Silvery Moon Magic College

I have found and retyped Finding and Connecting to your Power exercises posted on old (not not existing any more) Winx Club page on 4kids forum. I think having more than one source of exercises is good idea, since it gives You different view and writing style, so here You have, hope You will find them useful.


Connecting to your Power:

Just as each person is unique, so is their source of power, and their way of connecting to it. What works for one, may not necess.ary work for another. There are basics Elements that powers fit into; each person will connect in a slightly different way to a slightly different aspect of their Power.
Your connection to your power will grow stronger each time you use it. Each time you connect, you strengthen the bound. This makes it easier to access your Power when you need to.

Exercise to Uncover your Power Source.

This exercise is design to help you uncover your own special source, if you are unsure of it.
Find a place where you can have a little peace and quiet, so you can concentrate. Get into comfortable position. It can be sitting at a desk, in a chair, or even lying or sitting on the floor. Just don't get so comfortable to fall asleep!
1)When you are comfortable, close your eyes and take five breaths; filling your lungs up slowly ad slowly letting the air out.
2)Imagine you are standing at the top of a stairway, and you can see seven steps going down. Each step is one of the colours of the rainbow. Start to imagine yourself walking down each of those steps, and as your foot is hitting the step, imagine the colour surrounding you.
3)At the bottom of the steps you will see a heavy door. Open this door in your imagination. Walk through the door into the room that is behind it.
4)Imagine waiting in this room for an image of your special power source to appear. It may come to you in the form of a sound, you may feel what it is, or see what it is. Be patience. It may take a little while for your Power to come to you.
5)Once you have seen or understand what your Power Source is, you can go through the door you came in, and imagine yourself walking up the steps. When you feel ready you can open your eyes and slowly get up and start moving around. You may feel like jumping, or moving your arms, or anything that will get your circulation going again. Write down what you saw and how you felt, so you will remember it later.


Connecting to your Power: Exercise One

Once you understand what your special power source is, it will be important to be able to connect to your Power. This exercise will help you connect, if you haven't already.

Find something to represent your particular power source. This could be a glass of water, a stone, a CD, a sparkle, or a picture. All it needs to be is something that you can hold in your hands and look at while you do the exercise.
Find a quiet spot where you can concentrate. Hold the object that represents your power in your hand, and repeat the name of your power source four or five times. In your mind, begin to describe all the qualities of that power. For example if your power is the ocean, the qualities could be; strong, able to flow everywhere, deep and changing colour, terrific sound of crushing waves. Do this for as many qualities as you can come up with. Remember, this is describing you and your power. You may want to write this down in your journal.
Once you have described these things, imagine yourself as that power. Imagine how it would feel to have all the qualities your described. Let that feeling fill up your body from the tips of your toes, all the way to the top of your head. When you get a really good feeling of what that is like, imagine you are able to direct this energy any way that you want. You can push this energy so that it can move rocks or lift things up, or make things calm. Think about how it feels to do this. Write it down. Do this as long as you want or as long as you feel comfortable. You don't want to exhaust yourself at first, and using your magical muscles can tire you out.
When you are finished, don't forget to move and stretch your body, and have a glass of water. You may then want to write down how it felt to do this exercise. You can practice it as much as you want.


Connecting to Your Power: Exercise Two:

For this exercise you will need a cup of tea that is in a dark coloured mug (any kind of a tea will do), and your notebook for recording thoughts and impressions you have with this exercise. Again, find a place where you can have a little peace and quiet so you can concentrate. Get into a comfortable position. It can be sitting at a desk, in a chair, or even laying or sitting on the floor. Remember: don't get so comfortable that you fall asleep!
1)When you are comfortable, close your eyes and take five deep breaths; filling your lungs up slowly and slowly letting the air out.
2)Imagine each part of your body beginning to feel lighter and stretched out. Imagine that you can suddenly stretch out a little bit beyond your skin. With each breath, see yourself stretching further and further.
3)While keeping this in your thoughts, pick up the tea, and put it in front of you (or even hold it in your hands if it is not too hot) and imagine that the “stretched” you can wrap itself around the mug and you like a cocoon.
4)Look into the tea. Slightly un-focus your eyes. Let your thoughts drift gently, as though they were feathers on the surface of a lake. Images will begin to form. Some people will see an image of their Power, and others will see things that are clues to what their Power is. If you don't see the images very clearly, ask yourself about the thoughts that are running in your head. They will be clues to your power source. You may not see anything, but get a strong feeling or impression about your power source. This is just as valid as seeing. Others may hear a sound that will be their clue. Each way of uncovering your Power is valid. Because your Power is individual, the way it comes to you will be too. Let your imagination drift with this exercise and don't try to push or rush. If you are finding that you are drawing a blank, come black to the exercise later.
5)After you have made the connection to you power source, write out the impressions that you got in your notebook, as well as any feelings you had about finding your power. If it didn't work for you, record this too, and see if there might be any reasons why it may not have worked; were you tired? Hungry? Preoccupied with something else? It is important to know the things that can interfere with your connection to you Power, so you can be sure to avoid these things before using your magic.
6)After this exercise, get up and move around to get focused again. Connecting to your Power can be very draining, so to be sure to take care of yourself afterwards.

Each time you do connecting to you Power exercise, the connection will grow stronger, so it is advisable to do this often. The meditative aspects of there exercises will help you maintain a calm mind.
The other thing that will help you make the connection stronger is to identify with your element by surrounding yourself with things or symbols that remind you of your element. There are five basic Elements that most of other elements are made of in different proportions. The basic Elements are: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Spirit is the energy that you have within you that makes you alive.* Since this Element is always present, you do not need to find something to represent it. As long as you are living you have it. You can meditate, or have some other practice that will allow you to feel more in contact with this Element of yourself as well. Just remember: it is the source that never leaves you.
The next section will deal with the division of other elements; Earth, Air, Water and Fire.**

_..._..._..._
*Spirit, Akasha, or Nwyfre is bit complicated concept and often not even mentioned before apprentice reaches “intermediate” level and works with Four Elements previously. There are some little misleads in this text- first of all, ALL Elements are are always present with and within You, not just this one. Second You have it always, as long as one, or something exists it contains Elements, therefore You can say that everything is alive (in some way).

**Apart from two little introductions to Earth and Air, those never came.

First the journey itself. The truth is You are on journey since the first lesson You made, You probably don't know its length and destination, although You may have milestones of what You  come/came to know and of what You want and hopefully the lessons here work as guideposts for You, also that You add to it your own experience and independent discoveries.
Yet I'd like You to think about magic learning as a journey, because although it may work as a good parallel, powerful maybe, it can be also uncomfortable, as usually we don't go wonder around without a clue of where are we going and for how long we'll be gone. That can be an image of old times, of pilgrimage or knight quest, but it's not really a thing we do today, and maybe if You knew You're going on journey, You'd prepare Yourself somehow, rethink it all. But as Chinese proverb says “even longest journey starts with one step.” and think if it's not good that You made this step basing on your intuition, not your fear. This way, as with going on walk in dark, You are trusting in your other sense, in your intuition and other people, and yet that does not take away your rational analysing, it just puts it in right order. Nor it leaves You unprepared and needy, cause as another, magic, saying states- when You're are ready the teacher appears, and there'll be plenty of teachers and lessons to learn from all around, if You are willing and your eyes and ears are open.
And the very special and important one You are just about to meet.

Few facts about Guardians

So few words about your guardian. Guardians are very special beings, they are one who guides those on magic path. Once met and bounded, they'll do much to guide and protect You on your way and who will take on them part of your conditions and consequences of your actions (if anyhow a spell backfires, someone tries to sent toward You negative energy, or You'll under spiritual attack, the guardian will know at least part of that impact on them), in the inner and outer world, also by knowing You and situation they will guide You through the situation. Guardians both give and take from You and their existence is bounded with yours, as well as their mind with your mind, therefore the lessons and quests given by them can be best understand by You (unless said otherwise), because they are adjusted to your understanding and symbol language.

That therefore also means that for example the appearance of your guardian may also be influenced and connected with your mind. Although I hope meeting your animal Totem shall be future lesson, your guardian can be as well human, as animal, it can be similar to someone You know, or it may be your ancestor. It is possible t have more than one guardian at time. The truth, and I want You to remember that, although powerful and important, your guardians are not all-knowing, or ever right and it may happen, that they'll test You, or trick You to give You a needed lesson. That's why also in their case, don't forget to use your mind and intuition to judge what You've been told or asked. That's also why most of us meet on their way many guardians. Often they “main one” never changes, but it can also be that after You reach some milestone, further way You'll be guided by a different one. So no matter what is your case and who your guardian is, it does not make You more special in bad or good way.

I already mentioned that guardians are proud ones, and very often also wiser than they may appear, the truth is they hold whole range of qualities (and oddities), that's why before You  learn it all please in first turn always be tactful, truthful and respectful. No matter what You'll face don't break those tree virtues, as the guide may find You unworthy of training. This is not only the case for the time before You learn the guardian's name and s/he officially accepts You, but also later on. And yes learning your guardian's name is essential of meeting them, You can say that exchanging your names officially binds the union between two of You.
Now as I said it all, it's  really time to set the journey.

Journey to the Guardian.

Prepare and bless the space usually, then call in and ground your power. Sit comfortably and take five deep breaths cleansing and freeing your body and mind from noises and distraction around You, from tensions in your muscles, from stress in your body and mind, from worries in your heart and from presence of anything but You being here and now. Thank few more breaths until You feel ready, close your eyes and sense Yourself on your path to the inner sanctuary.
Once You feel fully present there, follow it to the asylum. There, in the centre, You find three things- pilgrim's cloak and stick (objects used in medieval times, quarantining pilgrims immunity) and a little unlit lantern. Take them and continue your walk the direction (opposite to the entrance).
In furthest part of your sanctuary You'll notice a little path leading outside the place. Put on the cloak, if You haven't before, and follow the way.

At some point You reach two bonfires blazing at side of route, so bright, that it is impossible to see what lies behind them. Approach them and light the lantern by either right or left one. Then pass them by. The brightness surrounds You cleansing and blessing You with its power for the save journey. When the lights fade, notice the night sky above and soon You'll be reaching a shore or a pier. The way so far, or it parts may seem  may seem endless, or extremely short to walk, that is the reality of the Fearyrealm.

At its end awaits a boat. Step into and hang the lantern on the prow. Put the stick into the dark water. As You do, the boat will starts the sail. The trip will be long, but try to enjoy it and look around, maybe you will be lucky enough to see in the dark mists some parts of terrain surrounding You, or hear something.

Finally the bout stops on a shore. Take the lantern and the sick and continue walking ahead. Although there is still dark, You should be able to notice You’re  approaching tall, beautiful forest and with each step it is becoming a bit lighter. You may noticed many wonderful things along your way, sweet flowers, amazing trees, or some interesting beings just few steps from the left, or right of the track. But whatever it would be stay on your path!
Once You reach to the circle of the trees, it may be small, or grand, You realize it is the source of the light in this forest. Put your lantern on the ground and go forth. There will be someone waiting for You in the centre of the glade, someone you know well, your Guardian. S/he will ask you to pile the stick. Listen to the request and as You then turn to him/her and notice the appearance of your Guardian. You may noticed a table, or small fire and little hut with a beach in front, on the other side of the circle. S/he greets You and invite You to come closer. Introduce Yourself then and state your intentions and ask their name in return. Wait until You learn their name, and if there is a silence ask again, till You receive the answer. Then they ask You to sit by him/her, stand or even to lay down and watch the stars. Do it and spend some time talking, or just enjoying the accompany.
When You feel the moment is right, ask if s/he will become your Guardian.
Before answering s/he may ask You several questions, or some little favours to do. Some of them may be very hard, or surprising, other easy, funny, yet all are important.
Every time answer honesty, truthfully to your heart, even if that means confessing your uncertainty, or your flaws, so spend a moment thinking about each question before You speak.
There is no right or wrong answer, but they shall know if You lie and that displeases them. If they are stratified with your words, and/or acts, You'll give you the blessing from him/her. Invite your Guardian to your inner sanctuary making that ground place of your meeting and training. At this point your Guardian may have something to tell You or give You, whichever that would be put much attention to it and give your thanks afterwards.

When You feel it's the time once more thank your Guardian and leave. Walk (and sail) the entire way back till you're back in your sanctuary. Take off the cloak and leave all three things in the centre. Sit down for a moment and feel as the energy in sanctuary is refreshing and healing You. Once its done, walk back to the sanctuary entrance and feel the awareness of this place fading and You are getting back to your physical body. Now open your eyes and exercise a bit. Write down in your journal all that You remember as detail as possible, then eat and drink something.