Astral Tips - Blog Posts
USING YOUR MENTAL SAFE SPACE AS AN ASTRAL STRONGHOLD
Safe space visualization is something I was taught in therapy, but why not use it for magical purposes? So I thought I’d talk a bit about my methods for safe space creation, what I use my safe space for (magically), etc.
What absolutely comforts you? Think of color combinations, indoor or outdoor? Maybe your safe space has a specific noise or smell. Maybe you have a designated god or goddess or ancestral spirit that knows the layout of it, or maybe it’s just for you. I highly recommend if you do invite a spirit in that you make sure it’s one you trust ENTIRELY. I let my great grandma who I love and admire in my safe space. Important thing is that she RESPECTS my magical beliefs, and practice in general, even if she doesn’t understand it entirely. Spirits that you aren’t super familiar with or have only met a few times are not recommended for being invited in.
Doing a meditation to explore your safe space is entirely up to you, but thats my preferred way of accessing and developing my safe space as a magical realm. For starters, don’t make your space too big, mine is just a small one because the bigger it is the harder to imagine consistently or protect in general. If you’re looking for a good safe space discovery meditation, the following link will lead you to a free one on a free app.
Revisit this space when you feel anxious, but also when you feel calm. Why? Well, put simply, if you only visit a space when you are in a bad headspace it will become associated psychologically with negative things for you. If you visit in all different types of moods, you cultivate a neutral understanding of the space, and it doesn’t gain a bad connotation.
IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, PARANOIA, OR PTSD:
I struggle with these things, so i got ya. If you start to envision creepy shit or startling unsettling things in your safe space accidentally popping in, then here’s what i do. I acknowledge that it’s my fears acting up. And i just go “lol thats not actually my safe space” and bring myself back to a centered state repeatedly until I find peace. It may happen again and again but I keep taking a deep breath and not giving too much thought to why or how these things pop up, I simply draw my attention back to center, and breathe. Eventually (for me) these things have disappeared and lost relevance over time. If this concept of a visualized safe space triggers you to an unhealthy point, please don’t push yourself to keep doing it though. And as always please seek professional help for these symptoms of trauma, OCD, OCPD, and Paranoia in general.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST FOR SUGGESTIONS: You probably shouldn’t share a moodboard or map of your safe space with others. Even friends. It’s for you and you only, like a secret sanctuary that only you and any additional spirits you trust can enter.
WHAT I USE MY SAFE SPACE FOR MAGICALLY:
🧡Magic Spells
💚Connecting With Beloved Spirits That I Truly Trust
🧡Sitting Quietly
💚Anti-Anxiety
🧡When I feel el mal de ojo (the evil eye) as a protective measure
💚To get in a good clear thinking headspace before doing tarot readings for clients
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Having a safe space that you can mentally go to is so helpful in my opinion, but definitely not necessary to the craft. I just wanted to share this concept with yall. Comment if you have any questions and I’ll try and answer to the best of my knowledge.
After some realizations last night, I’ve realized that some deities have been with me longer than I can remember. I need to start a better routine for meditation and astral projection. However the warmth and love I’m feeling with all three of their candles lit is indescribable.
What is the astral realm? Why would we go there?
Essentially, the astral realm is what we think of when we refer to the "dream world." When your spirit leaves your body, this is where it goes. Many cultures have different names for it, but essentially it is the "other" world which is ruled by mind and spirit rather than body and matter.
Existing in their incorporeal (non physical) state, many spirits and other life forms reside in the astral realm. This could be why you seek to astral travel. Many people have experiences with deities, guides, ancestors, etc in the astral realm. However, it is worth mentioning that just as in our physical realities, there are malicious beings alongside the benevolent ones. It is important to be protected. (I'll talk about that more in the "Tips and Tricks" part of this post.)
So... how do you astral travel?
It's a fairly easy concept if you're already familiar with being mindful of your energetic body. (Energetic body=spirit, soul, etc.) It is simply separating your energetic body from your physical body.
Start by focusing on your breath. Deep breaths in, gentle breaths out. It is important to stay relaxed- the less relaxed you are, the more difficult the entire process will be. You'll want to focus on your body for a moment- notice the way it feels, notice what sensations occur and where they occur, begin to become aware of your energetic body rising and falling with your breath. Focus your awareness to your energetic body. Notice sensations on the subtle energetic level, begin to feel the limits of your physical body. Move past them. Move past the barriers. I think of it as "stretching" my aura, almost. More commonly, this phenomena is described as "floating" or "lifting." This is the point many people may experience seeing themselves lying in their meditative state. Remember: at it's core, astral travel is just shifting your conscious awareness to sit in your energetic body rather than your physical body.
Tips and Helpful Tricks
Meditate regularly. Seriously. I know how boring this sounds. Your psychic senses are like a muscle that must be strengthened before you can comfortably do heavy lifting. Meditate every day if you can, for 10-15 minutes minimum. Just do it. Every day if you can. As much as you can. Commit to the routine. Mindfulness meditations specifically would help strengthen your astral travel tools. If you're unfamiliar with it, Google will do better at explaining it. YouTube also has lots of good guided meditations if you don't know where to start.
Play ambient music without words. Words will be a distraction, but music itself can help your focus. If binaural beats are your thing, use them. Any instrumental music would work, I like strings and piano personally. "Meditative Mind" on Spotify and YouTube has some really good ambient stuff.
Use crystals associated with psychic senses. For example, amethyst, labradorite, lapis lazuli, etc. Again, Google will be more help than me.
Visualize a golden thread going from the base of your energetic body's spine to the base of your physical body's spine. If you're prone to experiencing fear and anxiety in the astral, this is for you. One good tug on that thread and you're back in your physical body.
Cast a circle. This is more or less me reminding you to be a responsible witch. You don't know what energies could follow you back. You don't know what energies could mess with your physical body while you aren't in it. Truthfully, you probably wouldn't WANT to know. I am not trying to spread fear, I am just trying to be realistic and offer the most practice protection advice I can. Just cast your damn circle.