Magick or Psychology? The Intriguing Intersection Between Manifesting and Future Pacing

Photos by Magenta School of Magick

Manifesting and future pacing are concepts that have gained considerable traction in self-help literature and coaching practises. Both approaches focus on the power of the mind to influence reality and shape personal outcomes. While they may seem distinct at first glance, there are lots of similarities between manifesting and future pacing that we find fascinating, and it’s all hard baked into our humanistic magickal philosophy. 

We believe there is an opportunity to tread the line between the esoteric and the psychological, so that spiritually minded people can have lasting success when making changes that improve their work and their lifestyle. 

Similarities Between Manifesting and Future Pacing

Manifesting, often associated with the esoteric, positive thinking and “woo stuff”, involves visualising desired outcomes and believing in their eventual realisation. Practitioners will often engage in techniques such as spell casting, chanting affirmations and meditation to align their thoughts and energies with their goals. Some practitioners may hold spiritual beliefs that require external forces to help out, but the underlying idea is that by focusing on what one desires, individuals can attract those experiences into their lives.

In contrast, future pacing is a technique frequently used in cognitive behavioural therapy, neurolinguistic programming and coaching. It involves mentally rehearsing future scenarios to prepare for desired outcomes as well as being action oriented. This technique helps individuals envision success and strategise the steps needed to achieve their goals. Future pacing encourages a proactive mindset, allowing individuals to anticipate challenges and develop effective coping strategies.

While manifesting and future pacing have their different values, and different ways to label or express it, both rely on the power of belief and the ability to visualise success. Our humanistic magick approach can bridge the gap at this point because we use techniques that encourage individuals to cultivate a positive mindset, and take actionable steps toward their aspirations However, we don’t diminish the deeply held beliefs of those who are spiritually minded by relabelling manifesting, when it is not beneficial to do so. 

The Psychological Similarities of Manifesting and Future Pacing

Both manifesting and future pacing draw upon principles found in psychology, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT posits that our thoughts significantly influence our emotions and behaviours. By modifying negative thought patterns, individuals can alter their emotional responses and behaviours, ultimately leading to more positive outcomes.

In the context of manifesting, individuals will most likely focus on positive affirmations and visualisations. This practise aligns with the CBT principle of cognitive restructuring, where negative beliefs are challenged and replaced with more empowering thoughts. Similarly, future pacing involves envisioning successful future scenarios, allowing individuals to mentally rehearse positive outcomes and build confidence in their abilities. So we can already start to see the similarities between manifesting and future pacing have shared roots in psychology, even if magickally inclined people use different labels.

Positive thinking, and being optimistic, is another psychological component that underpins both manifesting and future pacing. Research indicates that individuals with a positive outlook are more likely to have positive experiences and engage in behaviours that support their goals, such as seeking opportunities and overcoming obstacles. This “optimism bias” encourages individuals to focus on potential positive outcomes rather than dwelling on negative possibilities. Spiritually minded people are often cultivating an optimistic mindset to attract desired experiences. Likewise, future pacing encourages individuals to envision success, fostering a sense of hope and motivation to pursue their goals actively. 

We work with our clients to bring together the similarities between manifesting and future pacing in a way that works for them, using labels they prefer and using techniques that support their values…….  

Similar Techniques Used in Manifesting and Future Pacing

Visualisation and affirmations are a central technique in both manifesting and future pacing. It involves creating vivid mental images of desired outcomes, allowing individuals to experience the emotions associated with those achievements. This process may differ slightly in its execution depending on whether one is manifesting or engaging in future pacing. The sciencey aspect of the technique is about ensuring that those neural pathways in the brain have woken up. 

Similarly, affirmations contribute to a gradual shift in mindset which can cultivate a more positive outlook. In the context of manifesting, affirmations may focus on attracting abundance, confidence, or success. Future pacing, on the other hand, may involve affirmations that emphasise competence, readiness for upcoming challenges or actions to take. There is nothing wrong with wanting success and confidence, the trick to “manifesting” these wonderful things lies in the importance of language and self-talk in shaping beliefs, behaviours and importantly an acknowledgement of one’s own role in the successful outcome.

The mechanics of manifesting and future pacing share several similarities, and magickal minded manifestors may use esoterically themed techniques like rituals, lighting candles, or symbolic objects as part of the process. For those who manifest their goals into reality, it is important to recognise the ritualistic nature of the techniques because of the belief that this sacred space enhances the practitioner’s focus in which the intention can be amplified. But the similarities between manifesting and future pacing are there. In manifesting and future pacing, both individuals must clarify the goal they wish to achieve and both practises require a period of mental engagement, and we encourage spiritually minded people to really spend time on this aspect in order to have lasting success. 

Benefits of Combining Manifesting and Future Pacing

Thanks to the similarities between manifesting and future pacing, these can easily be combined and used as powerful tools for personal development, and can be accessible to everyone. They can be made as magickal or as sciencey as you want.  Anyone seeking to improve their lives can utilise these techniques to set and achieve meaningful goals. By focusing on positive outcomes and visualising success, they can create a roadmap for personal growth. For example, someone aiming to improve their career prospects may visualise themselves excelling in job interviews (and if they choose to, perform a suitable ritual). By combining any added magickal expression with the visualisation and action planning, they can identify the skills they need to develop and actively seek opportunities for growth.

In a professional sports or enterprise capacity, the similarities between manifesting and future pacing can enhance performance and productivity. For example, athletes or leaders who adopt these mental techniques may experience increased motivation, improved focus, and greater confidence in their abilities. Both manifesting and future pacing can be invaluable tools for overcoming challenges. Individuals facing obstacles or setbacks can utilise these techniques to reframe their mindset and develop effective coping strategies. By visualising successful outcomes and affirming their resilience, they can cultivate a sense of hope and determination. Any added magickness is just like sprinkles on ice cream. 

We believe there is an opportunity for spiritually minded people to have lasting success when making changes that improve their work and their lifestyle by combining psychological concepts with the esoteric. The visualisation techniques used in both manifesting and future pacing allow individuals to refine their aspirations and articulate their desires more clearly, using Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals or well formed outcomes from psychological concepts. This framework provides clarity and structure, making it easier to develop actionable plans that align with their spiritual values and aspirations. 

The Intriguing Intersection of Manifesting and Future Pacing

Because, in part, of the similarities between manifesting and future pacing we like to sit in the intersection of the psychological and the woo. For example, we developed our humanistic magick philosophy specifically to support spiritually minded people to make changes that improve their work and their lifestyle. We find that when we work in this way with spiritually minded people we are working in a way that supports their values, to help them to anticipate challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.  

We find that both manifesting and future pacing have a role to play, and they don’t need to sit in separate worlds. By consistently visualising success and affirming positive beliefs, and being action oriented, individuals can develop a stronger sense of self-efficacy. This increased confidence can empower people to take risks and pursue opportunities that align with their aspirations, whether they have invoked a deity or performed a ritual as a part of that or not.

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