Your Blue Castle
"Valancy had lived spiritually in the Blue Castle ever since she could remember. She had been a very tiny child when she found herself possessed of it. Always, when she shut her eyes, she could see it plainly, with its turrets and banners on the pine-clad mountain height, wrapped in its faint, blue loveliness, against the sunset skies of a fair and unknown land. Everything wonderful and beautiful was in that castle. Jewels that queens might have worn; robes of moonlight and fire; couches of rose and gold; long flights of shallow marble steps, with great, white urns, and with slender, mist-clad maidens going up and down them; courts, marble-pillared, where shimmering fountains fell and nightingales sang among the myrtles; halls of mirrors that reflected only handsome knights and lovely women-herself the loveliest of all, for whose glance men died. All that supported her through the boredom of her days was the hope of going on a dream spree at night. Most, if not all, of the Stirlings would have died of horror if they had known half the things Valancy did in her Blue Castle."
-L.M. Montgomery
"The Blue Castle"
Valancy Stirling, the adorable main character of L.M. Montgomery's lovely novel, The Blue Castle, lives a drab, stifled existence under the thumb of her meddlesome old mother and cousin. The only thing that gets her through her joyless, meaningless days of sewing and cleaning and darning socks is her Blue Castle, a daydream world she has created in her imagination. Whenever she is sad or lonely or upset, she escapes into her Blue Castle, and there finds her comfort.
Many people have a "Blue Castle", an "Estate in Spain", a "House of Dreams". It has varying degrees of importance to them. For some, maybe it was just a childhood fancy they created years ago and have long since considered it outgrown. For others, it may be the blueprint for a home in the future. And for still others, people like Valancy, their Blue Castle is a retreat from the humdrum, everyday, maybe unpleasant, real world. What you probably never thought of though, was that Blue Castles can be incorporated into the Pagan religions. Where picture-perfect medevial cottages with their straw-thatched roofs, big open hearths and strings of herbs hanging from the ceiling are rare, an imaginary dream home is the next best thing. Maybe even better, because there are no restrictions. And a Blue Castle is also good for sharpening your visualization skills. The more you use your dream house, the more clearly the small details will come out. The more clearly you see the small details, the stronger your visualization is becoming and the more capable you are of clearly picturing the object in a spell. And Blue Castles can solace you, be a place you go to find healing and comfort and peace needed to work your magick in. When you need to escape the often grim realities of the world, take refuge in your Blue Castle.
Location of Your Castle: Your Blue Castle can be anywhere! Spain is the traditional choice, but there's also other beautiful and exotic lands to consider - such as Rome or France or the Celtic highlands. In the midst of a city, out in the country, on a quiet, tree-lined street. In the woods, by the sea, on a cliff, wherever! And you can even transport illogical or impossible things! Mountains in Saskatchewan? Orange trees in Alaska? No problem! Your every desire granted is the law in the world of Blue Castles.
Building Your Blue Castle: Once the site for your Blue Castle has been chosen or created, you must erect it. Think of how it looks. Is it a mansion, a palace, a bungelow, a hut? Is it a real house, one you've seen or visited, or does it only exist in your imagination? How large is it? What is its shape? Is it built of wood or stone or brick? What colour is it outside? How many rooms are there? Where are the windows and what is the view from them?
Furnishing & Decorating: Blue Castles can be as lavishly and impossibly decorated as you wish. Money, practicality or appearences cannot hold you back in your fantasy. You can furnish it with objects you own, have seen, want or imagined. Now how is your Blue Castle decorated? What colour are the rooms painted? Are they wallpapered? Is your furniture antique, modern or mishmash? Are there flowers or candles around?
Small Details: Concentrate on the little things in your Blue Castle, the things your senses respond to. Is the lighting bright or dim; electric, gas or candles? Is the floor smooth wood or cold tile beneath your feet, or do you burrow your toes deep into soft, plushy carpet? Is it warm or coolish inside? What do you hear inside your house? People chatting softly, music playing, chimes tinkling, the wind outside in the trees? What does your Blue Castle smell like? Incense, woodsmoke, fragrant blossoms or fresh-baked bread? Where is your favourite place to sit or lie down and how does it feel to be there?
People: Who lives in your Blue Castle? Do you have a spouse or children? What about pets? Do your parents and siblings live with you? Do you room with friends? Are there servants? Are you a hermit or do you have visitors? Remember, you can call on anyone to visit or live in your Blue Castle, whether they be dead or alive, real or imaginary, deity or spirit or power animal. And it's extremely simple to keep unwanted guests away. No one can come without your knowledge and consent. Anyone whom you don't care to have call, is banished. It's as easy as that. Remember, you're the God(dess) of this world - it's under your complete control.
Outside: Now what about outside? Imagine the landscape. Are there mountains, meadows, beaches, hills, lawns, forests, etc? What's the weather like? Do the seasons ever change? Is there both day and night at your Blue Castle, or just one of them? Do you have a garden, and if so, do you tend it or do servants? What do you do outside? Swim, walk, run, sit, lie down, fly? Try to feel the wind in your hair, the sun on your skin, the fresh air in your lungs.
Imagine yourself so clearly in your Blue Castle and its surrounding world, that you can see and hear and feel things as vividly as you do in the real world. Know that you really are walking through its yard or sitting on one of its chairs. The more you feel that your Blue Castle really exists, the easier you will be able to find its key and the more satisfying your visits there will be.
If you're having trouble conjuring up a world of your own, read about my Blue Castle here and hopefully it will give you some ideas.