Visualization

In learning the Craft of the Witch, one must be a dedicated student. Magical energy lives inside of you. To use this energy, you have to learn how to concentrate and focus. You will need to focus intently and actually see in your mind's eye the outcome that you seek. When you perform magic, you build up an amazing amount of energy through concentration and the focus of your intent. Then, when this energy you are building is at it's peak, you will send that energy out to work for you.

You will be able to do this with practice. Visualization comes easy for some of us, but many of us have to work at it in the beginning. Like a muscle, the more you work it, the stronger you will get.  Here is a little exercise below to get you started:

Relax. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes and imagine that you are standing in your own kitchen. Feel the floor under your feet. Smell the scents of the room. See the counters and cabinets. Focus on the counter that is in front of you and walk over to it. On the counter you see a cutting board, a lemon and a knife. Pick up the lemon. Feel it's cool skin and the weight of it in your hand. Pick up the knife with your other hand and cut the lemon in half. Now raise one half of it to your lips. Inhale the fresh, citrus scent. Open you mouth and take a bite of the lemon. Feel the crisp resistance of the lemon's flesh and peel just before the juice gushes into your mouth. Swish the juice around in your mouth. notice what happens with your tongue and your cheeks.

Did you start to salivate, or pucker doing this visualization? If you did, good. That's a good sign that you are able to focus and concentrate. Your ability to conjure up the lemon, and all of it's details with your mind, are the same powers of concentration and focus that you will use when doing magic.