Visualization

What does visualization mean? Everyone is talking about it, but the language is so limited that we usually think the definition of visualization is "seeing something in our mind's eye."

This information is incomplete at best, and misleading as well. It makes some of think we can do it extremely well, when actually we're missing key components. And it makes others of us think we can't do it at all.

In fact, it is as natural as using any other sense . . . seeing, smelling, and feeling what's in front of you. Everyone does it . . . that's the purpose of imagination.

If you have an imagination, I guarantee you can visualize.

And in case you doubt you have an imagination, I guarantee you do have one!

You use it . . .

when you dream,
when your mind wanders during a boring meeting,
when you think of what you want for dinner,
when you try to remember where you parked . . .
We usually think that people who are imaginative are those doing creative arts: painting, decorating, cooking, writing, composing, and so on. And if we don't do those things, we must not be very imaginative.

In fact, imagination is actually how you do many ordinary things.

Did you know that it is your imagination that . . .

let's you remember things,
let's you anticipate happy things in the future,
gives you the ability to worry,
inspires solutions to problems that arise,
gives you ideas like a new spice to add to an old recipe, or how to do something more efficiently,
allows you to tell other people about things that have happened to you,
and makes you see things, visually? (Your eyes don't actually "picture" anything... it is your mind's imagination that puts together electrical impulses to create an image of what you're looking at.)

"But I Can't Visualize . . . Can I?" - - Wanna Bet!

As I said, everyone can do this. And everyone includes you!
The funny thing about it is that everyone does it all the time. Some people are just better at noticing it.

Even with visuals! I'd bet you $10 you can call up pictures on the screen of your mind, at least sometimes.

Want to try it? Close your eyes. Take a deep relaxing breath . . .

wicca_spirituality_spiral_button  Think of where you keep your keys.

wicca_spirituality_spiral_button  Think of the person you love most.

wicca_spirituality_spiral_button  Think about what's in your refrigerator.

Aha! Caught you!

That, my friend, is visualizing. Not so mysterious or impossible after all, is it?
( http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/visualization.html)


How to Practice Visualization
Sit comfortably. I suggest sitting cross-legged with a meditation pillow to support you.

Close your eyes and take some deep, cleansing breaths. Keep your eyes closed and concentrate on your breathing for a few minutes.

Allow any thoughts that come into your head to leave at their own pace. Redirect your attention to your breath, without trying to control it.

Become aware of your spine's connection to the earth. Envision roots growing down from your spine deep into the earth's molten core.

Feel the earth's energy moving up through the roots and through your body.

Open your eyes. Cup your hand in front of you.

Visualize the energy coming up from the earth moving through you and forming a ball in the palm of your hand.

Look at the ball. Notice the color, the feel of it, its heat, its smell.

Hold it steady. Then try to make it rotate.

Hold the image for as long as you can, and then absorb the energy back into your hand.

Let the energy flow from your hand back through your body and into the earth.





Tips:

As with physical exercise, you should start slowly and build your way up. Try holding the ball to the count of ten at first, and then letting that time gradually expand.

Once you feel comfortable with visualization, it will become easier for you to cast spells that will help you change your own reality.

As an alternative to the ball, try pointing your finger and drawing an invoking pentacle (beginning at the top point and moving down and to the left) in the air.