To practice magick means to walk into a world of new rules; some may be written down in a book somewhere and some might be unspoken. These rules, laws, codes of conduct, etc. vary from egregore to egregore across the many systems. Depending on what you’re initiated into or pursuing, you may become subject to one jurisdiction’s universal book of law while another initiate is bound to another. There are overarching laws that all of creation is subject to more or less, but there also appears to be micro-laws individuals become subject to, be it one’s genetic coding (aka family karma), personal karma, the fabric of the land you live on, soul contracts, the vibe of whatever you’ve tapped into & draw from, or even one’s belief system that they are beholden to.

What I’ve noticed is that for presumably many, pursuing magick seems to be about piercing past the mundane and plunging into the etheric, astral, mental and supernal realms. Often to bring these elements, energy and powers into the here and now, be it to harness and witness it internally and/or externally. To effect change and hone working experience in the craft. To find the real meat and pudding, if you will, and experience something substantial. While we dwell in terra, there is a sense and drive to engage in and work with something much more profound than our surface level senses and mainstream comprehension.

So, how do opening and closing rituals fit into all of this? Basically, it’s a process of establishing good form for success. When I first started practicing magick I observed proper protocol. For example, pouring salt around a cauldron for spell work and following the guidelines. I then became sloppy as a “teen witch” – opening myself up to and calling forth any and all powers at every whim. This is bad! Someone once mentioned it is akin to calling up a friend, talking to them, and never hanging up the phone. Prior to unlimited data and when people used landlines, it equates to racking up a higher phone bill. The cost is a toll on one’s nervous system, strange dynamics in relationships with spirits (just who exactly is answering your call?), etc.

I then began working a system where I was to channel power, various energies, and engage with spirits 24/7. Without comprehending holistic psychic hygiene and more in-depth metaphysical components, I lacked the finesse to thoroughly balance and ground the juggling act in body, mind and soul. It resulted in blown-out karma, a fried nervous system and many “dark nights of the soul.” This is all completely avoidable if one creates mindful opening and closing rituals.

Life is a series of beginnings and endings. On a larger scale, we can see this in our own incarnation – it has a beginning and an end. On a micro scale, and particularly in magick, we can pay our respects to beginnings and endings. Moreso, if you strive for order and harmony in your magickal workings, it is pertinent you observe this. Why? By making an acknowledgment to the beginning and closing of your workings, no matter how minute, you are sustaining order. Consider a church service’s program, for example. There is a format and formula being applied, such as an opening prayer, the ritual and/or sermon, and closing prayer.

So, where does one apply this as a magician? Well, you can craft your own opening and closing rituals or take a cue from other systems to adopt. For example, the Golden Dawn has the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, the Middle Pillar Ritual, etc. These can have value whether you practice ritual magick or not. You can begin each session with prayer, including lighting incense, a candle, ringing a bell, etc. if you will. You can do a simple act such as washing your hands or putting on a robe. No matter how subtle or loud the opening action is, let it be an acknowledgment that you are transitioning from your day-to-day to something revered and sacred. This can be as simple as walking into a dedicated meditation space and mentally declaring an intention to yourself. Sometimes I will announce to myself when sitting in meditation, “Body, mind and soul, we are about to engage in X exercise” to harness and dedicate the attention of my holistic being towards what is about to take place. When I am about to do something that requires a bit more oomph, I have a personally tailored astral and mental magic circle I’ll walk through before engaging in the meditation or act.

The closing ritual could be to write about your experiences in a magick diary/journal. You can also opt to say a thank you prayer or do a gesture to indicate the act is over. You can create a specialized mudra or just give a mental acknowledgment. Even just a mindful acknowledgement that it is done can do. I personally like crossing the forearms over the chest with fists and a downward nod in some workings as a closing gesture – a nod to Egyptian lore.

One thing I learned from a teacher is that when you first begin and end something is when you are most vulnerable from an energetic perspective. Consider this: when you’ve been in your momentum and immersed in your field of experience, your energy has had time and space to cultivate your essence in sustaining something. You’ve earned your experience, fought off foes and know your way around the astral or mental aspect of it. You have a pulse on the atmosphere and environment. When this thing is coming to an end is when you are most susceptible for foreign influences. Likewise, when first beginning something, as your “pulse” doesn’t have a strong hold on the foundation or energy dynamics of what is to be yet, foreign influences can more easily infiltrate here as well and turn the tides. A hint: the opening and closing periods of life and magickal acts are a gate to be guarded and protected. These are the gates that can create the biggest turning points in your life. One methodology to apply to these opening and closing gates is to infuse reverence and acknowledgement of something Higher or Divine as the keepers.

Now, what to do if you have a a long run way for an undertaking, for example, the typical “5 year goals”? This requires a project management mindset where you create several baby steps on the journey towards the larger initiative. Through intuition or otherwise, you ascertain the rhythm unfolding of such undertaking and feel out the periods where you need to open and close. Just as in life we breathe in and out, the tides of any operation has its ebbs and flows. Be it by expertise or trial and error, get a sense of these tides and drop in your opening and closing rituals on the timeline to incrementally get you closer to successfully bringing your operation to fruition.

Several exoteric and esoteric systems pay heed to the value of opening and closing rituals. Consider how this universally observed phenomenon can be acknowledged and integrated into your practice. For one, as a byproduct it lends strength, resilience and endurance to whatever your practice is. It defines a container. Acknowledging and integrating opening and closing rituals is a very simple approach for magicians to naturally emphasize the potential quality and quantity in their personal practices and workings.