The Practice of Ally Work

In this partnership, the human partner provides attention and intention, and the ally creates results. If the ally does not approve of the intention, it does not cooperate, but if it does, it sets in motion processes by which the intent will be brought to fruition. Thus, each partner has an appropriate place in the relationship. For this partnershi

The ally, on the other hand, grows stronger the more we work with it, and it never disappears. You may wonder how an ally grows or develops. It gains in consciousness, in the capacity to incarnate in the imaginal, and it shines with a brighter light. Though it is capable of infinite growth, it always remains true to itself. People often ask me if t

Imaginal beings are energetic, and if you encounter this figure at an objective level you need to protect yourself from the energy. You could become manic, agitated, or generally unwell if you receive too much energy. It is not always possible to control what happens in an experience, but if you have had an energetic experience, rest and monitor yo

Attention acts like fire in the alchemical process, stirring the dense substance into life and activity. Attention brings the unconscious to life, and it acts in the same manner with the ally. It is not so much that attention brings the ally to life, but that it quickens its growth and initiates processes of transformation. At the same time, attent

If you ask it to predict the future or to heal someone or something, and it agrees, it might fail or be wrong because it may lack the power to achieve the goal. It rarely gives wrong advice and is never wrong about what needs to happen in the process, but if you tax it with goals requiring power, it might not succeed. The best course of action is t

The ally also helps to mirror you by speaking of what it sees in you, both good and bad. The ally will point out your mistakes, as well as reflecting all that is good about you. I have spoken of the sense of being seen and embraced by the ally which is so strong a feeling in ally work. By opening up to this feeling, and allowing the ally's percepti

Alchemical writings contain much insistence on cultivating humility and all the virtues. At the same time, however, the alchemists repeat often that the Philosopher's Stone is not found in nature. What they mean by this is that the Stone requires both alchemy and alchemist to come into existence. Without the alchemist, there can be no Philosopher's

Coupled with the focus is what I call “intent,” which is another function of attention. Intent forms an important part of ally work, for it establishes what you hope to achieve at a particular time. Having intent places your attention on an outcome that you find desirable or helpful. When

At other times, however, the ally uses ordinary names, such as Peter, Samuel, and David. Even in such cases, the names have meanings which, sooner or later, the ally reveals. Once you have the name, you can use it in several different ways.