>WOW!!! so much mail to read on our vcoven, I can hardly keep up! I have
>meant to write more often, but between my family, my devotions and my work
>(in that order) I have to cut on my sleeping time to join you all...Anybody
>knows a way to stretch time? No, I mean seriously!

I do have a way, and since you asked, I'll share it with all. 

First, cast a circle (mentally or physically, it doesn't really matter
which) appropriate to your belief. Feel the circle around you, the power
of elementals and deity you have summoned to yourself.

Second, contemplate the motion of time as a wind/wave carrying you 
effortlessly in an direction percieved as time.

Third, make yourself more dense in order to "slow" your progress down this
"time-path". Feel the wind/wave flow around you and pass you. Continue 
accelerating this effect until the desired state is reached.

With practice, this state can be achieved in a matter of seconds, and can
be held as long as energy and will allow.

Correspondences: 

Earth is used to "slow down" your progress, making you more dense and 
grounding the backlash energy thrown off by the wind/wave.

Air represents part of the wind/wave. Manipulate it by summoning the air 
within you to repel the air pushing you forward, causing the wind/wave to 
pass around you. Acceleration of the passing wave is accomplished by 
willing the air elementals to add their strength to the wave while it 
passes without touching you.

Water represents the more solid part of the wind/wave. Raising water 
within yourself adds to the creative image of the riual, and lubricates
your form to the passing of the wind/wave. As your water increases, the
water of the wind/wave decreases, allowing the wind/wave to accelerate its
passage around you.

Fire represents the energy necessary to fuel your control of self and 
wind/wave. Its importance to this ritual is not apparent at first, but as
you becone more densely grounded to earth, you need the assistance of the
power of fire elementals to balance the slowness the earth can cause as a
side-effect. (It would make little sense to slow your passage through time
if you slow your physical and mental processes at the same time :) )

Warning/caveat: This ritual is highly effective in giving you extra time
to complete an activity (especially when in hurry to get to work ;) ), 
but it does require both total relaxation and the ability to focus on many
images/activities simultaneously. Best results will come from a strong 
desire to achieve the result, combined with a strong balance of elements
and a keen understanding of reality-manipulating magicks. As this can 
comsume a substantial amount of energy, it is not recommended for routine
use, nor is it recommended for those with inconsistent access to energies.
The backlash encountered if your eneri\gies falter at the wrong time can
be rather unpleasant.

As to your darker origins: I truly believe that although the darker path
is fraught with both danger and nasty karmic side effects, true power can
only be achieved by opening up and taking reponsibility for the darker
aspects of ourselves. We must understand dark magick in order to make sure
we do not perform it without intending to, for the consequences will be 
the same whether we choose them or not. Magick, darker or lighter is always
a balancing act between the schieving the desired goal, and accepting the
possible concequences, if any, of out actions. Responsibility, and not
worship (although worship certainly has strong benefits), is the true key
to following a magickal path. 

Feel free to comment and clarify this discussion.

Blessings in love and light,
 

-- 
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Dennis Riddle                   |   "You can lead a horse to water, 
a.k.a Daniel Stormcrow, Tremere |       but you can't teach Tom Cruise
aka Toysrus, scourge of the west|          to act like a professional."
toysrus@intrepd.resun.com       |             - ANY Ann Rice fan!!
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