Lesson 2- Making the Mundane Magickal

Making the Mundane Magickal

In my last post I talked about making the most of magick by not neglecting it. In our everyday lives it's hard not to neglect your magickal practice. You still have to pay bills, clean your house and take out the trash that's piling up. I wish there were spells that would allow me to spend more time practicing magick and less time doing my mundane responsibilities, but there's not. Magick is about balance and harmony. If you neglect your mundane chores, you will not be able to effectively practice magick.

Balance and harmony is the key. However, that's not so easy is it? When I first found my path, I lived with a family member who didn't agree with my choice. I know many of you live with family members who don't support your path. It is miserable to be in a position where you can't be free to practice your beliefs. That period of my life was very hard and my magick suffered. There were times that I gave up my path all together in order to create harmony in the house. It wasn't really harmony and it wasn't really a balanced life. I tried everything to supplement for the fact that I couldn't practice magick, including recreational drugs. Nothing quenched my desire to practice magick.

I can sympathize with the unfortunate witches of the Burning Times. The funny thing is that the more things change the more they stay the same. Many people can't accept magick any more than the people in the 17th & 18th century. Fortunately, it's illegal to burn me at the stake! However, there is still a very real danger of coming out the proverbial broom closet. I've known of people who have lost jobs and relationships after being open with their beliefs. I am very selective who I discuss my path with and still only my very close network of friends and family know my path. I am a firm believer that one should never discuss politics or religion at work. My friends tread lightly when discussing your path with others. With globalization and the internet there's become a huge network of pagans who you can connect with and learn from. It is a lot easier for me to stay on my path now because I have a huge on-line support group.

Whether you are part of a magickal group or you are solitary and prefer to keep your path to hidden there are things you can do to balance your life and make the mundane magickal. In the old days, being discrete about magickal practices was a matter of life or death, now it's just a matter of convenience. Witches of old found ways to practice magick while doing mundane tasks. I have continued this practice in my own life. I try to find a way to incorporate magick in everything I do. Believe it or not it makes some of the most mundane tasks have meaning and more enjoyable.

House Cleaning:

When I was a kid my mother used to make a game out of cleaning the house. She would make up little rhymes that went along with cleaning or she'd pick a color and we'd pick up everything in the room that was that color and then move on to another color until everything in that room was put away. I do the same thing while cleaning now, but I try to find magickal associations with things. When cleaning up a mess my kids make I literally bless my mess. I say things like: "Goddess protect the little one who left these prints on my wall, before I know it she won't be so small." I still pick up my house by colors, but I use magickal color correspondence. I asked for my house to be infused with positive energy with everything white I pick up, I ask for health for everything green I pick up, and to keep my love strong for my family with everything red...etc. I will light various candles while cleaning and invite the Goddess to join me while I clean. I talk to the Goddess in my head while I am working. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to use your voice when casting spells or communing with the God/Goddess. I do a large portion of my magickal work in my mind. All you have to do is raise the energy and send it out. What better way to raise energy than cleaning house! It's fun and it makes house keeping quicker and magickal.

Cooking;

For years witches have used the kitchen to perform magick. Many witches even call themselves Kitchen Witches. The kitchen is probably the most magickal place in your house. You have symbols of each of the elements in this room. Earth-vegetables, Air-the fridge, Water-your sink, Fire-your stove. Every spice in your spice rack has magickal properties. Even all of your kitchen utensils and pans have magickal associations. Every time you make something in your kitchen you are working magick. Now, when you plan your meals plan them with magickal intent. Say you need to banish negative energy, cook a meal that has color and herb correspondence to banishing negativity. If I was cooking a meal to banish negativity from my life, I might make a nice spaghetti dinner: The white color of spaghetti promotes positive energy. I may add anise, onion or oregano to promote purification or protection in the spaghetti sauce. Garlic bread to banish all negativity and promote protection against negativity. I would use equipment associated with banishing negativity such as a wooden spoon to stir the sauce.

In the Office:

There are all kinds of ways to work magick in your office. I rearrange my desk according to magickal correspondence. I use a lot of color in decorating my desk. If you have a cubicle you can arrange your push pins in magickal formations or by color. I have one of those File Cabinet Poetry sets on my file cabinet. I make up silly little rhymes that magickal and mundane connotations. I associate my tasks according to the elements. I do each task according to the elements and the days of the week. Using any electrical equipment =fire, Filing=air, cleaning my office bathroom=water. Recycling=earth. During stressful times I may roll my office chair around my office making invisible pentacles on the floor.

In conclusion, if you do a little research you can make just about any task magickal. You don't need to set up elaborate rituals and spells to perform magick. You just need a little knowledge and some imagination. It is always fun to participate in organized magickal celebrations with others in your Pagan community, but when you can't participate in a group or when you can't openly practice your path try to find a little magick in your mundane tasks.

Suggested Reading:

Everyday Magick by Dorothy Morrison

Discussion:

Think of ways to incorporate magick while performing a mundane task. Share your ideas.