A shield is psychic protection an individual builds around themselves. It is meant to move with the person, as opposed to a ward attached to a place or anchored in an object. This is a very basic skill for protection that can be built upon. It can also be used for more than simple protection (like you just want to avoid people).
Learning how to make a good shield is a skill that needs to be practiced before it is needed. Being in a tense or stressful situation is not the time to learn how to shield. Some people can do this instinctively, but its best to develop the technique and practice while calm.
What Shield Do You Want? What Shield Do You Need?
The first question to ask is what kind of shield you want, and what you need it to do. There are many types of shields, and they have different functions. Do you want a bubble strong enough to keep out negativity but can let in things like light and air? A veil to keep yourself hidden from all eyes (or some particular ones?) A shield wall like something out of a Viking movie? A mirror to reflect back? A screen to keep the sting out of words being directed at you?
The intent isn’t enough when it comes to shielding. All the examples above are shields for different purposes. Anchoring the shield’s purpose, type/style into a visualization is what will give it strength. When you know the purpose, you can think of what to visualize.
If you have no experience with shielding, this would be a good topic to journal or even sketch or doodle on. Meditating on it would be useful if that is a part of your practice, but record your thoughts as soon as you are able to. I admit I am biased toward journaling, because you can go back and review your thoughts. Write at the top of the page a question: what do I want my shield to do? Set a timer for fifteen minutes. Start writing, and don’t let your pen stop until the timer goes off. While you could use a computer, I personally prefer handwriting for time writing because it activates a different part of the brain, and it feels more tactile to me. If images are easier than words, you can do the same exercise with a sketch book. Write the same question at the top, but have colored pencils (or your favorite medium) and draw/ doodle/ make notes. If you go the artistic route, the point shouldn’t be to make a painting to hang in a museum, but an image of the basic idea you wish to develop.
Once You Know What You Want, Add Strength To Your Shield
Sit at your altar. Do what you do to enter a meditative state—light a candle and focus on it, breathe slowly and count your breaths, hum, or play a melody repeating over and over. Once you have opened your mind and are calm, build the shield you have imagined. Feel this shield around you. Empower it with words, or sounds. Hold it for as long as it is comfortable, then release it. Do not destroy the shield in your mind—you want to create something you can pull up and let go when needed, like curtains. For a bubble, maybe imagine it breaking but know you have a bubble wand to make another at any time. Other examples would be a veil parts, or a shield wall is pulled apart.
Don’t be upset if you can only do this for a short time at first, or your first few attempts feel clunky. Record your experience. Even jotting down quick notes and the date will help you realize how far you have come when you look back.
This is one skill that while you should feel free to ask for help from your allies, everyone should be able to do themselves. Allies can help you gain confidence and learn how to do it well, but don’t depend on something outside of you to shield you.
Take Your Shield With You
When you are comfortable with this exercise, start working on it in different places. In a coffee shop, place your veil so no one notices you sitting in the corner. (Yes, COVID will be over someday, and we will go to coffee shops again.) Visualize spikes or barb wire when a group passes you on the bus you don’t want sitting next to you. Try to pull up your shield when other people are around, and notice reactions if possible. Do people’s eyes slide over you and not see you? Are people walking around when it is out of their way?
This doesn’t have to be completely solitary. With trusted friends, try working on shields together. Sit in a circle or across from another, and take turns visualizing different types of shields and giving each other feedback
When the shield becomes instinctive, you can pull it out and reshape it as the situation requires. Find the visualization that fits for you and your situation. While a ring of light might be a classic image, if it doesn’t appeal to you don’t use it. Shields can also be reinforced with words and gestures. You are creating a link—both within your mind (psychology) and magick (energy) by repeating the action and visualization.
Always remember—magick supports mundane actions, but does not replace them. If you feel in danger, take all necessary actions to keep yourself safe and don’t just rely on a shield. Even powerful magick has limits. A shield might help with energy or to keep someone from noticing you, but it won’t stop anything physical.