Applied Magic is one of my favorite books by Dion Fortune. I have read it almost as many times as I have read Psychic Self Defense, and I find both profoundly interesting, as well as timeless. While discussing egregores in Applied Magic, Fortune suggests that we are *always* building thought forms and egregores…it is simply a matter of whether we are feeding higher forces of our own creation, or lower (aka, shadow) forces of our own creation. While facing the shadow is imperative in true growth, wallowing within the shadow can create imbalance and, eventually, lead to the initiate becoming controlled by these aspects of the lower Self. As an occultist, the goal while delving into the shadow should always be for the causes of integration and transmutation. As for building on higher forces of our own creation, mindfulness is imperative. The simplest meditation one could do (and, many times, most transformative) is to enter into a state as the outside observer. Observing thoughts as they come and go, without judgement or trying to “fix” or “change” them. Observing sensations as they arise, and (if you feel safe enough) becoming curious about those sensations and letting them fully manifest, opposed to cognitively giving them meaning and shutting them down. Additionally, we must create a sacred space within the Self where we build upon thoughts and emotions that are holy, uplifting, sacred, pure. Meditating on our gratitude, our love, our compassion, our strength. The Will is built through the fortification of our identification in this things, in contrast to the false “I” that we often build from the manifestations of our unhealed wounds. I often explain this concept to those that I work with using the analogy of bacteria. In the gut, for example, we have good bacteria and bad bacteria. In order to maintain gut health, we must build upon the good gut bacteria. Alternatively, an overgrowth of bad gut bacteria can cause numerous health problems, and even (due to the gut/brain connection) create mental disturbances such as symptoms of depression, OCD, anxiety, and even schizophrenia! One can experience similar, if not worse, symptoms by allowing the “overgrowth” of the lower forces which do, in turn, manifest as their own entities.
