Channeling energy through one’s hands is a basic practice for witches, healers, and other energy workers alike. This practice is as natural to us as breathing and there is no right or wrong way to do it. It all comes down to whatever feels “right” or natural to you. That said, one thing I keep hearing is that the flow of energy during magical work is “in to” (received by) the nondominant hand (usually the left), and “out of” the dominant hand (usually the right)*. I have read this theory in numerous books. It is quite popular in witchy “how to” books. While this does sound practical, it isn’t going to be the case for everyone. Recently I watched a video regarding the meaning of itchy palms which basically stated that the right was your receiving hand and the left was the power hand. Again, this may be the case for some, but not all. My issue with either theory is two-fold.
My first issue, as I stated above, is that it is really about what feels right for the individual. Each person would have to discover for themselves what works for them; experimenting with how energy feels, how it flows within and through themselves. Many print and media sources give channeling instructions as if they are the way things are done. This is very misleading to new practitioners. My second issue is that, as any energy healer can tell you, energy flows through them and out through both hands. Energy healers also run hands over a body to find temperature or energetic discrepancies that may be locations healing energy needs to be focused on. That would imply that either or both hands can be used to receive and direct energy. While it is possible one hand may be more efficient at either task, both are capable. If you have learned an energy healing modality like Reiki or chakra healing you may be aware that there are many chakras (energy vortexes) in the body, including in the hands. Energy is said to move both into and out of the chakras, which supports this as well. I guess my issue over all with this kind of thing is how information is passed to new practitioners or curious people as though that is the way it is. I do not agree with that myself. It has been my experience that working with energy for any reason is a personal thing. While basic general knowledge can be passed to get one started, experience is really the best teacher. One should take everything they read or learn with a grain of salt and trust their instincts/intuition. What have you been taught? Do you generally favour channeling in one hand and out the other? Did you figure it out for yourself, or were you taught the way that works for you? *Note: These theories have nothing to do with energy vampirism, which is an entirely separate topic I may touch on another time. This is about channeling, not feeding.
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It is difficult to mention witchcraft without conjuring visions of bubbling cauldrons over an open flame, potions brewing, sisters chanting and cackling over the proceedings. I know, it sounds rather cliché, but here we are. The fact is, cauldrons are just one of many tools that can be used by witches to practice their craft. Like all tools, they are not a necessity, but they do come in handy, and their symbolism is rich.
Generally we think of cauldrons as being made of something like cast iron, however, they can be made from things like brass, aluminum, or copper as well (to name a few). One doesn’t have to own a specially made cauldron to do the work either. As long as the vessel is heat resistant and won’t leach unwanted chemicals into your brew (like a stock pot or something similar), it’s all good. Symbolically, the cauldron is generally accepted to represent the feminine aspect; receptive. It can symbolize the womb, the power of creation or transformation, and used to channel or amplify power. In some cultures it also represents the underworld. They can be used ritually to brew potions, combine spell ingredients, burn spell components, manifest, scry, or whatever else you can think of. They are typically thought to correspond to the element of earth as they are a working tool, but could also be considered to correspond to water (when replacing the chalice). The cauldron appears in stories, myths and legends such as Shakespeare’s MacBeth with the three witches, Cerridwen’s cauldron that grants knowledge and inspiration, the Norse gods were said to feast from a cauldron called Eldhrímnir, and The Cauldron of the Dagda, also known as the coire ansic ("the un-dry cauldron") , from Irish Mythology, was said to represent generosity and “plenty”, sort of like a cornucopia. Cauldrons are mentioned in many books about practicing witchcraft, Llewellyn even released an entire book all about them as part of a series on magical tools. It is called The Witch’s Cauldron. The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Ritual Vessels by Laura Tempest Zakroff. This book is quite informative if you want to learn more about the use and history of cauldrons than most craft guides provide. That goes for any of the books in this series. Knowing the history of the tools you use, while not strictly necessary, is never a bad thing. The use of cauldrons as both cooking vessels and ritual tools was wide spread among many cultures. Like today, many every day household items can and did double as ritually used items. While it is nice to be able to separate your tools, that is not always practical, or financially possible. Do you use tools like the cauldron in your practice? Have you read the stories about them? Do they conjure good or scary images for you? Do you like to learn the history of the tools you practice with? |
AuthorNot just a writer, I am also an eclectic solitary practitioner, Reiki Master, and Shadow Worker. Archives
February 2025
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