You know, I wasn't sure if I ought to talk about this or not; but when I saw this thread I thought perhaps it might be relevant.
Although my religion is basically animist, and I occasionally practice magic (mostly healing and protective bundles for friends, help them find work, stuff like that) -- even so, I don't know that I ever actually believed in "conjuration". You know, do a ritual, call up a spirit of some kind. At least, not for informal practitioners.
However, I had a particular passage in a psytrance set that I really liked to listen to when smoking spice. (the first part of 6/04, if you're interested.) And I had developed a little personal practice of calling on the STME, just because it's really hard for me to break through.
And it got to be where every time I did this, the same thing would happen: I would see shifting, darting shadows in my peripheral vision, I would sense someone behind me and beside me, I would actually feel taps on my shoulder, and a strong feeling of being encouraged with strong anticipation; kind of like a frat boys' drinking game. You must understand that this was BEFORE I actually smoked the spice; and also that I am a fairly analytical and rational person, I don't have a fascination with woo-woo stuff as one of my friends calls it.
And this would kind of creep me out a little. The feeling overall wasn't quite sinister but -- dangerous? Like messing with something much bigger or more powerful than you are. It was a strong feeling, and either I would chicken out, or something would happen to stop me. (the pipe would suddenly be empty inexplicably, someone would knock on my door, the mp3 player would run out of power, etc.)
So one time recently I was at my best friend's house. She lives in a less urban area with really great vibes, and I feel totally safe there. She has a guest room in the back that is quiet and private. So I did my little thing again, and all was the same, except that I kept going undisturbed.
I can't remember too many specifics, but I can tell you that it was like a classic hero's-quest kind of thing, where they must go through an ordeal of some kind involving terrifying scenes that will try to turn them back or make them give up. I know that I kept my eyes straight ahead no matter what I experienced even though there was a constant feeling of fearsome things behind and around me. The instinct to look over my shoulder at sensed danger was overwhelming but I felt somehow that I must not. My eyes were open, but the peaceful room I was in had become someplace else entirely, full of shadows and fear.
It went on a long time. And finally at a certain moment I realized that the next part of the music was a song called, "Venus," one that I find very beautiful and emotionally moving. It starts with a thunderclap, and as that happened the room slowly metamorphosed back into the room I had started in, with the little window looking out on a thick tangle of green plants, and sunlight coming in in long shafts with dust motes dancing. I cried, it was such a profound feeling. I had been so afraid, but I didn't break, and it was okay. I had done it.
I still can't say what exactly the purpose of this was, but I do believe it had a purpose. I don't know what, err, realm I was dealing with (hate that word, sounds hokey) either; yet I remain certain that on some level it was very real.
Also, one last thing; well, two. I have to take an MAOI every time, or the spice doesn't work, so I eat ground esphand, aka rue. The other thing is, I have had one or two trips into hyperspace that I remembered not at all. (I'm told I was having a blast, though.)
"What's wrong with that generation? ... Is this what comes of putting on Pink Floyd laser lightshows down at the Planetarium?" --Spider Robinson