Transcript
Speaker: Do you feel drawn to learn more about witchcraft and the occult but feel lost on where to start? Then welcome to Get In Loser We're Doing Witchcraft, a podcast all about what it means to be a witch and where to get started on your journey.
Speaker: Join us as we navigate through various witchy topics and share what we've learned about the craft. So get in witches for a listener requested episode on energy magic.
Speaker: Mike took me, so we went yesterday. Mike and I went down to like downtown Tacoma because he'd never explored around there before. And it just so happened they were having like a pride festival and we weren't expecting that at all. And so it was a lot of fun. We were like, yeah okay, because I never actually got to go to any of like the St. Louis pride festivals. I can't remember why, like we were always busy or something or like, yeah.
Speaker: I don't know Is that coming through? it is. I don't know what to do. It's so loud. yeah I don't know. Well, ah disclaimer, guys.
Speaker: It's probably going to be rattly in the background. Yeah, it's really windy today. And our stupid Rolodans are just making so much noise. They definitely have opinions on this.
Speaker: They do. They um And since they're in the window glass, it's not like you can stop it. i know. I'm like, gosh. It's either the chickens or something around here. so right i feel like you guys are used to it by now.
Speaker: Yeah. Chickens, dogs, raladins, you know, there's always something. Yeah. Yeah. So how was your Pride Fest though? It was fun. it was Everyone was so nice too. And like just walking around, um people would just stop and be like, oh my God, I love your tattoos. And I've never had anyone just approach me about my tattoos before. And I'm just like, i don't know how to act.
Speaker: I don't know what to do. yeah, no, it was fun. it was cute. Good. It was a good time. We never got to go to the ones in St. Louis either. And i like I feel like we were just either always gone or like Anthony was gone and I wasn't going to go by myself. So yeah, we never went.
Speaker: We'll have to make – I told Mike, I said next year, if the girls are here for this, I want to take them to it just because it seemed so – it was just so sweet and inclusive and – I don't know. I felt so comfortable, you know, like. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah. So it was a good time. And then we had tacos and it was and really good margaritas. So it was really good. Look, good tacos and good margaritas can make the day better no matter what. It really did makes it better. Great day makes it even better.
Speaker: Yes. And they had this, the place we went to for tacos, they had this special taco for the month or whatever. And it was a Thai beef salad taco. Ooh. It was so good. was so good. That sounds delightful. I never would have thought like Thai beef salad and a taco would be good, but yeah it's amazing.
Speaker: Sounds good. yeah But we're not talking about Pride festivals, tacos, or noisy window situations. No, we're not.
Speaker: What are we talking about today? We're talking about energy magic. Yeah, and this was a listener request from – was this on um Spotify? Yeah.
Speaker: I'm not sure. I'm assuming with the name. We don't remember where you requested, but Yeah, but their name is Nick at Night 19. Which is a ah really cool screen name. I'm just going to say I love it.
Speaker: So I'll get us started with kind of an introduction into this. And this is going to be very basic because we're going to go in depth throughout the episode. A quick Google search will tell you that energy is the vital unseen force that permeates all living things and the universe. It's considered the raw material of magic, and in practice, it can be sensed, channeled, raised, and directed.
Speaker: When done with focused intention, energy can influence reality and enact change. Google will also tell you how energy is understood in witchcraft, and we're going to talk about this throughout the episode, but just as a quick introduction, you have internal energy, which is your personal power.
Speaker: External energy, which is universal and or earth power. So think things like herbs, crystals, elements, etc. Intention and will are the guiding mechanism and energy manipulation through practices like grounding, shielding, meditation, etc According to Cassette of Divine Hours, in magical practice, energy is one of our most fundamental tools. It flows through everything we do, whether casting a spell, invoking a deity, or simply sitting in meditation.
Speaker: a common belief in practice is that magic is the movement and transformation of energy. So rather than creating something from nothing, practitioners work by raising, directing, and reshaping energy toward a specific intention.
Speaker: Many also believe that energy has a cost where every magical act creates ripples in the energetic web that connects all things. And this is why intention and ethics matter. So before beginning a working, it's worth asking yourself, where is this energy coming from? Or what am I contributing or exchanging in the process? And what's really important to understand when researching this topic is that there's no one size fits all definition. The definition for energy will change depending on the context, the practitioner, the specific practice it's being used for, and so much more.
Speaker: So while that's not always what we want to hear when we're trying to learn about a new topic, I think that it's really important to understand how almost limitless that makes your practice.
Speaker: So we always tell you that there's no one singular way to practice witchcraft. And to rely on what your instincts tell you or rely on those correspondences that you're drawn to. And I think that this is going to be the same for energy work as well.
Speaker: Obviously, do your research, cross-reference materials, and use this episode as a starting point. But also let your instincts guide you when it comes to energy work as well.
Speaker: Yeah, i I love that introduction. Thank you. I it.
Speaker: So we look at magical traditions. Every different tradition culturally describes energy differently. Qi from the Chinese traditions means the vital life force believed to flow through all living things and the natural world.
Speaker: Prana from Hindu and yoga traditions is a life-giving energy carried through the breath that sustains the body and the spirit. Life force is which is common in many Western traditions, is the innate energy present in all living beings and can be directed through intention.
Speaker: Mana from Polynesian and Pacific Island cultures is a spiritual power or authority that can live within people, places, objects, and ancestors. Spirit, which is found in animistic and in many indigenous traditions, is the belief that energy is the presence and power of spirits that inhabit people, animals, plants, and the land itself. And universal energy, which is common in modern witchcraft, is the belief that unseen force connects everything in the universe and can be drawn upon during magical workings.
Speaker: And while these traditions use different names and understand energy differently, they all share the idea that there is an unseen force that connects us to the world around us and to other people, places, plants, etc. And so with this episode, we're going to explore common concepts instead of just one magical belief when it comes to energy.
Speaker: So looking at magical energy specifically, many practitioners describe magical energy as intention that is put into motion. While intention is the goal, magical energy gives that intention movement and direction.
Speaker: In different magical traditions share the belief that magic involves some sort of energy exchange, whether that means drawing energy from yourself, nature, the elements, spirits, or the universe. The idea here is that something is being directed towards that intention.
Speaker: And there's a difference between physical energy and metaphysical energy. Physical energy is measurable and studied by science, like heat, electricity, and motion. And when we talk about energy in the magical sense, we are generally referring to a spiritual or symbolic concept that isn't necessarily scientifically measured.
Speaker: So as I mentioned earlier, universal energy is the belief that energy is an unseen life force that flows through everything from the earth, the stars, nature, people, animals, and also the space around us.
Speaker: Rather than drawing solely from your own personal energy, practitioners believe that they're tapping into a larger interconnected current that exists around them. Many witches start here with universal energy because it's considered a foundational practice in magic, and it's considered abundant and always accessible.
Speaker: Many practitioners believe that they can connect to universal energy through meditation, breathwork, visualization, grounding in nature, raising energy during ritual through things like chanting, drumming, dancing, etc., and even quieting the mind to become more aware of the energy around them.
Speaker: As far as pros go, universal energy is available virtually anywhere. It doesn't rely on personal reserves of energy, and it's commonly used for everyday spell work, meditation, visualization, and manifestation work.
Speaker: And it's very approachable. It requires a very baseline understanding and no advanced spirit work is required. As far as limitations go, universal energy is often described as gentle rather than intensely powerful. And so because of that, some practitioners believe that more complex workings that require more focus, longer rituals, et cetera, should use universal energy along with other sources like elemental energy or even personal energy. And as far as some beginner-friendly exercises,
Speaker: Probably the most common beginner exercise with universal energy work, and I believe we talked about this back in season one, is the energy ball method. And essentially what you want to do is rub your hands together for a few seconds and then slowly separate them by a few inches, noticing things like tingling, warmth, pressure, a magnetic feeling, etc. Once you've got that, then you take your hands and move them closer together and farther apart.
Speaker: while imagining a ball of light or energy between your palms. And then additionally, light visualization. For this, you'll close your eyes and imagine a bright light surrounding yourself. And once you have visualized that, imagine breathing that light in and letting it flow through your body and imagine that light filling the space around you.
Speaker: Now looking at a different type of energy, this time I'm going to look at elemental energy. This is the practice of connecting with the natural energies traditionally associated with the classic elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and sometimes spirit. Many practitioners believe that these elements carry their own qualities and can be called upon to support different types of magical workings.
Speaker: Earth is often associated with stability, grounding, prosperity, growth, and protection, and is often represented by stones, soil, trees, plants, and crystals. Examples uses of earth energy in magical workings are things like money spells, home protection, and building long-term goals.
Speaker: Air is associated with communication, knowledge, inspiration, mental clarity, and new ideas, and it's often represented by wind, feathers, smoke, and incense. Example uses in magical workings center around decision-making, studying, and even writing and public speaking.
Speaker: Fire is associated with passion, courage, transformation, motivation, and strength, and is often represented with candles, bonfires, and sunlight. Example uses magical workings are things for breaking bad habits, confidence workings, manifestation, and motivation.
Speaker: Water is associated with emotions, healing, intuition, dreams, and love. It is often represented by rivers, rain, oceans, and even bowls of water.
Speaker: Example uses of magical workings are things like emotional healing, dream work, self-love, and intuition. And in some traditions, a fifth element is recognized called spirit or ether, which represents connection, unity, and the divine. Not every practitioner uses spirit as an element though, so primarily i'm just going to be sticking with the traditional for today.
Speaker: Many practitioners use elemental magic because nature is accessible to almost everyone. Additionally, each element brings with it a different energetic quality and you can choose the element that matches your goal.
Speaker: Elemental magic also encourages practitioners to observe nature and build relationships with it over time rather than just simply using the elements as tools. As far as beginner-friendly exercises, some things that you could do is to notice the elements around you. Spend time enjoying the world and noticing things like the breeze, the sunlight, the ground beneath your feet, and potentially, if you're near water, the sound of the water nearby, whether that be rain, a stream, the ocean, a pond, etc.
Speaker: Another exercise is to pick an element of the day and spend a few minutes interacting with that element. So tend to a plant, sit by an open window and notice the wind, light a candle while reflecting on a goal, sip tea or watch rain while you are tuning into your emotions or even take a bath. Any of those would work.
Speaker: You don't have to live near a forest or the ocean or something to practice elemental magic. A potted plant, a small candle, fresh air, a bowl of water are all that's really needed to connect with the elements. So it's very approachable for anybody.
Speaker: Next is going to be personal or life force energy. And so personal or life force energy is the energy that's uniquely yours, shaped by your physical health, your emotions, the mindset, experiences, and where you direct your attention. Because it's so personal, many traditions consider it one of the most meaningful sources of magical energy.
Speaker: Intention gives your energy direction, focus keeps it on track, and emotional investment often adds power to the working. Many practitioners describe personal energy as feeling especially connected to spells involving healing, protection, self-growth, blessings, and creating objects that carry a personal connection like talismans or charms.
Speaker: Some traditions also describe personal energy as being able to symbolically imprint memories, emotions, or intention into magical workings. This is where you'll often hear people say that your own life force is one of the most sacred energies that you can work with. And because it's so personal, the belief is that it can create very focused, deeply meaningful magic.
Speaker: That said, there's also many modern magical traditions that caution against relying on your own energy for every working. not because it's forbidden or inherently dangerous, but because it can leave you feeling mentally, emotionally, or even physically drained afterwards, especially after longer rituals or emotionally intense spell work.
Speaker: It's worth separating kind of that dramatic internet claim from from practical experiences though. And most experienced practitioners aren't saying one spell is going to permanently damage you. The more common advice is simply that constantly drawing from yourself without replenishing can leave you feeling exhausted, emotionally flat, or like you need time to recover.
Speaker: After using a lot of personal energy, grounding is a really common recommendation. Think of it as helping your body and your mind return to equilibrium rather than staying in that heightened ritual state.
Speaker: Recovery can also mean something so simple like eating something nourishing, drinking water, Rusting if you need to, spending time outside, stretching, and even just taking a shower or soaking in a bath. These simple acts can help you feel more balanced after magical work.
Speaker: If you constantly feel wiped out after every spell, it might be a sign to adjust your technique rather than push harder. Building magical skill isn't about seeing how much of yourself you can pour into the working, but It's about learning to work efficiently and sustainably.
Speaker: Some traditions take the idea of life force much further, describing it as capable of fueling both creation and destruction. And in those systems, practitioners are often warned that repeatedly sacrificing too much of your own life force comes with serious spiritual consequences.
Speaker: These stories include ideas like weakening your spirit, becoming dependent on outside energy, or eventually seeking energy from others. Those concepts belong to specific magical worldviews and traditions rather than being established facts, but they do illustrate just how highly many traditions value and protect personal energy.
Speaker: And a good takeaway is that your own energy is incredibly valuable, but it doesn't have to do all the work. So learning when to use your personal energy, when to supplement it with other sources, and how to recover afterwards creates a practice that's much more sustainable over the long term.
Speaker: And then we have spiritual energy. So spiritual energy comes from building relationships with beings beyond yourself. So this could include ancestors, deities, spirit guides, land spirits, or really just any other spirit. And many practitioners work with these connections for guidance, wisdom, protection, inspiration, or support in their magical practice.
Speaker: Most modern traditions emphasize relationship over control. So instead of trying to command or force spirits to act, practitioners typically focus on mutual respect, making appropriate offerings, expressing gratitude, and allowing trust to develop over time.
Speaker: Working with spiritual energy also requires discernment. So not every spirit is who or what it appears to be. And appearances alone aren't considered a reliable way to judge a spirit's intentions. So that's why many practitioners stress getting to know the spirits that they work with rather than making assumptions based on others' beliefs, on labels, or even on imagery.
Speaker: Healthy boundaries are just as important in spirit work as they are in everyday life. So you don't have to accept every presence or invitation to interact, and it's okay to say no in a session or choose not to work with a particular spirit if something feels off.
Speaker: Many traditions recommend basic spiritual protection before and after spirit work, such as casting a circle, setting wards, cleansing your space, or simply stating clear intentions about who is welcome.
Speaker: The idea isn't that spirits are inherently dangerous, but that intentional boundaries create a safer and more focused practice. There's also a saying that when you open a door to the spirit world, it opens both ways. So rather than this being something to fear, it's a good reminder to approach spirit work thoughtfully and with respect, discernment, and the same care that you'd bring to any important relationship So now looking at some practical energy workings that you can include in your daily practice to learn more about. energy magic or to practice it more. So the first and most basic being grounding. We have an entire episode about grounding and the science behind grounding back in season one. So if you haven't listened to that episode, please do.
Speaker: But to sum up grounding very quickly, it's a mental technique to help you connect to the present moment and it aids in relaxation and balancing your emotions. One of the most common ways that we ground, especially in wanting to connect with the energy around us and a lot of people who are mediums or psychic mediums practice this as well, is the tree root visualization. And this uses grounding visualization, which essentially is using mental imagery to create a sense of stability and connection to the earth. The tree root visualization is essentially you just imagine yourself as a tree.
Speaker: So to do this, you're going to sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground, breathe deeply through your belly, not through your chest. And if you want to, you can place your hands on your belly to feel the difference in your breath. And then you would imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth and visualize the roots extending within the soil.
Speaker: You would feel the earth's energy rising through your roots and picture your spine as strong as a tree trunk. Next, you would visualize extending branches coming from you upward towards the sky. Another grounding technique is just touching the earth. This can be as simple as standing barefoot, barefoot outside, touching a tree, stones, etc.
Speaker: And then lastly, another grounding technique that you could do is very simple and it's grounding through breath. You can use your breath to help center and ground you in the present moment by taking a few small intentional breaths while imagining yourself becoming steady and connected.
Speaker: The next one is centering. so centering is the practice of bringing your awareness back to yourself. If grounding connects you to the world around you, centering helps you reconnect with your own mind, body, and energy before you begin magical work.
Speaker: The goal is to calm scattered thoughts, settle your emotions, and create a place of focus so that your intention is clear. Many practitioners find that even a minute or two of centering can make their magical work feel more intentional and less reactive.
Speaker: Centering is often practiced alongside grounding and shielding. These three skills work together to help you feel balanced, focused, and protected before, during, and after magical practice. And as Sam already mentioned, we covered grounding along with centering and shielding in much more detail back in episode 18. So if you want a deeper dive into techniques and why these foundational practices matter, make sure you go back and listen to that one.
Speaker: Yes. And once you're done with grounding and centering, the next step in this process is raising your energy. And many practitioners choose to raise energy before directing it toward a specific spell or intention. And there are many different traditions and methods to raising energy, but common techniques include things like chanting, drumming, singing, breathwork, dancing. Any of these repeated repetitive actions can help build focus and create a sense of momentum that can be directed into magical workings.
Speaker: So then next is directing energy, as Sam said. Once you've raised energy, the next step is to direct it toward your intention. So think of it like focusing a beam of light where the energy is there, but it needs a destination and a purpose. So different magical tools can help focus and channel that intention. Things like candles can represent transformation or carry a spell through the act of burning.
Speaker: Sigils act as a symbolic container for intentions. Crystals are often used as a focal point or energetic anchors, while poppets can serve as symbolic representations of a person or a goal.
Speaker: Many practitioners also direct energy through their own bodies. Your hands can be used to visualize energy flowing where it's needed, while tools like wands and athames are often seen as extensions of your will, helping you point, shape, or direct energy during a ritual. At the end of the day, the tool itself isn't what creates the magic. It's your intention and how you work with it. These tools simply give your mind and energy something tangible to focus through, making it easier to direct your magical working with clarity and purpose.
Speaker: And then last, we have releasing energy. After raising and directing energy, many practitioners finish a working by consciously releasing it. The idea is to send that intention outward rather than continuing to hold on to it or obsess over the outcome. So releasing energy can happen in many ways.
Speaker: Some visualize the energy flowing into the universe, the earth, or towards the goal itself. Others release it through the flame of a candle, by burning a sigil, with a breath, a gesture, or simply by declaring the work complete.
Speaker: You'll often hear practitioners talk about letting it go after a spell, and this doesn't mean forgetting about your intention. It means avoiding the urge to constantly check on it, second guess it, or repeatedly pour energy into the same working out of anxiety.
Speaker: In many traditions, trust is considered part of the process. Once the energy has been released, it's common to ground, center yourself, and then return to everyday life. Closing the ritual in a deliberate way helps mark the transition from magical work back to your normal routine and reinforce that the working has been completed.
Speaker: That's a wrap on this episode of Get In Loser, We're Doing Witchcraft. We hope you had as much fun as we did. If you loved this episode, we'd be eternally grateful if you left us a five-star review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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Speaker: Just check the show notes for the link or search Get In Loser, Weirdo, and Witchcraft on Supercast and Patreon. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at GetInWitches or email us at We'reDoingWitchcraft at gmail.com.
Speaker: Join us next week as we get a bit spooky and learn about some cultural cryptids. Until then, stay magical, stay curious, and as always, blessed be witches.
