Shapeshifting

Shapeshifting

In my tradition and many others the feature of transformation into animal form plays an important part of our magical practice. This is in reality the transformation or sending out of part of the witches spirit. Some would describe this as working on the astral plain, however this isn't what i was taught.
There are a number of reasons for this practice, I will give a few example based on personal experience. The animal forms I was taught are quite specific and are in order of experience. The minimum period of practice of a form was two years, however in my own teachings 6 months is enough.
Ideally the person needs to be able to observe the animal being assumed in  close proximity learning behaviour and method of moving. So that when you take the form your are not given away by erratic behaviour. However an important part of this practice is to connect  you with the animal world and integrate you both physically and spiritually with its energy.
The Mouse
this small creature be it house or field mouse is the starting point. Traditionally the mouse was sometimes seen to be the way energy was transmitted from one witch to another and the transformation of witches into mice long predates Rahul Dahl and is found in many cultures and folklore.
The mouse form require limited energy to maintain and most used to be familiar with its behaviour, also they were commonly seen and usually little notice was taken of them.
The form is good for investigation of new places. I also felt when i was taught the mouse form that it was a little humbling, humans are inclined to big egos and those entering magical work often feel superior to others. learning to be a small rodent perhaps brings you back to the perspective that really you are a small part of the world.
Other elements to the nature of this transformation are more practical in there reasoning, the modality of transformation enables the witch to investigate unseen others and reach places that would normally be outside their vision. Normal overlooking using scrying glass crystal ball etc is often detected even by inexperienced psychics or magicians, however the transformed self will usually go unidentified. If perceived often they will be thought to be a real animal or the spirit of one, sometimes with simpler animals it is possible to take control and use them accordingly.
Perhaps a less familiar use of this method is distant healing, sometimes this method will be used to attack the energy of an illness eating away at boils, tumours etc.

Ritual Circle, do you need them?

The Circle Cast upon the Ground and all around or rather the lack of it

It is one of the most important parts to ritual in Wicca and Ritual magic. to caste the circle round, however it brings to mind some thoughts chiefly because until I started reading about ritual magic and Wicca and then when I was asked to attend rituals in the early 80s, I thought such procedures were the realms of Dennis Wheatley and Hammer Films.
I understood that the realms were always with you and in ritual or spellwork you shared with them calling on whatever spirits good or bad to aid your endeavours. My understanding that when dealing with difficult spirits was you contained them if they became difficult. Likewise any energy you raised would be directed to your target or placed in suitable object.
The imagined boundaries of these circles create some form of psychological safety net, perhaps useful for the apprentice or beginner but really do they have a place in group or advanced workings.
The work perhaps of a solitary ritual magician invoking Magus like the denizens of the hidden realms may seek comfort in the circle and triangle, but for those of a more natural path we seek to escape the barriers of walls and fortresses too commune with our spirited neighbours.
Over the years I have led numerous rituals among our friends of the wood with never a circle formed since this was not my learning. The Quarter Winds and Lords and Ladies invited gentle to attend never summoned like some lowly serf or slave to the words of man, at times attended by their presence have we been honoured at overs they have being attending their own celebration. After all there is only so many parties one can get to in a night.
At these celebrations and rituals we succeeded often in our plans, be it the communion with ourselves and the turning of the seasons or the magic to be undertaken. Yes there were times that the odd difficult spirit attended but all who attend should have skills to counter unwelcome visitors or in my practice the duty of the leader of a group is that of protection as well has direction.
When you guide others in the spiritual realm be it magic, celebration and ritual then you have the duty like that of a parent to care for your charges those who seek their path have come to you.
So my call too those that read these words is remember we are on a path to work with the others and to do that in friendship not at the point of a sword or athame you don't throw salt into eyes of a friend.
You greet those whom you want to share with in embrace and kind words and sometimes you will not get on but that is a learning experience, its life.
i have seen energy and spirits wander in and out of well caste circles, these are only as good as the persons doing them and when their focus or energy wanders so does there power to contain or repel.
Likewise over the years there have been occasions when very dark energies have popped along when people have attended who weren't in the right place. These have been kicked out of open working with very little effort.