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.