#breathwork

there’s a spell for when your nervous system is fried and you have approximately 30 seconds and zero supplies.

you might already know it. i do this when I’m on the verge of a panic attack, i’m about to present at work, or when i realize i’ve been subconsciously holding my breath because i’m so tense.

THE SPELL:

breathe in through your nose. then take a second smaller inhale through your nose — like a sniff on top of the first breath. now exhale slowly through your mouth. all of it. until your lungs are empty.

as you exhale, say (in your head):

"I release what is not mine to carry right now."

do it twice. If you can’t remember the spoken intention, just do it without

WHY IT WORKS:

when you're anxious, carbon dioxide builds up in your bloodstream and tells your nervous system something is wrong. your brain hears that as threat. it starts spiraling. you start spiraling.

the double inhale fully inflates the small air sacs in your lungs that constrict when you're stressed. the long exhale dumps the CO2 faster than a normal breath can. your vagus nerve registers the change. your heart rate drops. your nervous system goes: oh. we're okay. we're safe.

It’s called the physiological sigh. it's the fastest acting stress relief method currently documented in peer-reviewed research.

WHEN TO USE IT:

when the intrusive thought won't stop. before you open that email. in the bathroom before a hard conversation. at 3am when your brain has decided to revisit every embarrassing thing you've ever done. when you need to come back to your body and you need to do it right now.

no candle required. no moon phase required. no special anything required.

“Box breathing” and similar breathing exercises that call for breath holding, even for a few seconds, can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. In some cases, even deep breathing can trigger respiratory symptoms.

(ID: an animated gif showing a diagram of box breathing, where you breathe in for 4 seconds, then hold for 4, then breathe out for 4 and hold for 4, in a continuous cycle. End ID.)

I didn’t learn this until a couple years ago, and a lot of people still don’t know! Talk with your medical providers about alternatives!

I personally use in through the nose, out through the mouth exercises (like “smell the roses, blow out the candles”). Inhaling through the nose is best for asthma, since the nose filters some particles and irritants, and warms and moistens the air going to your lungs, all of which can help reduce symptoms. I specifically don’t hold my breath in between those steps!

Alternatives to breathing exercises include techniques such as distraction, identifying 5 sensations, fidget tools, listening to music, putting on a favorite show, or guided meditation.

I like to imagine the breathwork, stretches, and training I do will let me float down and interact through the glass or simply gently swim through my tank and exist simply as whale in my environment - or at least a simulation of it since a tank is as close as I will come.

You've read the glossary definition. You know that gnosis is the altered state where magic happens. But what exactly does that mean and how do you enter it?

Most chaos magic texts assume you already know how to enter gnosis states. They tell you to "achieve gnosis" without explaining the gap between sitting normally and reaching the mental state where your conscious mind shuts up long enough for magic to work. This article covers three techniques you can practice right now to achieve it.

What Gnosis Is and How to Enter It

Your conscious mind filters everything it takes in. It questions, analyzes, doubts. Useful for daily life, but counterproductive for magical work.

When you think "I want a new job" while scrolling through job listings, that's just a thought. Your conscious mind immediately follows with why you won't get the job, or gets side tracked day dreaming about an idealized fantasy. Either way, the intention gets buried under commentary.

Gnosis quiets that commentary. The altered state bypasses the filters so your intention lands without interference. Whether this accesses your subconscious mind or something more metaphysical depends on your framework. The mechanism works either way.

Three types of gnosis exist: * inhibitory - stillness until the mind goes quiet * excitatory - overwhelming intensity that short-circuits thought * indifferent vacuity - everyday mental blankness

Each one works differently but achieves the same result.

Why You Need It

Magic without gnosis is wishing. Magic with gnosis is working.

The difference shows up in results. An intention formed casually while doing dishes might or might not manifest. The same intention embedded during altered state carries weight your conscious mind can't dilute.

This matters especially for sigil charging, where the moment of gnosis determines whether you're making art or working magic.

A Word About Physical Methods

Some gnosis techniques use hyperventilation, physical exhaustion, or uncomfortable positions. These have real effects on your body. Know your limits. Skip techniques that conflict with health conditions. Don't push through pain that feels wrong.

Method 1: Inhibitory Gnosis - The Death Posture

Austin Osman Spare developed this technique using physical discomfort to exhaust your conscious mind.

Why it works: Sustained discomfort forces your mind to either maintain constant complaint or give up and go quiet. Most minds eventually choose quiet.

How to do it: 1. Choose an uncomfortable but sustainable position. Standing on one leg works. So does holding your arms straight out to the sides, or sitting in an awkward squat. The position should be difficult to maintain but not painful. 2. Hold your intention clearly in mind as you take the position. 3. Maintain the position. Your mind will resist. Your muscles will complain. Hold it anyway. 4. When the discomfort peaks and your mind goes quiet, release the intention. 5. Release the posture.

What to expect: Mental resistance first. Then a shift where the discomfort becomes background noise. Sometimes a "pop" of release when you fire the intention. Sometimes nothing obvious.

Common mistake: Giving up before your mind quiets. The discomfort is the point. If it's easy, it's not working.

Method 2: Excitatory Gnosis - Rhythmic Breathing

Controlled hyperventilation overwhelms your system to create altered state.

Why it works: Flooding your body with oxygen through rapid breathing creates physiological changes that shift your mental state. The conscious mind gets too busy managing the physical sensation to maintain its usual filtering.

How to do it: 1. Sit comfortably. Have your intention ready. 2. Breathe rapidly and deeply for 1-2 minutes In through your nose, out through your mouth. Deep full breaths, not shallow panting. Iif you're not sure how to do it, use this video on the Wim Hof Method to guide you. 3. When you feel lightheaded or your extremities start tingling, hold your intention strongly. 4. Release the breath pattern. Let your breathing return to normal.

What to expect: Tingling in your fingers and toes. Lightheadedness. Sometimes euphoria or a rushing sensation.

Common mistake: Breathing too shallow. You need deep, full breaths to create the effect. If you're not feeling anything after a minute, you're probably not breathing deeply enough.

Method 3: Indifferent Vacuity - The Automatic Action

You enter light gnosis states every day without noticing. This technique uses that everyday mental blankness deliberately.

Why it works: Your mind goes quiet during repetitive automatic tasks. Highway hypnosis. Forgetting why you walked into a room. The moment when you finish washing dishes and realize you weren't thinking about anything.

How to do it: 1. Choose a repetitive automatic task. Washing dishes, folding laundry, walking a familiar route. 2. Hold your intention briefly as you start the task. 3. Let your mind wander. Don't try to maintain focus on the intention. 4. Trust the intention is working in the background while your conscious mind zones out.

What to expect: Nothing dramatic. That's correct. Indifferent vacuity feels like ordinary mental blankness because it is ordinary mental blankness.

Common mistake: Trying to maintain conscious focus on the intention. That defeats the purpose. Let it go.

Experimenting Beyond These Techniques

These three methods are starting points. Other practitioners use mantra meditation, drumming, dancing, sex, long-distance running, sensory deprivation, or intense focus on complex tasks.

Pay attention to when your mind naturally goes quiet or gets overwhelmed. Those moments are your entry points to gnosis. A particular song that makes you lose yourself. The mental state after an intense workout. The third hour of a long drive.

Keep notes on what works. Your gnosis practice will develop its own patterns.

Common Questions

"How do I know if I actually reached gnosis?"

Don't try to analyze it in the moment. That analysis is your conscious mind reasserting control, which is exactly what you're trying to bypass.

Judge by results. Did your magic work? That's your answer.

The "did I do it right?" anxiety prevents gnosis. It's a catch-22. Try to let go of the need to know.

"Can I combine methods?"

Yes. Many practitioners combine uncomfortable positions with breathwork, or use rhythmic breathing while performing repetitive movement.

Find what creates the strongest effect for you.

"What if nothing happens?"

Gnosis isn't always dramatic. Indifferent vacuity feels like nothing because it is nothing. Your mind going blank while doing dishes is the correct experience.

If techniques consistently don't work after multiple attempts, try different ones. Not every method works for every person.

"Do I need gnosis every single time I do magic?"

This is debated among practitioners and, as with everything in chaos magic, you will ultimately have to decide for yourself.

Most say yes for best results, especially when you're starting. Some experienced practitioners develop shortcuts or find their baseline state shifts with practice.

Start by using it every time. You can experiment with skipping it once you have enough experience to judge the difference in results.

"Is this dangerous?"

Physical methods carry risks if you ignore your body's signals. Don't hyperventilate if you have breathing problems. Don't hold painful positions if you have joint issues.

The mental aspects? You're just quieting your thoughts. That's not dangerous.

Moving Forward

Gnosis transforms intention into magical work. The techniques look simple on paper. Practicing them shows you the difference between knowing about altered states and experiencing them.

Start with whichever method feels most accessible. Practice with low-stakes intentions before using gnosis for important workings. You're building a skill that gets easier with repetition.

Gemini placements 🫁

Aquarius placements ⚡

Air Sign South Nodes 🌬️

Uranus in the 12th, 1st, 2nd or 6th house 💡

Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn Risings 🌿⬆️

Mercury in the 12th, 1st, 2nd or 6th house 🧠🏡

Mercury in aspect to other planets 🧠🪐

Uranus in aspect to other planets 👽🛸

Chiron in an air sign/degree or aspecting Mercury/Uranus 🗝️✨