For a magickal warrior – someone following the warrior’s path – magick is just one more tool in his or her personal arsenal.
For some in the Pagan community, the use of magick in an aggressive manner, even in defense, may seem distasteful; some might even raise ethical or moral objections. Common objections cite the 3-Fold Law, and “karma”. Raven noted that the 3-Fold Law is not universally considered sacrosanct, or even valid. It has been suggested that the Law was added by Gardner as a hedge against Britain’s witchcraft laws, and to make Wicca less threatening to the general public. Raven also pointed out that the commonly held conception of karma is incorrect; most people seem to believe it is a cosmic system of retribution, where people’s actions automatically result in appropriate and just punishment, somewhere down the road. This is incorrect. Karma, in its original context, means attachments one develops to things in the world, over the course of one’s life; these attachments will influence how one reincarnates, and what challenges one may face in the next life.
Actions do create effects and produce reactions, and each of us must take responsibility for our personal choices and be prepared to face their consequences. That is the essence of being a warrior, and an important element of magick.
The warrior path is about gaining control of one’s self and how one responds to one’s circumstances and environment. Dominating others is inappropriate to the warrior’s path. This idea must infuse how a warrior utilizes magick, as well.
The matter of the Witch Wars was raised. Raven pointed out that the Witch Wars of the Northwest were qualitatively different than those elsewhere; whereas the Pagans of the Northwest basically skirmished on a social level – utilizing rumor, insult and innuendo – witches elsewhere in the country were involved in real, nasty, negative uses of magick, which produced real effects and consequences. Raven related one incident of his own personal experience, involving a powerful, dangerous psychic manifestation, and how his coven of that time faced it.
Raven pointed out that sometimes, it is difficult to tell at first if an attack is actually that, or just the effect of bad pizza. He suggests that if there is no clear indication that you are under magickal attack, have someone else do a divination for you, to try to get a clearer read of the situation. If the matter is still unclear, Occam’s Razor applies, and it is probably safe to assume there has been no attack – unless circumstances change to suggest otherwise. [GP’s note: Dion Fortune makes the same points in her book, Psychic Self-Defense.]
If you determine that you have been the victim of an magickal/psychic attack, how should you respond? Magick, Raven says, is not necessarily the appropriate response, nor should it automatically be your first choice.
A discussion of “strategy” vs. “tactics”:
Strategy: The plan. What are we going to do?
Tactics: How we’re going to do it.
Metastrategy: How can I impose my will onto the situation to achieve my goal? (In other words, how do I work the magick?)
To decide on a strategy, one should ask one’s self, “Why?” Why respond? What is the purpose of the response? What is our motivation? At this point, a divination may be in order; ask someone else, with no stake in the situation, to do a reading.
Once the decision to respond is made, how does one make the choice of tactics? Should the response be a discussion? A face-to-face meeting? A mediation through a third party? An article submitted to a publication? Or is a magickal response appropriate? If so, how much of a response? Too little response won’t be effective. Too great a response may become overly complex; the working may collapse under its own weight. The object is to achieve “just enough”; here again, a divination may be useful.
Considering offensive or aggressive magick: Offensive magick is a lot of work, requiring a lot of energy. Defensive magick requires a lot less alteration of reality, and therefore, less expenditure of energy; this places the defender at an advantage. Aggressive magick also usually forges a link between attacker and target; this gives the defender another advantage, as the link may be used to backtrack or even “back-feed” the spell.
On the matter of energy, consider Raven’s Rule of Energy: “Energy originates from one of two places: Inside yourself, or outside yourself.” Raven cites three types of sources: One’s own energy (originating in the body); magickal items; outside sources.
The advantage to body energy is that it is immediately available. Its disadvantage is that it is limited in volume and range.
Outside sources include Elements, Spirits, Gods, Angels, Demons, and other entities. The advantage to drawing upon outside sources is that they provide plenty of effect, power and range. The disadvantage is the magician is dealing with an independent entity, which has its own personality and agenda(s). A relationship must be established, and almost invariably, a price must be paid. The magician must be cautious in negotiating and striking bargains, and choose his or her attachments carefully and consciously. Remember the rule of “Just enough.”
Magickal items include amulets and talismans. Amulets store energy, holding it for future use by the magician. Talismans store energy, but directed toward a specific purpose; they are usually drawn or inscribed on parchment, but may be made from metal or other materials, and usually employ one or more sigils.
Turning now to an examination of defensive shielding. Shields work in one of three ways: They can deflect energy, capture energy, or allow the energy to pass through without harm. Deflected energy is redirected away from the defender, and can be reflected back at the attacker, or fed into a scapegoat, which can be organic or inanimate. Captured energy (sometimes called the “Simon Iff” strategy) is absorbed by the target, and used for his or her own ends.
The final method of defensive shielding requires the defender to “shift out of phase” of the attack, so that the energy passes through them, leaving them unharmed. To be effective, though, Raven says that this defense must be prepared in advance, and once in place, must be forgotten. This is very difficult to manage.
Defensive shielding can be practiced through “magickal fisticuffs” or sparring. One person may “attack” another, sending energy at their “opponent”; that person then practices defending. In both cases, Raven says, dramatic gestures are good! The symbology of the motions speak to the mind on its most basic level, providing focus and specificity.
Raven led us in a shielding exercise, showing us how to create a shield that remains dormant, activating when an attack of negative energy occurs. He suggested experimenting with creating shields in varying colors, and recommended creating layered defenses. More layers will increase the likelihood that defenses will be effective.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every defense can be breached. Be prepared for the possibility that your defenses may fail.
Raven also gave examples of two types of objects employing “amuleic energy” - tanglefoots and poppets – and instructions on how to use them. He also outlined the various uses of poppets – healing, luck, curses – and dispensed advice on how to defend against and counter an attack utilizing a poppet.
Poppets utilize the Laws of Similarity and Contagion, and can be a very effective and powerful; they should be used with extreme caution. Because of this, the exact method for creating one will not be published here; if you wish to know, speak to the head of your Circle.
Tanglefoots, on the other hand, are essentially defensive in nature; they are used to distract or misdirect someone who is pursuing you. To create a tanglefoot, all you need is a length of string, cord or yarn; natural fibers are best. If you perceive that you are being followed or pursued, take the length of string (which, presumably, you habitually carry in your pocket) and make a loop, so that the ends overlap. Wind the ends around one another, so that the strings remain in a loop. Bunch the loop into a tangled ball. As you do all of this, infuse the string with energy. Drop it to the ground, and keep walking. Any pursuer’s attention will be distracted from you, and/or they will become confused and disoriented as they pass the tanglefoot. They should be delayed long enough for you to make good your escape.
Many thanks to Raven for sharing his knowledge and experience with us.
Sword Circle Training Materials
Home