Rituals ("spells") for power

[Chiriku]

In terms of "identity," am neither a Pagan nor a ceremonial magician--I actually still primarily think of myself as somewhere within the Christian framework, albeit in a heterodox and syncretic sense --- but for many years, I have drawn from a variety of practices spanning these traditions, especially the Wheel of the Year and its festivals, elements of solitary witchcraft, and elements of what some might call ceremonial magick.

There are some discrete hurdles I need to clear/gates I must pass through, a couple of which are officially "imminent." (I also have some long-term mountains to climb, but right now I have to focus on the immediate hurdles).

I have done a few tarot-based rituals in the past, using decks set aside for these purposes, and they function as meditations/creative visualizations. For these, I usually consciously choose and pull from the deck the cards whose powers I want to embody. I have only done them a few times, few and far between.

Have any of you ever done a ritual (I suppose some might think of it as a spell) to summon (personal) power? I am looking for rituals or "scripts" that are tarot-based (whether consciously choosing cards or randomly drawing them--ideally, a combination of both) and that draw upon the power of the archetypes (and/or the frameworks behind them)

The concepts I'm interested in are:

-- Power (personal--not ruling the world)
-- Mastery
-- Will
-- Strength

I suppose I am interested in Fire (Wands in most decks) energies--especially King of Wands, Emperor energy, Magician energy, Strength energy, Chariot energy, etc.

Perhaps I should also be interested in High Priestess and Hermit energy, as I will need a very calm stance and great mental focus and discipline in order to clear these hurdles; I can not allow anything to faze me and must maintain both inner and outer composure.

Also, any practical tips on how you set up your ritual space, etc. are welcome.

I am going to compose it for myself, of course, but I want to get some idea of what others have found inspiring.

Thank you for your help.

.

 

[Eco74]

I've never actually set up a 'power-base' of the kind you're describing, but I do have some items and areas in my home where I've placed items that remind me of my strengths or the state of mind I want to make stronger.

Choose a place you're comfortable in, one that in itself is an inspiration for the power you want to enrich within yourself. And after the ritual, keep a talisman or object to remind you of your intention.
It can be something you can wear or something that's in a place in your home that you'll see on a regular basis even just in passing. Some even get tattoos to remind them of something they want to remember or live up to.

The key here is to tap into and fortify a strength you already have inside of you, so enable it by making your surroundings reflect it.
If your home doesn't allow you to find peace of mind for example, make changes to enable it. Paint something, take something away, move things around to change the energies for the better and so on...

Also, I have "mantras" of sorts.
Bits of text, song lyrics, scatterings of poetry or things I've read that speak of a certain meaning - for me even if for noone else - and I repeat it, sing it, think it, close my eyes for a moment while I have to stand or sit still and wait for something and have nothing else to do and think it or mouth it silently to enhance it.
Different mantras or phrases for different times.
Sometimes they follow me around for days or even longer, others just stay with me through a day.
But I see them as messages in a way. Words of truth and words of power that will enable me to feed the strength or ability within myself and get myself closer to my intended goal - whether it's learning something new, finding peace of mind or just finding a different frame of mind that I feel a need for.

 

[canid]

The companion book for Tarot of a Moon Garden has a ritual for each card. Sometimes, on sabbats especially, I will go outside, sitting inside my handy-dandy home-made circle of cord embellished w/crystals & gems. Sometimes, just on my bed.

 

[Chiriku]

The companion book for Tarot of a Moon Garden has a ritual for each card. Sometimes, on sabbats especially, I will go outside, sitting inside my handy-dandy home-made circle of cord embellished w/crystals & gems. Sometimes, just on my bed.

I didn't know that this deck had a companion book and, even if I did, I wouldn't have expected that it contained a ritual for each card. That's interesting to know. Maybe if I do searches for the deck name, I'll come up with examples of the rituals others have used from the book.

And after the ritual, keep a talisman or object to remind you of your intention. It can be something you can wear or something that's in a place in your home that you'll see on a regular basis even just in passing.

Talisman to remind me of my intention---good idea. I'd prefer to have it on my person so I can handle it throughout the day. I have some crystals/gemstones that are affiliated with the qualities I want to enhance, but I don't like having them just jumping around in my pocket.

The key here is to tap into and fortify a strength you already have inside of you, so enable it by making your surroundings reflect it.
If your home doesn't allow you to find peace of mind for example, make changes to enable it. Paint something, take something away, move things around to change the energies for the better and so on...

I could start by decreasing clutter. That's a job that won't be finished before I need to do my rituals, though.

I will focus on your idea of trying to "change" energies. You are right--this seems to me to be very important because as of now, I don't feel as masterful as I want to feel, and I subconsciously associate this environment with this state of being.

Also, I have "mantras" of sorts.
Bits of text, song lyrics, scatterings of poetry or things I've read that speak of a certain meaning - for me even if for noone else - and I repeat it, sing it, think it, close my eyes for a moment while I have to stand or sit still and wait for something and have nothing else to do and think it or mouth it silently to enhance it.

Different mantras or phrases for different times.
Sometimes they follow me around for days or even longer, others just stay with me through a day.

But I see them as messages in a way. Words of truth and words of power that will enable me to feed the strength or ability within myself and get myself closer to my intended goal - whether it's learning something new, finding peace of mind or just finding a different frame of mind that I feel a need for.

Last year, I composed some two-line rhymes-short poems, I guess---to match each of the states of being I wanted to embody; I matched them each to a crystal to have a talisman. However, I never dedicated myself to repeating them over and over so that is something I can work towards now. Maybe a few minutes every day.

They're not much good as rhymes or poems go, so I feel a bit odd chanting them.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[greatdane]

My rituals are pretty simple. I do a candle lighting ritual, I am getting interested in knot magic, but I really find those as ways to just center and direct my focus. For me, it's about intention, focus, energy. I'm kind of a less is more and also do my own rituals kind of person, so probably not much help to you.

 

[raheli]

Hmm I've used cards in magic before but I'm not a specific chant kind of girl.

Here's what I'd do if I was looking for personal power.

I'd gather the cards I felt represented the characteristics I wanted Then I'd collect some small charms or items that represent those qualities; Crystals, beads, charms etc things that I could either place in a small bag or wear on a necklace.

Then I'd create my sacred space and arrange the cards on the alter in a cross or circle depending on how many card I had with the charms in the centre of the cross.

I'd make a little spell oil with some oils for focus, calm & energy (maybe rosemary, lavender, and orange) you can anoint the charms with the oil and keep the remaining oil to "feed" the charms if they need the boost.

I'd call whatever spirits to empower the charms - you could call on the spirits and qualities of the cards or even search out appropriate bible verses (not my thing but I know it's used in southern hoodoo).

I'd spend some time meditating on visualising myself having these qualities then I'd push that energy into the charms and close my ritual.

Then I'd wear the necklace or place the charms etc into a bag that I kept with me.

Feel free to pick and choose parts of this as you see fit!

Of course if that's too much you could always right down the names of the cards you want to embody and their qualities then reduce it down to a sigil of power.

 

[Chiriku]

My rituals are pretty simple. I do a candle lighting ritual, I am getting interested in knot magic, but I really find those as ways to just center and direct my focus. For me, it's about intention, focus, energy. I'm kind of a less is more and also do my own rituals kind of person, so probably not much help to you.

I probably wouldn't be able to make the knots; I'm all thumbs.

I feel the need for something a bit "more" than the ordinary for me, more than business as usual.

I'd gather the cards I felt represented the characteristics I wanted Then I'd collect some small charms or items that represent those qualities; Crystals, beads, charms etc things that I could either place in a small bag or wear on a necklace.

Then I'd create my sacred space and arrange the cards on the alter in a cross or circle depending on how many card I had with the charms in the centre of the cross.

I'd make a little spell oil with some oils for focus, calm & energy (maybe rosemary, lavender, and orange) you can anoint the charms with the oil and keep the remaining oil to "feed" the charms if they need the boost.

I'd call whatever spirits to empower the charms - you could call on the spirits and qualities of the cards or even search out appropriate bible verses (not my thing but I know it's used in southern hoodoo).

I'd spend some time meditating on visualising myself having these qualities then I'd push that energy into the charms and close my ritual.

Then I'd wear the necklace or place the charms etc into a bag that I kept with me.

Feel free to pick and choose parts of this as you see fit!

Of course if that's too much you could always right down the names of the cards you want to embody and their qualities then reduce it down to a sigil of power.

I like and can do all of those ideas. And in fact, I have done the "pick the cards you want to embody" thing. So what I need to learn is the "writing" the "script" (for lack of a better word).

Can essential oils be used on candles or do they have to be special oils made for candle magic? (I have only one of the latter, bought from a shop and marketed as prosperity-related although I bought it because I liked the scent the best of all the ones there).

 

[raheli]

I like and can do all of those ideas. And in fact, I have done the "pick the cards you want to embody" thing. So what I need to learn is the "writing" the "script" (for lack of a better word).

Can essential oils be used on candles or do they have to be special oils made for candle magic? (I have only one of the latter, bought from a shop and marketed as prosperity-related although I bought it because I liked the scent the best of all the ones there).

Absolutely, just use the oil to anoint the outside of the candle.
I'd definitely go the sigil route if you were going to anoint a candle. you can draw the sigil with oil or carve it into your candle with a nail.
here's a link on creating sigils. again here you could use a bible verse that embodies what you want.
http://www.mookychick.co.uk/pagan-wicca-witch/magical_sigils.php

 

[greatdane]

Interesting, Chiriku

I was interested in your a bit more. I don't really consider what I do as business as usual, I just do my own rituals and do try to keep it simple. But I am really interested in what a bit more means. I read and research and kind of adapt or adopt as I see fit. I did find writing my own chants or making my own rituals had more meaning for me than kind of just looking something up and doing it exactly, although I think that's a great way to go if that's what works for someone. For me, it's all about getting the intention in my mind, focusing and adding energy.

 

[Chiriku]

Absolutely, just use the oil to anoint the outside of the candle.
I'd definitely go the sigil route if you were going to anoint a candle. you can draw the sigil with oil or carve it into your candle with a nail.
here's a link on creating sigils. again here you could use a bible verse that embodies what you want.
http://www.mookychick.co.uk/pagan-wicca-witch/magical_sigils.php

Ah, thanks for that, raheli. I had already put it on my list to look up but it's good to have an accompanying link.

Good to know I can use regular essential oils on the candles.

. But I am really interested in what a bit more means. I read and research and kind of adapt or adopt as I see fit. I did find writing my own chants or making my own rituals had more meaning for me than kind of just looking something up and doing it exactly, although I think that's a great way to go if that's what works for someone. .

I just meant more than what I do already---which is very little. I do a few important readings (traditional tarot readings with a predetermined spread that either I've composed or I've carefully researched here on the spreads part of the forum) every year, less than five, and they have a bit more of a ritual aspect to them in that I light candles, sit at the table as opposed to the couch, use a spreadcloth, sometimes bring out a crystal or two.

And on occasion, I have gone the meditation/creative visualization route with cards I've pre-selected.

But I feel I need something to jolt me out of my normal routine, out of what's business as usual for me, which is a fairly haphazard daily life--usually rushed, poor time management, a pervasive and inescapable sense of the 'mundane.' I want to try bringing some gravitas into my life, and I think the power of words can't be overestimated. That's why I'm especially interested in "the script," even though I'll be the one writing the script of course.