Getting to Know Energy

Energy Flow is one the very basics of magic. More or less being because magic is the very changing and shifting or energy. That's all it is. Energy Flow is to practice controlling the flow of internal energy. Internal energy is simply the energy generated within your own body, which it is always flowing, and it is possible to control that flow. Working on energy flow helps exponentially when working with energy in general. First off you have your chakras, chakras generate energy, this energy rotates through out your body, and in some places around your body (an example of this is aura). You must feel this flow before interfering with it, and once you do, you can consciously change its direction, magnitude, and attribute. This is the basics of energy manipulation.

Now, while spells are used as tools to direct energy, some people cut out the middle man and do it themselves. That is, instead of using spells, go to energy manipulation.

Energy manipulating is a common phrase used amongst this site's members, but few know enough about it to get very far. It is a practice that sometimes takes ages to become advanced to do anything some kids find ''worth while'' and the practice is immediately dropped.
You have to stick with it to get anywhere. Do not expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter.

Now then, energy flow, part of energy manipulation, is part of a segment in magic called Direct Magic (what Eclipse used to specialize in). Direct Magic contains energy manipulation, and a bit of divination. Divination is psychic development, how this ties into Direct Magic is something called psionics.

Psionics in itself is using divination, and elemental work. Psionics is what people often call the ''Kinesis'' of ''Kinetic Abilities''. This includes abilities like pyrokinesis (dealing with fire it's one of the most popular), hydrokinesis (dealing with water), geokinesis (earth), aerokinesis (air/wind), etc...
There are countless psionic abilities, countless-- as there are countless elements. You do have the 4 main elements (I do not consider Spirit an element), but you also have subsidiary elements, or what I like to call them ''sub-elements''. Sub-elements are the infinite combinations of primary, or main elements. But the sub-elements are for another day.

Alright, so you have a basic understanding of what's considered energy work, we'll be getting into flow soon.

I really love this post. While tools are more of a crutch then anything they do indeed help for those just starting to practice. But at some point they start to get in the way, or maybe that's just me. I like to use crystals and visualization as tools, but I'm starting to "ween off."
Excellent post, thanks =D

Tools can be used in spells and rituals with no problem, so they normally do not get in the way.
Now when it comes to working with direct magic, some of those tools do become a bit bothersome, but then you only have to change up your methods a tad and they should be fine for charging, and concentrating energy.

I do though, find tools as a crutch for some people, but in many cases its really the symbolic value that keeps people using them. It simply makes things a little more... special (for lack of a better word) and relevant than "blank" energy.

Also useful to know ;)