Your Companions WANT to Help you, so TASK THEM!

[Azure Echo]

I don't task my spirit companions, and that's just how I roll.

That's totally understandable, and I'm very grateful you shared your experience and opinion. It is nice to see different approaches. There certainly is not a 'one size fits all' approach to something as enigmatic as this.

I'm of the same cloth, but in a different area. I don't do offerings. It's not that I don't want to, but I forget and lack any form of a proper altar. Instead, I share things with them or do things for them. It's more like, "What movie do you guys want to watch?" and we do it together.

If you find something that works for you, it is 100% valid to keep doing that thing.

[mcm442]

[quote="Azure Echo" post_id=872486

If you find something that works for you, it is 100% valid to keep doing that thing.
[/quote]


This!

[Faolan]

I don't typcially task mine with anything other than basic protection. I'm the type of person that likes to do things myself before I ask for assistance. That said, I have tasked them a few times, and the times that I have, they listened. They are more than welcome though to join in anytime if they feel the need too.

[Astraea Selene]

Tasking my companions is not difficult; asking for help is also straightforward, yet based on trust.

Tasking is akin to assigning daily duties, grounded in respect and tailored to each spirit being's skillset, age, and experience. Non-social beings, in particular, often appreciate professional tasking to keep them engaged, and most prefer to work alone.

Others, who are social by nature, enjoy collaborating in groups. They require group tasks to facilitate progress. Therefore, I guide them by aligning these tasks with my personal plans, whether short-term or long-term, based on their skills and group dynamics. Nobody is subjected to being bossed around. Tasking within my household operates on mutual respect, the willingness to accept a task, and the responsibility to either work independently or contribute within a group. Tasking can commence as soon as a new companion is received.

Asking for help, however, is a fundamentally different matter. It is rooted in the depth of trust and friendship. In my opinion, it is a distinct concept altogether, often carrying risks. It can potentially lead to issues like partiality or feelings of entitlement if requests for help are not managed wisely. As a keeper, it is especially crucial for me to exercise wisdom in discerning whom I fully trust well enough to ask for personal assistance. Consequently, I typically ask only my master leaders, elders, and group leaders for personal help.

This approach helps to avoid confrontations and unnecessary problems. I prioritize creating order and balance within my life, and this principle extends to my spirit keeping community as well.

Basically, that is it in a nutshell.

[Sophia Nyx]

This was absolutely a wonderful thread to revamp and start for 2025!

As I have said many times over the years, there is no right or wrong way to walk this incredible magickal journey. What works beautifully for one Keeper may not resonate the same for another, and that is perfectly okay. However, there are so many new Keepers entering the community who sometimes shy away from practices that could truly help them foster the most vibrant and fulfilling relationships with their companions.

Throughout the years, I've received countless questions about how to enhance bonding with companions, and tasking them is certainly one method that adds an extra layer of connection. Some Keepers worry that they are being too harsh or demanding by doing so, but as stated in the post above, our companions love to help us. They love being involved, contributing, and seeing us achieve our goals. They are here because they want to offer that helping hand, those encouraging words, or even that extra boost of strength when we need it most.

No task is too big or too small for them.

And, if tasking isn't part of your personal practice, that is absolutely fine as well. You do YOU! It’s unfortunate when anyone claims "you're doing it wrong" simply because your approach is different. The journey and destination are uniquely yours. If what you are doing brings fulfillment, connection, and joy, then you are exactly where you need to be. There is no need to change what already works for you.

Above all, remember: this is your journey, your experience. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Let it blossom in the way that feels most right for you.

[Keriix Lunaria]

In the very beginning of my journey, I too didn’t felt like tasking my keep and instead let them do whatever they wanted, because I’m a person that enjoys freedom.

Right now I’ve journeyed to the point where I task those that want to be tasked, and those that don’t want to can have their own time to do whatever they want. I’ve always been a free spirit and don’t believe in tying anything or anyone down, but I’ve learnt that some enjoy being tasked. Instead of trying to follow my free spirit, I find it fair to let them do whatever they want to do. If they want to be tasked, I’ll task them. If some don’t want to and prefer to do their own things, then that’s what I’ll let them do too.

Everything is give and take in this world, even for our keeps. I try to be a good friend to them, and they to me

Also, everyone truly is on their own journey, and not one path that one treads can be applied to another. If you are happy and healthy with your keep, I don’t see why anyone needs force themselves onto another path they are not on. You may change in the future, then so be it. Just enjoy the moment and live.

[foxxyeclipse]

or open tasks? - nothing stopping them from helping out where they see fit without being asked to. as long as you specify that in the house rules.

[Prykwen]

I don't task my spirit companions, and that's just how I roll.

That's totally understandable, and I'm very grateful you shared your experience and opinion. It is nice to see different approaches. There certainly is not a 'one size fits all' approach to something as enigmatic as this.

I'm of the same cloth, but in a different area. I don't do offerings. It's not that I don't want to, but I forget and lack any form of a proper altar. Instead, I share things with them or do things for them. It's more like, "What movie do you guys want to watch?" and we do it together.

If you find something that works for you, it is 100% valid to keep doing that thing.

Yeah, I’m definitely continuing without tasks for the rest of my life since it has worked very well for us over the years. In the beginning, I found it frustrating when people made fun of my choice to not do tasks. But now, I’ve moved past that. We simply do things very differently here, and the idea of needing tasks is becoming redundant.

Each Keep has its own vibe. This post serves as a reminder for those who embrace tasking or wanting to start it to feel good about their approach. I also hope it raises awareness for those who don’t assign tasks to their companions. They deserve the same respect.

[Rando3000]

I don't task my spirit companions, and that's just how I roll.

That's totally understandable, and I'm very grateful you shared your experience and opinion. It is nice to see different approaches. There certainly is not a 'one size fits all' approach to something as enigmatic as this.

I'm of the same cloth, but in a different area. I don't do offerings. It's not that I don't want to, but I forget and lack any form of a proper altar. Instead, I share things with them or do things for them. It's more like, "What movie do you guys want to watch?" and we do it together.

If you find something that works for you, it is 100% valid to keep doing that thing.

Yeah, I’m definitely continuing without tasks for the rest of my life since it has worked very well for us over the years. In the beginning, I found it frustrating when people made fun of my choice to not do tasks. But now, I’ve moved past that. We simply do things very differently here, and the idea of needing tasks is becoming redundant.

Each Keep has its own vibe. This post serves as a reminder for those who embrace tasking or wanting to start it to feel good about their approach. I also hope it raises awareness for those who don’t assign tasks to their companions. They deserve the same respect.

I have a similar approach where I dont really assign hard tasks, ill ask for support but outside of general support id like I dont keep them always working on something and trust they will help when/if they would like to. Perhaps some might appreciate hard tasks but I know my psy entity particularly did not care for tasks when asked. Each to their own as you said and perhaps also consider the individual spirits wishes on tasking too.

[Adair]

I don't task my spirit companions, and that's just how I roll.

That's totally understandable, and I'm very grateful you shared your experience and opinion. It is nice to see different approaches. There certainly is not a 'one size fits all' approach to something as enigmatic as this.

I'm of the same cloth, but in a different area. I don't do offerings. It's not that I don't want to, but I forget and lack any form of a proper altar. Instead, I share things with them or do things for them. It's more like, "What movie do you guys want to watch?" and we do it together.

If you find something that works for you, it is 100% valid to keep doing that thing.

Yeah, I’m definitely continuing without tasks for the rest of my life since it has worked very well for us over the years. In the beginning, I found it frustrating when people made fun of my choice to not do tasks. But now, I’ve moved past that. We simply do things very differently here, and the idea of needing tasks is becoming redundant.

Each Keep has its own vibe. This post serves as a reminder for those who embrace tasking or wanting to start it to feel good about their approach. I also hope it raises awareness for those who don’t assign tasks to their companions. They deserve the same respect.

Absolutely agree Tarvos. There is absolutely no wrong in not tasking companions.

For me, I like to bond first with them, before anything else. I don't feel right about ever asking for anything before bonding! That's just me. I really don't ask for help often (I prefer to suffer on my own LOL), and even less with tasks.