Astral Work - Tumblr Posts
A Land of Will
Cephiro is the primary setting of Magic Knight Rayearth. It is, as the second season of the anime reveals, a planet located somewhere in the depths of space.
Cephiro is a world separate from Earth and, according to the manga, was created by Mokona after witnessing the devastation and war on Earth. Cephiro can turn almost any person's wishes and desires, even subconscious ones, into reality, hence why it is also referred to as "The Land of the Will". By pure Volition alone, one can create illusions, forge magical weapons, summon beasts, and even manipulate the landscape and weather. Because of this, Cephiro is an ideal location for any magical hero to hone their astral abilities.
While the Magic Knights were originally summoned to Cephiro by an outside force, they could eventually travel there and back to Earth by their own power and you can as well! Once you have prepared your physical and aetheric body for astral work, envision yourself being engulfed and sucked in by a blinding white light. As the light fades, let the landscape of Cephiro come into view as you free fall from the sky: feel the warm sun and cool air on your skin and as you pass through the clouds, notice the vast sea disappearing over the horizon; the floating crystalline mountains; and the forests and volcanoes dotting the main islands. Pick a place to land and direct your aetheric body towards it—maybe summon a flying beast or vehicle to help you to your desired location.
When you land, your possibilities are endless! While the landscape of Cephiro is constantly being shaped by the Volition of its inhabitants, take note of the landmarks around the main islands that have stood the test of time.
If you want to forge magical weapons or tools, head for the Spring of Eterna nestled in the Forest of Silence where the legendary ore Escudo can be found. When viewing the spring from the side, it just looks like a glowing blue line extending horizontally over the ground but from above, one can see its calm waters. When you plunge into the spring, you will end up in a dark pit in which you must face illusions of your deepest fears before obtaining your Escudo. The Forest of Silence itself provides its own set of challenges, particularly that one cannot use magic there. Your troubles will be worthwhile, however, because with Escudo you can create evolving weapons that react to your desires.
Of course, you can just choose to explore the land and practice your aetheric and magical abilities to your heart’s content!
This post is part of my Magi Praxis series. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or you have attempted anything I have shared and want you share your experiences, please send me a message! I am always happy to go back and provide further explanation as well. ☆
If you’re new to visualization and astral projection, are having some difficulties with it, or even if you’re a veteran looking for resources, I highly recommend The Mentalist's Handbook: An Explorer's Guide to Astral, Spirit, and Psychic Worlds by Clint Marsh with illustrations by Jeff Hoke.
It was one of the first occult texts I picked up that I found refreshingly succinct and accessible. One of my biggest pet peeves is when occult authors describe tools or techniques but fail to explain the mechanics or don’t even attempt to offer any insight; Marsh not only details an approachable practice regimen but Hoke’s illustrations offer a bit of whimsy and inspiration for your own visualizations. Not to mention, the publication itself is just beautifully printed! Of course it is also available online in many formats but I definitely do not regret having a copy in my personal library!
Are there other topics you’re looking for more information on or are interested in other recommendations? Feel free to send me a message and I can try to point you in the right direction! ☆