Psychic Sheilding

Psychic Shielding
by Druidess of Disir

Good shielding techniques should, in my personal opinion, be one of the first few
essential lessons for those seeking to learn how to sense and use their own personal
energies and the energies present in the world around them. And so I offer my own
techniques and experiences on this very important basic lesson.

Most good shielding requires the student have some aptitude at and knowledge of
visualization techniques, which may be combined with meditation. Basic energy sensing
and manipulation is also helpful, although not necessarily required. Both are beyond the
scope of this essay.

Importance of Shielding
I cannot stress enough the importance of good shielding techniques. Opening oneself to
be able to feel and manipulate internal and external energies can also leave one
vulnerable to attack and influence of directed and undirected energies. Below are a few
examples of directed and undirected energies:
• Car salesmen (or any salespeople, for that matter) are notorious schmooze artists.
Part of their innate charisma is a natural ability (subconscious or not) to
energetically push their will upon their customers. This would also apply to any
successful con artist. A good shield on the part of the customer may cause some
vexation to the salesman who is unable to convince him to buy more than he can
afford.

• Most people at one time or another have had the experience of walking into a
room just after a heated argument has occurred. Even though they may not have
witnessed or heard the fight, and the people in the room were acting friendly
toward each other, a good number of people will say they can feel the tension in
the air and may actually be more prone to hostility after entering the room. This
can be thought of as psychic residue, and can strongly affect some people. The
same could be said for a space in which any emotionally charged event has
occurred. Shielding can help keep such freeloading energies from having an
unwanted effect.

• There are quite a number of people who, through either natural ability or good
training, can sense details about other people. That is, people who can psychically
Read another person if that person is not well shielded. Conversely, nearly
everyone could probably come up with the names of a few people who never
seem to let on what they're truly thinking. They are unreadable and probably
very well shielded through either innate ability or practice.

• There are some people who are so negative that they drain other people mentally,
emotionally, physically and psychically. Almost everyone can probably think of
at least one friend or acquaintance who can ruin the best day and make them feel
tired or even physically ill. Effective shielding can reduce or eliminate this effect.

Basic Techniques – Visualizations
The basic techniques for shielding are very simple, but they require quite a bit of practice
at first to be effective. Here are a few simple methods for the novice.
Beginner Visualization (The White Egg)
The most basic shielding technique involves the student visualizing a barrier of some sort
around him/herself. The most basic barrier is probably the sphere or egg of white light.
The technique is as follows:
Ground and center your energy using whatever method you wish. Close your eyes
and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Allow yourself to see your body with your
mind's eye. Hold this image until it becomes stable. Now see your skin begin to
glow with white light. Allow this light to become a layer that covers your entire
body. Let it expand to be as thick as you think it needs to be and continue to grow
outward. As it moves away from the surface of your body, it becomes a glowing
white egg (or sphere) encircling you from all directions. Allow it to expand to the
edge of your personal comfort zone. Know that you are safe within this space, and
allow yourself to feel calm here. Hold this image firmly in your mind for several
minutes before opening your eyes.

Use this visualization whenever you feel you need protection, and particularly before
doing any other energetic or psychic work. It is also a good practice to begin your day
with this visualization and to consciously draw your attention toward the mental image of
your shield throughout the day whenever you think about it or when you feel you need it.
At first, it may be necessary to go through the entire visualization (which may take some
people up to 10 minutes or so) every time you want to shield yourself. This is perfectly
normal. It should become much easier with practice, and it may eventually require only a
few seconds to complete the visualization.

Visualization Variations
There are many different ways to visualize a shield around your physical body. Some
people like the white light method. Others prefer to visualize something more familiar
and solid around them than a glowing white egg. I have included below some variations
to use in place of the white egg. Just use the exercise above and replace the egg with
whatever else you'd like to use.

• Marshmallows or pillows: to give the feeling of a little extra padding between you
and whatever you happen to face.

• Wire mesh: filters out the bad stuff while still allowing Good vibes to come
through.

• Mirror: reflects negativity back to the originator.

• Brick walls: for especially tough shields.

• Fire: burns away bad stuff.

and the list goes on! Whatever you can imagine that you think would be a good shield
you can use. The important thing is that it makes you feel safe and that you practice with
it enough that you are comfortable putting up your shield on short notice.

Intermediate/Advanced Techniques – Energy Manipulation
The more advanced practitioner may want to incorporate energy manipulation into their
visualization exercises when shielding. The basic technique is again very simple and the
variations are only limited by the imagination and ability of the practitioner.

Basic Energy Shield
Ground and center your energy. Become aware of your personal energy field.
Begin to expand it outward a comfortable distance from your body. Concentrate
the energy at the edge of the field so that it becomes thick and impenetrable.
Focus on this long enough that the field does not disperse easily.
Here is a second method for this exercise:
Ground and center your energy. Bring your hands together in front of you and
form a Ball of energy between your hands. Allow this ball to grow in size and
intensity until it surrounds you on all sides. Focus long enough that the shield
does not disperse easily.

Once again, the exercise may be used whenever you feel like you need protection or in
the morning as part of beginning your day. With practice, this exercise should become
easy enough that the whole process takes only a few seconds.

Energy Shield Variations
The energy shield can be varied in much the same way that the visualization shield can be
varied. Energy for the shield can be drawn from different sources, including the earth
itself. The possibilities are truly limitless.

Proper shielding techniques should be one of the cornerstones of any magical or psychic
training. The techniques are so simple almost any beginner can perform them and are
easily mastered with a little practice. Don't be afraid to experiment with the techniques
until you find one that works well for you. There are probably as many methods for
shielding as there are people who do it, and there really is not a single Right way. Nor
are there any wrong ways.

Copyright „ 2003 Lubbock Seeker's Society. Permission is given to redistribute as long
as proper credit is given to the author and this copyright notice is attached. The author
can be contacted at druidess_of_disir@sbcglobal.net.
Source: http://www.lubbockpagans.org/articles/shielding.pdf