Is it important to have genuine intent when practicing magic

[Throughalloftime]

What do you mean?

[SpiritTalker]

What do you mean? I think people have given you plenty of self-development tips and areas you can expand on. Are you open to giving the ideas your attention and thought? Are you doing your own investigating and looking for ways to improve the skills you desire? That's what I meant by asking what you're doing to make it so, what are you doing to make your outer acts dance to the inner heart & soul.

[Throughalloftime]

I have come to the conclusion that if you focus on the pendulum, it will move, no matter what. Sometimes it's not about your subconcious. Its simply your body depositing a lot of energy into it. Especially since im so nervous all the time, my body is always on overdrive. I have a lot of hypwr energy

[Throughalloftime]

Hyper* and to think that an inanimate object, that can be moved by so many different things, could determine my feelings, well that would be quite irrational. I think there are other forms of divination that are far less stressful to use, and also may offer help from spirit guides. Pendulums, on the other hand, I do not believe are controlled by spirits. I think emotions, body vibrations, and small muscle movements affect it too much. I also think your subconcious is too complex to ever give you a yes or no answer.

For instance, I have ocd. I was legitimately diagnosed with intrusive thought ocd, and my specific fear was that I would suddenly turn gay. It is an irrational fear. That's what ocd does. Sometimes, especially in ocd patients, you can think something into reality. This is not literal of course; a trick of the mind. This can be so distressing that it also affects the subconcious mind. Reality can be perceived in so many ways, and I think if you give too much power to a pendulum's answers, it becomes more of a self-fulfilling prophecy than an actual useful tool. People want to believe that it is right so they make it right. And someone like me with an ocd mind, struggles with distinguishing fear from reality. This affects my mind far too much and affects even my deeper tbought patterns sometimes. Not everything your subconcious has to tell you is true.

It is all about what your spirit urges you to do. That beautiful, angelic little voice inside your head that is not your subconcious, it is just simply you, in the purest form, leading you where to go. It's your instict. Sometimes humans have a way of letting their head overpower their heart. Pendulums answer only to your complex, multi-dimensional mind. Human minds ALWAYS have multiple answers to the same question. There is way too much going on in your brain for one true answer to be told through the movement of your hand. And for a fragile, doubtful mind like mine, it is probably the worst tool you can use.

[Firebird]

Sounds like you could benefit from meditation.
Meditation is a great way to alleviate anxiety.
Once you get a bit of a handle on the anxiety you will be able to focus your energy better.

you kinda just blew me off here...
have you tried meditation???
BB, Firebird

[Throughalloftime]

Im sorry what do you mean by blew you off? And yes I have

[SpiritTalker]

I have come to the conclusion that if you focus on the pendulum, it will move, no matter what. Sometimes it's not about your subconcious. Its simply your body depositing a lot of energy into it. Especially since im so nervous all the time, my body is always on overdrive. I have a lot of hypwr energy

I think you got it. Clear and concise. I'd like to see more of this clarity. There are many positive things you can be doing for yourself.

[planewalker]

You have come to realize that the pendulum is bad for you. I think you should give up on divination and try out some spell work, or other form of witchcraft. Go for well rounded experiences. Go to 'the Basics' and dive right in and read, read, read, study, study study.

[Throughalloftime]

I think you got it. Clear and concise. I'd like to see more of this clarity. There are many positive things you can be doing for yourself.

Do you think my conclusion of the pendulum is valid?

[planewalker]

If I were you i'd have your husband bury it and not tell you where.

[MsMollimizz]

Drink chamomile tea or some other calming tea before doing divination,
you can then focus better. and don't let it hang between your legs, always
off to the side !
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz

[barker]

Care, in magic will make it perfect.

[casnarl]

as opposed to just standing there saying something like... hey North, earth, be here now. (For instance )
bb, Firebird

So, I should not speak so casually to the North and Earth? I figured to do my work in the most genuine way being the most myself that I should speak as if I were talking to friends...or rather just talking as normal as I always do and not trying to use fancy wording and such that I'd just have to remember and get confused and in turn less focused on my actual intent. (This is also why I stopped borrowing spells off the internet and just been making my own so that I can remember them)
To clarify, I don't actually say it quite like that but still probably quite a bit more casual than others would/do.

[SpiritTalker]

I think respectful sincerity matters. An invitation from the heart is better then Shakespearian monologue. Sincerity engages the Will and the Mind which is the purpose of reciting a long list of properties and attributes. If your focus gets skewed by reciting then what good is it?

[Crazy Cat Lady]

I am very casual in my magic, for me it is a measure of my comfort and respect. I only speak formally when I am very nervous/uncomfortable or pissed, lol.