Well, for one, you will never have a dragon. Let's be real here. There is a practice called dragon magic, but it is a spiritual practice, not of real dragons.
Star.Child is correct that Dragons are not of this world. If they were, they would be quite the news headline. Alas, if dragons were alive and physical like us there would still be dinosaurs.
As for connecting with dragons, Olivia, do you realize that dragons in mythology are highly dangerous? For the Hebrews, the Seraphim were fiery serpents that somehow modernized into bird men. In the Norse myths, there is a dragon (wyrm) constantly chewing at the bottom of the tree of life attempting to destroy it! That's not cuddly, Olivia. Back in the 1600's, maybe earlier, "Satan" and other "Devils" of Christianity was referred to as "dragons". And if we go way way back, we have Tiamet, the soul devouring mama dragon diety of the universe that helped create Earth accidentally. Serpent beings/spirits is pretty much as old as dirt. You have the Nagas as a prime example. The Nagas are the spirits that cause disease, but they can equally bestow good health. The idea that they cause disease was so strong that it traveled from India to Scotland where they have "wyrm charms" to remove the "dragons"from their aching teeth.
Olivia, none of that is very friendly, now is it? I'm not saying not to continue your endeavors on contacting a serpent being. But slow down and do your research. If you did, you'd realize they are far more complicated than modern fiction depicts.
But Star.Child, I question your belief in your own magick practice when you divide such things into "real" and "spiritual". Is magick, deities, and other non-corporeal beings "not real"? I'm sure you will say it was just a wrong choice of words, but personally I suggest that you consider your doubts, because they appear to be strong, and that can be a serious hindrance in the study of magick. Those that do not believe that "spiritual" is "real" are atheists. It appears to be a common trend in this community due to the "fluffy bashing" bandwagon, but it isn't very attractive.
I think the issue is that in modern society we define real as being real for everybody and a generalised concept which can be measured physically, or predicted to occur physically- it is easier to say a cake is real; we can all see, touch, smell, and taste a cake, and many of us will be able to say we experienced similar things. The opposite is true for spiritual things.
Whereas the sort of reality we have on the 'astral' plane etc. is a subjective reality, sure it is no less real in terms of our perception and experience, but to others it is meaningless. Imagining a tasty meal will cause a physiological reaction in yourself, but not another person.
The imagination is subjectively real, but not often objectively; I have to say not often as there are reports of peoples seeing similar things in trance.
Of course you could argue all day about what is real, and that physical reality is the only thing which is real vs there is so much more. But physical reality is the only thing which is objectively real, a person can make any belief real for themselves.
It all depends on the definition of real, and the accepted one usually pertains to physical reality and does not believe in metaphysical one.
well just as the above posts,it's true that they don't exist in material world,but each person do have his/her dragon present which is said to be between our genitals and anus sleeping,well it is the place that is connected to "the dragon".If you study in higher old books ,it says that to make a contact with it you must first master the flows of chakra in your body,you must awaken the "black chakra" also called as "AJNA chakra" which is the lower part of your third eye,or in simple words awaken your third eye.It is a complete left hand path and a higher level even for experienced magicians themselves.well,magic is all about will and if you'r willing to do then nothing is impossible.But note that you'r just a beginner.To learn about basics of flow of chakra,there are plenty of ways given here in this site blogs.practice it everyday.Well, again i should say it seems easy but is not at all.also ajna chakra is the last final chakra to master according to the chakra levels,you must first learn and practice all the chakra levels.If you'r mind is prepared,you can do,putting an effort.
Dragons are very wise teachers, they can teach various subjects.
Whilst owning a dragon is not possible, you can become bonded to one on the astral plane, and it will act as a spirit teacher/guardian.
Draconic paganism and Draconic Wicca are paths that deal with prayers to dragons, working with their spirits, and contacting them on the astral plane.
Also, WhiteRav3n, The dragon you speak of in Norse mythology is not destroying the tree! Nidhogg is revered as the goddess of rot and her serpent children keep the tree alive. Please, do not speak of Nidhogg as a destroyer.
'Serpent beings' and Dragons are very different, whereas wyrms can be related to dragons, they often lack wings and do not possess the magical capabilities. True dragons are four-legged reptiles with wings on their backs and long necks with jaws full of ripping teeth!
Connecting with a dragon cannot be done by your own willing, the dragon has to attach it's spirit to you, and after that you will be connected.
In no way can Nidhogg be interpreted as sweet and kind. And it does in fact work on consistently destroying the roots of the tree. The wyrd sisters wash it with the waters of the Well to heal it which keeps it from renewed. Without them, yes, Nidhogg would destroy the tree. It's all about the cycle and balance.
As Personified has said
"Nidhogg often gets the names: "lower one", "full of hatred", "dread biter""
This is what I have written on Nidhogg on this board in the past as well.
"I always interpreted Nidhogg to be a representation of Death and Darkness. The shadow side of the mind. He is a destructive force but destruction is necessary for growth and development. In the cycle of life, and the seasons, which all pagans honor, the cycle of birth, growth, maturity, age, death, and rebirth repeat itself. He is merely the "death" portion.
Where he is on the tree gives us more clues. The tree of life is linear, yet it is still a pathway, reflecting the levels of the spirit. The bottom would be the most base of existence--corporeal and carnal. He carries and eats corpses but dead bodies are hardly the souls/spirits. A corpse is the body and he destroys them (my theory is, it was a way to explain decomposition of bodies in that time). He argues with the eagle, but they can't do anything but bicker. They are on opposite sides of the spectrum, both extremely necessary however.
In one part of the edda, it describes him as being in a place with murderers and adulterers. This side of Nidhogg tends to recoil me, because it makes me feel Christian influences have ruined this being's reputation and classified him as a form of Satan (which is also "coincidentally" recognized as a serpent/dragon). I see him more like Death itself, not a psychopomp like a grim reaper, and definitely not evil. I believe he is seen as evil because people perceive things as evil when they fear them. Many people fear death, endings, and the shadow self. I believe that people who like Nidhogg are those who accept these parts of life and do not find them repulsive.
The spirits have their own realms they go to, namely with Freja, Odin, and Hel. If this has truth, the only spirits mentioned were what I consider "vermin" or the lowest level spirits available.
Someone bright and cheery couldn't guard/watch this type of area without going insane. But a death and gloom loving, hungry dragon would fit perfectly in such a setting.
I feel Nidhogg reminds us that all good things come to an end, at least the material existence we live in, and that we should find meaning behind them, appreciate them while they are here, and hold them in memory."
If you disagree, I would love to read your detailed analysis of Nidhogg. You can place it here. http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=460632&offset=0
No, no. What you have quoted repeats nothing of your belief that she destroys the tree; you're stating her purpose, to eat rot!
Nidhogg nibbles or eats on the older roots of the tree, eventually ending in them breaking and dying. Without death, new life cannot form. She is of this death, out with the old and in with the new.
Whilst I must agree that she is in no way going to ever be revered as cuddly or cute, she is of an amazing form.
