Here's a lovely thing for everyone to know about me: I've never been to the astral plane. That's right folks, I have done circle casting, elemental summoning, Elemental Witnessing but I have never put my body in the astral plane.

Well there's a first for everything and tonight was my first trip.


To put it simply, I was very interested in summoning spirits, however I had been wise enough not to try it unless I knew what I was doing. Suffice it to say, this night was the night. For one, I had the gut feeling that I should try it. It was a good night and somehow, I had a feeling things would all be well--if I prepared for it. Going by instinct I created a sub-version of the astral plane that my body may go to and from on its own accord-so long as I had a key placed in a pool of water with my crystal ball, which served as a conduit. So, with this in mind, I also summoned a protection circle and established that no creature escape from this to the earth plane. WIth that, I bathed my self in my altar water and cleansed myself of all energy be it positive or negative, setting my body on neutral. This of course, made me groggy and strange but I quickly recovered to cast a double layer introverted sealing circle that prevented bodily possession from occurring. With my body and mind fully protected, I led my hand to touch the crystal ball...and it worked.

Holy mother of god it worked. I never in my life felt so light headed and dizzy, I couldn't see, feel, smell, or taste I couldn't even hear. All I could do was think and speak and that's what I did. I called the Archangel Gabriel and boy...I am glad I did. Mainly because I forgot the most important thing.

An offering.

When the summoning was done, the sensory plug was lifted. I could hear, smell and touch but I couldn't see. I was 'told' through a strange language that gave me images instead of english words for translations. In it, I got a basic understanding that he was curious of my wish. Curious only. Though I tried to think of something, words would spill out of my mouth all at once. As embarrassed as I was at the inability to be coherent, It vanished...because Gabriel showed mercy and patience on me. He 'asked' me what I would give in return. In several long moments of silence, I would try to think and eventually I would humbly explain that 'I have nothing to give. What will you have of me?'. In all his patience, I was told what I did wrong and the potential consequences of such a wrong. Seeing as that I had nothing to give, he instead baded I light my Altar in honor of him and sit until the incense burned completely. I'm not sure if my request will be granted but oddly...I wouldn't mind if it wasn't.

This learning experience taught me that even as careful as we can be, there is always something a person can overlook. In my case, had Gabriel not been so lenient, I could have lost something very dear to me.