Spell: Ivy Guardian There are many species of Ivy, and each has a nature as variable as the shapes and colors of its lovely leaves. Yet, for all of their differences, they are all ivy, and the purpose of this spell--what each of them offers to those open to hearing their voice--is protection. The idea of protection itself varies depending on one's objective, much like the ivy itself. Style is the only distinction; the function is the same across species. This is a spell to form a partnership with an Ivy Guardian for the sake of security, protection, and health as inspired by one of these little knights themself. The only required materials are you (the practitioner), the essence of the ivy present (elemental), and a piece of paper. 1. Enter a state of openness near the vine. A good way to do this is to touch the ivy, and know the ivy is touching you too. If necessary, do this as often as possible until you receive a distinct impression in the mind's eye of the guardian. Don't try too hard. Don't even bother if your mind is too high in the air. The best state to facilitate the connection is a grounded, instinctive one. Sit with the ivy for awhile, drawing, writing, smoking, meditating, or some other relaxing activity. The more relaxed you are, the more primed the Soul-eye is to see. Think of it like a mirror that is covered in dust. The reflective surface is vision, and the dust represents thought. Contrary to what happens in the external world, in a state of stillness, the dust begins to dissolve and vision becomes clearer. 2. Once you see a distinct apparition that lingers long enough behind your eyes to make conversation, let the Ivy Guardian speak to you. They speak in a language of signs similar to charades that your mind may automatically translate into words or ideas. I reiterate the importance of a calm mind, because all of this could be disturbed or muddled by unease, paranoia, intrusive thoughts, or distraction even though one may be able to see the elemental well enough. Acknowledge the little spirit. Hear what it has to say, not what you want to hear. Their concerns are not like ours, their way of thinking is free from the distraction of selfishness and ego. I have never met one that even mentioned itself apart from offering to serve. 3. Concretize the bond by making a chant, prayer, jingle, poem, talisman, sketch, or some other token that draws its energy into your sphere. This serves the same purpose as a thank-you note, and balances the gifts of the Ivy Guardian. 4. With great care and gentleness, pluck the blade that stands out most you. Place it in a piece of folded paper that can be tucked into your wallet, purse, or pocket for safe-keeping. The less the leaf is exposed to moisture, the longer the spell lasts.* I could have drawn the likeness of an Ivy Guardian, but I didn't want to color your experience. Remember that what appears to you is what your mind is capable of understanding. What we see** is often a reflection of what the elemental represents in symbolic form, not the true form itself in every case. Depending on the development of clairvoyance in the practitioner, the guardian will appear more or less in its unfiltered form. The higher the level of clairvoyance, the closer to reality the vision will be. We are talking about another, noncorporeal level of existence--the elemental level. Elementals clothe themselves in the fabric offered by our minds to ease visualization and interaction. They are playful, lack our mode of reasoning, and our range of emotions. This is not to say that they do not feel, but that they live in a plane different than our own though intermingled with it. We are dealing with the beings that nurture the Ivy, not the plant iself. The leaf serves as a link between it and us. *you will know when the spell needs to be renewed. The leaf will unexpectedly draw your attention. Return it to the earth by leaving it in a place outside, ideally among or near ivy. **when I use the word "see," I am referring to the Sight of the inner eye, the mind's eye, not always physical vision.