Post by kenpodragon on Sept 23, 2013 10:43:22 GMT -5
It starts off small, maybe a griffwan or unicorn. Next thing you know, you have a collection of spirit animals, ranging from the commonplace squirrel to the exotic Ogopogo. All begging for attention, and all having differing wants and needs. How do you handle it?
IN THE BEGINNING (for those new to collecting)
1) Start small. For the starting collector, there is the impulse to go out and get a little bit of everything. The result is spiritual overload, and a lack of strong connections with the spirits you do have. For new collectors, I wouldn't recommend more than 1 or 2 new spirits every 30-60 days. This way, it gives you proper time to adjust to their energies, and properly bond with the spirits. Don't fall for the "last one" or "super-rare" hype - know that the spirits who are calling to you will come to you when the time is right, and if that 3rd spirit just really needs to come into your family, you can build up the anticipation until the next onboarding cycle.
2) Set a budget. In addition to collecting all sorts of exotic spirits, new collectors tend to tack on accessories and offerings for their spirits. In the beginning, when you are just starting out, set yourself a small budget for spirit collecting, and stick to it. Charging bags? Don't really need them - just place your vessels in the full moon. Binding bags, transmutation bags, offering dishes, special offerings - good tools to eventually procure, once you find that spirit keeping is for you. The last thing you want to do is go overboard on a hobby that won't last more than a month. Keep it simple at first, get to know and learn the basics, then start adding to your tools - in addition, the beginning is always a great place to start with the creation of your own tools. Many sites out there have instructions for making your own binding/charging/transmuting bags - start there. The more personal you make it, the stronger the bonds and magick for you will be. As for offerings - the key with spirits is intention. Unless you are dealing with a truly black spirit who is demanding of offerings (in which case you probably aren't a beginner), all you need to have is good intentions and your spirits will appreciate any of the efforts you make. They don't need special bags, altars, or areas to be happy - just spending time bonding with you makes them happy - remember, although you chose them, they also chose to come to you.
3) Set a schedule for spirit time. Weather its 5 hours per day or 5 minutes per week, select a schedule for working with your spirits and commit to making that time. This will get you in the habit of working with your spirits, and let you know if spirit keeping is right for you. If you can't schedule time for spirits, then this may not be a hobby for you.
4) Set milestones. Be realistic with your growth and development. Realize that visions and manifestations do not come right away, and take time for one to become sensitive to them. Set goals - I will feel my spirits presence by the end of this week. I will have talked to my spirit and gotten a response by the end of the month, etc.... you can tie this into #2 above, and reward your milestones with gifts and tools.
5) Pace yourself - don't go too big too fast or the powers might be overwhelming
6) Journal everything. If there is one thing I would recommend all spirit keepers to do is to journal, journal, journal. The reason you journal is 2 fold. Firstly it shows the spirits that you are making an effort and their communication and connection is valuable to you, this in turn strengthens the bond and helps the bond to grow faster. Secondly, it allows you to track your progress. 3 months down the road, look back at your journal notes and see the difference in connection and communication you have developed - this bit of positive reinforcement is vital to helping you along the path.
IN THE BEGINNING (for those new to collecting)
1) Start small. For the starting collector, there is the impulse to go out and get a little bit of everything. The result is spiritual overload, and a lack of strong connections with the spirits you do have. For new collectors, I wouldn't recommend more than 1 or 2 new spirits every 30-60 days. This way, it gives you proper time to adjust to their energies, and properly bond with the spirits. Don't fall for the "last one" or "super-rare" hype - know that the spirits who are calling to you will come to you when the time is right, and if that 3rd spirit just really needs to come into your family, you can build up the anticipation until the next onboarding cycle.
2) Set a budget. In addition to collecting all sorts of exotic spirits, new collectors tend to tack on accessories and offerings for their spirits. In the beginning, when you are just starting out, set yourself a small budget for spirit collecting, and stick to it. Charging bags? Don't really need them - just place your vessels in the full moon. Binding bags, transmutation bags, offering dishes, special offerings - good tools to eventually procure, once you find that spirit keeping is for you. The last thing you want to do is go overboard on a hobby that won't last more than a month. Keep it simple at first, get to know and learn the basics, then start adding to your tools - in addition, the beginning is always a great place to start with the creation of your own tools. Many sites out there have instructions for making your own binding/charging/transmuting bags - start there. The more personal you make it, the stronger the bonds and magick for you will be. As for offerings - the key with spirits is intention. Unless you are dealing with a truly black spirit who is demanding of offerings (in which case you probably aren't a beginner), all you need to have is good intentions and your spirits will appreciate any of the efforts you make. They don't need special bags, altars, or areas to be happy - just spending time bonding with you makes them happy - remember, although you chose them, they also chose to come to you.
3) Set a schedule for spirit time. Weather its 5 hours per day or 5 minutes per week, select a schedule for working with your spirits and commit to making that time. This will get you in the habit of working with your spirits, and let you know if spirit keeping is right for you. If you can't schedule time for spirits, then this may not be a hobby for you.
4) Set milestones. Be realistic with your growth and development. Realize that visions and manifestations do not come right away, and take time for one to become sensitive to them. Set goals - I will feel my spirits presence by the end of this week. I will have talked to my spirit and gotten a response by the end of the month, etc.... you can tie this into #2 above, and reward your milestones with gifts and tools.
5) Pace yourself - don't go too big too fast or the powers might be overwhelming
6) Journal everything. If there is one thing I would recommend all spirit keepers to do is to journal, journal, journal. The reason you journal is 2 fold. Firstly it shows the spirits that you are making an effort and their communication and connection is valuable to you, this in turn strengthens the bond and helps the bond to grow faster. Secondly, it allows you to track your progress. 3 months down the road, look back at your journal notes and see the difference in connection and communication you have developed - this bit of positive reinforcement is vital to helping you along the path.
