Having Visualization Struggles? That’s okay!

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Some witches have trouble with visualization, and it’s not uncommon. In the modern witchcraft community, we tend to act like visualization is a foundation to witchcraft, almost to the point of where it‘s seen as a necessary skill to use magick. My opinion? If visualization doesn’t work for you, you can omit it entirely.

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What is Visualization?

In witchcraft, visualization is when we create mental images to aid our spellwork; it’s when we imagine that we are seeing something that isn’t physically there, like a white glow radiating from our bodies or a glowing pillar shooting from the Earth. This way, we can give some visual context to our intent and magick.

Why Do We Use Visualization, and What Can We Use Instead?

Visualization can help us with our energy manipulation, and it helps us express the intent* behind our spells. When attempting to move energy around a room or around a circle, visualizing our magical power allows the energy to feel more tangible to us; and thus it can help make energy manipulation feel more familiar and easier to perform.

*If you don’t know what “intent” means in a magical context, read more about it here.

When not used as an aid to move energy, visualization works as a stand-alone skill that helps us express what we desire our spells to create (programming the spell/energy). For example, a witch might be casting a money spell, so she visualizes finding money in all the places she possibly could: in the cracks of the couch, on the sidewalk, by a fireplace, on her bed, at her desk, in her mail, from her boss. She would use visualization to concentrate on her desire, seeing it not only manifest in her mind, but also manifest in reality.

This is a great skill, but by no means is it a necessary one. Even for a witch like me who uses visualization in her spells, visualization is not used in every spell. And if visualization is not used in every spell, it clearly isn’t a requirement to cast one, and there’s a good reason for this.

As I said, I see visualization in spells as a way to express intent. It’s expression, and we can express ourselves in more ways than one. When we use a crystal that stands for tranquility in a spell, in another spell we might use an herb for tranquility, instead. :gem: :herb: :gem: :herb: Visualization kinda works the same way. Instead of visualizing your intent, you can chant it, or write it, or draw it, or act it.

For example, this traditional “Abracadabra” spell (found in the Goodly Spellbook by Coven Oldenwilde, pages 284-287) contains no mention of visualization as we know it, nor even complex/drawn-out energy manipulation (though energy manipulation is, in fact, still occurring):

The “Abracadabra” spell uses written words, the surrounding nature, chants with sacred sounds, and physical actions to guide the magick and cast the spell. But it doesn’t use visualization.

Many spells, especially traditional spells, do not use visualization. What all spells do use, however, is an expression of intent. It is by this expression that we put forth our will. Visualization is only one method, one ingredient, in witchcraft, and there are a million other ways to manifest your desires.

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Future Posts

I originally made this post to discuss both the hardships of visualization as well as energy manipulation, but realized that was overkill for a single post. So, following this post, I’ll have a blog labeled “Demystifying Energy Manipulation” where I talk about easy alternatives to both sources of magical energy and methods of utilizing this energy.

Final Notes

I hope this post helped someone. If you have any questions, feel free to ask below, and if you would like to mention any other methods that don’t use visualization, feel free to do so.

With that said, I do not mean to suggest you shouldn’t put in the dedication to learn certain useful magical skills. Visualization IS useful, and if you actually want to learn it, I don’t suggest giving up just because it’s hard. What I do mean to suggest is that visualization is not necessary for spellwork. Just like spiritwork is not needed for spellcasting, but working with spirits in spellcasting is one method that a witch can use. If you feel like working with spirits and using visualization in spellwork is for you, that’s great! But it’s not going to be like that for everyone, and those aren’t the only ways.

Have a wonderful day, and keep witchin’. :sparkles: