Psychic Shields for a first-timer

[jaded1004]

've been doing some research about psychic shielding and I've stumbled on to several resources on the topic. From what I've gathered, casting a psychic shield seems very similar to casting a circle. I've never cast a circle, so I have several questions regarding both shielding and circle casting.

To my understanding, the purpose of casting a circle is to create a space free of negative energy- it can be done solo or with a coven. Casting a circle requires a ritual involving chanting and candles. Casting a psychic shield is a solo process that may spread to more than one person with practice. No ritual or special tools of any kind are required. No chanting is required, but it is optional? The purpose of a psychic shield is to either absorb/negate or reflect negative energy from the caster. These are the things I have taken from various resources but....

As I was researching psychic shields, each source recommended something different.
1) One website recommended chanting "“There is one power in the Universe, and I am a perfect manifestation of that power. As such I will that the boundaries of my aura shall be strong and healthy, repelling all unwanted energy while remaining open to positive and healing energy. Safe within these boundaries nothing can harm me, for I am filled with the strength of the Goddess. By my will, so mote it be -and it is so.” " in one's mind as the shield was being cast
2) Another website said to add layers to the shield, and keep the shield as close to your own body as possible, also to add different textures to the shield
3) Third website called for drawing energies from sources that i'm unpracticed and unfamiliar with
4) Fourth website was a very specific how to for psychic shields

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience/suggestions with psychic shields. More specifically, do you think the chant would help? Would I have to know energy manipulation before I could cast a shield? Is a psychic shield too advanced for a beginner? I was also wondering if anyone wanted to discuss the similarities/differences between a psychic shield and a circle.

Sources:
1) http://www.everythingunderthemoon.net/white-light-psychic-shielding.htm
2) http://www.askclaudia.com/psychic-protection.htm
3) http://astateofmind.eu/2010/03/03/how-to-create-psychic-shield-in-6-steps/
4) http://pjdeneen.hubpages.com/hub/psychicshielding 

[WendyAnne]

I just imagine a shield of white light around myself. It's nothing fancy, but it works for me.

[Seraphis]

Greetings! If I may suggest, there are a number of excellent thread topics on the forum which cover shielding, grounding, and energy manipulation quite extensively. Just use the search feature ( http://www.witchforum.net/forum/index.php?action=search ) to browse some of the topics. They've been discussed and practically exhausted on theory, practice, applications, and various methods of visualization. (You may find some of my posts in the energy manipulation threads, particularly the thread which covers "training" with raising / utilizing energies, though it is quite old and buried in the back of the forum by now.. )

BB,

 -- Seraphis

[jaded1004]

Haha of course. Thank you for the reply I'll be sure to check it out and come back with any other new questions I think up. I'm a bit worried though I've never been good at visualization  How do you know if you're doing it right? but research first ask later I suppose~

[Seraphis]

With practice and meditation, energy (various types: chi, ki, psi, life force, bioforce, personal energy, Earth energy, Reiki, etc.) often tends to become more noticeable, more varied, and more tangible. The more time you have practicing in sensing it, and meditating to enable your senses to perceive subtle energy, the easier it will be for you to interact with, and manipulate it. Take time, try not to over-exert yourself, and remember to learn about grounding, centering, and shielding as a priority.

BB,

 -- Seraphis

[outdoorsman43]

The writings of Dion Fortune are an excellent introduction to the subject of Psychic Shields, defence from psychic attack. They are well worth checking out.

[ThunderWolf]

Haha of course. Thank you for the reply I'll be sure to check it out and come back with any other new questions I think up. I'm a bit worried though I've never been good at visualization  How do you know if you're doing it right? but research first ask later I suppose~

Visualization is a process that goes on in your mind. If using the sense of sight to visualize doesn't work well for you, perhaps you can more easily "visualize" using any of your other senses.

[runicrules]

My advice would be to think about it, dwell on a shield of pure energy cascading around you, letting in good chi, and repelling negative chi. Do this for a while, then, one day, just stop thinking about it. Your unconcious should pick up where your concious left off, thus allowing you to be protected with little effort. This is what I did.

[Ken Ra]

What ever you do, it has to make sense to you. Doing something stupid because an Authority told you to is strictly a no win. Do you see/feel positive and negative chi? if not forget it. Do you see sparrow sized purple dragons? No, then forget about them. Do you see auras? Yes.  Then you can work with them.

ANY advise has to square with your understanding of reality to be of value to you.