Spell casting side effect

3 weeks ago I started spellcasting. Every other day I’d lay in the bath and focus on points of warmth, put them to my hands, then focus on my intent to send them energy, or just help my friends out. After doing this for a week or 2 I started feeling really strange. People told me I was behaving strangely and I didn’t feel like myself. Only a visit to the temple was able to help restore me. Does anybody know what I did wrong? I’m thinking I might have to stop spellcasting altogether if I can’t figure it out. I’d love to know why, and thanks (:

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Are you grounding before spell-work or energy workings? If not, you will be using your own energy during workings which is very draining instead of drawing it from other sources such as the earth.

I can't say much in regards to behaving differently, but I remember being very ratty with people when I hadn't ground at the start of my practice, but I was mainly mean and ratty because I felt terrible after workings.

Agreed. The first suggestion is to start off by reaching out to connect with some source of energy that suits your desired working. It can be from a physical, natural place like a local stream, waterfall, mountains, etc. Or something more conceptual like a physical place of power you might not necessarily be able to actually go and visit. Or perhaps open a channel with a personal guide, a divine being, Light planes, etc. And use that energy instead of your own.

In essence, become the pipe that draws from the ocean. Not the oasis trying to water the desert.

Second, begin with the self. Use the energy first to clense and empower yourself. Make a quick healing session out of it. Let the energy open up your system and raise your vibration while you focus on your intent.

Third, once you begin, get out of the way. The more you try to command and direct the energy the less efficient the movement will be. Just focus on the intent and let it flow. Trust that the energies know how to get from a to b. It is like taking a drink of water (as I often say). There is no need to control your arm muscle by muscle, you meed only recognise you are thirsty and your hand will bring the glass to your lips.

Is it ok to just take energy from your surroundings when you have no way of giving it back or something of equal value? It seems like theft to just take energy as you please.

Thanks for the reply! No, I have not been doing any of that. Most of what I do is self taught and I only recently found out about this. However, I read that drawing energy from yourself helps you grow stronger. Is this correct? I’m also interested in the above question. I’ll make sure to do what you told me (:

I agree with you

I personally give back any additional energy that I drew, only taking what I need and then at the end of my workings thank the earth like you would thank a deity, for their assistance. Not everyone does this but I feel that I should.

If anything not practicing grounding, or drawing energy from another source is going to make you weaker, not stronger, it is very energy draining and can make you feel terrible afterwards.

This thread has been moved to Other Spells Discussion from General Info.

I don't see the act of drawing energy from one place to another as being of any moral concern, especially if you acting of a positive ans healing intent. Energy is pervasive, as it is in literally everything through one form or another. It is always moving from one state to the next, one place to another. Channelling is just tapping into that movement.

Energy also moves towards the direction of imbalance, just like water and air and any other thing in motion. This is why getting out of the way of the flow helps. You open the path then let the energy flow through. If the energy was not abundant, or is weak, then it wouldn't move because there isn't enough 'pressure' behind it.

Think of a bunch of puddles on the ground. Some are big, some are small, some might sit higher than others, some might be full to bursting and others might be nearly dried up. Think of Channelling as like dragging your heel through the dirt to connect one puddle to the next. As soon as your foot is out of the way the water flows to balance the two together.

When you draw from 'puddles' that are more strongly connected to an active source of energy (physical, divine, spiritual, or other) the more readily it can maintain itself and the less impact it would experience.

Another thought is that by drawing energy you are stimulating its flow and replenishment. Water that rests too long grows stagnant.

One exercise that I was inspired to do seems to highlite the potency of putting energy into motion, and is also a way to give a sense of balancing or return for energies used.

After doing your energy working, continue to meditate for a bit. Imagine that energy you have been connected with still flowing. Coming downward through the top of your head, through your body, and out your root (or out your feet, depending on how you ground yourself) to feed into the earth.

At the same time imagine these same roots drawing upwards earthen energies. Let that energy flow up your body to release upwards through your crown and to the place or plane you are already connected to.

Spend a few minutes just letting those energies flow. earth to spirit, spirit to earth. Each feeding the other mutually.

Thanks! That’s an awesome perspective