Photo by Prateek Gautam on Unsplash
Way back, when I first started practicing magic I used to have a sword, an athame, a rod, a chalice, and candles and incense, and other various tools that people typically use with magical work. Over the years I drifted away from using such tools, taking a minimalistic approach to my magical work, or coming up with my own tools, based on unique needs I had. However of late I’ve been going back to an old school with my magical work and I’m finding it to be refreshing to do, because its like coming back to an old friend you haven’t seen in a while and picking the relationship right back up.
I recently ordered a candle making kit, so I can roll the candles myself. I’ve been working more with candle magic because it is simultaneously a very simple and yet direct form of magic that has a variety of versatile usages. For example, one thing I am doing is carving sigils in the candles, which most people do, but I’m experimenting with how the burning of the candle activates and releases those sigils, and how this can be timed accordingly, especially with multiple sigil strands.
Another area of magic I’ve been exploring is doing full moon, dark moon, and solar rituals. I had never really done these before, but I’m finding that the rhythmic aspect of these rituals is very nourishing but also use from a space/time magic perspective because it creates a spiral effect where you circle back to previous iterations of the rituals. This reminds me of the long term work I’ve been doing with the Sphere of Art, and how each working draws on the previous iterations of the sphere. It illustrates to me the subtle nuances of space/time magic and how such nuances can be explored in the seasonal and rhythmic currents of the moon, sun, and planetary energies.
All of this change in my work has come about because of working with my magical partner, who has introduced these practices to me. She has helped me see the blindspots in my magical practice, and areas where I can improve on what I’m already doing. She has helped me appreciate and understand the necessity of the timing and rhythms of the seasons, cycles, and really transformed my view of my magical practice as a result.
I won’t necessarily go back to old school for everything I do magically. For example, I like to develop new magical tools and techniques, but at the same time I am finding it useful to integrate in existing tools. I like using the planetary pentacles I have, and applying them as modifiers on different magical workings I’m doing. They end up enhancing the magical working I’m doing by introducing the right frequency and energy to a situation and turning it toward my favor.
I think the key to successful innovation and experimentation is knowing when to draw on what you’ve learned before and take new inspiration from it, as well as looking at areas of magic that you may have previously neglected. Successful experimentation isn’t just about creating something new, but also working what is available and using it to bring new perspective and experiences to your work that you can carry forward.
