Temporal Anchor

Mage Kilroy Bisset's insistence on the "Temporal Anchor" being among the foundational eight spells stemmed from his profound understanding of the intricacies and dangers inherent to the practice of advanced magic. Delving into his writings and teachings, we can ascertain several core reasons:

1. Protection from Unintended Drift: As his adepts progressed in their magical journey, the boundaries between time, realities, and planes became more permeable. A mere thought, when fused with powerful arcane energy, could inadvertently shift a practitioner to another time or reality. The "Temporal Anchor" acted as a safeguard against such unintended excursions.

2. Mental and Spiritual Stability: Bisset understood that frequent or abrupt transitions across planes and timelines could have significant mental and spiritual repercussions. The "Temporal Anchor" ensured that the adept's essence remained grounded, thus preventing a fracturing of the self or loss of identity.

3. Preservation of the Original Timeline: Interfering with or altering past events could create a ripple effect, leading to unforeseen and often undesirable changes in the present or future. By ensuring that the adept was anchored to their original timeline, the risk of unintentional historical alterations was minimized.

4. Enhanced Focus in Other Spells: Knowing that they had a secure tether back to their origin allowed practitioners to approach other spells with greater focus and confidence. This security, in turn, improved the efficacy and precision of their spellwork.

5. Moral and Ethical Grounding: Bisset believed that being rooted in one's original timeline also meant being connected to one's original values, morals, and ethics. This connection acted as a moral compass, especially when navigating realms or times with differing societal norms.

6. Prevention of Temporal Paradoxes: Bisset was acutely aware of the dangers of creating paradoxes — events that contradict themselves due to time manipulation. The "Temporal Anchor" helped avoid scenarios where adepts might encounter their past or future selves, leading to potential paradoxes.

7. A Humble Reminder: On a more philosophical note, the "Temporal Anchor" served as a reminder of the adept's origins. No matter how powerful they became, they were always tethered to a specific time and place, reminding them of their journey's beginnings and the responsibilities that came with their growing abilities.

For all these reasons and more, Bisset regarded the "Temporal Anchor" not just as a tool, but as a fundamental pillar in the study and practice of magic. It was, in his eyes, a spell of humility, safety, and wisdom.

One of the reasons that temporal anchoring is needed is because you have now experienced traveling between the physical and the astral. Thus the normal membrane between them has been weakened. The more you travel into the astral plane, the more porous that barrier between the two becomes. Thus it becomes imperative that you learn how to protect yourself by temporarily anchoring. (Note: This is a good spell to cast before going to sleep. But if you do so, you will not enter into the Liminal Aether.)

1. Preparation: Choose a quiet location where you won't be disturbed. This place should ideally be familiar to you and resonate with memories and moments from your past. These connections can bolster the depth of the anchor, which will strengthen the power of your silver cord.

2. Personal Artifact: Hold a personal artifact in your hands, close your eyes, and recall a strong memory associated with it. Let this memory ground you, drawing your essence into the present moment.

3. Vocalization of Intent:  Audibly recite:

   Bound to this moment, this place, this line,

    I anchor myself, through space and time.

    Drift I may, far and wide,

    But always to this anchor, I shall reside.

4. Visualization:  See the "Temporal Anchor" acting as a weight, holding your body to the ground and preventing it from fluttering away in the metaphysical winds.

This spell is often used in conjunction with the astral projection spells. But it can--and should--often be used in the evenings before falling asleep and whenever you feel adrift or not fully present after delving into other spells or realms. Note that this spell doesn’t prevent intentional time or planar travel but serves as a guidepost to ensure you can always find your way back home.