Magickal Problem

[Anonymous]

Hey.  Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide insight into my problem.  I actually have two magickal problems occuring concurrently, but a little background first.  I've been practicing magick for approximately the last 10 years.  I study several different kinds including Acient Egyptian, Celtic, Shamanism.  In addition I've studying astral projection and I'm somewhat empathic (actually kind of worried about nurturing this ability).  

Anyways, problem 1: Within the past year I've been having problems with my magick.  Everytime I go to perform a ritual, ceremony, spell, etc.  I feel very drained and tired.  Like I've been working out or something.  I've tried grounding and centering, meditating before, ritual baths, many different things.

Problem 2:  I feeling like I've reached a road block in my magickal studies.  Like writers block or something.  There's nothing more I can learn from books.  I feel like I'm at a turning point.  Turning where, I don't know.  I just know that something is happening/going to happen in my studies, but I have no idea what or when.

As anyone had either of these problems (mind you, they started around the same time, don't know if they are related though), and if so, what did you do.  Any advice would be helpful.  Blessed Be.

[Anonymous]

Feeling drained from magick can be similar to getting a sore throat from singing.  People frequently fall into the trap, but the pros know how to avoid it.  In singing, you're supposed to sing from your stomach, meaning that you don't have to rip away at your throat, though the sound does pass through the throat.  The same can be applied to magick.  Some people, instead of personally investing in magick, manipulate the energy around them.  This results in a greater amount of energy to be used but less strain on the actual individual.  The results might be the same, but it's the technique that is different.  You might want to try visualizations based off of using outside energy instead of internal resevoirs of energy.

As a chaote, I don't hardly ever follow books in the process of casting magick.  I strongly believe that everyone can discover for themselves what the books write without ever having to open a book.  I also believe that you learn the lessons of magick much better through experience than through books.  I feel like a lot of people are sucked into the reading aspect of magick and thus become so worried about 'how' to cast magick than the actual result of magick.  My advice is to simply experiment.  If an idea strikes you as 'cool' then try it out.  Devise your own way of going about it and follow your instincts.

Being seperated from the book is a common obstacle that practising magicians have to overcome.  Considering that modern magick has such a great emphasis on bookreading and studying, it is not surprising that many people can feel lost or suffer from extreme anxiety over not having their books with them.  Know that the spells and rituals we use today were once written and pioneered by people just like ourselves.  Thus, it should be of no source of worry to break away from the book and follow your own magical instincts.

[Anonymous]

Trust in the Gods. I don't mean that tritely, but there comes a time when you've filled your mind with learning but your pysche  - well, it may be a little less in touch because all the emphasis so far has been on learning and doing. There is a time, a phase, for 'be-ing' - being still, being open, being ready for Those You Believe In to speak to you *on their own terms and times* in the languages you have already been studying. If this strikes a chord, then relax. Set aside time daily for leaving your mind empty and then let it ride on the thoughts given to you then. Practise a state of readiness (to use a mundane example, as if you were waiting for the alarm clock to go off) as you go about your daily life nd see if that feels right to you, if it seems to draw you closer to 'something happening'. Give your Gods the opening and the trust to take you to the next place in your quest.

[Zenon]

there is nothing you can get from books that is as good as first-hand experience.  that I know, um, first-hand. from my experience.

what I would recommend is to have time to chill and get in the correct mindset before doing anything.  sometimes we want to rush or get results right away but that just creates expectations in ourselves and it blocks us.  as fopr the tired, drained feeling, I think it comes from this.  if you feel you need to get somewhere, you will probably get nowhere.  the point is to DO IT, not to GET THERE ifyouknowwhatImean.

about the blockage I am completely blocked as well.  but somehow the block gopes away after we find a new insight.  I'd tell you to keep thinking and exploring until you find something new.  magick is about need, I think.   sometimes the best thing is to leave it and focus on something else, then you will find a new and younger need for magick.

[Anonymous]

here is a suggestion for the blockage.. what about teaching?? at my work (cust service) we switched from project to another.. I was helping the trainers in the class room with agents that where not getting it.. from there we had been on the project for about a month when I was chosen to help out with the training classes.. I'm now on the help desk.. from past experiances I have found what helps me unblock myself is to teach someone that wants to learn whatever it is.. with this u will get another persons insight & that can help enlighten the teacher & new ideas can be born

just a thought

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the advice.  I really appreciate it.