Mage: the Ascension, Patterns, Quintessence, Energies & Thoughtforms.

About.

I am styling myself as a Virtual Adept, a computer-oriented Magician from storytelling game 'Mage: the Ascension'.

It's a part of art style i am creating, an art style that i've named: 'Art of Magick & Light'.


Part of that chore (style creation) is translating M:tA's silly game mechanics into real magick-related lore & terms.

The style, 'Art of Magick & Light', uses real world's witchcraft/magick lore & wisdom afterall.


Patterns & Quintessence.

In 'Mage: the Ascension' one can perceive doing spellwork as creating/modifying/destroying patterns and directing the Quintessence, magickal energy.

Quintessence is manipulated by the Sphere of Prime.

Patterns are manipulated by Spheres of Forces, Life & Matter.

When pattern(s) are fueled with quintesence, the magick is focused into realm of spirit (Astral Plane), then earth - real world - changes over time, becomes a more or less precise copy of the spirit realm as it is at the current moment, at given location. In Mage: the Ascension game such changes can occur very quickly.

Thoughtforms & Energies.

In traditional magical parlance, what you focus on and project energy into is called a 'thought form.'

Smudge Stick & Altar Tools Purification/Consecration/Charging.

Chat Transcript.

Here's transcript from Discord Chat (Server: 'The Witches Hearth').

(Attentus is my nickname).

'Attentus: hey, i have troubles in translating/understanding words: 'sage smudgestick'. does it mean 'sage incense stick'? thanks for answer(s). 🙂

cantankerous whisp of a goose: SMUDGING is reserved for natives. So if it’s called a smudge stick it’s just buzz words trying to make money in shady ways (or uneducated ways). Smoke cleansing is open so you can have sage incense for sure but even then it’s best to source it from ethical places or places you know the money will be going to native peoples

Attentus: i am just trying to understand purification/consecration/charging rite for wand/athame/chalice & pentacle. smudgestick word was used in description of procedure that does it, in a book: 'Witch Crafting' by Phyllis Curott. 🙂

666.000.888.: Smudging and Smoke Cleansing are used interchangeably very frequently. Yes sage smoke can be considered incense like Cantan said smudging is a different ritual though

Attentus: thanks! 🙂'


Procedure.

For Athamé, Chalice, Wand & Pentacle Purification/Consecration/Charging I'll use 'procedure' described in the book: 'Witch Crafting' by Phyllis Curott. It is allowed to use any meditation in the 'Grounding and Centering' part, so i'll use a Simple form of Buddhist Meditation on Breath, (imagining and counting (from 1 to 10 and again ...) breaths as they enter, remain in, and leave one's body, practiced in a half-lotus position, this time.) :)



Why Mediation on Breath?

For two reasons:

1. It's simple and versatile practice.
2. When I've roleplayed a Sorcerer named: 'Attentus', I've used to play him meditating on breath in Zazen position. Not sure whether he imagined or only counted breaths though. Now I am styling myself to be like him to some degree, both in internal and external way. It's a part of Art Style i am creating, named: 'Art of Magick & Light'.


If I remember correctly, I've got this meditation practice (Meditation on Breath) from the book: 'The Three Pillars of Zen' by Roshi Kapleau, and this was before I took refuge in Buddha, Sangha, Dharma & Lama Ole Nydahl. Refuge is initiation into Buddhism, after taking refuge one becomes officially a Buddhist.


I am mostly a Karma Kagyu buddhist (In Lama Ole Nydahl's buddhist community), but i've visited Zen Buddhist Center as well. (ZBZ Bodhidharma in Falenica near Warsaw/Poland).


Timing.

I should Purify, Consecrate & Charge the Altar Tools (Athamé, Chalice, Wand & Pentacle) on next New Moon (about 30 December 2024). Or perhaps just after the new year (1 January 2025).


Tools.

For Athamé, Chalice, Wand & Pentacle Purifying/Consecration/Charging I've bought:
- White Sage Smudge Stick Bundle 10cm,
- Smudge Stick Holder Bowl.

Other neccessary tools I already have, no need to buy more.