I used this spell recently when I encountered a Trump-y tailgate party. I wrote about that experience in last week's diary. I feel now is a good time to share it with others. It's been helpful for me, maybe it would be for you, too.
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The first thing I'll tell you is, you won't disappear like the Invisible Man. It's not like something out of Harry Potter. You'll still show up in photos and CCTV. What it can do is allow you to fly under the radar, so to speak. It's like camouflage, the kind they don't sell at Wal-Mart or Tractor Supply. You'll be visible, but you'll be able to deflect people's attention. Their eyes will see you. Their minds however just won't notice you.
Depending on where you are and who's around you that can be a very good thing.
The second thing I'll tell you is, there's a good chance that you've already done something similar. Quietly slipping past your boss as you arrive late for work, and the boss just goes on chatting with their favorite employee. Avoiding an awkward meeting with your ex when he shows up at a party held by a mutual friend. That sort of thing. Maybe you remember thinking to yourself, "you can't see me you can't see me".
This kind of spell can be accomplished without the use of ingredients; crystals, stones, herbs and such can be incorporated if you want. It can be done alone, on the fly, as the need arises. (That's how I do it).
The single most important part of casting a glamour is awareness and knowledge of your own personal energy field. It's always there, but you may not sense it. That doesn't mean you're incapable of sensing it. Only that, like just about everyone else in Western culture, this sort of awareness wasn't something that was prioritized and cultivated in us when we were children. We (particularly women) have long been taught from childhood to be sensitive to others. Ourselves, not so much. Sensing your own energy field can require a certain amount of practice. It helps to be calm, grounded, and as free as possible from distractions while doing it. I can perceive the energy fields of other living things from several yards away, but can only feel/see my own for about two or three inches beyond the surface of my physical body. I don't know why this is, but it is sufficient for me to cast a glamour of invisibility on myself.
The process for doing this is similar to what's known as psychic shielding, which is done by many people of various paths who don't identify as witches. A glamour of invisibility however takes the process further.
When casting a glamour on yourself, you're manipulating your personal energy field. Glamour spells affect how others perceive you; when the intention is to attract the notice of others, the energy is expanded outward and consciously directed make you appear a certain way. A little bit taller, maybe, or prettier. Or perhaps confident, competent, trustworthy- things that are meant to attract positive attention from others. There are of course those who consciously project menace and the potential for violence. This is actually attractive to certain people, who will often try to emulate that or at least identify with it.
When using a glamour of invisibility you're drawing your energy inward, as far as possible, focusing your intention on deflection. Visualization can be helpful for this; imagine your energy like a cloak or blanket which you are drawing over your head and face, wrapping your body tightly. The center of your energy is in your abdomen, your solar plexus. Bringing that "blanket" of your energy inward, direct it towards your solar plexus. You may feel a sensation of tingling and/or warmth grow in that spot. That's normal. As you do this you might also notice a slightly decreased sensitivity in the surface of your skin to things like heat and cold; that's also normal.
Some people visualize a sort of mirror effect, which reflects to others their surroundings and other people. I usually visualize a featureless, bland sort of beige-ness. Something hardly worth noticing. While drawing your energy inward state your intention. You can speak softly to yourself, or inside your head- You don't see me. Don't notice me. I'm not here. Nothing to see here. Or similar words, whatever works best for you.
Humans generally see what they expect to see. Not necessarily what's actually there. What they do see is often passed right over and ignored. This tendency works to your advantage when using a glamour of invisibility. How we see ourselves will have an impact on how others perceive us; when that self-image is consciously chosen and directed, the impact can be considerable.
In a crowded setting it's helpful to join in with the movements of those around you. If they are standing still, you remain still or move slowly. If they are dancing, you move your body a little in a similar way. If there's a possibility of violence, or fighting is already happening, try to move away from it calmly. Do nothing to attract attention to yourself. At all times maintain an awareness of your surroundings; people who don't really register your presence are more likely to bump into you or even knock you over.
A glamour of invisibility can be helpful when you're surrounded by people in a state of heightened emotion; it's normal to feel, respond to, even internalize the combined strength of emotional energy in a group of people. But there are times when it's better to not get caught up in that. Drawing your own energy inward, closely, hinders that transfer of emotion.
A glamour of invisibility works best on other humans. With humans, it works best with strangers, works well with acquaintances, however those you love and who love you are often able to sense your presence regardless. It can work with animals, however I've found that larger wild animals are generally less susceptible. Cats appear to be completely immune to it. (No great surprise).
To end the spell simply release it. You can say something like, this spell is finished, it is ended, it is done now. You can shake your hands, as if shaking off water. Take a couple of deep breaths, and as you exhale loosen your hold on your energy "blanket". It'll flow back into it's usual position. If you have invoked the aid of any deities or spirits be sure to thank them for their help.
ETA- fellow Kossack itallcomestolight reminded me of an important point which I neglected to mention- Avoid making eye contact with those around you while doing this. Thanks again itallcomestolight!
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A final note- this is harder to do when you're frightened. Worse, fear is perhaps the emotion most easily detected by others. It will draw attention to you if you cannot get a handle on it. When attempting this spell under hazardous conditions you must do everything you can to control your fear. Silently recite a mantra or prayer (I prefer the Litany Against Fear), use calming breath work, visualization, anything that works for you. In the meantime, practice often in safe non-threatening situations.
This isn't a substitute for self-defense or martial arts training, nor for self-defense devices. It is however one more useful thing to have in your toolkit. And we really can't have too many of those.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.