Visualization is very important to the success of working Magick. Things must be made real in the mind, before they affect the Astral. Not only must things be made real in the mind, but things must be fed thought and emotional energy to be given life. Imagination plays an important role in Magickal study, but this does not mean that Magick belongs to fantasy and delusions of the mind. Visualization can be strengthened through meditation. Visualization is also used during Astral projection. When you close your eyes, and imagine something, visualization will enable you to invision that same thing with your eyes open. This is very important to master, and even if you see nothing with your physical eyes, you must know that what you invisioned is there.
So what things need to be visualized. More often than not, visualization will be used in ever aspect. Every single time you erect a circle it must be visualized. The invoking and banishing Pentagrams must be visualized in their proper colours. When working with spells, the event which you want to be the outcome must be visualized.
Not everyone will have the same degree of visualization. Some will see things with physical eyes and some will not. The mind is broken into two groups: Logic and Intuition. The logical side thinks of numbers while the intuitive side thinks of colours. The logical has reasoning, while the intuitive has feeling. Both sides of the mind have their role to play out, but often, it's the intuitive side of the brain which we use. Our goal is to silence the logical mind through meditation, so that the intuitive can speak. Remember the ninth Law of Magick: Thought and emotion are the voices of Spirits.
A good way to practice visualization is to practice a common technique known as pathworking. You'll need Tarot for this. You should practice meditation before you get into ideas of pathworking. The Major Arcana is used mainly for pathworking, but I suggest that you use the Minor Arcana as well, to explore all regions. Pathworking is very much a guided meditation, though with much use, you'll soon discover its benefits. The energies will flow to you much more easily, and you may (more often than not) be confronted by Spirits on those very same paths you walk.
If you've never practiced at visualization, then I recommend that you start with something simple. During meditation, imagine a ball floating before your eyes. Study this ball. Observe how smooth the edge is. Observe the colour and texture. Hold this image for as long as you can. Practice at this often, and when you feel that you've been able to develop skill at this, then move on to a harder object. I found it helpful to visualize the images on a single tarot. Often, when I immersed myself in such a task, I received visions, or I'm spoken to by Spirits who relate to the card's energy and correspondences. It's up to you to decide on the method you use to practice this skill. Visualization is something which is required in order for you to have success at working Magick. Most Occultists try to silence the logical side of the brain to allow the intuitive side to express itself. Not me...I like to balance my logic and intuition. I guess it's the non-practicing Libra in me. Next month we'll work on some visualization exorcises.