One of the most useful tools in facilitating progress on one’s path is meditation.  Private and group meditations teach us to work pro-actively with our Higher Self and get in touch with our own greater wisdom.  So often, groups limit their visualizations to trees rooted in the earth, reaching to the sky or rainbow colored elevators.  While these are all very effective and, let’s face it, fun, there are times that a change is called for.  Below are some ideas for “different” visualization meditations.

Armor:  Imagine that you are donning protective armor, piece by piece, of the color appropriate to your need:  White if you feel threatened or insecure; Purple if you feel ill or inadequate; red if your energy is depleted; green if you feel hyped or overenergized; blue if you are tense or anxious; yellow if you are nervous or frightened; orange if you are lonely and want to attract company; black if you want to be inconspicuous.  Protect the parts of your body that feel vulnerable at this time or dress out completely.  Don't forget to "take off" your armor when you no longer need its effect!

Baby:  Used in meditations for safety and new beginnings.  When you are feeling overwhelmed, are taking a leap of faith or are starting a new exciting adventure of any kind, visualize yourself as an unborn infant.  Feel yourself floating in the warm fluid of your mother's womb.  All of your needs being completely met.  You have no discomfort and no need for material items.  You are floating comfortably and effortlessly with your whole life before you.  You are blameless and safe.

Library:  See yourself stepping away from your body.  Imagine a door opening in your forehead.  Step through it and descend the staircase that is there.  After twenty steps, open the next door.  Is there a sign or message on the door?  Inside, there is a room filled with books, files, computers, a video screen and a chalk board.  These contain all the thoughts you have thought and will ever think.  You may go to the computers and go “on line” to reference information about yourself.  Do not be surprised if occasionally the screen reads “Access Denied”.  This simply means it is not yet time for you to know what you have asked.  You may wish to leave messages on the chalk board to yourself such as  “Don’t be afraid” or  “You are magnificent!”

Radio:  When channeling information, it is important to understand that you have the power to "change the station", tune in the signal better or even shut of the receiver completely.  Often when meditating, especially as a novice, it is hard to understand that we have control over what comes to us.  Once the channel is open, sometimes we begin to receive messages at times that are not appropriate (such as in a traffic jam or during a lecture).  If you are unable to complete a pressing task and receive the information at the same time, politely close your channel with the promise of re-opening soon when the timing is more convenient.

Rainforest:  Imagine yourself lying in a rain forest.  Feel the warm, cleansing rain fall onto your body.  Hear the sounds of life in the surrounding eco-environment.  As Father Sun pushes the rain aside, feel the warm mist moving around your body as the rain returns to the sky.  Feel cleansed and renewed; a spiritual sauna!

Satellite Dish:  If you are getting a magickal message but are stalling out on the complete meaning, relax, center up and imagine that you are a satellite dish.  Turn toward the signal you are getting to "fine tune" the information that is coming in.

Video Cassette Recorder:  Remember that when you are meditating, you have the power to fast forward, rewind, pause, speed up or slow down what you are seeing if you need to for greater clarity.