a little in ones own pocket is better
than much in another mans purse.
MIGUEL DE CERVANTES
Ever feel like you could use a little magic in your life? To spice up your sex life or tone down daily stress? To juggle the chaos or balance your checkbook? To attract lovers or repel thorny problems? Consider this: we all have a world full of modern magic at our disposal, the Goddess in our pockets, so to speak. We just have to learn how to reach inside ourselves and draw out her sacred energy.
The key to doing this is to stop thinking about spirituality as something reserved for funerals, weddings, or door-to-door missionaries. Our spiritual nature, that internal goddess, is always with us. When we let her, this goddess can become a powerful partner for taking action in our lives. The purpose of this book is to give you the tools necessary to begin reclaiming that partnership with the Goddesss magic in one hand and a good sense of humor in the other.
Looking to the Goddess for insights and personal empowerment is nothing new. Its been going on ever since humankind first turned to faith as a way of resolving lifes problems and mysteries. From ensuring abundant harvests to curing the sniffles to establishing a relationship between star-crossed lovers, our ancestors used every means at their disposalmaterial or mysticalto improve their quality of life.
While times have changed, our need for the Goddesss help certainly has not. Thankfully, her tradition of magic remains with us, reminding us that a divine thread shapes our life and holds it together even when circumstances try to yank the fibers apart. Better still, this thread is not intangible and unknowable; it is within each human being just waiting to be rediscovered.
Have no doubts! Each of us is part Goddess. Yes, you too, fellas! When you look in the mirror first thing in the morning it might seem difficult, if not downright absurd, to think of yourself as divine or mystical in any way. Getting stuck in traffic, changing diapers, managing budgets, racing to get dinner on the tablenone of this makes us feel particularly divine or enlightened. Yet, even flossing our teeth can be magical if we allow it to be (consider the potential symbolism in a spell focused on loosening up a sticky situation!). This may seem far-fetched at first, but familiarity is exactly what will energize your magic! Being able to immediately recognize symbolism helps in willfully directing magical energy. And dont underestimate the power of humor. Joy is one of the most incredible magics on earth.
Most people could use a little guidance in finding the Goddess in themselves and activating her energy effectively in everyday activities. Thats exactly where this book can help. Whether you want to regain control of your life by using metaphysical reigns or just sprinkle a little extra magical glitter on your day, pick up this guide. In it youll find dozens of amulets, charms, and other potent portables to make life a little happier, a little easier, and a lot more fun.
Bright blessings!
CARRYING
THE MAGIC
Aim at the sun. You may not reach it, but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.
J. HAWES
Who, me? This is the most common response I get from people when I tell them that true magic, and the spark of the Goddess, already lies within each of us. We carry it all the time. It is part of what makes each person wonderfully quirky and unique. This means that the most important factor in working effective magic anywhere, anytime, is not a hip robe or funky crystal jewelry, but you. Okay, take a deep breath and let this revelation sink in. Once you get over the shock and realize that true magic lies within yourself, learning how to facilitate magical power will be much easier.
Finding ways to enable magic in any setting is a tradition as old as dirt, a tradition that was started by people who didnt have the local quickie-mart to rely on for daily necessities. So, when someone had a headache, instead of buying aspirin, he or she would invoke the Goddesss power through a spell, an empowered potion, or an herb picked during a waning moonusing an herb picked when the moon was shrinking was thought to make the pain shrink. Few of us have time for hour-long rituals or eloquent invocations, but this simple magic, which has worked effectively for centuries, could serve us all well.
The wizardry of the ancients frequently included the making of amulets, talismans, and charms that enhanced the bearers power in the world or provided protection. One of these, which people still use, is the lucky rabbits foot. Other examples of ancient wizardry include wearing certain colors and scents, or repeating superstitious actions to control the seemingly senseless whims of fate. And if you think weve grown beyond such things, just look at the modern practices of color and aroma therapy, or at those of us who knock on wood and cross our fingers for luck, just in case!
Since the Goddesss magic is not about to disappear anytime soon (shes a very persistent lady), this book acts a guide to making a modern metaphysical medicine kit: fashioning spells, choosing accoutrements, and enacting mini-rituals to release metaphysical energy into our lives, no matter where we may be. In this chapter you will become familiar with these tools and techniques, so you can tailor-make any magical procedure to effectively meet your needs and goals. As you read, remember that the implied magic here begins in your mind and heartwith the belief that you really do have the power to change your life.
Before you contemplate any magical procedures, you need to get rid of tendencies toward self-doubt, which also leads to self-defeat. The phrases I cant or Im not sure really dont fit into the Goddesss lingo. It is one thing to recognize our limits and another altogether to create limits based on residual teenage angst or adult insecurities. Too many of us underestimate the power of the human mind and spirit to manifest tangible changes.
To make magic a reality, instead of just wishful thinking, we have to accept that there is much more to life, and to our own minds, than the supposed concrete truths. Magic is part of the immaterial, which we can see manifested in those miraculous moments and bits of insight that defy pat, cookie-cutter explanations. It is long past time to believe in ourselves as powerful co-creatorswith the Goddessof our destiny. We also need to begin acting on that conviction.
Remember the little engine that could? If you believe you can, you can! Embrace a little bit of childlike faith and youll find the Goddesss magic in the treasure chest of your heart, just waiting for you to unlock it.
Just because magic begins with childlike faith doesnt mean that logical, adult insights have no place in metaphysics. Conscious, rational thought processes help with magical planning, first by evaluating the basic situation. Whats going on? What exactly do I want? What type of magical procedure is most suited to achieving my goal without arousing the neighbors overactive imagination? What symbolic components can I use to complete the procedure?