Let’s Talk Witch – Chanting, The History

 Chanting, The History

Music has been around a long time in varying forms, chanting has been used for as long as Pagans have been around. The reason for chanting is energy building, focus, and even uniting together at gatherings. Chants come in long or short forms, can rhyme or not, and can even be made up. Though there are some common chants known that have been shared over and over among Pagans and Wiccans.

Chanting can hold a symbolic meaning, of becoming more in tuned with nature or deities, trances, spells. Can also be used to invoke powers, spirits, deities, and build our own energies. The reason songs and chants are important in ritual is that they help to control both breathing and thought. Using a song or a chant is a good method for focusing your mind. It is also particularly effective for building a group mind, since it is a good method of getting everyone breathing together and concentrating on one stream of consciousness, the important thing is the concentration, focus on the words and energy. This is how it builds. The type of song or chant you could use will depend on what you are trying to do. If you were doing power raising, you would want a song or chant that builds in strength until it reaches a climax. You would start off slow and gradually build up the tempo, driving it by swinging your hands to push the energy unto the center of the circle, until the level of energy has been achieved, and then release it. This is a basic and easy form of magic. Visualizing a goal or intention and chanting to bring the energies forth to make it happen.

Songs that are meant to be songs of worship or adoration may be solemn or they may be joyful, depending on the situation you want to create. For grounding, farewells or banishing’s, you should use slower songs that wind down the energies. Chanting is very versatile and can be used for any goal or cause. Chanting is used by Pagan’s, Wiccan’s, and Witchcraft. Not only that, but many other faiths use chanting as well. Even Christians sing hymns at Sunday worship. Music has been a great influence on how people worship.

Sometimes chants can be used instead of the usual spoken invocation for elements during casting circles, or other spell casts. Chanting may be something you do while alone, working out, making dinner, the great thing about it is how simple and versatile it is. Chanting is not only for ritual work, but self-motivation, calming, or prayer.

You may want to use chants made by others or make your own chants.

Wiccan Chants and Incantations: Witchcraft for the Solitary Practitioner

Ginger Valentine