Esoteric Empathy

Raven Digitalis (Missoula, MT) is the author of Shadow Magick Compendium, Planetary Spells and Rituals, and Goth Craft. He is a Neopagan Priest and cofounder of an Eastern Hellenistic nonprofit multicultural temple called Opus Aima Obscura (OAO). Also trained in Eastern philosophies and Georgian Witchcraft, Raven has been an earth-based practitioner since 1999, a Priest since 2003, a Freemason since 2012, and an empath all of his life.

Praise:"Going straight to the heart of the mystery of love, divine and human, this is a work from one of the most truly original thinkers of our time."—Lon Milo DuQuette, author of Low Magick and Homemade Magick"I admire Raven Digitalis...His books are well written and reflect long observation and reflection on any particular subject. Esoteric Empathy is no exception. It promises to become the classic work on empathy...A very worthwhile volume."—Raymond Buckland, author of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft and Buckland's Book of Spirit Communications"This book is a must for anyone who finds themselves confused by their sensitivity to others but cannot find answers...Esoteric Empathy makes this journey unique and insightful."—Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, authors of A Witches' Bible and Progressive Witchcraft"Bravo, Raven, for Esoteric Empathy! It should be on the bookshelf and on the required reading list of every occultist, witch, shaman, healer, magic- and spirit-worker, as well as anyone else I missed, who engages and is engaged by the subtle levels of human and non-human experience. (Oh goodness, that's every human alive isn't it?)...Through "magical empathy," our consciousness can merge and mingle with the light, life, and love-force that connect us all."—Orion Foxwood, author of The Faery Teachings and The Candle & the Crossroads"Meaning in the world arises from the heart. In times as challenging as these, the work of mending the world is best understood by those who feel deeply. Those sensitive souls who feel the beat of other hearts as if they were their own are a treasure of equal parts strength and tenderness. Esoteric Empathy is a book that can be a sanctuary and a training ground for those spiritual people who want to embrace their gift of empathy."—Ivo Dominguez Jr., author of Spirit Speak and Practical Astrology for Witches & Pagans"Raven Digitalis gives us a comprehensive and clear-eyed look at what it means to be an empath, with great ideas for turning what can be a challenge into an advantage. This book is a must-read for any empath. I wish it had been around when I was in my teens and twenties!"—Deborah Blake, author of Everyday Witchcraft and the Baba Yaga novels"Digitalis, a Freemason and neopagan Priest, consolidates lessons on the powers of empathy to improve oneself and help others in this balanced handbook for fellow empaths—those who 'experience others' emotions as if they were their own.'"—Publishers Weekly

• ContentsList of Figures xvDedication xviiAcknowledgments xxiOpening Text xxivCHAPTER I: Understanding Empathy 1EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: An Emotional Revelation 2IN PRACTICE : A Checklist to Discern Your Empathic Abilities 13IN PRACTICE: A Checklist for Empathetic Balance 25IN PRACTICE: Experiencing and Healing Residual Emotional Energy 34IN PRACTICE: Appearance Modification: An Empathetic Experiment 45IN PRACTICE: Studying Empathy in Mass Communication 49EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: The ASMR Phenomenon 51CHAPTER MEDITATION: Observing Empathy at Large 53CHAPTER II: The Metaphysics of Empathy 57EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: LSD and the Empath's Spiral Nature 58IN PRACTICE: An Uncrossing and Cleansing Spell for Empaths 66IN PRACTICE: Find Your Metaphysical Elemental Alignment 78IN PRACTICE: Exploring Empathic Energy with a Partner 86EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: Types of Empaths 87CHAPTER MEDITATION: A Yesod Pathworking for Empathic Wisdom 89CHAPTER III: Balancing the Self 95EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: Dangers of Muting the Ability 96IN PRACTICE: Mudras for Increasing Energy 106IN PRACTICE: Empathizing with Contrasting Stimuli 127EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: Cultivating Dietary Empathy for Your Pets 129CHAPTER MEDITATION: Spiritual Realignment with Adam Kadmon 131CHAPTER IV: Grounding, Shielding & Energy Management 137EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: Fantasy Magick: Disillusionment and Discretion 138IN PRACTICE: Geometric Protection Shields 147IN PRACTICE: Ritual Grounding and Elemental Realignment 157IN PRACTICE: Become the Observer 166EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: The Dangers of Personality Absorption 168CHAPTER MEDITATION: Cord Cutting for Empathic Realignment 170CHAPTER V: Approaching the Mundane World 173EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: Absorption and Lightwork 174IN PRACTICE: Operation Empathy: Random Magickal Acts 185IN PRACTICE: An Empathic Elixir Spell for Emotional Relief 205EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: Empathy to a Fault 206CHAPTER MEDITATION: A Deep-Cleansing Ritual Bath 208CHAPTER VI: Empathy & Magickal Work 213EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: Empathizing and Transmuting Painful Frequencies 214IN PRACTICE: An Amber and Jet Sachet Spell to Establish Energetic Boundaries 240IN PRACTICE: Empathic Deity Alignment 271EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: Drugs and Mind-Altering Substances 274CHAPTER MEDITATION: Alchemizing Wounds with Baphomet 277CHAPTER VII: Empathic Healing & Social Service 285EMPATHIC ANECDOTE: A Case of Mutual Pathfinding 286IN PRACTICE: Preparing for Healing, Divinatory, or Therapeutic Work 299IN PRACTICE: Working with Difficult Clientele 311IN PRACTICE: Magickal Postcards for Change 318EMPATHIC CONTEMPLATION: Empathic Parenting 320CHAPTER MEDITATION: A Compassion Meditation to Spread Empathy 322In Conclusion 327Closing Text 330About Opus Aima Obscuræ 333Bibliography 335Index 343