Your Special Place Orientation and Furnishings     It is quite important to determine with a compass how your magic place relates to the four cardinal points.  During your work you will be either standing or sitting facing east.  The east is the direction of sunrise and light; its color is white.  Facing east strengthens the power and gives a boost of vitality and freshness. Some people like to surround themselves with objects and pictures that remind them of magic while others favor simplicity and a spartan environment where only those items that are strictly necessary are permitted.  It is a matter of your own preference; just follow your own feelings.  Whatever can help you concentrate, whatever can still your mind and make you feel calm and settled, that is what you need. The two things you will need to have in your magic space are: a place to sit -- this can be a comfortable cushion on the floor or a sofa or an armchair, whatever is best for you; and a place to work -- a surface on which it is possible to write and to put things.  This latter surface can be a simple wooden tablet which you can lay on the floor, if that is what you like.  Or it can be a small table, or even the top of a chest.  The important thing is that you take great care with your surface: you need to put it away safely every time, if you use it only for magic.  If at other times you use it for other activities, you need to make sure to thoroughly cleanse it before magic, re-consecrating it every time. The above arrangements are, of course, ideal.  It may not always be possible in every individual situation to accomplish the luxury of a perfect, private place for magic.  Life is busy, space is limited and people often overwhelm our time and space.  This does not mean, however, that making your magic is impossible.  It may mean that you need to make a greater effort to get started but very often this increased energy can actually have a beneficial result -- so don't despair.  On the following page take note of the additional possibilities to aid you in arranging your surroundings for magic work. Excerpt from: Good Magic by Marina Medici       Books and Music to help you on your quest           More on setting up your special place