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Just wanted to share this with everyone. Some of you may gain from this. Hope you enjoy.



Exercises:



This month there are three new exercises for you to try that will expand your magical practices. They are especially useful for developing healing abilities.



All are best worked with a magical partner although it is also possible to perform them as a solitary and we give adaptations in each section.



To see an Aura

In 1939 the Armenian Semyon Davidovich Kirlian (1898-1978) and his wife Valentina discovered a high voltage photographic technique that they claimed produced evidence of the aura in living things. This was supported by evidence from photographic experiments that involved producing images of a cut fresh leaf. The Kirlians’ technique revealed a ghostly outline of the part that had been removed. This was the “auric” energy that the couple believed was a constituent of all life on Earth.



During your studies you will find many definitions of what exactly an aura is. The simplest view is that it is energy that surrounds the entire body in an ovoid shape that can be visualized as light of varying colors. Explanations of what this light might be include electromagnetic fields, soul vibrations, manifestation of the different layers of human existence, chakric energy or a reflection of surrounding energy fields. In the Wiccan community all of these can be met with and there is as yet no standard definition among occultists.



Most people are able to see something of the aura with a little practice, rarely though do people instantly achieve this to the extent that they can see myriad colours of light surrounding the body. This can be achieved over time but like just about everything else in Wicca the skills must be built up gradually. That said once the knack has been attained it will then be possible to see all living things infused with a wonderful glow effect.



The easiest way to see the aura is in half light. So before beginning draw the curtains or, if working at night, use a single candle.



Next ground and centre and perform any visualisation that you have found helpful to induce relaxation.



If working with a partner get them to stand against a dark or black backdrop (this works best if the partner is nude). Look over the partner’s entire body without straining or squinting. The best approach is to see the body as a whole, all at once, where the eyes are not looking for one thing in particular. Some people will see a faint outline, a kind of double image, whereas others may see a soft white glow. Over time it is then possible to see more until a whole panoply of shades is revealed.



If working as a solitary the processes are the same in that grounding, centring and relaxation takes place. You will then need a mirror so that you can see yourself when standing against a black background.



To sense an Aura

Another way of experiencing the aura is to sense it with your hands. Ground, centre and relax as before. When working with a partner make sure that they are lying down and are comfortable. Then run your hands slowly over their body about two to three centimetres away from their skin. The best place to do this is over the torso as here the main organs of the body are located and it is relatively easy to sense energy in this part of the body. Next pull your hand up a few centimetres and then move it back down. Solitaries can do this to themselves. Many people will feel a sensation that may be described as a kind of static cushion and it is believed this is the aura.



Overtime it will be noticed that various parts of the body emanate different forms of energy. In those that may be sick some parts of the body will seem to vibrate healthily whilst others may have an unhealthy feeling. It is possible to work with these less well areas and aid the healing process. After performing this diagnostic act it is important to ground. This is because it is generally considered a bad idea to absorb another’s energies as this can cause conflict with one’s own natural rhythms.



Grounding can be achieved through visualisation as already learnt or by placing your hands under cool running water until it is felt that all excess energy has dissipated.



Manipulating the Aura to Heal

One way of working with these energies is through the power of near touch. It is believed that passing the hands just over affected regions of the body and sending energy or drawing it away from the area can make a patient feel better. One way of explaining the effect of this is to see that the vibrations of the aura are being rebalanced by such an approach. Witches often see that the dominant hand should send the energy whilst the other should be used for drawing it off.



A good way to start learning this technique is to work with a partner’s aches and pains (a solitary will work on their own). Instead of giving a massage, try near touch and see if the affect is appreciable. Over time you will learn what works and what doesn't. You will see what distance from the skin is optimal as well as the kinds of visualizations that may be helpful. Depending on their perception of what is needed practitioners commonly imagine either a cool light blue beam or a warm golden glow coming off their palm and descending to the affected area of the body.



Related techniques, like Therapeutic Touch, which has been the subject of serious scientific study, or Reiki, which is regularly used within the US National Health Service, are of interest to many witches who also hold professional qualifications in such arts.