The energy forms we build have a reality of their own. As the power rises, people will intuitively sense the form that takes shape. As the peak is reached, the chant becomes a focused tone. If you have an image that represents your intent for the working, focus on it. Sometimes words or phrases come through. Let the power move until it falls, suddenly or gradually.

Let the energy go, fall to the ground, and relax completely, allowing the cone to fly off to its objective. Breathe deeply, and let the residue of power return to the earth, for her healing.

Rhythm, drums, hand claps, and dance movements may also be used in building the cone. Covens should experiment, and feel free to try many methods. Other words, names, G.o.ddess or G.o.d names, or simple incantations can be used to raise power. The energy can also be molded into other forms: for example, a fountain, that rises and flows back on the coveners, a wave form, or a glowing sphere. Possibilities are infinite.

Lower hands as you speak, until they (the wand) touch the ground. Exhale, and feel the power flow down.

EXERCISE 46: WOMB CHANT.

(Coveners lie in a wheel, with heads at center, on their backs.) Stretch out your arms and touch the womb of the person next to you. If he is a man, place your hand on the spot where his womb would be, which is the womb center of his energy body. Clasp hands on each other's bellies.

Ground and center. Begin with a Group Breath and Power Chant. As you breathe, imagine that you breathe through the womb. See it glow white, ike the moon, as you inhale power. See it glow red with blood, with creative fire. Feel the power of the womb to create-not the physical womb only, but the inner womb where ideas and visions are generated. Let your breath become a sound that resonates in the womb.

With each breath-feel its power-feel the woman or man next to you-feel her power-feel how we are linked -how strong we are when we are linked -breathe the power of vision -breathe the womb power of creation-and let your voice carry that power. . . .

The chant will build and die naturally. Earth the power and end.

EXERCISE 47: FORMAL GROUNDING.

(This is for use in rituals and group workings.) All clasp hands. If you wish, all take hold of the coven wand. Raise them high, and visualize the power flowing downward through your hands. Ground and center, and Leader gives the line, and coveners repeat: Source to source Flow through me Above and below, Turn to return, Clearly Fade to grow.

As I will, So it shall be.

Spell make it so!

Witches conceive of subtle energy as being of three basic types. Again, this is meant as a conceptual model, not a doctrine. Each person is also seen as an energy field, with subtle bodies that surround and interpenetrate the physical body.

The first type of energy is "elemental" or raith energy, also called etheric sub' stance and ectoplasm by some occultists. It is the subtle force of the elements; earth, air, water, and fire, of plants and animals. Elemental vitality sustains the physical body. We feed off of it, and its movement through our bodies "primes the pump," so to speak, drawing the higher forms of power.

The raith, the elemental energy body, is also called the etheric body and the vital body, because through it we receive our vitality, our physical and emotional energy. It is the body of Younger Self, and it perceives through the starlight consciousness of the right hemisphere. Its perceptions are often more accurate than our conscious perceptions-but its ability to express them in words is limited. The raith extends out from the physical body for only about a centimeter, and appears to most psychics as a blue-gray glow.

Animals, plants, clean air and water, physical exercise, and s.e.x increase vital energy. When raith energy is low, people become physically ill, tired, and emotionally depressed. Magic uses a great deal of vital energy, and anyone who practices magic regularly must take care not to become depleted. Regular physical exercise is one of the best methods of increasing vital energy. Being outdoors, consciously making contact with nature and the elements, also restores vitality. Witches also traditionally keep special pets, "familiars," in part as a source of elemental energy.

Grounding before every magical working or psychic exercise prevents us from becoming depleted. Instead of draining our own vitality, we tap directly into the unlimited sources of elemental energy in the earth. Power flows through us, not out of us.

The second type of energy can be thought of as the energy of consciousness, of thoughts, dreams, fantasies, mind-auric or astral energy. The astral body, as it is called by occultists, can be thought of as the body of Talking Self. It is the force that makes up the "astral plane," the hidden reality behind appearances, the dream realm, sometimes called the Overwork!, or the Other Side. The raith and astral body together make up a person's aura,6 or energy field. The astral body is less dense than the raith and extends out about nine inches from the physical body. If the truth were known, I believe that every psychic would see it somewhat differently. To me, it appears like a glowing, misty cloud, sometimes obscuring a person's features. Colors, unlike any seen with the physical eyes, shift and play within the aura. It is strongest about the head and easiest to see in dim light, against a plain background, especially when either I or the subject is in a light trance.

The astral body can be projected away from the physical body. Consciousness is not bound by the limitations of the physical senses. Out-of-body experiences may be vividly sensual, or they may simply involve awareness without sight or sound. The region of travel may be astral or material; purely subjective, purely objective, or a mixture of both.

The third type of energy is that of the Deep Self, of the G.o.ds. It is the finest of vibrations, yet the most powerful.

When we invoke the G.o.ddess and G.o.d in rituals, we connect with this energy. That connection is the heart of the greater magic, of mystical ecstasy.

Generally, Younger Self is far more aware of subtle energy than Talking Self. We are all psychic, unconsciously.

The difficulty is in finding ways to translate that awareness into terms the conscious mind can understand. Yogis and Eastern occultists talk about opening "the third eye," the psychic center located in the pineal gland, in the center of the forehead. For me, this is secondary to opening the energy centers in the womb and solar plexus, which connect directly with Younger Self. To put it less esoterically, when the conscious and unconscious minds can communicate freely, in a healthy, highly vital physical body, the higher consciousness will awaken naturally, in its own time. A useful tool in establishing this communication is a pendulum.

EXERCISE 49: SENSING THE AURA: PENDULUM METHOD.

(Two people are needed for this exercise, a sender and a receiver. Both should be successful at Exercise 48.) Sender sits in a relaxed position, breathing deeply from the belly. The receiver holds the pendulum so that it swings about two feet over the sender's head. Both ground and center.

Slowly, the receiver lowers the pendulum, telling herself that it will begin to swing when it hits the sender's aura.

Practice until you can feel the edge or corona of the aura. When the pendulum reacts consistently, explore the outlines of the astral body. Search out areas of tension, and note vortexes of energy.

Exchange positions and repeat.

EXERCISE 50: SENSING THE AURA: DIRECT METHOD.

Again, the sender sits in a relaxed position, breathing deeply. Both ground and center. The receiver lowers her hand, palm toward the sender, into the field of the aura. Stop when you can feel the outer, radiating edge of the astral body. The "feel" will at first be extremely subtle-a slight tingling, heat, an almost imperceptible difference, perhaps only a sudden urge to stop. Scan the astral body with your hands - again feeling for areas of tension, which may register as cold, as absence of energy, or simply as uneasiness. Sense the body's power centers, as well. Share your impressions with the sender, and compare results with the pendulum method. Exchange positions and repeat.

EXERCISE 48: PENDULUM EXERCISE.

(A pendulum can be a necklace, a ring, key, watch, or crystal on a string or chain-anything that will swing freely and that is emotionally appealing.) Ground and center, and breathe deeply, from the diaphragm and belly. Hold the pendulum lightly by the top of its chain, so that it hangs about two inches above the open palm of your other hand.

Relax, and tell yourself that the pendu um will begin to swing sunwise, reflecting the energy in your hand. Wait quietly. For most people, it will soon begin to circle. (While it seems to move of its own volition, actually involuntary movements of your own hand cause its motion. Don't attempt to control it consciously-the purpose is to let your unconscious speak to you through your own muscle movements, reflected in the pendulum.

If it does not move, deliberately make it circle a few times, showing Younger Self what you want. Wait. Some people will need several sessions before the pendulum will work.) EXERCISE 5 1: DAMPING AND PROJECTING ENERGY The sender sits in a relaxed position. The receiver can use either the pendulum or the direct method of sensing the aura.) Ground and center. The receiver locates the sender's aura, above the crown of her head. Ask the sender to do the Tree of Life Meditation, and, as the energy rises, to visualize and feel it as a strong stream of flowing water, bursting up from her head like a fountain. The receiver observes the pendulum's swing become stronger and faster as the energy increases-or feels the difference through her hand.

Ask the sender to damp the energy-visualize herself swathed in cotton wool or smothered in mashed potatoes.

Feel the change-see the motion of the pendulum decrease.

Practice until the sender becomes adept at projecting and damping energy, and the receiver becomes adept at sensing the change. Test yourself by having the sender either damp or project power without first telling the receiver, who should be able to feel which is happening. Exchanging positions, and also practice projecting and damping energy through other power centers you have discovered.

EXERCISE 52. SEEING THE AURA.

[This exercise is best practiced in a group. Each of the member can take turns being the subject. All should first be proficient of sensing the aura.]

Set up a plain background - a black cloth or a white sheet. The subject should stand against it or lie down on it, and if possible, be nude. Everyone should ground and center, and relax with one of the exercises in Chapter Three, which will produce a light state of trance. The lighting should be dim.

Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm, and let your eyes relax. Lightly scan the s.p.a.ce around the subject. You may see a thin, glowing line around her body - the raith. Around it, look for the cloudlike astral body, which may appear and blank out, shift, move, and change, but will gradually become more stable as you accustiom yourself to astral vision.

The color in the aura have many interpretations. Rather than following a set rule, 'feel-see' them for yourself. The quality of the color is most illuminating - is it clear and bright, or muddy and dull? What does it make you think of? Feel? Are you attracted or repelled by it? What a.s.sociations does it have? Share perceptions and feedback, and with time and experience you will be able to interpret what you see.

The subject can practice projecting and damping energy, and the viewers can learn to see the energy move. In later sessions, subjects can also practice projecting colors and energy forms. The more group members practice, the more acute their perceptions will become.

When you have learned to sense or see energy on individuals, you will be more sensitive to the forms and levels of power in rituals. Inanimate objects also can store a charge of subtle power. (See Chapter Four). Examine your magical tools, and sense the aura of power.

Awareness of energy is awareness of the great dance of the universe. Seemingly intangible, it underlies all that we can touch. It is the only constant, although it is constant change, eternal flux. Awareness of your own energy is the awareness that flesh and spirit are one, that thou art G.o.ddess, eternally linked, connected, at one with the moving spirit of All.

CHAPTER 9. Trance.

Between the Worlds.

I say, "Relax, breathe deep, and look into the well-the well beyond the world's end. . . . Call up the shadow you saw in the dream."

Valerie sinks deeper into trance. Her aura glows-the face disappears beneath it. She sighs; a shadow clouds the glow.

"She's here . . . now I see it - the same shadow Isaw months ago it's the woman who appeared in my dream last night, and stole my work from me."

"What does she look like?"

"Tall, icy - her face is made of knives, clashing and revolving."

"How do you feel?"

"Afraid."

"What must you do?"

"Fight her - defeat her."

"Ask her name."

We wait. The shadow grows darker.

"She won't tell me."

"Demand it."

"I can't - can't get it."

"What do you need to get it?"

"Power."

"Where is power?"

"In my wand."

Quietly I cross the room, take her wand from the altar, and place it in the limp hand. Her fingers close around it.

Sparks from an inner battle dance around her head.

"Her name is anger," Valerie says softly.

"Who is she?"

"Me."

"What must you do?"

"Become her, take her in."

"How do you feel?"

"Afraid. The knives will cut me."

"Yes."

"I won't be strong enough."

"You are."

"How can I be sure?"

"Because you were able to learn her name."

She sucks in her breath. Her aura explodes in fireworks of red and violet. Her body shakes; she sobs, screams, gasps.

"She's choking me."

"Keep breathing - deep - relax."

She pants. Her face is sweating. Gently 1 wipe it off. There is a white flash over her head-she sighs, relaxing.

Her face is clear again.

"I've done it. I've taken her in. She is me."

"How do you feel?"

"Strong. At peace."

"The seekers of new mind states - the mind control devotees, encounter group enthusiasts, the drug takers, the psychics, the meditators - all are on a journey into the interior universe trying to burst the limits of the socially conditioned mind. Whether acceptable or unacceptable, moral or immoral, wise or foolish, the mind of man is stirring toward a new evolution." (Dr. Barbara Brown) The universe is a dance of energy, a universe, a single song of ever-changing rhythms and harmonies. Sustaining the melody of the physical world is a rich interplay of counterpoint and descant. We see only a fraction of the band of radiation that makes up the spectrum; we hear only a small range of possible frequencies of sound.

Ordinarily, we are conscious of only one, isolated melody; we listen to only the piccolo out of an infinite orchestra. To trance is to shift and expand our awareness: to pick out the beat of the drum, the throbbing violins, the cry of saxophones, to know the interwoven harmonies played in new keys, to thrill to the soaring symphony itself.

Trance states, states of nonordinary consciousness, have been called by many names: expanded awareness, meditation, hypnosis, "getting high." Trance techniques are found in every culture and religion-from the rhythmic chant of a Siberian shaman to free a.s.sociation on a Freudian a.n.a.lyst's couch. The pull to burst beyond the limits of the socially conditioned mind seems to be a deep-seated human need. There are an infinite variety of possible states of trance. We all experience light trance whenever we are daydreaming; concentrating deeply; watching a play, film, or television show; turning attention inward; and forgetting the sensory world. In deep states, we may have experiences such as John C. Lilly describes: "I moved into a region of strange life forms, neither above nor below the human level, but strange beings, of strange shapes, metabolisms, thought forms, and so forth. These beings reminded me of some of the drawings I had seen of Tibetan G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses, of ancient Greek portrayals of their G.o.ds and of some of the bug-eyed monsters of science fiction."

Deeper levels of trance may open up paranormal senses, psychic awareness, precognition. We may empathize and connect with other beings and life forms; in Balinese, the word for trance means "to become."

Occultists and metaphysicians delight in attempting to order, define, and rank the various states of consciousness, a process somewhat like attempting to measure a cloud with a ruler. I will not indulge in it here, because I feel it creates an erroneous impression that we know more than we do about these states. When we impose a left-brain, linear order on a right-brain, complex pattern, we tend to feel that we have gained control of the phenomenon- when we have done nothing more than point out a few stars with the beam of our flashlight.

Cla.s.sifying consciousness also encourages "higher than Thou" games of one-upmanship. People waste energy defining which state they are in, as if consciousness were a cosmic grammar school, in which third-graders were ent.i.tled to look down on kindergartners. The point is not what level we are on, but what we are learning.

Sharing and comparing trance experiences, and reading descriptions of altered states of awareness, can, however, yield useful insights. One of the most important realizations is that trance states are both subjective and objective. There is a continuum of experience, part of which is relevant only to the individual's interior world, and part of which can be shared and agreed on by others. What begins in the imagination becomes real-even though that reality is of a different order than the reality of the physical senses. It is the reality of the underlying energy currents that shape the universe.

Ordinary perception is a process of the physical senses. What we see, hear, feel, smell, or taste is further conditioned by language, the set of cultural symbols that allows us to name what we have perceived. The name shapes an amorphous sensory stimulus into something recognizable and familiar-and guides our response. But perception in the trance state is not bound by the physical senses. "Astral colors" are not seen with the physical eyes; sounds are "heard" only in our minds. The currents of subtle energy fit no sensory modes. Our language does not name them or contain words that adequately describe them.

Trance perception must be translated into the modes we know. In essence, we construct an elaborate metaphor world, to represent the reality of what is called the astral. If we are adept enough, we create metaphor senses that "see," "hear," "feel," "smell," and "taste." Those pseudosensory perceptions are then further interpreted in a symbolic system that fits our expectations. For example, Lilly describes meeting two helpful "guides," who "may be two aspects of my own functioning at the supraself level. They may be ent.i.ties in other s.p.a.ces, other universes than our consensus reality. They may be helpful constructs, helpful concepts that I use for my own future evolution. They may be representatives of an esoteric hidden school. They may be concepts functioning in my own human biocomputer at the supraspecies level. They may be members of a civilization a hundred thousand years or so ahead of ours." A devout Christian, however, might call the same ent.i.ties "angels" or perhaps "Blessed saints," and "see" them with wings, harps, haloes, and all the appropriate trappings. A Witch might call them the two linked motes of consciousness within the Deep Self, and "see" them in female and male human forms that glow blue.