What techniques do witches use to center themselves so that they're in the right frame of mind to cast spells?

Question

How do you leave the physical world behind so that you're in the right mind-set to focus your energy on spell casting and communicating with the Goddess and God? Are there any aids that I can use to center myself? Teas? Prayers or chants? Music?

Answer 1

Go to the Land of Makebelieve. Mr. McFeely knows the way.

Answer 2

There are various ways of doing so, including the ones you have mentioned. I tend to like meditation regularly just for normal control over my mind and personal focus. Before any form of ritual ceremony, I tend to use the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Earth Pentagram, which cleanses you of various negative mundane influences and makes it easier to focus on ritual. Spiral Dance by Starhawk also has some additional exercises, including Grounding and Centering, and Grounding on the Tree of Life which can help as well. Smudging yourself with sage is also a good way. Before major rituals, I like to bathe in water mixed with purification salts too.
BB,
Lord AmonRaHa

Answer 3

Chants and music are both excellent, especially if you find something with a "heartbeat" sort of rhythm to it and set it to loop.

I also use a meditation called "walking the staircase" that puts me in touch with my center. Although I can center with just a moment's focus, taking the time to go through the exercise prepares my body as well as my mind.

Tea I usually use afterwards, along with a piece of fruit or plate of cookies.

Answer 4

Grounding and Centering usually helps me a lot. Constructing my Ritual Space (both physical and metaphysical) helps me focus. Beforehand I will often take a long shower and let the negativity and tension drain away before starting. Background music to help dampen any outside noises is also helpful for me.

Answer 5

For me the beating of my drums serves to center me. If I am in a place where I cannot drum, sub-vocal chanting works just fine.

Answer 6

Primarily it is about focusing the mind and allowing your spirit to soar free from the body. Learning to quiet your mind so you are in the moment and not distracted by anything outside of that moment and your spirit. It takes practice but after a while you are able to feel the transition between this world and the next, to that moment of creation where you are one with All that IS.

Some use chanting, singing, dancing, drumming or other methods to help them go into a trance to get to that state of being. It is a shift of awareness from the outer world to the inner world.

Answer 7

I use special music, Incense, and i say prayers (chants)

And just having all my tools gathered on the Altar helps to get me in the right mind.

and Meditation always works well :)

Answer 8

I usually take aromatherapy baths and use meditaton before I begin spellwork. But you can use whatever works for you.

Answer 9

Use what ever works for you.
I have never in my life "drawn" a circle. I always threw one up in my head. It worked for me so why change it? I know people who use candles, incense, chalk, salt, the list goes on and on. Just remember its the INTENT that matters.

Answer 10

You need to get over the teenage fad that is 'witchcraft' now.

It is an entire industry based on taking money from people gullible enough to buy into it.

If it was possible to cure things using magic, then every doctor in the world would be using it.
If it was possible to make things levitate using magic, then every airline company in the world would be using it rather than expensive aviation fuel.

Witchcraft has been researched into time and time again because it would have been of great financial gain to everyone if it actually did work. It doesn't work.

Grow up before you lose all your friends as well, they'll think you're as gullible and as stupid as I do.

Answer 11

Honey, the words "witches, right frame of mind, and cast spells" all in the same sentence, really don't go together.