Astral Projection Sacred Space Preparation Ritual
Timing
I prefer the late morning as I am awake but not too groggy or sleepy for astrally projecting.
Through my research, I have found that the moon phase desired to astral project in can vary by caster.
Preparing for Astral Projection/Creating a Sacred Space
When I am choosing an area to prepare for astral projection, I keep these things in mind.
I like using a space that I am comfortable in and that has minimal noise. Also, because I will be burning herbs in this ritual, I will make sure the area and people (if any other than myself) can handle the smoke. I like to put on music, I prefer chants, but meditation music or nature sounds work for me as well.
Cleansing My Space
I like to cleanse my working space before to prepare the space and after as I may or may not want to carry over the energies created here into my next workings
-Sage for cleansing (before and after)
I will burn the sage and direct the smoke with a feather or my hand over and around myself, then direct it around the room, making sure to get the corners. I like to envision the smoke clearing any undesired energy from myself and my space leaving a balanced and clean workspace.
I will make sure to have something I can put the sage out in and a bowl of water in case I need to douse it, but normally the cauldron is enough.
Placing out Stones/Crystals
For this specific ritual I am placing the following stones around myself for this specific ritual:
Stones/Crystals put out :
-Amethyst: facilitates out-of-body experiences and brings intuitive dreams
-Clear Quartz: Resonates with the soul star chakra, and within the higher transpersonal chakras.
-Rose Quartz: clears out anger, jealousy, and holds healing energy
-Sandstone To keep you from getting distracted, especially during meditation, sacral chakra
-Obsidian Raven: is used to cut attachment cords to release one, protection
-Tiger's Eye with wolf print: aids harmony and balance, and helps you to release fear and anxiety
The Many Directions
Once I have cleansed myself and my area and laid out my stones/crystals, I like to start by calling on the many direction. I personally like to call on the four main directions (North, South, East and West), along with the directions of above, below and center.
For this particular ritual, I am designating specific types of animal spirits to each direction, as they help me connect to each direction. I have chosen specific animal spirit types that are a personal correspondence to each direction for this specific ritual to me. The medicine I am associating with each is written at the end of this ritual.
Along with animal spirits, there are elements designated to each direction I will call upon as well.
North (Earth)
-Fox Symbolism
-the Element Earth and the Power of Body
East (Air)
- Crow Medicine
-the Element Air and the Power of Mind
South (Fire)
-Snake skin
-the Element Fire and the Power of Action
West (Water)
-Turtle Medicine
-the Element Water and the Power of Emotions
Above (Sky and Cosmos)
-Raven wisdom
-the realm of cosmic consciousness
Below (Planetary and Sacred Space)
-Wolf Medicine
-Planet spirit or Mother Earth
Center (Spirit and Divine Soul)
-Black Phoebe
-the synthesis of the Elements and the directions creating the soul
Herbs In the Cauldron
I will burn a small amount of each of these herbs together in my cauldron, noting the purpose of each as I add and light them. Saying the mantra below once for each herb added:
Mantra
This particular mantra is from a book I first read as a teenager and have reread it several times since. It has personal meaning for me. I have been saying this mantra from it for a long time as it always calms my nerves:
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
-from Frank Herbert's "Dune"
Herbs to be Burned
Clove
-protection
Eysbright
-to increase psychic ability, improve memory
Horehound
-helps with mental clarity during ritual
Mugwort
-said to enhance astral projection, lucid dreaming and other altered states of consciousness
St John's Wort
-Protection, Strength, Love, Divination
Violets
-draws prophetic dreams and visions, stimulates creativity, and promotes peace & tranquility
Now onto the Astral Projection
The techniques I will be using to try to achieve actual astral projection are linked to at the bottom of the article.
More Information on the Animal Spirits called on:
These particular attributes are only some of each animal spirit's medicine, these are just the abilities I am focusing on for this specific ritual.
Fox
Physical or mental responsiveness, increased awareness Cunning, ability to know your way
Turtle
Ability to stay grounded, even in moments of disturbances and chaos, Slowing down,pacing yourself, Determination, persistence, and ancient wisdom
Crow
Higher perspective, Life magic, mystery of creation
Black Phoebe
illuminates underlying hidden knowledge and wisdom, aids in heightening the powers of observation in the stillness within
Snake (skin)
Healing, transformation, life force energy Wolf Sharp intelligence, deep connection with instincts
Raven
Introspection, courage, keeper of secrets
Link to some astral projecting techniques I used after the preparing of the sacred space:
http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-Astral-Projection