has to destroy things so that the creator can create again. Or how some people believe that Ragnarok is a repeated part of a birth-death-rebirth cycle.
Think of it like this: wildfire destroys lots and lots of things. Homes, roads, animals, people, plants. But the wildfire is a natural cycle (usually). It happens so that the shrubs and weeds and grasses can be converted into a much more useful carbon material, to feed the next generation. And from the fire a new generation of seedlings is born, even more lush than the last. Because having that quick access to nutrients is just what they need to grow quickly and flourish. It usually happens in areas that are relatively arid, and have overgrowth of plant material. And some seeds can only germinate after burning. (Volcanoes are the same way)
So instead of thinking of it as an either/or, consider ALWAYS using it for both. Kind of like how you can banish on the full or the new moon, you just have to work on the wording of your intent. So, creating manifestation? You can be like: "I destroy these magical items, with intent, so the fire may aid me in manifesting ____", or "with this destruction I manifest ____ through the burning of fire". Or something like that. And on the flip side: "I burn this habit to the ground, that something more healthy for me can be born of the ashes" or "I destroy ____ with the fires of recreation so that I may create ____ in my life"
If you always think of fire in the destruction-creation paradigm, and that's worked into your magic/spells/mentality, than you may have less trouble with it. Less split second of doubt or fear.
I actually have a piece in my bone casting set that means "change by fire" it is the Crucible. The fire that changes something into something else by heat and destruction.
Ramble comment for just 4 minutes of your video love. It's 6am. I'm going back to bed, and I may comment on the rest later. But I HAD to comment on this one. :)
I toootally have the fire issue as well! I want to burn things so bad, but then my mind questions it every time. XD I just try to ignore it and do what feels right. And the circle thing as well - I do it very rarely and if I do it, it sometimes feels like I'm half-heartedly doing it. Not that it's any less potent, but if hardline protection fanatics knew I just visualize a light and am done with it within a minute, they might gasp. :D
Another enjoyable video! I can't properly give my response to everything here, but some thoughts I'd like to share: Regarding the circle casting thing, I think if we are ever unsure about whether to use a certain technique or not, it can be helpful to look at the original context of where this technique comes from (if we are able to) and that can help us to frame whether we find it necessary or not in our personal situation. Magic Circles are ancient and we know they were used in Sumeria, but a lot of ideas about magic circles amongst modern witches come from the specifically Wiccan magic circle (which can vary a fair bit in function from other older forms of magic circle). Just something to think about.
I found your discussion about the times you can't fit an experience into the psychological Jungian model really interesting, personally, because I've been outside of the purely psychological model for most of the years of my practice. I actually do have more of a tangible belief in deities/spirits/outside forces, so for me it isn't something I grapple with, but I enjoyed that insight into your own model.
The subject about power from within vs power from without was also interesting and yes, very deep. Could it be that you are experiencing some kind of ego dissolution there? Maybe when you notice you are looking for something outside of yourself its because you are realising there is no separation and what is "out there" is connected to you and you are a part of it and vice versa. Reminds me of the famous quote from Lon Milo Duquette likes to say, "It's all in your head, you just don't know how big your head is". Again, for me personally, its not so much of a thing as I don't think of everything I do as coming from within me and see my magic more as a partnership between what I have that is uniquely mine and what is around me. Blessings x
This is basically me in a video. And it helped me very much, so thank you. I often wonder if others have the same doubts about all you talked about or it is just me.
About fire, I somehow resolved it thinking that, however my intention is, I need the fire to send a message to the universe. Pretty much how, in the ancient times, people would burn animal entrails as offerings during rituals and feasts, so that the smoke could ascend to their Gods. And at the same time, I don't think that fire is just medium or a tool; in a way, I consider fire as a living energy and so I tell myself: "How can this particular energy comunicate? By burning and consuming things, of course, so this is how I must speak to it". I hope it makes any sense.
Yes! I love weirdness. The element of “fire” is tied into Prometheus in my own vision of it and Brigit. When I resonate with deity and or archetypal energies, I see Prometheus as the bringer of fire to humanity. So he embodies this “creator” archetype. He inspired us to use our inner passion and interests as a guide regarding our purpose. With Brigit, she brings fire in the light of “the forge”. So she uses fire to produce the image of a weapon. In my own practice, the vision is a space of voidness. As a creator, a magician, I bring to this circle or space a story. The idea is similar to an author or an artist. Within the witch is this author and artist.
Perhaps, with fire, you can think of both Manifesting and Destroying the same way. For example, perhaps you can change the way you word things. God/ess bring me prosperity or God/ess take away my stress. And then when you word things like that you can see the fire burning it away as it no longer being yours but in the hands of God/ess, universe, cosmos, whatever. So you can banish and manifest in the same way . . . . ? I don't know if that makes sense.