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BANKSY YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE From Building Self Esteem To Breaking The Mold
- Elijah
- Mar 11
- 10 min read
“Magik is the Highest most Absolute, and most Divine Knowledge of Natural Philosophy, advanced in it’s works and wonderful operations by a right innerstanding of the inward and occult virtue of things; so that true agents being applied to proper Patient, strange and admirable effects will thereby be produced. Whence magicians are profound and diligent searchers into Nature; they, because of their skill, know how to anticipate an effect, the which to the vulgar shall seem to be a miracle.”
The Goetia of the Lemengton of King Solomon
Introduction
While we place what might seem quite a bit of emphasis on the external influences of the machinations of the collective structure, we need to remind ourselves ever so often that the kore of this and any effort which expects to exact change on their experience on the macro scale, must first create that change on the micro-cosmic level which is within themselves first, as our perception of the external states we experience too varying degrees, is first and foremost a reflection of one's internal state.
Hence our intent on continuing our focus on ways and means of better innerstanding and genuinely expressing our true selves through, but not limited too, practices and experiences which serve to reinforce the affirmations of our personally garnered self awareness.
I through and through, remain an advocate for a place for art therapy within the realms of shadow work and would like to continue exploring and sharing ways and means that aren't speared by rigidity, remaining malleable, allowing practitioners but a blueprint too eventually be able to structure similar rituals tailored to their own targeted intention.
Overview And Purpose
These processes introduce you to using art as a tool for building self confidence. It's understanding is foundational & will help you visualize your strengths and confront negative self talk through creative expression. The "Strength Silhouettes" and "Confidence Collage" exercises provide tangible, visual
representations of positive self image that participants can refer back to anytime.
WARM-UP
The Doodle Of Doom And Delight
Quick Exercise : Draw your inner critic, then redesign it as a supportive cheerleader.
Objective
Access the power to reframe negative thoughts.
This exercise introduces the powerful concept of reframing. By physically transforming the representation of your inner critic, you come to visualize how you have the power to alter negative thought patterns. It's a playful way to approach a serious topic.
Material Needed
paper
pencils
colored markers or crayons
radical self honesty
open mind
DURATION
15 to 20 minutes average
You're encouraged to take all the time you need
IMPLEMENTATION
Take 5 minutes to quickly sketch your inner critic. This should be done with pencil. The short window should be honored as it is vital in encouraging a genuine representation. Your first instinct is usually your truth and should be an accurate reflection. Allow your radical self to take the reins as much as possible. With repetition over time, the letting go becomes easier. Coupled with your supportive self awareness exercises, this evolution eventually allows your inner muse to take the reigns allowing for deeper more insightful guidance.
Take a two minute reflection observing the representation of your critic brought forth and the symbolic meanings behind the symbolic metaphors conveyed, as this is the language of art and consciousness. Translate what qualities these metaphors relate too or are trying to reference within yourself as this will be your point of awareness needing focus. Pay attention to how these reflections and the energies from your critic ‘feels', with particular emphasis on blind spots if possible. Again radical self honesty is key.
Now allow 8 -10 minutes to quickly transform the critic into a supportive figure.
You’re encouraged to apply color during this process, yet only if you feel the need too. Simply adding onto the figure as you see fit is suitable.
Do not erase any aspect of the original. Picture it as a tattoo alteration to the best of your ability. Be certain to maintain the reins on the critic as you do so as thoughts questioning the efficacy of the practice might abound in this moment.
The zen state or quiet mind technique should be incorporated into this aspect while symbolically taking charge by affirming the practice, visualizing instead the intentional transformation you sought to achieve.
Conclude with a 5 minute meditative reflection on the transformation process. Simply sit with the concept image allowing it to take root over time. This may take on several different representations each time yet that too is encouraged as it highlights the mosaic nature of one's Shadow, which we come to address in further processes.
MAIN ACTIVITY
Strength Silhouettes
Create a self-portrait silhouette filled with words and symbols representing personal strengths.The use of personal ritual, bold colors and empowering imagery is highly encouraged for this activity
Objectives
This activity allows for a full-body representation of strengths, emphasizing that confidence is holistic. The use of words and symbology within the silhouette helps participants articulate their strengths, while bold colors reinforce positive emotions associated with these traits.
This activity is fully realized through one’s levels of participation.
The fully committed are most certainly advised to go the full length mirror route, as It’s a symbolic act that borders on the verge of, or, can be fully integrated into personal ritual.
A sort of giving life to ones inner gollum, ie “golem” from the hebrew word “gelem” meaning raw material, with the terms gull/goll having their origins from Old Norse meaning ‘gold’; which shares the dative form ‘gollum’, which can mean ‘treasure’.
The act thence forth remains a long standing artifact as the mirror is an ideal storage battery and most suitable medium for the proliferation of these energies through familiarity i.e. “mirror, mirror, on the wall…”, hence one should always be mindful of the image they cultivate subconsciously from their actual reflection. Similar to this process of imbuing empowerment, the symbolic opposite can happen with one constantly reinforcing disempowering self talk coupled with storage and projective qualities of the mirror.
Try as much as possible to project only what you wish to see manifest within yourself while reflecting before mirrors.
Materials Needed
large paper (full body size for effect, optional )
paint or markers
brushes
full length mirror (optional yet highly recommended)
Duration
40 - 60 minutes average
Activity
Begin by first tracing your silhouette on a mirror, or simply draw a large body outline to scale on large scale easel paper.
A partner may assist for this aspect yet the ritual is a personal rite of imbuing and should be performed alone avoiding any potential cross transference of essences.
If you choose to go the other route, large scale paper is recommended as you will be filling in the outline for this activity.
Ideally,,,see link below,,,
Take a portion of the next few minutes to brainstorm as many of your personal strengths, making mental or written notes of them as you do.
With your tools you are now going to fill the silhouette with bold words, symbols, and colors representing these strengths. Ideally this should take 30 mins yet you're encouraged to take the time and indulge fully in this process. Allow your inner artist to really get creative as this will remain your artifact too retain and revisit regularly, particularly if full a bodied representation.
Conclude the ritual by taking the post moments individually reflecting on the choices. Are they surface level attributes or passive and if so, how can they be effectively brought to the forefront of the psyche for practically.
Reflect on a practical situation where each individual attribute took precedence as well as situations where they should have but ego’s clash with heart didn't allow for it in the moment, instead choosing the comfort of “rationalization” and outcomes.
This will allow you to reflect on and develop the cognitive awareness concerning the nature of these practical strengths and attributes>weaknesses, allowing them to be consciously applied in future scenarios gradually, eventually affirming itself with a tie in too the sub, then further super sub conscious, eventually becoming send nature or “fully integrated”.
In closing out this practice, positive IAm affirmations are recommended for each attribute which can also be imbued with further personal ether via any long standing rituals or familiars you've cultivated over time and comfortable with, allowing it to be confidently and safely revisited whenever you need to in future as the piece should be recognized and maintained as an artifact, and a particularly powerful one at that.
CONFIDENCE COLLAGE
An Integrative Exercise
An introduction to the limitless possibilities of your own innate Occulus Quest, allowing you to transform scissors into augmented reality wands, sever threads that bind to past versions of Self and turn photos into portals of possibility. You’ll not just be making a collage but crafting a visual spell to summon your most confident self.
For this, you’ll be introduced to a more manageable yet equally potent and fun activity which further allows us to expand on Reframing & Intent Focusing, incorporating elements of psychotherapy, visualization, and magik, to enhance its impact and depth, allowing for fluid access to manifestations of your most empowered self.
Psychotherapeutic Reframing
While you’ll absolutely continue drawing from principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology, with the collage serving as a tangible representation of cognitive restructuring, helping to reshape thought patterns and reinforce positive self image, magik and visualization will play a key role this time around.
The magik and visualization component is introduced via the concept of sigil magic being the idea that symbols can be charged with intention.
You’ll be guided on how to create a personal sigil representing confidence, which you'll then incorporate into your collage.
If you're not aware and haven't already done so and need to learn more on sigil magik before moving on, there's tons of more concise information out there, and we've put together a piece that covers the relevance.
See link below,,,
Materials
Magazines or any print photos (variety of themes)
Personal photos
Graph poster board or large paper
Glue sticks
Scissors
Lead pencils
Colored markers
Optional: glitter, stickers, small trinkets for 3D effect
Implementation
1. Sigil Creation
Begin by sectioning your graphed medium into 2 sections stacked vertically then write "I am confident and empowered" or any other similar phrase aligned with your personal intent. Should be hollow or outlined font, all in caps and aligned graphically on the bottom half.
It's ok to make errors and erase, make edits etc for these steps until you get a desired outcome.
Then on the top section repeat but this time remove all vowels and repeating letters.
Now move on to a new page where you'll combine the remaining letters into a unique symbol by centering them one over each other or slight variations yet still tied into the full symbol at a ratio of 2:1. Then fill with color. Could definitely add colors that represent your chosen attributes to enhance effect.
Congratulations. You’ve just created a sigil that will be central to your collage.
Every step of the process served to imbue the sigil with intent of elevation, transformation,
and renewal.
2. Intuitive Selection
At this point you’re going to enter a light meditative state. This is effective at silencing the inner skeptic and allows your muse to take the lead.
The overall intent being shadow recognition should be set prior and we should also add that this can be separate from the sigil creation.
Once you have the sigil made you could start the process ritualy from here.
For this we’re going to first browse your magazines, letting intuition fluidly guide your image selection.
The choices represent an expansion of awareness in a myriad directions. Might be external validation around to admiration. Or merely an aspiration to emulate, there's no ‘wrong’ answer. The intent is awareness.
Might be questioning this truth right at this moment of reflection. ‘Is that really me?’. “Do I do this or do that.?”
You're aiming to reframe this into an assuredness of “Yes, that's so me” 100% of the time.
Conscious Awareness of oneself and its many facets/masks, coupled with the sub qualities which further defines each persona, allows you to then streamline or focus desired outcomes surrounding those qualities.
Questioning oneself and a lack of assuredness is typically expelled as scattered or misdirected energy/intent.
So for the personal photos you’re going to consciously select photos that accurately reflect and also evoke feelings which match up with your desired intent. In this case this would be feelings of strength and confidence.
These invoked ‘feelings’ or energetic essences now surrounding you will then act as the personal catalyst imbued into the process.
As with any of these practices involving imbuing objects or symbols with personal essences it’s advised that one is alone in a familiar personal space to avoid cross transference and leakage of energies. A room in a shared home is fine. Just a space where you feel a dominating presence invoking that “MySpace” type feeling.
3. Collage Creation:
Once you’ve got all your photos selected, you’re now going to place the sigil at the center of the board.
Feel free to use any range from a precise cutout up to the full page, keeping in mind that the effort put into these processes is transmuted into energy put in and returned.
Now arrange and glue your images around the sigil.
Also feel free to use rough or precise cutouts.
Yet to align this process with the energies associated with progression and renewal, you will do so in a general clockwise order beginning primarily with the magazine cutouts ending with the photos, gradually incorporating your personal touches ie glitter, stickers and especially your chosen trinkets, as these can be separately imbued prior, further increasing the personal essences and its tie in to the energy streams of progression.
Be certain to leave a clear cut separation between the beginning and end of both your sigil and phot placement, creating a clear cut stroke through the aether, severing any potential loops tied into past versions of self.
This act embodies your awareness and screams an assuredness of ones readiness for the intended transition to the universe while the gradual layering of the selected 3D elements gives added depth and acts as a tie in to ‘reality’, drawing your attention from the 2D representation up to the 3D perspective, triggering an accessible visualization in the psyche, or the levels of subconsciousness where it is required.
“Where attention goes, energy...?”
Closing
You've just created way more than art. You've manifested a portal to your most confident self. A charged collage as a living affirmation, a visual mantra.
Close out by following a similar structure with the Synchronized Silhouettes step prior, using imagination and visualization to step into the collage at any time, feeling the emotions or energies imbued, and embodying the confidence or other attribute represented.
Place it where you'll see it daily, and let it remind you of the ‘powerful’ or ‘confident’ being you truly are and rediscover in an innate fashion.
Follow up anytime by spending a few minutes each day visualizing yourself stepping into the collage, embodying the attributes it represents.
This gives recognition too and actualizes the elements of magik through the sigil created, as well as deepening the psychotherapeutic impact through visualization, while maintaining the essence of your artistic expression imbued by following the course set whilst structuring, creating a rich, multi-layered experience, engaging your reality on multiple levels.
Artistic, psychological, and spiritual, which is primarily the conscious awareness of the sub and super subconscious aspects of reality, allowing one basic manipulation of these at varying degrees of awareness, invoking almost mystical transformations and manifestation of one's intentions when coupled with one's personal self work and efforts.
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