Ways of intuition

Intuition is sometimes loud like banging on the door, if you can imagine that. And other times it is quiet or rather subtle like a flash of an emotion or a sense of something fleeting. It can be both forceful or subtle, called upon or coming forward by itself. Sensory, auditory or visual. Here I invite you to reflect on how intuition might exist within you and how it transmits its messages? It is important to know and, as you become curious about your intuitive signals, you become curious about yourself. That is a gift and the first step towards reclaiming your right to live a life meant for you. The journey is fascinating that will let you discover a lot about your own nature.

I hardly ever ask for messages, ask questions or call upon my intuition. Many others do ask for it and that is just another way of doing the same thing. One of the most popular is to ask for an answer to a question before you go to sleep at night. Intuition and dreams are closely connected, which I discuss in my BOOK.

I, however, have now developed a deep trust that when something matters my intuition will speak to me and show me the way. It usually speaks in single words or an image would find its way to my awareness. It is usually clear, sharp and precise. So I am sensory, auditory or visual – feeling, hearing and seeing.

In my magic practice it is no different. When I am out in nature and I have an idea of what’s happening within me that day or have done for sometime I might get an indication that something needs doing. Spell work for me is rare and always based on intuitive messages only. I have to feel it strongly in my body, almost in a ‘no choice’, compulsive way before I perform anything. I don’t do things any other way these days. I like that ‘flash of inspiration’ shape and form it often takes. When the invitation comes or rather ‘this needs doing’ it is unquestionable and I get to work.

Often it is either a clear ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ before I even ask a question, which I rarely have to do. I suppose you can hold a question in awareness as opposed to seek the answer.

When a spell is brewing via intuition I might be called to a particular place at a certain time. When I am there I am usually showed the tools, which I need specifically for that spell. All I have to do is go and be open to what unfolds around me. It can be as simple as coming upon a stone or a branch or an image in the sky or a face on a tree. It can be a feeling, which to me is important. I need to have the feeling. It is hard to describe, but generally it must feel so right that it fills me with immense content and fulfilment. It is like when you really enjoy your work, for example, whatever that is, it is a feeling of doing something that feels important and right. It is full of meaning and powerful intention and there’s always a bit of love mixed into it. We all know what that feels like. In fact many spells come out of ‘love’ vibration or something linked to that. It is a sure sign to check if what you are doing is, indeed, the right thing.

I am often told these days to wait, to stay put, to be silent and invisible. This is vital during these times. There is a strong invitation in the collective benevolent not to do, but to be. I follow. It just feels right. We are called to pause in doing and speaking in general now more than ever and, however alien this might feel to you, this anomaly in collective behaviour is the exact magic that needs to build up more in order to manifest a bigger change for us, others and the world at large.

• Listen to what your body tells you.

• Pay attention to your thoughts and spend more time feeling.

These are just some practice steps that will bring you closer to your inner knowing, your intuitive wisdom. Reclaim that gift that’s always been yours and see if your life takes a different turn towards what you always wanted.

More on Intuition and magic in my book PAGAN PORTALS INTUITIVE MAGIC PRACTICE

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Pagan Portals Intuitive Magic Practice review

Intuitive Magic Practice, part of the Pagan Portals series, by Natalia Clarke makes me want to breathe a long, deep sigh of relief. Things have been a bit hectic in my world recently, and I’ve felt the disconnection that stems from being out of touch with my inner voice. Reading this book has shifted me back into my more natural, receptive state of being in the most delightful way.

Clarke has combined her experience as a transpersonal psychotherapist with wisdom as a spiritual guide to offer readers insight on how to create an intuitive magic practice. Throughout the book, her gentle, calming tone invites a sense of fluidity, harmony, and personal energetic resonance to emerge.

In no way is this book one in which the author holds the knowledge, prompting a hierarchy between author and reader. Rather, Clarke develops a relationship with the reader that’s guided by feelings of goodwill and trust. Much of the imparted content to the reader stems from her own personal experience, and she writes this book as though she might be telling a friend about her experiences with magic and developing intuition in her own life. I enjoyed her anecdotes and the lens it provided me into seeing how she developed her own spiritual perspective.

I really liked reading about the importance of nature in Clarke’s spirituality and connection to her intuition. There is so much beauty in the natural world, along with lessons of tending, growing, and slowing down to enjoy the moment. Since her writing does not stem from any one belief system or practice, I noticed how nature seemed to be the greatest influence that gave shape to Clarke’s experiences.

However, there’s so much that Intuitive Magic Practice covers. Each chapter highlights a method of connecting to one’s intuition and offers ways to become receptive to the guidance of one’s inner knowing. Receptivity is key here, as Clarke’s writing calls the reader to settle in, move at their own pace, and gently open to the promptings that want to be acknowledged.

Some topics covered in the book are dreamwork, journaling, breathing exercises, creating sacred space, creative imagination, moon cycles, and more. Clarke also shares spells, information on candle magic, and guidance on how to select ritual tools. Through it all, she emphasizes that there is no one size fits all model for one’s magical practice; there is also no need to force something when the energy is not there.

“This way there is a natural flow, no force, no attachment to an outcome, no artificial influences of any kind and it always works. One might say I flow with intuitive energy if and when it comes in. If I am not called or specific energies are not present, I do not do anything.”1

Clarke also includes information on the Triple Goddess aspects, working with the elements, and tips for intuitively crafting one’s own magical practice such as writing spells, casting a circle, and creating rituals. Again though, this all arises from a place of moving with the flow, rather than planning, specifying, and dictating how the process should look. She even contrasts intuitive magic to ritual magic to help readers get a better sense of this method in relation to others.

My favourite chapter of Intuitive Magical Practice was “Intuition, Divine Feminine and Sacred Self-care.” While this book has valuable information for all readers, Clarke does note in the introduction it is more geared towards a female audience. All I can say is this chapter was all I needed to be reminded of and more right now.

As I move through a phase of transition, stemming from immense burn-out in my last job that lead me to severely disconnect from my own internal guidance, I desperately needed the reminder that listening to my intuition, caring for my body, and moving in alignment with the energy is a practice of sacred self-care.

“What do I mean by sacred self care? This links in with self-awareness, which can grow through listening to yourself with complete trust and seeing powerful results in your way of being with yourself and the world. It means giving yourself what your inner voice asks of you or points you towards; giving yourself what you need in the moment by listening to your intuition; treating yourself with compassion, love and respect, as you would any divine energy.”2

It’s interesting too how Clarke reminded me of the importance of moving according to where the energy is and how things are flowing. To be honest, this book has been sitting on my shelf for about two weeks now, and I had procrastinated delving into my new book. I tried to read it a week ago, but after a few pages it was sidetracked. Then, suddenly, this morning, all my energy was focused on reading this book and sinking in to receive it’s message. I am so glad that I trusted the timing of my feelings and didn’t read it in a mindset that wasn’t ready to embrace all the wisdom in this book.

For the past few months, I’ve forgotten that it’s okay to live according to your intuition and trust the timing of when things unfold, but reading Clarke’s words reassured me that it’s okay to move in rhythm that feels right for you. It was particularly inspiring to read how she doesn’t do spell-work unless she feels called. Living a magical lifestyle doesn’t have to be doing spells with each moon cycle, or constantly keeping up with a specific practice “just because you’re supposed to.” It can be just as powerful when your practice is fluid and guided by intuition. This is such a deeply refreshing approach to magic.

I’ll admit I moved quite quickly through the book, soaking it all in as I sat outside in the sunshine, feeling the fresh air gently flow around me. However, this is also a book that can be savoured and referred back to over time. While I did finish it quickly, I now am ready to go back through it and practice some of the exercises, which Clarke offers plenty of through the book.

There is one method of connecting to intuition Clarke writes about that I had never heard of before, which I am particularly excited to try out: intuitive drawing. This approach can help to facilitate a dialogue with the subconscious and allow feelings, sensations, and thoughts to arise from deep within. Sometimes I feel like I get trapped in my words, and I am eager to see what comes out when I choose drawing as a form of communication with my inner guidance.

All in all, Clarke’s gentle and uplifting approach to an intuitive magic practice is something of great value to those who are seeking a more natural approach to working with energy. I highly recommend Intuitive Magic Practice to those who are seeking to tune back into their inner voice in a way that feels authentic and true to who they are. This book is a wonderful reminder that there is no right or wrong way, and that healing comes from remembering the sacred connection to our inner guidance. As you read Clarke’s wisdom, I’m sure you’ll feel right at home within yourself, comforted by the words that it’s okay to embrace your intuition and let your energy flow in a way that feels harmonious.

Alanna at https://musingmystical.com/intuitive-magic-practice-by-natalia-clarke/

A tricky build-up to Litha 2019

Unconscious bit still hangs on somewhere deep in my psyche with regards to May and spring, which I believe relates to romantic relationships’ wounding of the past. What it seems to have done now is seeped through under the layers and tried to conceal itself as a trickster. I am only just beginning to unfold the meaning of this quite unpleasant and irritating energy. Some signs when you feel off somewhat is to consider unconscious material that might still remain unprocessed. It can be stubborn and sticky, it also can shift to present itself in a different way or to disguise itself as ‘resolved’ when, in fact, it simply changed shape, which can feel like a subtle friction with your awareness rather than a strong slap in the face.

Litha is approaching. It has always been my least favourite time due to my relationship with the Sun and the power of the masculine. This year it is very quiet, however, and I am not aware of much other than that something is waiting in the shadows, ready to pounce. It doesn’t feel safe. Never good having to be on guide. I am also aware of being lulled into a false sense of security during the last month and this. Tricky times, which I am not sure how will remedy itself, but it will, I am sure. Things never stay the same for long. Hoping for a change in energy post 22 June, as there is always quite a noticeable shift in the environment physical and spiritual and the countdown to darkness begins, which offers a degree of relief to my psyche although I am not desperate for it this year. Surprise. I noticed enjoyment of the season a lot more, perhaps, because it is quite fresh and temperatures are low, which I love. However, I also felt recently I was shifting into embracing something else more than I did before, but here it is again, a sense of being tricked into believing something that is not actually true. That is quite difficult to deal with.

Staying still and not reacting is one possible approach I can recommend and implementing myself right now. I do not recommend making any big changes or decisions during this time. Wait till after Summer Solstice. You never know you might see things naturally begin to manifest after the energy of the season is dispersed a bit more and a view clears. I also feel a release of energy is needed for Litha, an active release like having a big Fire, eating, drinking, dancing and laughing. All functions to do with the body and expressed through the body. This is the intention.

Enjoy this what feels like an obscure, mysterious and tricky time this year.

Many blessings!

Coming back to the heart… always

It saddens me to become more and more aware of the dissonance within a community that, perhaps, I saw different somehow or wanted to see different, although my own perceptions got me into trouble here. People operate on a level of collective where unconscious shadow material has been playing out in the world on a large scale over the last few years and always had done really when we think about it. It is no wonder to see it spreading into all sorts of groups whether consciously or unconsciously. What is important for me is to stay aware in that energy of what is really happening and what is ultimately important, essential to me. Troubled exchanges I have witnessed within a community reminded me strongly of other communities many others identify with. A need to belong gets us into trouble too very often when taken to an extreme. Luckily for me that is not an area I struggle with, but nevertheless one can see it happening every day and it is not wrong in and of itself it is extremities of any kind that creates a space of non-safety for many paradoxically and unconsciously. I have been a witness and stayed away from strong, open identifications yet what recent experiences reaffirmed to me is that the decision to be a solitary practitioner is what works for me. I came in as a solitary and I leave as a solitary and that is the most neutral and comfortable for me. That much has always been clear, but I did allow myself to explore and experiment mainly to test out my own choosing. It exposed the reason why I am solitary even more due to my feeling the energy rising from within the collective and witnessing it on one hand for what it is, but at the same time not wishing to add that particular pallet to my overall painting, which is my own spiritual practice. There is sadness and within that a sense of hopelessness for the overall whole yet what I can only do is to commit further to my own walking the earth with what feels aligned with my integrity and heart.

It has become apparent to me this morning I want to change names on my pages and my website not so much to dis-indentify from something, but to reaffirm something for myself and my practice. However, I also know I don’t like labels. I feel labels do not serve the heart and have an unconscious attachment to what is not always the right thing for you and the right thing for me is what it is all about as far as my practice, awareness and development goes. Coming back to the heart centre, strength point, power cup, essential space of your being or whatever you choose to call that point of safety, knowing and honour for yourself, is all that matters. It re-grounds us in our beliefs and practices and re-balances any uncertainties that naturally would come in and out of our experiences. There is no judgement on yourself or others there is only acceptance of things for what they are and how they are. Compassionate understanding for others and your own choices is all that is important.

And into the woods I go, on my own, just as it should be, and just what is needed for myself and the universe at large. My path is of the solitary Elemental witch and it is so for a reason and I hold it dear and let nature guide me as always towards my heart.