Spirit Flight Misconceptions

Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Kelden, author of The Crooked Path and the new Witches’ Sabbath.

An important aspect of Traditional Witchcraft is interacting with the Otherworld. To forge a deep relationship with spirits and the realms beyond, we often practice what is called spirit flight. Spirit flight involves the spirit of the Witch lifting from their body and traveling forth into the Otherworld. While the ability to successfully engage in spirit flight takes time, patience, and lots of practice, it can be bogged down by several common misconceptions. Below you will find four of the misconceptions I have frequently come across regarding spirit flight.

Misconception 1: There is a total disconnect between body and spirit.
Many mistakenly believe that during spirit flight, there is a complete separation between the physical body and spirit. However, in reality, such a severance only occurs at the time of one’s death. Instead, the body and spirit do maintain a connection. This means that, depending upon various factors such as skill level, you will naturally retain some awareness of both your physical body and the physical surroundings you left behind.

Misconception 2: You need to be good at visualization.
Visualization is often thought of as the ability to picture images within one’s mind. However, in actuality, visualization involves all five senses. For many people, including those with aphantasia, are unable to see images in their mind. That being said, they may still be able to imagine sounds, smells, tastes, or feelings. Don’t worry if you are unable to see images in your mind; this does not mean you are barred from spirit flight. Instead, try focusing on your other senses and see where they can take you.

Misconception 3: Spirit flight is dangerous.
While it is true that the Otherworld is a vast, highly fluid place and that not all spirits will have your best interest in mind, spirit flight does not need to be a dangerous experience. The key to safely journeying is to know your limits. Take your time as your time as you learn and don’t venture too far. Additionally, having the help of a familiar spirit and/or utilizing protective charms and amulets can prove advantageous when it comes to safely navigating the Otherworld.

Misconception 4: You need flying ointment to engage in spirit flight.
Flying ointment, a balm typically created from entheogenic herbs, has many spiritual virtues and can be of great assistance in facilitating the trance state necessary for spirit flight. That being said, it is certainly not necessary for spirit flight. In fact, one of the most important tools by far for spirit flight is one’s own breath. Engaging in mindful, rhythmic breathing is essential for achieving the trance state that will then lead into spirit flight. In fact, it often behooves beginners to first develop their spirit flight abilities without the help of flying ointment so that they know they are able to do so all on their own.

Our thanks to Kelden for his guest post! For more from Kelden, read his article, “Symbolism of the Witches’ Sabbath.”