Wicca Meditation Techniques
The word "meditation" comes from the Latin "meditatio," which means to think deeply or contemplate. Meditation has been used in religious practices for more than 5,000 years. While Wicca is only about 60 years old, it incorporates much older metaphysical and occult practices. Meditation is a firm foundation upon which Wiccan spiritual practices and rituals are built. Mastering meditation is vital to spiritual growth as a Wiccan.
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History
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Gerald B. Gardner found Wicca in the mid-20th century after claiming to have been initiated into a coven of Witches. Gardner admits that his information on Witchcraft was fragmentary and that he had to reconstruct it by incorporating other materials. Before founding Wicca, he was an acquaintance of Aleister Crowley, involved with Freemasonry and the Rosicrucian Order. These involvements, as well as more than 30 years spent living in Asia, heavily influenced and inspired Gardner as he formulated Wiccan rituals.
Significance
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Autonomous Wiccan groups and covens pass down or create a "Book of Shadows" for their own group. In the original Gardenarian "Book of Shadows," Gardner lists "meditation or concentration" as the first of the "Eightfold Path" or "Ways" for practicing Wicca. The second is "trance states," which is a much deeper form of meditation. Thus, meditation was meant to be a fundamental practice within Wicca.
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Types
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Creative visualization is a meditation technique essential to Wiccan ritual. This type of meditation promotes a state of relaxed awareness. Trance meditation skills, according to Gardner, were necessary for the Wiccan to practice psychic skills such as clairvoyance or astral projection.
Function
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Learning to alter one's state of consciousness is vital to Wiccan practices. Wiccans primarily practice ritual and magic in the alpha state, where brain waves are lowered to nine to 14 cycles per second. In this state, one can break through psychological blocks and concentrate better. The theta state, in which brain waves are slowed further to five to eight cycles per second, is used for psychic workings. In this state, the doorway to the subconscious mind is open so that thoughts, impressions, feelings and ideas flow freely without filters, judgment or distraction.
Benefits
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Wiccans who regularly practice meditation and grow adept at it will find that the powers of their mind are increased. They become better at focusing and concentrating in ritual, are better able to achieve their goals in spell work and improve their intuitive abilities overall. In addition, meditation will help a Wiccan to more deeply ponder and internalize matters regarding their faith, bringing them further on their spiritual journey.
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Resources
- Photo Credit vranarc at sxc.hu
