Sharing: First Day of Basic Rituals-Experience

[BrokenSeeker]

For those of you that don't know me (which is likely most since I only signed up yesterday), you can find more details about me in my thread in introductions and departures here: http://www.occultforum.org/forum/viewto ... =5&t=38303

I have begun working my way through the book Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the high Magickal Arts by Donald Michael Kraig. I started the book yesterday, and read through the beginning where he gives you a couple rituals to practice for three days before moving on. This is my first day of doing these (or any) rituals. For those not familiar with the book he starts you out with a Relaxation (meditative) ritual, and a Tarot Card Ritual, in addition to providing advice on how to start intentionally remembering dreams (I rarely remember dreams so this is interesting to me). I had an interesting first day.

First, the Relaxation Ritual was difficult. I have practiced Buddhist breath meditation and find it to be easier than the relaxation visualization. This could also be because I am in the midst of a gout flare up in my ankle that won't go away and the pain makes it difficult to concentrate relaxing the tension I find in my body (though I did find the tension). I assume this ritual is difficult right now for the same reasons breathing meditation was difficult in the beginning (I at first I could only get up to about a count of five, now I am up to as much as 45 or 60). I'm sure it will come with time.

I also found that reminding myself to remember dreams as I am about to fall asleep worked. I was able to remember a couple of dreams from last night, though not in great detail. This is huge for me as I almost never remember my dreams.

Finally, we get to the Tarot Card Reading. While I love Tarot, from the artwork to the symbolism and its myterious (to me) ties to greater mysteries. I'd never had any sort of, shall we say, magickal experience with Tarot. Indeed my relationship with the cards is still in its infancy. I'm not very good at memorization and such so though I have read a lot on Tarot, I find it's only actually using the cards that allows me to make progress.

Anyway, for the Tarot Card Ritual I went through my normal process of grounding and breath meditation. At this point I was really disappointed at how poorly I'd done with the relaxation ritual. I needed encouragement. Today my spirit had many questions "Is this really for me? Can I do this? Is it worth the time and energy I will need to put into it?" In retrospect, this was a bit of a tall order for a single card draw.

Then I pulled the card: The High Priestess

The crazy thing is, I hadn't even been thinking of a card I wanted. I just needed... something. Man, did the deck ever deliver. I mean, what card would be more perfect given my situation? I can't think of one. I'm going to be honest, even if it sounds cheesy, the moment I saw her I felt love, warmth and a resounding "Yes, this is for you, if you work, and persevere, you will be able to access the mysteries you seek."

In short, it was a good day. I just wanted to share. I would also love to hear your experiences. Successes, or failures overcome, etc. that you've had on your journey. I'm also always open to advice about anything.