There is an occult philosophy that says when we experience anger at what someone does or says, it is because we are within the vibratory range of that event—that for some reason our body, mind, and spirit allows itself to be swept up in the moment because we haven’t learned something important. If an event does not affect us, then we are either above or below it, and therefore the energy does not vibrate with our own. I can think of two examples that might help you to understand this philosophy. First, let’s take one of those chat rooms, newsgroups, or list serves on the Internet. You may read several posts and think, “This doesn’t relate to me or my life,” and switch to one that does interest you. Someone else may read the same posts and get really angry, which moves them to write something nasty. In this example, your energy pattern at this time was either vibrating above or below the information on the list, which resulted in no interest. The other person, however, due to events or situations in his or her life, immediately keyed into the negative energy of the list, and succumbed to it.
Let’s look at the second example. Here, the drama unfolds at school. Horace is smaller than you, has a rotten home life (which you don’t know about), and suffers from taunts from other kids. By the time Horace reaches middle school, his behavior toward others is intolerable (his way of trying to displace his unhappiness). Up to this point, Horace has never been in your class and you don’t know that much about him. In fact, his face just blends in with all the others. By the time you encounter Horace (either middle school or high school), he has become monstrous. You, on the other hand, have been fairly popular. Not liked by everyone, but you have your friends, the things you like to do, and the places you like to go. This year, Horace is placed in one or two of your classes and, for the first time, rides home on your bus. For the first month or two, Horace observes you, your popularity, the clothes you wear, etc., and for whatever reason, perceives you as a threat. He then begins a personal campaign to bring you down. Since he has no friends to manipulate, he uses the teaching staff. He’s been doing this for several years, so he’s gotten fairly good at it. One moment you are having fun with your friends and the next moment Horace has brought the Hounds of Teaching Hel down on your head. You are furiously blinking your eyes, trying to figure out what the heck happened. You now have an enemy where you had none before. What gives?
In this example, you haven’t done anything to set Horace off. Why, then, should you be forced to deal with him? Here, it is simple growth and learning. If you react negatively the first time Horace hones in on you (falling into his negative energy pattern), then it will take awhile for you to move out of that pattern—meaning if you allow yourself to go as low as Horace, then you will feel the same anger, unhappiness, and displacement that Horace does. Horace may even have targeted you because he picked up on something in your life that you are angry about, which puts you both in the same energy vibration. So, what can you do?
Although we are using the young Horace as an example, the Horace-all-grown-up can be just as much (if not more) of a nightmare. Let’s say Horace found himself a job in a collection agency, one that has the ability to affect your credit. He sits behind bullet-proof glass all day and threatens people over the phone. He delights in damaging the credit history of strangers. You don’t know Horace from a hole in the wall, but there is a snafu with your truck payment because one bank has bought out another and your loan seems to be floating around somewhere out there on its own. What you think will be easy to fix becomes a nightmare, thanks to Horace. Not only does he call you daily, he swears and infers that your character is less than delightful.
In either case, preventative magick isn’t going to do you any good at this stage. It’s time to do something in your defense.
Ritual of the Red Pot
First, regardless of Horace, think about what, in your life, you are angry about. Write that down. Why are you angry about it? Write down your reasoning. What steps can you take to work through your personal problem? Some affirmations? Meditating? Working with your guardian angel? What can you fix in the regular world without magick? What magick can you use to help you grow away from the situation? Form a plan of action. To break the negativity in your life, add this spell to your workings.
The breaking of the red pot is of Egyptian origin and was used to remove negativity from the home, sacred area, and even the tombs of the dead. In keeping with the Egyptian flavor of the ritual you may wish to call upon Isis, the Mother of Magick, or another Egyptian deity of your choice.
Supplies: Red clay; pencil or clay stylus (a tool used to inscribe symbols and pictures into the clay); a large black cloth; one large metal bucket.
Instructions: Fashion a clay pot with your hands. Don’t worry about it being a piece of art, because you are going to destroy it. Carefully draw on the pot all the things that you want to get rid of in your life. For example, your anger, feelings of insecurity, and so on. Allow the pot to dry completely. Hold the pot in your hands and with your mind, fill it up with all the things that make you angry and unhappy. Cover the pot with the black cloth until you are ready to perform the spell.
On a dark moon night (if you can; the problem could be more immediate, so you might have to act right away) or on a Saturday, take the pot and the bucket outside (again, if you can). Cast a magick circle. Call divinity. State exactly what you want to do, like: “I want to rid my life of feelings of unhappiness,” and say what is making you sad or angry. Ask for strength and blessings. Release the circle by taking the energy into yourself (rather than just letting the circle go). Stand in the middle of where the circle was. Place the bucket at your feet. Take a firm grip on the pot with both hands. Slowly raise the pot above your head, feeling the power of divinity within yourself. At the peak, say loudly:
I release myself from all negativity.
By the power of the mighty Isis,
Mother of Magick, I break all negative
connections to me. As I will, so mote it be!
Then dash the pot into the bucket, visualizing all negativity breaking from you and dispersing where it can do no harm. Take the pottery pieces away from your home and dump them (if you can)—if not, place in an outside trash receptacle.
Ritual of the Guardians11
How do we know whose anger belongs to whom? The realization that the anger you are dealing with may not all be your own is the first step. If the thought, “Gee, this can’t possibly be all of my own anger” makes you feel lots better, then there’s your first proof. If you’ve done the Ritual of the Guardians, and you don’t have any anger left within you afterward, just the cool, calm thinking process, then that’s the final indication of just how much power displaced anger can have. Scary, huh?
Supplies: A gold cord, 9 feet long; one white seven-day candle.
Instructions: Perform at daybreak. Make a large circle on the ground or back porch or where you will not be disturbed, but where you can face the sun with the golden cord. If you can’t go outside, sit in the center of your bed, arranging the cord in a circle around you, or face a window that beholds the rising sun.
Hold the white candle in your hands and concentrate on being solution-oriented. The ritual is a bit like a play where you are acting out all the parts. Each speaker will come to your circle. You are to imagine him or her with the definitions given. Then read the speech, thinking that they are talking to you. This works best if you read aloud. Before you read the ritual, think about the problem at hand and (if you have decided) what kind of help that you think you need. It’s okay if you are confused and have no idea what kind of help is best.
speaker one is the goddess. She is dressed in white and is crowned with glittering, silver stars. As she begins speaking to you, she will place her hand on your head. Behind her is the night sky.
Seeker of Light, I have heard your call in the darkness, and as the sun meets the new day
I come to you. I am the Mistress of the Heavens and the Queen of the Stars. I am the Mother who created all things from the void. I am the beginning and the end of all manifestation.
I have come to protect you. I will guard you against hunger, pain, sickness, and enemies.
You have the power to master all difficulties.
I ride on the winds of the North. I only ask
that you will try to be truthful in all things.
speaker two is the god. He is dressed in gold, with a crown of stag antlers upon his great head. Daybreak is behind him. He, too, will place his hand upon your head during the reading. He will stand close to the Goddess, who does not leave. She remains as he speaks.
Seeker of Light, I have heard your call. I am the Lord of the Sun and the King of the Earth. I am the strength and power of the universe. I am the divine partner of your Spiritual Mother. I have come to protect you. Just as I am the master of the force of the sun, you must be master of your own fate. You have the ability to change your life in positive ways. I bring the wit and the wisdom of the east winds. May they bear you up and speed you over your unhappiness. I have only one request, that you do your best to speak the truth in all things.
speaker three is your guardian angel. Only you can visualize this form. He or she will stand close to the Lord and Lady.
Seeker of Light, friend, and companion, I have heard your cry, as have others in your heavenly circle of learning, those who you have left behind here in the Summerland, and those who have passed from your world to ours. They, as I, are always ready to assist you. I have walked with you into birth and have trodden your path, matching you step for step. Know that you are never alone. You have the power to change your life. I bring you protection and solutions to your problem. I have come on the winds of the South, and I hand you the flaming torch of knowledge and protection—take it and rejoice! I have only one request, that you do your best to speak the truth in all things.
speaker four is yourself, and you are addressing the other three.
I am the Seeker of Light, and master/mistress of my universe. I am a Witch in thought, word, and deed. I am a part of the Hidden Children. I have the power to change and improve my life. I can orchestrate my own destiny. My life will be filled with beauty, love, and joy. I, above any, have the ability to direct the ship of my life to wherever I want to go, and to become whomever I wish to be. I welcome your protection and your gifts. Please help me to use them wisely. I will do my best to speak the truth in all things. So mote it be.
Meditate on the rising sun and enjoy the feeling of warmth that surrounds you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and touch the divine. Spirit doesn’t bite. When you are through, take three deep, cleansing breaths and leave the circle area, drawing the energy of the circle into yourself. Ground and center. Allow the candle to burn completely. Be sure to take fire-safe precautions.
You know you’ve hit the mark with this ritual if, in your mind, the voices of the speakers begin to take on a slight echo quality, as if they are speaking the same words you are reading. It’s a rich, pleasantly vibrating experience.