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Spell #10 - Developing your own Pensieve

To develop your own Pensieve (a manner of storing your memories) you will need to learn some advanced memory techniques.

Step 1 ~ Tapping your Unconscious: Don’t Picture an Elephant
Brains (or let’s say the unconscious) work in images. See you just saw an elephant. Therefore we can store things you want to remember better using images as “mental glue.”

Step 2 ~ Gettin’ Weird: Don’t picture an elephant carrying John Travolta wearing a pink speedo with a potato stuffed in it.
Brains loves weird images. Therefore let’s make our images strange, weird, perhaps even socially unacceptable well then they have a more likelihood of sticking.

Step 3 ~ Replacement: Don’t picture an [animal crackers] carrying [Cheese Whiz] wearing [strawberry ice cream] with [potato chips]

Replace the things you want to remember with pegs. Here is a simple grocery example. I leave it up to you to find more powerful uses for this spell… ;-)

elephant ~> animal crackers
John Travolta ~> Cheese Whiz
pink Speedo ~> strawberry ice cream
potato ~> potato chips

Mastering this Spell
To truly master this spell, watch less TV. Commercials clog your mind making this spell difficult. Filter what images go into your unconscious for better clarity and mastery of all spells.

Bonus: the Anti-TV spell
Don’t give up TV cold turkey. Simply don’t watch new shows. You can’t miss what you haven’t seen and eventually you will have more time for other spell castings. Eventually all the shows you like will go off the air and you’ll be weaned away from muggleness and closer to being a wizard.

Further Uses:
This spell once mastered leads to
~ quicker learning potentials
~ further communication abilities (see Spell #6)
~ Ability to re-live your past experiences (see Spell #7 & 8)

Spell #9 - Developing your Magic Eye

Now that you understand your unconscious associates things using symbols from Spell #10, let’s develop your Magic Eye (also known as Inner Eye or Mythic Eye), the ability to see things metaphorically. Why? because your unconscious is where your magic is until you learn to wield it.

Step 1 ~ Pay Attention to what Images get stuck in your Mind’s Eye
Ask your Magic Eye (Inner Eye) to give you a symbol with a meaning behind it. Mine gave me Diagon Alley.

Step 2 ~ Find any and all associations, but choose the one which GRABS you
The idea here is that you are developing your intuition (perception via the unconscious.) Therefore, your unconscious should give you a spike or jolt when you are going through the clues/associations that you have. Of course, the other associations will help later to broaden your insight into the interpretations, so don’t discard them.

I’m thinking the word Diagonally works… I wonder if there is a secret in this…

Step 3 ~ If no meaning comes, find other clues.
So the first clue I got was Diagonally, let me see if I can find any examples of that.

Oh yes! Harry moves diagonally (as the bishop) while Hermione moves linearly as the Rook.

Other books work well too. I found a book (see below) and randomly found a discussion about “eating the menu.” I’ll leave the phrase without any more discussion for the curious minds to delight in.

Step 4 ~ Enjoy the feeling as other images reinforce your Eye’s gaze.
After a time SNAP! and I understand it now!
Diagon Alley ~> Diagonally. When we see things metaphorically, we look for the meaning behind something (rather than taking something literally) The Magic Eye is telling me more about itself. (Or perhaps Rowling is trying to tell us something..)

Mastery
For more interpretation compare this wisdom as (seekers vs. other players in Quidditch) Have any small golden glinty things caught in your Mind’s Eye “snitched” anything for you?

Rowling evidentally wants us to find magic which applies and can be used in our own lives. The snitch even evolves to become the dragon’s egg (symbolically) which speaks to Harry as he holds it beneath the waters (listens to his unconscious).

Recommended Wizard(s):

Robert A. Johnson: Inner Work

Clarissa Pinkola Estes: Women who Run with the Wolves

Joseph Campbell: Reflections on the Art of Living *the book with the eating the menu comment

Michael Meade: The Water of Life

Further Uses
~ Use this spell on any myth, movie or story to find hidden magic within. (See all other spells)
~ An example: The myth of Medusa becomes symbolic of how to deal with writer’s block when you find out Pegasus is the Greek word for ‘poetry or creativity’. (Find [that which is turning you to stone] and cut off its head [the thoughts keeping you from moving] in order to release your winged horse [creativity].)

Spell #8 - Altering Behavior Spells - Casting Spells on Yourself

Using spell #9, you can now begin to alter your behavior by talking back to your unconscious/magic self in its own language: symbols. There are ways to do this: writing (see Robert Johnson’s book on Inner Work and Active Imagination), poetry, drawing, acting, dancing but best of all: rites.

Behavior Altering Spell Example: Granting Yourself a Wish

Step 1 - Write on a piece of paper what you want.
Step 2 - Cross out all of the vowels and duplicate letters
Step 3 - Create a symbol out of the remaining letters
Step 4 - Allow time for spell to take effect

Note: this is an inner world spell, it doesn’t work too well for wishing for external things.

Mastery
To allow yourself the ability to deal with life changes, you’ll want to ask your Magic Eye for help on rituals. Rites of passage are very helpful for teenagers becoming who they are within. There are people who can help, too.

I’ve used this technique to help teenagers find who they are inside (rather than who they’ve been taught to be) as well as in divorce rites, soldier return retreats, retirement rituals and any other large life transformation. Your Magic Self needs to know about these things too and it is your responsibility to tell it what is going on through symbols so it understands.

You wouldn’t think of getting married without a ceremony would you?

Recommended Wizard(s):

Robert A. Johnson: Inner Work

Milton Erickson: My Voice will go With You

Further Uses
~ Combine this with spell #7 to achieve further relationship with your Magical Self.
~ Very useful for creative endeavors as well.

Spell #7 - Casting Spells on Others

This is normally called hypnosis in the Muggle world. If someone is very afraid of hypnosis, there is a good chance they are indeed a muggle and are at odds with their Inner/Magical Self. Perhaps they severed communication with their Magical Self which causes the Magical Self to be very angry, like a jilted lover (or perhaps they don’t really have magic?) Avoid discussing this [hypnosis] with them, you could find them to be quite reactive.

Step 1 - Read some of the following books to get an idea of how trance works

Uncommon Therapy: Jay Haley

Milton Erickson: My Voice will go With You

Mind Games: Robert Masters & Jean Houston

Step 2 - Induce a light trance in yourself
Step 3 - Induce a deep trance in another
Step 4 - Release your friend’s secret powers using a technique in the book

*Note: Your Magic Self won’t like it if you mess with people and there is a good chance it will rectify the situation by playing tricks on you or worse. (see Spell #6)

Mastery
~ Inducing trance in other fairly quickly
~ Learning to listen to another’s Inner/Magic Self (unconsciousness) which will lead you in aiding them in behavior modification/soul work.
~ Past life regression
~ Releasing special powers/latent abilities
~ Allowing for extreme focus
~ Pain redirection

Recommended Wizard(s):
~ Milton Erickson
~ Scott Adams (see this article)

Further Uses
~ See inside the books.

Spell #6 - Casting the Trickster Spell on Yourself and Others

This spell is very helpful to unlearn many of the things you have learned which impede your wizarding skills. Through it you can not only learn to break your own restrictive Ego (what you think you are) you can also learn (as a good mentor will tell you) the benefits of getting in “good trouble” (which youth are supposed to do - see Michael Meade).

Trickster Example using Active Imagination and/or Hypnosis

Step 1 ~ Invoke trickster archetype with active imagination or hypnosis (see spell #8 or spell #7)
Step 2 ~ Dialogue with your inner trickster (never do exactly what your trickster tells you, always change some part of it.)
Step 3 ~ Create rite or “guerrilla theater” to get the point across

Mastery
~ Unlearning
~ Asking yourself each morning “What am I?” until you know you don’t know.
~ Removing your mind’s assumptions of reality which impede and bind you. (Many of these were once necessary, but as we grow older (actually grow Elder, it is important to unlearn the notions we grow beyond.)
~ Finding symbolic and creative ways to convey your points to change society’s consciousness - see The Fabian Society
~ Finding ways to break the “Sheeple” or “Sheep-walking”/herd mentality.
~ Becoming crazy wise
Recommended Wizard(s):

The Essential Crazy Wisdom: Wes Nisker

Shaving the Inside of your Skull: Mel Ash

Dropping Ashes on the Buddha: Stephen Mitchell

Spell #5 - Casting the Blarney Spell: The Gift of Eloquence

One might not think of eloquence as a magical skill but let those be free to wander the deserts of frustration when unsuccessfully trying to convey an idea. Rowling herself through her writing has managed to teach countless not only simple ideas such as Latin words but also large wisdoms, many which are spells we’ll discuss later. Here is a spell I used for a friend of mine on an Artist’s Rejuvenation Retreat. She found it most helpful.
*This spell can also be altered for Artists, Creatives and many other Endeavors

Eloquence Example using Previous Wish and Personal Rite Spells

Step 1 - Use Spell #8 to cast a Wish for Eloquence.
Step 2 - Add Spell #9 (Rite Design) Kill your Old Voice
The throat is associated with eloquence along with creativity. Since you want to be more “creative” with the words you use, try this out. The Black scarf represents death or the alchemical stage of ‘nigredo.’ You are telling your Magic Self (unconscious) that it your old voice is dying so a new can be reborn. Keep in mind once you have the black scarf on you must not talk.
Step 3 - Read Poems or listen to Music
In order to call forth your new voice, you must seed it with the sort of thing you have in mind. If you want your new voice to be an inner/writer’s voice, it is best to read things in the style you want. If you’d like to be an orator perhaps hearing some wonderfully eloquent storytellers (we recommend Joseph Campbell’s video The Power of Myth) might help.
Step 4 - Listen for and Nurture your new Inner Voice
Once you begin to get ideas, perhaps creative ideas to write something, inspirations to speak or something of that nature remove the Black Scarf and put on a White one.
Step 5 - Strengthen your New Inner Voice in Spurts
Your new voice might die out, that is ok it is still small. Make sure you nurture it by repeating steps 3 and 4. Read other poetry, etc.

Mastery
As far as Oration goes, you will know you have mastered this technique when you begin to speak but do not know where the words come from. This is known as ‘letting your gifts flow through you’ (we’ll go into this more later.) It is a profound feeling and you will learn to trust your Inner Voice and let it speak through you.
Recommended Wizard(s):

The Rag and Bone Shop for the Heart: Michael Meade, James Hillman and Robert Bly

The Essential Rumi : Coleman Barks

The Prophet : Kahlil Gibran

Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations

Spell #4: Casting the Hero Thread Spell: Syncronicity

Now this is an interesting spell which is very difficult to achieve in any controlled space. For those of you in an education system or work environment who wish to attempt this, you must allow your results to be very tiny at first. Synchronicity is the term for ‘meaningful coincidences’ or when your ‘Magic Mind’ wishes to lead you on your own ‘Hero’s Journey’ so to speak. At one point it all young Wizards were told to go wander before choosing what they were to do.

The Hero Thread Spell cast upon a Journey

Step 1 ~ Separation - Let go of Attachment to Outcomes
This spell is easiest to work with when you are unencumbered by schedules and routines. We highly recommend that all youth test this spell out by traveling somewhere foreign or new to you. To any budding wizards might have financial restrictions, there are groups of wizards who have perfected these means and practice this spell regularly and help others as well. Let go of outcomes and allow your thread to unravel is a very good mindset to have.
Step 2 ~ Be Curious - Follow your Mind’s Eye.
The main idea is to follow one’s ‘gut’ or intuition and see what occurs. If you are drawn to travel to Spain, go to Spain without plans, without knowning anyone.
Step 3 ~ When in Doubt - Embrace the Fear as being Alive
Your journey will begin to take a ‘mythic’ shape and even match the normal Hero’s Journey pattern. You will have people tell you not to go when it is time for you to have the ‘Refusal of the Call’ for example. That means you are most likely on the right track. Most Heroes are frightened much of the time, but it is what tempers them and makes them stronger and able to deal with what they will later face. For those who refuse the Call to Adventure repeatedly, they are frightened of anyone else who would surpass them.

Also keep in mind that your lessons come through Trials. Your wounds (if you pay attention to them) many times lead you to your gifts. The word ‘blessing’ ironically enough comes from a french word which means ‘wound’.
Step 4 ~ Pay Attention to Omens and be Grateful to them
Many times when you are on a true journey (we’re not talking tourism here) life seems to guide you in one way shape or form. Strange things might occur, especially the more you indulge them. Further, if you take the time to be content with each new moment your travels will maintain having a feel as if Life itself is guiding you. Say thank you each morning that you are well taken care of, even if you’ve had a rough time.
Mastery
With increased journeys to other places, you will soon find a network of Wizards you would never have met any other way. These new friends will be very useful down the road of your life path as you learn to understand your gifts and use your Hero’s road to uncover what is worth fighting and sacrificing your life for. For example, I have been testing this spell for the last 9 months wandering all over the U.S. It seems to be working well and I have the scars to prove it.
Recommended Wizard(s):

The Alchemist: Paulo Coelho

Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu

Blue Highways: William Least Heat Moon

Art of Pilgrimage : Phil Cousineau

Spell #3: Casting the Spell of Individuation: Your Inner Patronus

The spell of Individuation is very difficult to achieve and takes many many years. Individuation is the process where a young Wizard becomes the Wizard they are meant to be. This requires much of the spells used above to locate your inner super powers along with properly utilizing the ‘Hero Thread’ spell.

The reason we associate this with a Patronus is the Patronus means ‘Mentor.’ Mentors come when you need them, usually to help you transform yourself and release new special powers. A frequent effect of Rites of Passage is the seeing of a Patronus or ‘Totem Animal’ especially if you are doing a solo vigil.

Casting the Individuation Spell through a Rite of Passage

Last year I took many youth into the woods hiking for three weeks and we performed the following spell.
Step 1 ~ Unlearn and Separate - Bring yourself to a Magical Place which speaks to you.
One way to unlearn is to go somewhere new. Rites of Passage are frequently performed in the woods because they are frightening and this excites your Magic Self and encourages it to transform.
Step 2 ~ Make a Mask of your Face with Paper Mache
The idea is to tell your Magic Self that your old self is going to die so a new self can be reborn. This helps during transitional periods. Make a Mask (be sure to coat your face in vaseline first) and when take it with you.
Step 3 ~ Write all of the words you want to leave behind on your Mask
The mask is also known as the ‘Persona’ which is what society has you act like. This is not you. All of the roles you play and hats you wear can start to overshadow your face (ego) if you are not careful. It is important to cleanse yourself to give yourself a fresh start and allow your Magic Self to let out some new special powers.
Step 4 ~ Burn the Mask
Not only did we have our young Wizards burn their masks, we had them do this while being alone in the woods for 24 hours without food. Along with the discomfort and difficulty of the journey, this act caused the Magic Self to get really stirred up and we were much more successful than if they simply sat home and did this in their bedrooms without much of an external change to compare. Native American Wizards (called Shamans) called these Vision Quests. Many times Animals would come to the young Wizards in real life or a dream to aid in the transformation.
Step 5 ~ Engage in Activities afterwards which reflect your new Self.
Your new Self should have more elements of your true Inner (Magical) Self
Mastery
Even if this Spell doesn’t happen immediately there can be a delayed affect to it. When working with others especially it is sometimes referred to as “planting seeds” and some people are ripe for the transformation while others ‘ Magic Selves have something else in mind.
Recommended Wizard(s):

Betwixt and Between: Patterns of Masculine and Feminine Initiation

The Water of Life : Michael Meade

Animal Spirit Guides : Steven D. Farmer

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Spell #2: Bringing out your Patronus Charm: The Mentor Charm

The phrase “Expecto Patronus” is translated as “Look for the Father”. To the Magical Self though, the Father is a symbol, and with the other symbols in Prisoner of Azkaban seem to be pointing at the idea of “Looking for the Mentor.”

This Charm allows you to adopt the special powers you see in other people whom you admire. Highly used in the corporate world thanks to Napoleon Hill, this charm with people who are living or dead.

Patronus Charm using Spell #8 or Spell #9.

Step 1 ~ Through your method of choosing (Spell #8 or #9), create an Inner Temple for yourself.
Step 2 ~ Seat yourself at a RoundTable within your Inner Temple.
Step 3 ~ Invite any and all Mentors with traits you admire to be seated at your RoundTable.
Step 4 ~ Have a dialogue with your Mentors regularly, listening to what they say but not blindly following, always give yourself a way to alter it in some way.

Mastery
Within a few months of these sort of regular “inner” meetings, you will notice you begin to take on the abilities and powers of your Mentors.
Recommended Wizard(s):

Memories, Dreams, Reflections : Carl Jung

Think and Grow Rich: Napoleon Hill (advisor to Edison)

See also: ~ This Article by Royane Real

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Spell #1: Casting the Spell of Living Myth

Ahh… This, apart from the Individuation story is one of the most difficult spells to cast. This is a spell to break a previous spell which is the trick. The idea is that your Magic Self is trying to live in a story. Many times we get caught in a particular story and we go around and around and around. If you can identify the Myth which you are living, then you can break free from it otherwise you the Myth will continue to live you.

Step 1 ~ Watch your Favorite Stories with your Magical Eye
It helps to use the MonoMyth pattern to break down and release wisdoms here too.

Step 2 ~ Retell your Life’s Journey with your Magical Eye
Do this repeatedly but you MUST do it with different perspectives. Try and leave out parts you always bring up. See what things you have forgotten. Write it down in a journal and let more and more pour out.

Step 3 ~ Find Comparisons between the two.
Many times when you look at the themes of your favorite movies against the themes of your life you begin to find commonalities. You might find a sense of inspiration at a sudden realization. Go with that even after the feeling has faded. You might have an inner critic try and dissuade you that this is jibberish, if that is the case use the Trickster Spell.

Step 4 ~ Ask your Inner Council what Myth you are Living
Be careful. When I first effectively cast this spell, I didn’t listen well to my Magic Self so I ended up getting in a bicycle accident and tearing open my leg. It seems Odysseus has a scar on his leg too and I began to see patterns then.

Step 5 ~ Find other versions of your Myth
Don’t get too attached to one myth. If yours is Greek perhaps Prometheus, then research Loki in Norse and other Fire Theft stories. Mine was Odysseus so I researched the Knights and the Holy Grail. I found more and more commonalities which allowed me to break out of it, but some things I enjoyed about the myth which allowed me to more easily commit to. (See Spell #4)

Mastery
Your life should begin to resemble a story. Helpers aid you on your road and strange occurances happen (very similar to Spell #3.) If you do this right, you will find yourself in the life you really want, not full of happiness but contentment. There is a difference.

Recommended Wizard(s):

The Alchemist: Paulo Coelho

The Hero Within : Carol S. Pearson

101 Healing Stories : Using Metaphors in Therapy

Living Myth : D. Stephenson Bond

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Like this Article? Ovid said he’d write more (or maybe a book) if people told him so.

 

 

 

 

 

Fnord.