What is an intention anyways?
The first step in making magic is to set your intention—the purpose to which you will dedicate your energy, will, and effort.
“Intention” is not a word I take lightly. It is a word that has weight and I use it with due consideration and respect. When you set an intention you tell yourself and the universe that you’ve identified what you need or want, and are committed to manifesting it.
An intention comes from your spirit and your force of will. Setting an intention is a deliberate magical act in which you choose the direction
in which you want your life to go and act accordingly. An intention is like a tarot Ace—filled with potential. It encourages you to grab on to a brilliant
idea and run with it, or to nurture your heart’s desire so it can grow.
Creating Powerful Intentions
There are three key aspects to creating powerful intentions: emotion, belief, and focus.
When you harness your emotions in the service of your beliefs, and then focus that power on a positive change you want to manifest, that’s when
the magic happens. Your intention is born from a need so strong that you are committed to working magic to fulfill it. As such, it should evoke a strong emotional response. How do you feel when you contemplate your intention? Are you excited? Hopeful? Inspired? Perhaps you’re nervous, but committed to the path ahead.
Imagine how you’ll feel when you get that job, or establish an enriching and loving relationship, or move into the home that is just right for you. Imagine how empowered you will feel when you release old stories that are holding you back, or achieve whatever you need. Bring that emotion
into your intention.
You don’t need to know how you will do it, but you’ve got to believe that you can manifest your intention. When you send a message to the universe
that you have faith in yourself, the universe answers and your desire begins to take on energetic momentum. Don’t shy away from choosing a challenging or significant intention. But don’t set your sights on something that you believe is impossible. Never invest your magical energies in something that you don’t believe will bring results. Instead, let your intuition and emotions lead you to an intention that you believe, deep down, you will be able to manifest.
Always remember that magic’s ultimate purpose is to foster positive change and spiritual growth for the person working it. And these benefits ripple out,
making the world a better place as well. So when it comes to forming your intention, keep the focus firmly on yourself. Trying to change others or convince
them to do what you desire is ethically unsound and tiptoes around the actual work. Use your emotions, your beliefs, and your focus to empower yourself
through your intention. Real magic and lasting change come from within.
Types of Intentions
I work with two types of intentions when working a spell or creating a talisman: quantifiable intentions and holistic intentions.
Quantifiable intentions work toward definite or measurable results—outcomes that are crystal clear when achieved. Timing is often an element in this
type of intention. For example, you may form an intention to secure a new job before the end of the year, or manifest a certain amount of money within six
months. Your intention may involve traveling to your dream destination for a milestone birthday, or completing a creative project by a deadline.
When working with this kind of magic, the best approach is to focus on manifesting the specific outcome while allowing events to unfold as needed. If you try to control precisely how your intention manifests, you may miss important opportunities or make the process more arduous than it needs to
be. Trust in the universe and yourself, and work toward the desired outcome while releasing your hold on it.
Holistic intentions are less measurable than quantifiable intentions, because they center around inner work like healing, spiritual development, or releasing
narratives that no longer serve you well. They focus on well-being and quality of life rather than on fixed outcomes. They empower you to manifest ongoing
and lasting change. When you create a holistic intention, you celebrate milestones of growth along the way. Imagine you intend to increase your self-worth
and self-confidence, or invite more joy into your life. Perhaps you want to foster forgiveness, or embrace your sovereignty. Rather than finally achieving a goal or being “finished,” you create new patterns and ways of living and thriving.
Holistic intentions are compassionate and evolving. While it is still important to have a specific goal, holistic intentions allow you to shift that goal and
change as you learn. They encourage you to experience challenges and grow through them. When you form a holistic intention, you release any attachment to an outcome and focus on building a sustainable practice that aligns with your values.
Three questions to ask yourself as you embark on magical work:
- What is the purpose of my magic?
- Is my intention specific and quantifiable?
- Is my intention holistic and evolving?
When you have clarity around these questions, you are ready to go even deeper.
For more about how to manifest your intentions and live the life you desire, check out my book, Talismans & Tarot.