On Tools

My great great grandfather had a brother who was a seer, and published a book in 1892 on his abilities and visions.

My great great grandfather's eldest daughter worked as a fortuneteller around the turn of the century in Everett Washington.

Some of this stuff runs in my veins.

When I was 18, I met Florence. She taught me how to "look" at other people, (without regard to having met them or not) see what they needed, and to make "Energy Balls" and send them to them. "Energy Balls" vary in size, color, and temperature. We used to meet, learn, and practice in a coffee shop.

I was taught to draw on the available energies, and transform them into what I needed.

I was taught that the observation, and affecting what I observed, without tools, was possible.

It was sometime later, that it dawned on me that I was doing, without tools, what many pagans do - using tools.

Folks draw circles, chant, do what ever it is they do…to accomplish the same ends.

So why the difference? Is there a right and wrong?

In 78 Degrees of Wisdom, R. Pollack states, "Like the wizard the shaman has developed his will to the point where he can direct the fire that fills him. At the same time he remains open, allowing his ego to dissolve under the direct onslaught of the spirit. It says something about our culture that our wizards stand inside magic circles to make sure the demons cannot touch them". (Pg 33, paragraph 2 - emphasis added).

It is a part of our western culture, to view ourselves as separate from the God(dess). It is indeed a remnant of the earliest jihad; where Middle-Eastern religions introduced the Middle-Eastern dualism of absolute good and absolute evil into our European world (indeed, Christianity is a middle-eastern religion, based on middle-eastern values and customs [i.e. Essene Judaism)]).

As a result, we are taught that we stand apart from the God(dess), and that the world view of absolute good and evil is valid.

For many, the use of various accepted tools is a result of these teachings...We must protect ourselves from the negative energies...draw a circle!

As a solo practitioner, I have never used tools.

Tools in my world view serve only to enhance focus.

Focus is the answer. To put the mind into the proper 'space', to see and be ready to accept the spirit.

Let's look at a simple example; divination.

Divination is to communicate with the God(dess).

Folks will go out and buy Tarot cards or Runes. Then they seek out the "best book" with clear and concise meanings. Unwittingly they have locked themselves into the world view of another. Rarely is divination taught in such a way as to listen to that which speaks without a voice.

Your parents taught you to study, and learn - so you could pass the test, and get good grades.

Spiritual life is not graded.

When you buy a book...often...you lock your brain into the mindset of another. You may have locked your spirit into a box of another's makings.

When I sit down at my piano, I cannot just rip into the Appassionata...I must quiet myself and focus.

Like a musical instrument, your spiritual journey requires practice and discipline. Tools help us focus, your altar, the candles, and the chanting increases the probability of focus.

There are many books, which teach the use of tools. They address the left-brain, the human tool user.

Listen…we are spiritual beings…when you stand skyclad you have all the tools you need. If you live in the city…your sacred grove can be at the corner of walk and don't walk...if you learn to focus.

It is not difficult if you realize that your spiritual journey is a 24-7 affair. Discipline and practice 24-7 as opposed to when it is convenient will provide you with the focus necessary do real magic with real tools (the spiritual kind).

Indeed, with practice - while others are on their cell-phones on the freeway - you can be doing spell work.

Remember the next time you purchase a book from one of those experts…when we box and compartmentalize, we lessen the magic; we give up our power, giving it over to the tools rather than understanding that the power is within us, not within tools.

By Dan Pelletier