Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction … 1
The Little Work 2
Part One: Foundations of Magic Chapter One: The Basis of Magic … 9 What Is Magic? 16 We Create Our Reality—Or Do We? 18 The Metaphysics of How We Create Our Reality 21 Limits and Confounding Factors Regarding the Metaphysical Creation of Reality 23 The Metaphysical Power of Belief 27
Chapter Two: Perceiving Energy and Energy Alignment … 29 Techniques for Perceiving Subtle Energy 31 Divine Energy 32 The Guidance of Alignment 33
Chapter Three: Basic Magical Practice … 35 Magical Technology 38 Fundamentals of Ritual 42 Foundational Supports for Performing Effective Magic 44 Fundamentals of Spellcraft 48 On Metaphysical Law 51 Magic and the Subconscious Mind 54 On Symbols 57 Additional Considerations for Creating Effective Spells 60 The What, Why, How, Who, Where, and When of Spellcraft 63 Correspondences and Elements 66 Elemental Correspondences 68 Designing Spells 83 Why Does Magic Fail? 85 Meeting the Ego 88 Overcoming Doubt in Magic 93
Part Two: Inner Alchemy Chapter Four: Beginning the Little Work … 99 The Basics of Cognitive Theory 102 Keys to Effective Alchemical Practice 107 Creating a Daily Practice 116 Elements of a Daily Practice 119 On Ritual 123 The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram: A Case Study 128 Meditation and Mindfulness 134 Navel, Heart, and Third Eye Chakra Meditation 138 How to Meditate 142 Sacred Space 148 Observances for Attuning to the Natural World 151 Containing the Work and Psychic Boundaries 157
Chapter Five: Air: Refining the Mind … 161 Developing a Compassionate Mindset 162 Cultivating a Learning Outlook 169 Internal Sacred Space and Affirmation 177 Practicing Affirmations 179
Chapter Six: Fire: Developing the Will … 185 Owning Our Personal Power 187 Will Development Exercises 193 Self-Discipline 200 Intentional Action 202 Clarifying Values 204 Authentic Living 209 Clarifying Intent 211 Effective Decision-Making 213 Goal-Setting 216
Chapter Seven: Water: Allowing Our Emotions … 219 Understanding Emotion 221 The Holy Dark 226 On Suffering 229 Allowing Our Emotions 231 Additional Techniques for Dealing with Difficult Emotions 236 Anger, Fear, Grief, Guilt, and Shame 237 Inner Alchemy and Relationships 244 Toxic Relationships 245 The Magic of Minding Our Business 247 I-Statements 251 Making Peace with the Past 252 Effectively Utilizing Intuition 255
Chapter Eight: Earth: Grounding and Embodying the Work … 259 Body Awareness and Sanctity 260 Exercise 262 Diet 264 Energy Management 266 Home as Oasis and Sanctuary 270 Managing Money 272 The Little Work in the Professional World 275 Connecting with Nature 293
Chapter Nine: Spirit: Approaching the Great Work … 297 To Serve the World 299 The Tenets of the Little Work 302
Bibliography … 303
Index … 309
