I actually LOVE the idea of no tools, no deities, and 100% pure mental magic. Although I've always been drawn to the Egyptian, Norse & Celtic pantheons, I felt inauthentic invoking Bast or Thoth or Isis or Odin or Pan or Bridget as I am an American (with European roots). Even just saying Goddess felt better, but not *quite* right. It wasn't until I understood the concept of divinity within, that I felt like I could truly invoke authentically and that this was something I was already connected to vs calling on some ancient external deity. I really appreciate the focus on the planets as that's something I've never focused on quite so much and I've been very interested in astronomy for a long time. I tend to take a very scientific approach to my Craft and this feels very concrete to me.
The tools when I was first starting out felt performative and it felt more like make believe, which is fun, but they didn't start to really be effective for me until I was further along in my craft. I actually stopped casting circles for years, and when I finally went back to them, I was surprised at how powerful I found them to be. I really gravitate to the idea of mental magic, and the freedom of being able to cast where I am in the moment. I dislike being bound to my altar as I've often found myself in situations where I wish I could work right then and there as I'm inspired, so I appreciate the "permission" to do so without worrying about 'do I have the right color candle' etc.
As I grow in my Craft, I may circle back to a specific deity or deities, but for now, I really appreciate working with the universal energy & planets (and angels a bit here and there). Just wanted to say thank you for providing this approach, I always felt a little off working in other ways and this really resonates with me.
I actually LOVE the idea of no tools, no deities, and 100% pure mental magic. Although I've always been drawn to the Egyptian, Norse & Celtic pantheons, I felt inauthentic invoking Bast or Thoth or Isis or Odin or Pan or Bridget as I am an American (with European roots). Even just saying Goddess felt better, but not *quite* right. It wasn't until I understood the concept of divinity within, that I felt like I could truly invoke authentically and that this was something I was already connected to vs calling on some ancient external deity. I really appreciate the focus on the planets as that's something I've never focused on quite so much and I've been very interested in astronomy for a long time. I tend to take a very scientific approach to my Craft and this feels very concrete to me.
The tools when I was first starting out felt performative and it felt more like make believe, which is fun, but they didn't start to really be effective for me until I was further along in my craft. I actually stopped casting circles for years, and when I finally went back to them, I was surprised at how powerful I found them to be. I really gravitate to the idea of mental magic, and the freedom of being able to cast where I am in the moment. I dislike being bound to my altar as I've often found myself in situations where I wish I could work right then and there as I'm inspired, so I appreciate the "permission" to do so without worrying about 'do I have the right color candle' etc.
As I grow in my Craft, I may circle back to a specific deity or deities, but for now, I really appreciate working with the universal energy & planets (and angels a bit here and there). Just wanted to say thank you for providing this approach, I always felt a little off working in other ways and this really resonates with me.
Blessed Be!