Magic
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aspect of magic until it was "discovered" by science. But even today, magnets are used in spells and charms, and such forces as these call up strange, old feelings. Playwith two magnets. Seethe invisible forces resisting and attracting in seemingly supernatural ways. Magic is similar. Though it appears to be completely nonsensical, with no basis in fact, it operates along its own rules and logic. Simply because it isn't fully understood doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. Magic is effective in causing manifestations of needed change. This isn't self-deception. Correctly performed magic works, and no amount of explaining away alters this fact. Here's a description of a typical candle ritual. I'll use myself as an example. Say I need to pay a hundred-dollar phone bill but don't have the money. My magical goal: the means to pay the bill. I decide to use a ritual to help focus my concentration and visualization (See chapter 11, "Exercisesand Magical Techniques"). Checking my magical supplies, I discover that I have green candles, patchouli oil, a good selection of money-drawing herbs, parchment paper, and green ink. At my altar, I light the candles representing the Goddess and the God while silently invoking their presence. Next, I ignite a charcoal block and sprinkle cinnamon and sage onto the block as a magical prosperity incense. I draw a picture of the phone bill on the paper, clearly marking the amount in numerals. While drawing, I visualize that the paper is no longer just a piece of paper; it is the bill itself. Then I sketch a square around the bill, symbolizing my control over it, and mark a large "x" through it, effectively canceling out its existence (as will occur when it is paid). I now start to visualize the bill being paid in full. I might write this over the picture, making it appear to have been stamped with these words. I visualize myself looking in my checkbook, seeing that the balance will cover the check, and then writing the check itself. Next, I rub a green candle with patchouli oil, from each end to the middle, while saying something like the following: