Grace,

We all have our moments. We're cool. I'm glad we can communicate.

:)

generally, its suggested to not talk about a working. If it is a private thing, you probably shouldn't talk about it with anyone, the exception being anyone whom you see as an occult mentor, who will hopefully have enough self control to stick only to ritual stuff and to not cast doubt on your intent or desire.
If you are doing group work, then the group should discuss and be in agreement about the work.
If you are doing public work, it depends upon if its intent. Ritual observance (for example wiccan sabbats) feel free to talk about and share what it is that you are doing. I think if you are doing public ritual for other things, just do it, and let other people guess your intent.

Ritual tool protocol is specific to the tradition or your desire. If you don't want people touching your tools, then don't let them. If its not a big deal to you, then don't worry about it.

For myself, I am a member of tradition where there are tools that I can never show to people outside of the tradition. For other things that I have acquired before I was brought in, Its not a big deal to me. I would prefer if they didn't, and if they do, prefer they ask, but they can't hurt my stuff. However, they may affect themselves in ways that they perhaps don't wish to be.

Donovan,

I would say none of us have any deep knowledge of magick or we would not be on tribe.net talking about it. If I had the knowledge of magick that I want, I would most likely be in the Hindu Kush performing workings for the better part of my life. Perhaps, we are all curious explorers. I know I am.

To answer your question about storing energy: I don't know. I can feel energies in certain objects, but, my personal verifications would not be accepted by a scientist, for example. A Scientist would need some sort of equipment to extend his senses to measure the energy, and he would need a definition of the energy and a standard of measure. Everything is permissible. It could happen. How would we verify that? If we could, would everyone accept that as a means of verification?

To be practical, I suggest that you try whatever experiments you have in mind vis-a-vis storing energy in objects. Figure out what kind of results you are looking for, try it, and see what happens. Perhaps, you would share your results here? Perhaps, you have a specific experiment in mind, and you could post that here as well. Maybe, you want to store love in a can for example, you could write something up, and post it here. Perhaps people would have ideas, suggestions, and what not.

I think what Pete meant by "aetheric influences" is a theory that aether touches everything, and that the physical world manifests out of the aether. By focusing thought and emotion, you can influence the aether before it manifests into physical reality. Where did you come across this concept? Its been a while since I read his three books, I should get back to them, but, lack the time.

Charging a weapon could mean several things. One method is to put your energy--normally anger, hatred, malice--into a dagger and hurl it at a target. The idea is to focus your energy on the object--and its astral double--and use that object--and the double--to transfer that energy to a target.

I suppose we will never know if it is placebo, but, if it works, what does it matter? If the ritual is not necessary it will make itself obsolete, IMO.

I tried my best to answer your questions. I don't have the answers, either. We are here to share.

"Energy" is stored in all objects. it is the magician who can use psychic energy with intention. to "experience" this energy you must have a sensitivity. for example see the energy, feel the energy, or hear the telepathic message in the energy. if you have not developed a sensitivity i suggest learning an energy model and using psychedelics to open the door thats there already. you dont have to use drugs . they are addictive and dangerous to fragile minds (my brain is sensitve and fragile with chemicals) . you must be very self aware of sensations and emotions to start this work.

even after you start to have sensitivities you will still be baffled by how psychic energy works. seeing energy also helps you learn how energy travels and what colors it may hold. empathy is simple as well since emotions energy is similar to most people. vibrotugy (is that whats its called) is the basic feeling of vibes some feel light some heavy , crispy, or warm.

as for placebo yes you can trick yourself. but thats can have a positive effect or negative effct depending on where you put your superstions.
with intent you can turn a sugar pill into a cure if you Will it to be.