Why Spells Don’t Always Work

WHY SPELLS DON’T ALWAYS WORK

Spell casting, in and of itself, is not difficult. Generally, it follows an

easy formula with separate and distinct steps. A spell is a procedure to

follow to reach a desired end. It does not require a great deal of money, a

huge compendium of tools, or exotic ingredients to work. It does require

faith in yourself and a connection with deity.

When describing spells to non-magickal people, a witch will often tell them

that a spell is much like a prayer. You are calling upon divinity to assist

you, as in a prayer, but a spell requires more than just pleading to divinity

to help you out of a jam. In a spell YOU are an active ingredient. Your

faith and your knowledge are as important as understanding there is divinity

out there to call upon.

Many of you have already heard of the Witches’ Pyramid, the foundation of our

magickal acts: To Know, To Will, To Dare, and To Be Silent. This pyramid is

the underlying structure of any spell formula.

To Know

Before you can cast a spell, you need to know who you are. Ego aside, you

have to come to terms with who you are, how you operate, and why you do the

things you do.

The second thing you must know is precisely what you want. This is not as

easy as it seems. People rarely sit back and consider what they really want

out of life. Part of this is because they are afraid. They fear they may not

get what they want, and they fear that they will fail. These fears stop us

from knowing.

For example, time and time again people I know have spelled for love. They

have not done the ultimate no-no by targeting a specific person, but they do

something just as bad–they don’t really know what they ultimately want.

When they get what they spelled for, often they are disappointed, because

there is something attached to that new lover they didn’t think of.

Therefore, all spells must be specific.

One of the best ways to begin a working is to write out, in detail, exactly

what you want in one straight line on a piece of paper. Underneath,

phonetically begin to pare each word down. Underneath that line, pare the

words down again. Continue this procedure until only one letter from each

word is left. Interlock the few remaining letters into a sigil. Use this

sigil in whatever magickal application you have chosen to ensure your spell

remains specific.

To Will

Another stumbling block in spell casting is lack of will, whether it is will

power, belief, or conviction. Will depends on how badly you want to make a

change. Do you believe you are capable of making the change, or do you think

it is only wishful thinking? Are you willing to re-program your mind, your

environment, your relationships, in order to bring about the change you

desire? Without will, a spell will fizzle. Is your mind fogged with doubt,

or unnecessary problems that will prevent bringing about the change you say

you want?

One of the best techniques for increasing your will power is the use of

meditation on a daily basis. Once you have learned to relax, use the alpha

state to program the events you wish to come to pass. You should work on

both short-term and long-term goals.

Another technique that is useful in spell casting is to write down why you

wish to manifest something. Let this explanation sit on your altar

overnight, then re-read it. Does it make sense? Is this what you really

want? Does your reasoning still appear firm, or is it full of holes?

Are you patient? Patience has a lot to do with will. Once you have a firm

grip on “will,” you are a third of the way through on accurate spell casting.

To Dare

To dare means you are not inclined to sit around on your laurels. It means

that you are not choosing to procrastinate, rather you are choosing to move

with purpose. To dare indicates that you are no longer afraid of the

outcome, or fear failure. You are confident that you control your own

destiny to the point where you won’t even argue about it, either with someone

else, or yourself.

Although “to dare” doesn’t appear to create a lot of work, it does require

you to make an active decision. This is the next catalyst for your magickal

operation. From here, you will plan the appropriate day, hour, moon phase,

astrological energies, and tools required for working magick, including what

divinity you will choose. To dare can lead to a great deal of work and

preparation.

To Be Silent

Even if you are an adept, you should learn to be quiet about your magickal

operations. There is only one exception, which is when you are working with

a group. If the group mind is actively participating on a project they

should be informed of their success or failure.

In the beginning, you should be silent so that you are not affected by

others’ opinions. Don’t tell them what you are performing magick for, as you

risk failure. Why? Because they can unconsciously affect you with their

disbelief or negativity.

Likewise, once you become proficient at spell casting, don’t announce

it–especially to a novice. No real adept will ever tell a novice that “My

spells always work.” Not only is it rude, it is also untrue. Everyone

fails. Imagine what a novice would think if they knew you lost your job,your

kids are running rampant, and you are deeply in debt. If your spells always

worked, you would not be in such a fix, would you? Foolish words can ruin

your reputation, which in turn, will ruin your own self-confidence.

Therefore, keep your trap shut–this ensures success in your magickal

operations as well as keeping your reputation intact. No one likes a

braggart, and no one considers an egotistical Witch a good leader or cleric.

When Spell’s Fail

Try this chant

Oh God/dess (whoever you worship) I am not worthy of

your perfect grace, nor the magick i find within myself

and within you. I ask now in Just, for i have grown weak

that thou would accompany me in rituals and spells.

Be By my side in this time of need. I do not deserve you

Oh God/dess. but still i ask, for i am only but a mortal

Oh God/dess, Bless me!

Oh God/dess, accompany me!

Oh God/dess, Shine light upon me!

Oh God/dess, grant me wisdom!

Oh God/dess, Grant me Humility!

Oh God/dess, Stay with me!

Oh God/dess, Protect me from evil!

Oh God/dess, I love thee above all things!

Please Oh ancient ones, hear me!

Amen

 

Reference:

Witches Of The Craft at Yuku.com