Sex, Magic & Healing
Five steps to reclaiming your power and finding true love.
by Christopher Penczak

In modern witchcraft, all magick is a form of love magick. One can also say that all magick is sex magick. Sexuality is the power of creative energy, energy coming together in union, bliss, or ecstasy as part of the creative process.The trance of the shaman is often called "an ecstasy," as are the witches' sabbat rituals. The enlightenment of the yogi is described as "the bliss of the thousand-petaled lotus." When we are at this elevated consciousness, we open past the awareness of separateness to join with and experience another, and to ultimately achieve oneness with the universe. All magick and mysticism work to see past the illusion that we are separate and understand the greater truth that we are all one. Sex is a path of magical power and healing for all couples.

Regardless of the type of sex you may be having, from romantic to wild, comforting to fantasy role-playing, you and your partner(s) are merging your energy bodies. Even if you think your connection with a lover is strictly physical, you are still merging energy and making an energetic connection. There is no such thing as "casual sex." There can be casual attitudes about sex, but on an energetic level, there is always something more. When you make a connection to someone through this kind of love, you will find it is possible to connect with another without losing your self. Unconditional love is an unattached love.

Many people go into sex burdened with fear, shame, and a need to be completed by another. When you move energy (as always happens with sex) while carrying such emotions, this burden will weigh down your bond. Even though you might not have originally created such energy, if you carry those feelings, then you must take responsibility for it. The more unhealthy or abusive the relationship and your view of it - whether it is a long-term situation or a one-time encounter - the more such a connection can adversely affect you. You may feel you have given away a part of your personal power and soul to one who has not respected and cherished you in love. Time can heal such wounds, but by consciously engaging and moving such energy, magic can help us to take responsibility for our actions and the feelings around them. Such is the path to true healing.

If you feel that you have suffered as a result of a sexual relationship, try the following ritual to reclaim your lost sexual, personal, and spiritual power.

1 List your lovers.
It's best to do this in a physical form. Do not judge how long or how short your list is; simply reflect on it and how you feel about all these past and/or present partner(s). Do any of these relationships stick out as encounters that still need to be healed? Be honest with yourself.

2 Go to your place of power.
Use whatever grounding and centering techniques you are most familiar and comfortable with or simply sit quietly, in a place where you will not be disturbed, and pay attention to your breath. After a few minutes, you will be ready to proceed. Now send yourself, mentally, to your place of power and call upon your chosen deity or deities for assistance. Ask for their help in this ritual and follow any instructions that they give you.

3 Let your lovers go.
Now imagine a doorway before you. The god(s) and/or goddess(es) you have called stand between you and the doorway. Now call out to the first name on your list of past lovers. Ask their Higher Self to be present. See your lover appear in the doorway; if you have any unfinished things to say to them or questions to ask, do so now. When you feel closure with this person, move away from the door and see a shimmering rainbow appear between you and your former love. Now face them and say "I thank you for our time together and for the gifts you have given me. I now release any parts of you I may still be carrying, for the highest good of all."

4 Reclaim your energy.
Exhale and say, "I now reclaim any parts of myself that should be with me, for the highest good of all." Inhale deeply, and feel your power move toward you from your ex. As it moves towards you, it passes through the rainbow and is cleansed before entering your body. Imagine the God/dess using a sword to sever any unhealthy cords of energy between you and your former lover. Thank you lover's Higher Self, and watch as s/he moves through the doorway and disappears.

5 Say farewell.
Thank the God/dess and ground yourself as needed. When you are finished with the entire list, burn it and dispose of the ashes in running water (a public bathroom will do, don't pollute!).

Every time you express your sexuality, you are expressing spiritual, psychic, and magical energy. A good witch becomes conscious of it and uses each experience to bring a greater state of healing and balance.

Christopher Penczak is the author of several books, including Gay Witchcraft: Empowering the Tribe, from which this excerpt is adapted. For more information on his work, visit www.christopherpenczak.com.