Lesson 1 Story Exchange

[~Elise~]

Please post some experiences that you've had in the past where you think that Magical Self Defense would have helped you.

What have you done in the past? What has worked for you? What hasn't worked?

What is that you're wanting to come away with from this class?

Also--where are you from and what prompted you to join this class?

Elise

[*~Amora~*]

I am originally from northern California (SF Bay Area), went to college in Portland Oregon, and am now in Michigan working as a sleep researcher. I joined the class to brush up and fill in any gaping holes I have, and learn other techniques, particularly for shields (rather than wards).

I work as an assistant studying sleep, which means I have night shifts when I'm all alone in the lab watching the brain-waves of participants. Other techs (who are not usually inclined to believe in such things) have felt spooked by feeling like they're being watched. And I've had at least two cases of seeing an entity out of the corner of my eye on those long nights.

Although, this isn't the first time I've encountered other entities beyond the veil, nor been spooked by them. Not all of them seem to mean harm, I have one companion spirit (long story) who is a comfort to be around. But there was one case in college where I became frightened by a story, and distinctly felt the presence of a female spirit who would kind of "lean in" on my personal space in an effort to make me nervous. She was a stalker, of sorts. And at the time I didn't have much (if any) defense. The more spooked and unnerved I became, the more intimidating she became.

That was around the time I joined the AMystickalGrove community and got some good advice about wards and trapping this spirit in a ball and flinging her off across the horizon. That and a cleansing seemed to work. Now whenever I move to a new place, I set up wards, cleanse, and bless the place. That seems to work alright, and draw boundaries so that spirits know that they can not come inside unless they are verbally invited. They seem to be less populated here in Michigan for some reason . . . except at the lab.

But I don't know if there are other ways I am affected without knowing. I suffer from periods of intense anxiety, and I would like to "shore myself up" so that I have more passive defenses - rather than having to actively identify an attack/intimidation and counter it - and pre-empt any problems. I also can feel intimidated by people with very strong personalities, who seem to have big auras, and I'd like to be less susceptible to their opinions (about me).

[Against The Tide]

Im Adam, from the UK (so there may be a time difference for assignments, if so I'm sorry).

I often get drained alot by encounters with other people - when people don't like/distrust/envy me (or even those who like me but just radiate negitive energy) I can feel it come off them and it hurts me, even if I am far away from the person I feel like I have something hanging on to me sucking me dry, I don't start or go looking for trouble but I have incurred the wrath of some people in my time, I know at least one was a practioner of magic (couldn't say what sort), and although I think shes just a fluffy I do know that she does try to curse and hex people she doesn't like, so it only makes sense that she'd attack me in this way.

Also - my best friend is a psi-vamp (she admits as much) but I don't think she can control how she feeds. Just a few hours watching a movie with her and my energy is sapped.
There are times when I feel nervous and I panic, I become aware of something 'watching' (though more than just seeing, I mean WATCHING) me. I used to have boundless energy but not anymore. Its hard for me to go out somedays, I get on ok for a while then I'll just breakdown with no warning. Especialy around other people.

In the past I looked into grounding for meditation and visualisation work and found it had defensive applications (by channeling what ever negitivity is on me away from me) and I tried sheilding but I couldn't get to grips with the style of the book I was learning from.

What I want from this class is increased knowledge and underandstand of defensive techniques and the confidence to carry them out. To understand and be a little bit closer with posters on this forum. I have had dreams for as long as I can remember about being stalked by danger of one kind or another, so in my waking life I try to learn how to effectively defend myself. I can take care of myself in a fist or knife fight, soI ask myself, why not learn how to defend myself where it really matters - spiritualy.

[Mainedruid]

I'm Mike, from Maine in the USofA. I decided to take this class because first off I thought it sounded very interesting. I think it could come in handy in both my areas of study, druidry and craftier side of things. One past experience I had was with my ex wife.. She didn't practice, as a matter of fact she was born again christian. But she had a nack of wishing truth rather effectively. I don't think she realised she had it in her, but some magical self defense could have helped keep things on neutral ground I think.

Today the need may not be there as much, but having two children and a current ex that does practice things, I think this would be a good thing to have. Again, to maintain neutrality, not to get an upper hand.

I have never tried any form of magical defence, didn't really think of it. So this will be another tool for my box. You can never have enough tools

[The Panther's Dream]

I'm from central California attending my last semester of High School. Due to some anxiety problems I do all my schoolwork at home and report monthly to a teacher at the high school. I'm really looking to learn how to protect myself in general from negative energy and maybe through learning how to do this gain a sense of self-control to help ease some of the anxiety that I have.

A couple of years ago I had an odd experience, which today I can't really say what it was. It happened about 9 months or so after I started looking into alternative spiritualities, mostly Wicca, Shamanism, and some other stuff like Astral Projection, Meditation, and Dream work. Around November of that year I had started to feel anxious in my bedroom for no real reason. I couldn't sleep at night and I didn't feel comfortable being in there alone.

I couldn't figure out what was going on because I hadn't done any spellwork, energy work, or anything really. I was kind of paranoid that it might be a negative energy or something like that, but I had no idea what had attracted it. For months I suffered and didn't know what to do, until finally, fed up, I said "Leave me alone!" A few days later it felt like my room had cleared and everything was fine again. I was able to sleep, but since then have been anxious of the dark, so I usually sleep with a light on.

A month or so ago I started to think back on the experience and realized that after that all of my anxiety/phobia problems had begun around that time. So I still don't know today whether it really was just the onset of some of the problems I have today, or whether it actually was an entity.

I'm an empath, so I'm hoping that improving shileding skills will help me deal with that. I know basic techniques for grounding and protective measures, but I'm looking to enhance my knowledge and improve my skills at protecting myself and my home. I'm hoping that taking a direct involvement in learning these things will help to improve my confidence in myself and make me feel safer and able to deal with a problem should it arise. I'm also looking forward to getting to know some more of the people here at MW. ^^

[~Elise~]

So far, I can tell a couple of you are empaths-we'll go more into shielding for empaths in a couple of weeks. you're just a tad different to get shielding to work than those who aren't as empathic.

As Mainedruid said--you can never have too many tools in your arsenal.

Here's a bit about me:

This is my fourth time to teach this class for MW--It is not my first teaching gig. I've been HPs for a group of approx. 40 here in Tulsa starting our 6th year. I teach on-going Year and Day classes and since I start them twice a year and overlap them, I'm working on class #7 or 8 now. I teach a multitude of other classes, as well, from Herbal Medicine to Be A Goddess to Creating Your Heart's Desire.

What qualifies me for THIS class? Well, I teach this quite a bit. I've used it when needed, as well. I've encountered some pretty ucky things in my 13 years on the Pagan Path and more so in the last 6 years just because of the sheer number of people I encounter and am responsible for. I've dealt with things that were not so nice and very nasty, in fact.

*note - I am NOT Wiccan and do not follow the Rede. No comments about Karma or reprecussions of what is taught here...this is SELF defense and as I said in an earlier thread, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. The purpose here, folks, is to get you to the point where no one wants to even start anything with you in the first place.

That said...if I hear of you using what I teach in this class in an offensive way, in other words, starting crap with someone because you can...that will dealt with. (Remember, I'm not teaching you everything I know, just the basics)

I want you to take what is taught here and KEEP LEARNING. This is a basic class---you will learn what you need IF you do all the homework and practice, practice, practice. You learn by doing, not reading. I want this to become second nature to you. THAT is effective self defense.

[LadyWillow]

I'm Traci from WV.

To begin with, there were many instances when I was younger that magickal self defense would have helped. My mom was in a relationship with a guy that wasn't the greatest and things always got reflected back to me. I didn't fare well in those situations and ended up rather depressed in my really early teen years. I didn't really have a way to outlet it our stop things from bothering me.

I also had/have issues with a 'friend' who always decides that it'll be nice to say things about me and cause issues among me and other friends, none of which are true. It takes a lot out of me trying to not let things bother me when it really does, she feeds on the drama and it's hard not to let things go when your name is being slandered so much.

Thats pretty much all the basic stories that I can think of right now.

I'm taking this class because I'd really like to learn more, get the basics down and be able to better defend myself when times like the ones arise (as well as any new situations, goddess forbid) creep up.

And I have to say, The Panther's Dream..I cannot sleep in my room at home today because there just seems to be something odd about my room. I cannot figure out what it is, but I feel something odd, and it just won't go away. So know you are not alone. I have lots of anxiety/phobia problems so I'm not sure if those have a basis or what the deal is.

[wolfjan1]

Well, this is an interesting way to start a class, but I have never taken classes here, so here we go.
For some reason, I have made choices in "life partners" that have been detrimental to me. That is why I moved home. I wanted to be near family and leave the world of psi-vamps that I was allowing to control my life.
Now that I have made the choice and come home, I am finding that I have a brother who appears to be bipolar, with anger as one of his "phases."
I am trying to ground and center on new soil and clean the mess that this brother and his wife left in my parents' home. It was ransacked when I arrived here. They trashed everything and took all pictures of themselves and their kids out of here. They have verbally cut myself and a sister-in-law out of the "family" by them.
So cleaning and working on positive vibrations is not enough. I find it harder and harder to get up and rid myself of all the negative vibrations here. I have found my little box of secrets among my belongings and am trying all the rituals and negative energy removers I can in each room as I cleaned them. I can see I have a long way to go and a lot to learn before I can truly handle all of these vibes that weigh me down.
So, lets get to it. I am ready.

[wolfjan1]

Sorry there, I am in North Texas.

[Fencai]

Im Amy, and Im from just outside of Philadelphia, PA

The reasons I'm coming to this class are that i have a very hard time with psy-vamps, negative energies from other people, etc.

Also, I do deal with the "paranormal" regularly. (no I am NOT a ghost hunter, I hate that term). And for as many wonderful spirits and guides as there are, I have encountered several demons, and some were not ones that I attracted, but that other people attracted, and in turn were attracted to me.

I have been told my entire life from other people that I am a "catalyst". And even from touching things, I have made their tools want to come home with me.

I am looking to protect myself, as well as contain my own energies.

As for what I normally do, whenever I am in a new space, I always go through a full smudging/blessing ritual, (and this past time got my husband in on it). I cleanse all tools, and objects, and tend to not let other people too close to them.
For personal guards/wards/ etc, I usually meditate and visualize what I am looking for, and have had a couple of amulets made for me. I would like to learn to make my own.

[~Elise~]

Well, this is an interesting way to start a class, but I have never taken classes here, so here we go.


Well--it serves two purposes. One, you get to know your fellow students and see for yourself you're not the only one out there who deals with stuff like this.
Two-It lets me know who my students are and what their abilities are or aren't, as the case may be. I don't have to guess and can change the focus of the class if need be.

Elise (always a method to my madness)

[wolfjan1]

I am not judging, I am just saying that it is truly an interesting subject. So far I have enjoyed the herbal class and I am learning a great deal. Even though I haven't been able to find all my books that are still packed from the move and are in the garage. I have to find other ways to get my resources together. This is a good challenge and therapy at the same time. So, thank you, blessed new friend. And thank you all for sharing those parts of yourselves that others might not understand.

[~Elise~]

We still have about 1/2 the class that needs to post. This is a participatory class, guys.

Elise

[~NightFire~]

Where are you from and what prompted you to join this class?

I am from the South-West of England (U.K) .
I joined this class because I am always interested in learning new things, & I think that it will help me with my studies.

Please post some experiences that you've had in the past where you think that Magical Self Defense would have helped you.

It could have helped me with my Empathy (before I knew what it was, & now that I do) & my studies in general.


What have you done in the past? What has worked for you? What hasn't worked?

Well I've been at MW for a year now, & I'm still a Newbie! (although, when I first joined I had no idea of what I was into) I don't have much experience to go on, because I'm still in the 'reading, writing, & not much else' stage. I feel like there's so much info to read through, & so much writing to do-I find it hard to do more practical things on a regular basis.

What is that you're wanting to come away with from this class?

More practical experience, knowledge, & understanding of Magickal Self Defence (Also I'm glad we're doing shielding for Empaths-I really need it!) .

Sorry if this is a bit sparse-I think I have writer's block! :lol:

[wrenjamin]

Thank you for letting me join this class last minute, I appreciate it!

I am Lauren, originally from CT, now going to school in DC, and planning to move back to upstate NY when I graduate!

I am interested in this class because I feel that there are many things that I can learn from it. I have found that there are situations where the situations around me end up directly affecting me. Stress in someone else's life, a negative situation, anger. Anything like that - and the effect is exacerbated if the feeling is directed AT me.

I have not really found any method that has worked consistently well in the past. I have found that generally, by the time I realize I am in need of some sort of defense, it is too late. I am hoping that this class can help me prepare for these sorts of situations.

I currently attend school fulll time, and work around 20 hours a week nannying for a family. In the past two months or so I've noticed that I've been increasingly worn down and low energy, which comes from the stresses that this family feels, working in large group projects, and being around many, many people on a daily basis.

I hope to come away from this class with the knowledge of how to protect myself in these sorts of situations. I'm really excited for this class - thank you so much for letting me join!

[Mainedruid]

I already posted, but I'll add this:

In talking to another memeber last night via PMs it has been brought to my attention that I am an empath as well. not some thing I realised totally. I become atune to others emotions/state of mind rather quickly and often take on what they are feeling as my own feelings. I am hoping that through this class I can shield my self some from that.

[lilyavalon]

I’m from Ohio. I have been more angry and short tempered as of late. Not at any one person just in general. I rarely can go to a store, like Wal-Mart, with out getting annoyed.

I don’t like getting surrounded by people, or being blocked in, but things like an elevator I’m okay with.

Recently I had been diagnosed with having Panic Attacks I get them VERY infrequently and I don’t know what causes them. I do however get flashes when I get them; I get glimpses and a horrid dejavu…

Basically I have done really nothing in the past, so I don’t know what works for me.
I want to take away from this class basically a sense of protection. A way to buffer myself and hopefully a first step to open up and figure out the rest of my mind, and body.

[exodustruth]

My name is Mike and I live in upstate N.Y. I'm looking to learn whatever I can about magical self defense as it is something that I know extremely little about. Lately i've been feeling uncomfortable at night...I feel like i'm being watched and I sense a presense in the house that seems to follow me from the time everyone else goes to sleep to just a few hours before sunrise. I do not get good vibes from it...and I am more then certain that it is having a drastic effect on my life and the lives of those around me...I'm hoping that I can rid myself of this problem and get to the point where I defend myself against most magical threats/attacks.

[wintermagick]

I'm running late... but I'm here!

I will post my intro and then go back and read through the thread if that is ok.


Please post some experiences that you've had in the past where you think that Magical Self Defense would have helped you

I just spent the past three years of my life working in a very toxic environment with a mix of "icky" personalities... from the ultra conservative manager who literally hated anyone who didn't share her beliefs - to the image obsessed wife and mother who purged her salad in the bathroom and proudly cheated on her husband with the office hottie - to the backstabber who would do anything (and I mean ANYTHING) to get ahead. I have found some bits and pieces of their negative behaviors and perceptions became infused with my own personality, and I'm not even sure how it happened.

I also in the past was involved in a very negative coven scenario that I really could have used some magickal defense in. Drama, time, and the inevitable fixed the problems on their own... but it still would have been nice to know some good magickal defense tecniques.


What have you done in the past? What has worked for you? What hasn't worked?

I'll admit... not much of anything. Other than the old "imagine yourself in a pink or white bubble" visual, I've never been very good at this sort of thing.


What is that you're wanting to come away with from this class?

I'm curious about other people's experiences and what they have done or could have done to work for them. I'd just like to come away for some good advice for future conflicts.


Also--where are you from and what prompted you to join this class?

I live in the Dallas area of Texas... and the class just sounds interesting... and highly useful! :ballonsmi

[wolfjan1]

Hello, there. I am in Fort Worth!

[wintermagick]

Hello, there. I am in Fort Worth!

No way! Me too actually... the Mid Cities. I just say Dallas 'cause its easier... I live close to the airport so I am a bit closer to the Dallas side.

Cool!

[Fechín Taliba Rune]

I've had numerous experiences in the past where I think magical self defense might have aided me, but there is one experience which sticks to my mind above all others. There is something seriously wrong with the basement of my house; I know it's not just paranoia because many others have mentioned the same feeling upon going down there.

When the lights are on, there's usually just this feeling of being watched, and the gaze seems born more out of curiosity than anything else. It's not comfortable, but not particularly scary, either. When the lights are off, however, that feeling abrubtly changes to a kind of animosity and hostility, so much so that few people will venture down there with all the lights off unless accompanied by someone else. It's almost as though there are two entities down there: a childish one who wants to come out at any time and play, and a cruel one who prefers the darkness.

Anyways, there was one time I was downstairs, all the lights on, just playing games on the Playstation and ignoring the curious gaze I felt upon me. In the span of mere seconds, the curious gaze was engulfed in a feeling of abject malevolence, violence, and anger, and I just dropped everything and bolted up the stairs. The feeling followed me as I ran through the kitchen and into the garage, not paying any heed to where I was going, but feeling as if I needed some sort of talisman.

I don't know what exactly guided my steps as I scrambled through the garage, but my hands fell upon a pair of twin dragon's claw necklaces, one white and one black, that I had lost months earlier. I had originally bought them because I read somewhere that a mixture of white and black helped ward off evil energies. Anyways, when I threw them around my neck, the overbearing feeling, which had progressed to abject loathing and felt far more personal than it had in the past, vanished almost instantly.

Outside of that instance, I just get the occasional traces of the same feelings in my bedroom and around the first floor at night, but never to the same degree.



In the past, if I feel like somethings wrong in one area of my house, I'll vacate it and head to another, or I'll leave entirely and just take a walk until someone else comes home. As far as the occasions in my bedroom are concerned, I just close my eyes and visualize a kind of shield around myself. When that fails and I'm feeling particularly vulnerable, I look to the corner of my bedroom, because it's at those moments of vulnerability that I can almost see the outline of someone in the corner, leaning back against the wall and watching out for me when I can't watch out for myself. Trying to visualize stuff like that helps calm me down, at least, even when it doesn't really affect anything else.



I want to come away with a knowledge of how to take care of myself in situations where physical capabilities don't cover all my bases, particularly since I intend to seek out cases of phenomena similar to that which I have already experienced.

I'm from Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities, and I wanted to join this class because of the strange things that happen in my house, a whole bunch of weird stuff that seems to follow me and my friends around, and an interest in studying other cases of such happenings, and a need to protect myself while doing so.

[~Elise~]

Lesson 2 is up! I'm going to leave Lesson 2 active for about 2 weeks since we have a short week this coming week and people may be away doing family stuff.

If you haven't participated in this thread first, please do so.

Elise

[~Elise~]

Interesting stories, BTW-thanks for being open and sharing.

Elise

[~Elise~]

I've had numerous experiences in the past where I think magical self defense might have aided me, but there is one experience which sticks to my mind above all others. There is something seriously wrong with the basement of my house; I know it's not just paranoia because many others have mentioned the same feeling upon going down there.

When the lights are on, there's usually just this feeling of being watched, and the gaze seems born more out of curiosity than anything else. It's not comfortable, but not particularly scary, either. When the lights are off, however, that feeling abrubtly changes to a kind of animosity and hostility, so much so that few people will venture down there with all the lights off unless accompanied by someone else. It's almost as though there are two entities down there: a childish one who wants to come out at any time and play, and a cruel one who prefers the darkness.

Anyways, there was one time I was downstairs, all the lights on, just playing games on the Playstation and ignoring the curious gaze I felt upon me. In the span of mere seconds, the curious gaze was engulfed in a feeling of abject malevolence, violence, and anger, and I just dropped everything and bolted up the stairs. The feeling followed me as I ran through the kitchen and into the garage, not paying any heed to where I was going, but feeling as if I needed some sort of talisman.


In the past, if I feel like somethings wrong in one area of my house, I'll vacate it and head to another, or I'll leave entirely and just take a walk until someone else comes home. As far as the occasions in my bedroom are concerned, I just close my eyes and visualize a kind of shield around myself. When that fails and I'm feeling particularly vulnerable, I look to the corner of my bedroom, because it's at those moments of vulnerability that I can almost see the outline of someone in the corner, leaning back against the wall and watching out for me when I can't watch out for myself. Trying to visualize stuff like that helps calm me down, at least, even when it doesn't really affect anything else.



I want to come away with a knowledge of how to take care of myself in situations where physical capabilities don't cover all my bases, particularly since I intend to seek out cases of phenomena similar to that which I have already experienced.

I'm from Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities, and I wanted to join this class because of the strange things that happen in my house, a whole bunch of weird stuff that seems to follow me and my friends around, and an interest in studying other cases of such happenings, and a need to protect myself while doing so.

Okay--while some of the stuff in this class will be able to help you. I think that you are going to need more experienced help in banishing whatever is in the house.

How connected are you within the pagan community there? Is there someone you can call on to help?

Elise

[TheRiverDaughter]

I'm Lauren, also from Texas (parents are in DFW, I'm in Houston)! I'm new here at Mystic Wicks, and Elise was kind enough to let me jump on the wagon here in the class.

I come from a very spiritual (Christian) family - my mom and I are both sensitive to the "feel/energy" of a place or person, though I have very little experience with actual energy manipulation. I still have ties to my family's faith, though I think they would probably be displeased with some of my beliefs. My experiences in the past, particularly as a (moderate) empath, along with running into some people that seemed to just suck the energy out of me has me interested in some self-defense against that sort of thing. Especially since I want to be a teacher, and I'd like to be able to offer some resistance to any students that would be manipulative in that way (high school/college).

Also - I suffer from nightmares (the horrible, awful, don't go back to sleep afterwards kind - some recurrent) and my only experience with any form of defense has been to light a candle and use the candlelight as a "bubble" around my bed - sometimes this helps me get back to sleep, sometimes I'm still too shaken, but it does help me stay calm.

I'd like to learn some more ways to deal with this sort of thing, and (besides that) I'm just plain curious! I'm somewhat new to the idea of energy manipulation/magic (a few years, on and off), and I'd like to jump start my learning through a class.

[He who seeks]

Hi im Mike from the Uk

Im a Empath and mystic, in my experiences i have gifts of minor foresight, reading and feeling ppls emotions and thoughts, an untrained third eye/ seeing magic.

Abilities variy due to my inexperience

i may have Energy manipulation and other abilities im not yet aware of

I have trouble with being bomabraded with other ppls inner noises

thats all im certain about for now

[AussiePagan]

Hey I'm from aussieland, and this is my second time doing this class _inabox_, first time around, Uni started getting really hard, really fast, and this time I've been distracted by other things. Hopefully I'm not too late to start (again).

I'm taking the class to learn more about magic, and magical self defense. It seems sensible to learn some basics on how to protect yourself before moving on and trying other things.

Not much else to say really.

[Tsunami29]

What have you done in the past?Nothing
What has worked for you? Haven't tried anything
What hasn't worked?I Wouldn't know haven't tried anything
What is that you're wanting to come away with from this class?Knowledge.
where are you from? Missuri
what prompted you to join this class?To Know How to Defend yourself If you Are Faced with a proablem.Plus I want To Have Knowledge.

[Tsunami29]

What have you done in the past?Nothing
What has worked for you? Haven't tried anything
What hasn't worked?I Wouldn't know haven't tried anything
What is that you're wanting to come away with from this class?Knowledge.
where are you from? Missuri
what prompted you to join this class?To Know How to Defend yourself If you Are Faced with a proablem.Plus I want To Have Knowledge.
Will you Teach me?

[~Elise~]

Not until the next class--this round only has 1 lesson left. It'll start in about a month