Category: Book of Spells

Clearing, Cleansing & Setting Protection

Clearing, Cleansing & Setting Protection

 

You can easily add tools and elements to this process. Here’s a few examples.

You can use a white candle to help you focus the creation of light within your being. Imagine your spiritual essence, lighting a flame in your solar plexus. This is your divine light, the spirit within you that will provide the energy to the wick of your candle and the work ahead. When you take in the first deep breath, imagine the white light coming from the flame and collecting at your solar plexus.

If you’re conducting this exercise specifically to perform a clearing and cleansing of energies, you might want to add a step that specifically focuses on the negative energies you’re trying to get rid of. You’ll need pen, paper and a fire bowl (a bowl that you can place the paper in and burn).

Take a piece of paper and write down the issues you’re trying to release or push out. Make an itemized list giving it as much detail as you feel you need to or have time for.

Conduct the above process for clearing, cleansing and setting protection.

Open your eyes and take the paper with your written items. Fold the paper and imagine these things having no affect or impact on you ever again. Set the paper on fire and put it in the fire bowl. Make sure you’re taking precautions so that the paper is the only thing that’s going to burn. Safety first! You might keep a glass of water handy just in case an accident occurs.

As the smoke rises from the paper, see the issues you wrote down losing all energy and all importance as it floats out into the universe. Never able to do harm to you again.

You can also place your ritual into a talisman that you want to wear for protection. For this, pick the item you want to use as a talisman or amulet. Hold it in your right hands as you go through each step. See the item as being part of you and your being. It’s going through every step of this process with you. This is a quick and easy way to program the item to hold this entire process. When you’ve completed setting the protection say an additional little prayer to the GreatSpirits stating the purpose of the talisman. Something as simple as saying, this talisman now holds my the ability to clear and cleansing my mind/body/spirit from harmful energies and quickly set a shield of protection whenever called upon. Then imagine a shield of gold being set around the talisman as well. As if you’re locking the entire process inside it. When ever you feel you need some help for protection or to fight against someone who might be yelling at you for instance, just hold your talisman and call upon it’s energies to help you. You might even add a command to activate the item, something like “protect me now” is simple and to the point. But if you do this, remember you have to also program that into your steps before you lock the item.

Clearing, Cleansing & Setting Protection (Part 1)

Clearing, Cleansing & Setting Protection

 

The following is a step-by-step process for pushing the negative energies out of your body and calling upon the Divine forces to lift your “spirit” and aid in your protection. It doesn’t take long to perform this mini-ritual. But you can certainly add to this with candles or other tools to enhance the process. I’ll give some examples after this step-by-step process.

Sit in a comfortable position, to help you alleviate the stress within your body.

Close your eyes and take in a deep cleansing breath. Fill your lungs to their fullest capacity. Then release the breath through your mouth and push all the air out of your body. Take in 3 deep breaths through the nose, imagine the white light from the universe coming into your lungs and collecting at your solar plexus. (the solar plexus is located in the center of your abdomen, right where you ribs connect at the bottom).

With all 3 exhales, image all the stress, anxiety and negativity you have leaving your body carried out to the universe on a gray smoke where it can be dissipated and no longer do harm to anyone.

With each inhale, imagine the light collecting at your solar plexus beginning to enlarge. Each in take of white light, increases the size of the white bubble of light. See this white light moving up and down the inside of your body from this point. Imagine the warmth of the white divine energy as it passes through your muscles and organs. Feel the tingling sensations as the light moves down to your toes and simultaneously up your body to the top of your head. Imagine your entire body filled by this white divine light, from the inside out.

As the light of divine energy grows imagine any left over negative stresses, anxieties and unwanted energies being forced out of your body. See this as a cloud of gray smoke being pushed out of your being by the growing divine white light.

As you breath in the energy from the divine, image the light is growing so much that it pushes through the confines of your body. Imagine the light growing to encompass your physical body about 2 feet in diameter. See the last aspects of the unwanted energy floating out into the universe where it too can be dissipated and no longer do harm to anyone.

Say a prayer asking your guides and teachers to come to you and to help with the purpose of this protection. State your intention clearly and ask The GreatSpirits to help you with your purpose. Don’t forget to thank them up front for their efforts.

You can add a little step here for putting an exclamation on setting divine protection if you’d like. Take one more very deep breath and see a strong gold divine light, shimmering down into your body to your solar plexus. See this light quickly grow and pass through the white light you have established as your shield. The two light sources do not mix, they should remain clearly separate. Think and see the gold light as the GreatSpirits hand passing through the shield you created and within seconds and forming it’s own shield around yours. Seeing clearly the outer rim of gold, protecting the inner white shield. Think of this as a hard shield of Gold from the GreatSpirits own hand, setting a hard outer shell to protect the white energy shield you created. Make sure you add a special thanks to the GreatSpirits for their addition to your energy.

Clearing and Cleansing

Clearing and Cleansing

There are many methods to clearing and cleansing, and you may want to make up your own based on your personal beliefs. Here is a step by step example from beginning to end that works on spaces, objects or even people. Before you begin, prepare a small altar to hold the objects you’ll need for the cleansing and clearing. Gather together:

A white candle.

Sage and cedar smudge if you can find it. If not sandlewood incense will suffice.

A large feather.

A clear quartz crystal.

A lighter or book of matches.

If this cleansing is for a person, you might need or want to use a proxy. A proxy is an object that acts as a “stand-in”. It holds the essence of the person, or even an animal and allows you to focus your energies on the proxy for the cleansing. This is a common method used to conduct long-distance healing rituals.

Creating Your Sacred Space

Creating Your Sacred Space

 

Preparing Your Space

Before you begin any ritual or ceremony, you should Clear and Cleanse the area where the work is to be done. This is especially true when you’re first consecrating your sacred space. You should re-cleanse this area each time you begin a ritual or use of this space, but these later efforts will all be affected by how you first set the intent and use of energy in this space for the first time.

 

Selecting A Space

Designate an area in your home or outside where your sacred space will be. This should be a place that is undisturbed by other members of your household. If you don’t have the space in your home to designate a room as your spiritual area, then set aside a corner or portion of a room. You can use curtains, an attractive room divider or just a special arrangement of furniture.

If you decide to create a space outside, the same considerations apply. You want this area to be undisturbed by other people. A place where your ritual objects will be safe if you leave them outside.

Setting Up Your Space

Before any spiritual event can occur, you should create or designate a place that can act as your “Sacred Space”. Your personal area where only spiritual work and interaction will be conducted. Once you have designated an area, inside or outside, you will need to cleanse the area, energize it and create a “gateway” for spiritual communication and work.

 

Decorating Your Space

Decorations add to the “essence” of your spiritual space, but they also server as symbolic reminders and tools for your work. If you have a close affinity to the energy of a particular animal, then add a statue or picture of that animal in your area. If you have a particular connection to a pentacle or medicine wheel, then give that object a prominent location in your space.

Some people like to set all natural materials in their space. A solid wood table and chair(s) with natural fiber coverings and so on. These additional practical items are entirely up to you. But if you feel that natural objects help you connect with the natural forces around you, then add these specific items to your space.

Some things you may want to consider putting in your space are:

Table and at least 1 chair.

A small table for a permanent altar.

Candles of varying color.

Crystals and stones for future rituals.

Incense for cleansing and clearing.

Don’t forget the matches.

Any other Magikal Tools you may wish to use.

Casting A Circle

Casting A Circle

The first thing you must do is find and create your sacred space. A secluded spot outdoors is preferable. If you must do your ritual indoors, have enough space to set up your altar and to be able to comfortably walk around without bumping into anything. An indoor area should also be cleansed of any negative energy. I physically clean the area by sweeping or vacuuming, and then smudge the entire space with white sage. I usually set up my altar facing North. What you place on your altar depends on what type of ritual you are doing. Here are the basics:

North – Earth ~ a dish of dirt

East – Air ~ dish of salt, censer, bell, feather

South – Fire ~ a red candle

West – Water ~ a dish of water, chalice

On the left side of the Altar, place a white candle or Goddess symbol. On the right side place a white candle or God symbol. The candles do not have to be white. I prefer to place my wand, athame, cauldron and spell tools in the middle of the altar. I place candles in each of the four Elemental quarters just at the edge of the circle I am about to cast. Green for Earth, yellow for Air, Red for Fire and Blue for Water. Once you have these items set up, it is time to “Raise Energy”. I usually play Celtic music to get in the spirit of things; dancing, drumming, chanting and clapping are all appropriate ways to raise energy. Next, stand and face the Altar and recite a general Blessing or Invocation chant. This is the one I use:

“I call upon the eternal Power of the One, source of all that is;
I call upon the Goddess, glorious Lady of the Moon;
I call upon the God, glorious Lord of the Sun
Mother and Father of all living creatures.
I call upon the Spirits of Earth, Air, Fire and Water
Join me now and bless this sacred space and all that dwells within.”

Next I call the quarters:
You can light each candle as you call the the Elements, or have them already lit. You can also use your wand or hand in creating the circle.

Go to the North and say:

“Spirit of the North, Ancient one of Earth
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your roots, bring your powers of
fertility,endurance and stability
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the East and say:

“Spirit of the East, Ancient one of Air
I call upon you to attend this circle.”
Thru your breeze, bring your powers of
intelligence, optimism and joy
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the South and say:

“Spirit of the South, Ancient one of Fire
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your light, bring your powers of
strength, courage and willpower
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Go to the West and say:

“Spirit of the West, Ancient one of Water
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Thru your flowing stream, bring your powers of
purification, peace and love
to bless and protect this sacred space.”

Stand before the altar and call the Goddess:

“O Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Silvery Moon
I call upon you to attend this circle
Bless and protect this sacred space
with your wisdom, guidance and love”

Call the God:

“Oh Gracious God, Lord of the Fiery Sun
I call upon you to attend this circle.
Bless and protect this sacred space
with your wisdom, guidance and love.”

“The Sacred Circle is cast,
May only positive energy dwell within;
May only positive energy emerge from within
So Mote It Be!”

You are now ready to perform your ritual or Esbat, magical workings, etc. When you have finished, celebrate the Simple Feast.

Hold up a cup of juice, wine, beer (your beverage of choice) and say:

“Gracious Goddess of the Earth and Sky,
Bless this wine with your love.
In the presence of the Mother Goddess and the Father God
This wine is blessed.”

Hold up a plate of cakes (bread, cookies, etc.) and say:

“Gracious God of the Sun and Wilderness,
Bless this bread with your love.
In the presence of the Mother Goddes and the Father God
This bread is blessed.”

(For more elaborate rituals, all of the food may be blessed at one time in a similar manner.)

Release the circle.

Go to each of the Elemental quarters and say:

“I bid farewell to the Spirit of the North, (East, West, South)
Thank you for your presence in this Sacred Circle.
Go now with bright blessings and spread your power.”

Thank the Goddess and the God in a similar manner.

Then say:

“The Circle is open, but not unbroken.
Merry Meet and Merry Part
Until we meet again
Blessed Be!!!”

Please remember that ritual tools are just props. And there will be occasions when you will want to cast an impromptu circle and you don’t have any tools with you. While they can help put you in the right frame of mind for creating rituals, your *magic* is within you. You have the ability to manifest wonderful energy, whether you have a magic wand or not. This is the basic circle casting that I use. Words and altar setups change depending on the type of circle you are casting and the ritual you are performing. Read books and practice writing your own rituals often and discover the spiritual soul that resides within.

Preparing and Casting the Circle

Preparing and Casting the Circle

Though it sounds simple, preparing the circle for a ritual can be a long, laborious process with little thanks given by the people that come to the circle. The witch in charge of setting up the space for a circle must decide what they think is necessary and make adjustments on the fly for missing things. They must listen to the discussion on what will be done at that circle and find what is needed, often digging up scraps from here and there to get everything. The leaders of the circle in particular, will generally bring any special items that will be required, but the things that are more common fall to whomever is doing the ritual preparation.

If a witch works as a solitary, then she is responsible for everything. This, of course, is made simpler by the fact that she disturbs no one if she forgets something and has to go get it. Preparation for circle includes such things as vacuuming the carpet if the floor is carpeted and sweeping it if it is not, setting up the altar and cleaning out any items that were not cleaned out after the last circle, setting up the charcoal for the incense and lighting it just before circle so that it is hot when needed. She needs to check that there is a pitcher of juice or wine available if a feast is being done, that there is good ventilation and sufficient heat in the room, and that everyone is ready to go before the circle starts.

There should be enough time before a ritual starts for people to sit together in silence to attune to one another, allowing the mundane world to slip away and adjust to a sacred way of thinking. Shirking on this is shirking on the preparation of a ritual, as it is very important that a group work together as a coherent whole.

Once the preparations and meditations are done, it is time to cast the circle. This can be done in many different ways. Several are presented below to give the student a choice and different ways to do this. The actual techniques do not matter so much as the intent and desire. It is a way to trigger the mind into working in a different manner than it is accustomed to working. As a student becomes more practiced and able to cast stronger and better circles, they will notice the way their minds shift focus from mundane to the sacred as they create their space. They will also begin to experiment with different ways of casting a circle. When this happens, they have learned a critical step to becoming a witch.

General Guidelines for Casting Spells

General Guidelines for Casting Spells

Set aside a room for your magical work. Decorate it with things that
put you in a magical mood. Remember to use things that stimulate all
five of your physical senses. Some obvious things would be the use of
appropriate colors for sight, incense for scent, music for hearing,
wines for taste, and textures for feel.
If you do not have a room you can set aside exclusively for your
magical work, then choose a room that can be locked while you do your
work. This will allow you to work undisturbed. In any case, you
should clean your work area periodically with a purifying
powder/floorwash to keep away negative vibrations.
Set up an altar to be used as your worktable. It’s size and shape
should be those that appeal to you. Placing candles and other items
that assist you to concentrate on the work at hand is a good
practice. Some people like to cover their altar with a white cloth
and place fresh cut flowers on it every day.
Always use the best candles, oils, and incenses that you can afford,
or make your own, for scrimping on materials has a negative effect on
the subconscious. Don’t forget that the subconscious is very good at
making do with raw materials that it can shape to its own use.
Never cast a spell until you have a clear and concise picture of what
it is you wish to accomplish. This ties in with the saying “Be
careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
Always ground out any extra energy you raise for the spell, and bind
the spell so that it expires within the pre-determined amount of
time. Once you have cast the spell, do not discuss it with any one
until after it has worked. Most spells peter out because the person
who cast it boasts about it to so many people, that the spell is
robbed of power before it has a chance to work. The ancient bond
placed on the magician was to dare, to know and to keep silent.
Above all, at all times, remember the Rede: “An ye harm none, do what
you will.” You do not know all the effects of your spell, therefore,
use magick sparingly, if at all.

Theory of Spellcasting

Theory of Spellcasting

Spells are an important aspect of magical training. They require the
use of the combined faculties of relaxation, visualization,
concentration and projection. The casting of spells provides practice
in coordinating these skills and developing them further. Spells are
extremely sophisticated psychological tools that have subtle, but
important, effects on a person’s inner growth. Spells may highlight
otherwise hidden complexes of the person casting the spell.
A person who has conflicts about success will find great difficulty
in concentrating on a money spell, for example. Many times the
practical results of a spell are far less important than the
psychological insights that arise during the magical work, for
discovering our inner blocks and fears is the first step in
overcoming them. Spells also go one step further than most forms of
psychotherapy, in that they allow us not only to listen to and
interpret the unconscious, but also to speak to it in the language it
understands.
Symbols, images, and objects used in spells communicate directly with
Younger Self, who is the guardian of our emotions and who is barely
affected by the intellect. We often understand our feelings and
behavior but find ourselves unable to change them, but through
spells, we can attain the most important power – the power to change
our lives.
Spellcasting also forces us to come to terms with the material world.
Many people attracted to the spiritual path of the Craft find
themselves uneasy with using magic for practical or material goals.
Somehow it seems wrong to work magic for oneself, to want things and
to get things. This is an attitude which is a holdover of the Judeo-
Christian world view that sees spirit and matter as separate and that
identifies matter with evil and corruption.
In the Craft, flesh, the material world, none of what is commonly
thought of as matter is separate from spirit. The universe is made up
of the Goddess who is manifest in all things. Union with the Goddess
comes through embracing the material world and all the gifts that She
has placed in it for us. Our major task on this plane of existence is
to become masters of this realm of manifestation. We do not fight
self-interest; we follow it, but with an awareness that transmutes it
into something sacred

SpellCrafting 101

Spellcrafting 101

 

Contrary to popular belief, witches do not spend most of their time casting spells. Most of us have full-time jobs, busy social lives, families, and other demands on our times. A spell, properly cast, can be a tremendous drain on a witch’s physic resources. It’s not a task to be undertaken lightly.

Spellcraft does have its place the life of a witch, but not nearly as major a one as many people suppose. In fact, a wise witch is very sparing in her use of spellcraft. Pagans practice first and foremost a religion — a religion quite unlike many others, in that beliefs and practices vary, but a religion nonetheless. We have many different conceptions of what the Divine might be, but we do all believe that One exists. By definition, God/dess is more powerful and wiser than us. So before we jump in and try changing things according to our own limited understanding, we consider the situation carefully.

 

Remember the Wiccan Rede

, a basic ethical guideline that Wiccans – and many other pagans – follow: An it harm none, do what you will. As has been discussed elsewhere, the Rede is deceptively simple. Obviously, physical harm, emotional harm, slander, theft, and other crimes are verboten according to the Rede. But what about other, more subtle forms of harm?

Most witches agree that curses, hexes, and other harmful spellcraft is more trouble than it’s worth. Hand in hand with the Wiccan Rede goes something called the Law of Returns. In general terms, this Law states that all energy you send out into the Universe comes back to you. It may not come back right away, and it may not come back in the form you’re expecting, but it does come back. Different traditions put their own twist on the Law of Returns, saying that the energy comes back threefold or fivefold. I’m not so picky about the math, but I have seen the Law in action, and respect it highly.

 

Interpreting the Rede

Witches continue to disagree over other grey areas. For instance, does casting a spell on another person without consulting them first constitute harm, even if the intentions are good? What about actions taken in self-defense?

Personally, I avoid all actions – whether mundane or magickal – that can cause harm to another being. In my experience, acts of hatred and vengeance are best countered with actions of love and kindness.

Working my will on another person without their consent constitutes harm. To that end, I never cast a spell on another person without obtaining permission first. Manipulative spells designed to make someone else fall in love – whether with me or with a third party – to move away, or to leave a job ultimately backfire on the person who casts them. This policy also extends to more beneficial spells, such as spells for healing, prosperity, or other kinds of blessings. Only the Goddess has the power to know what is best for another person. No matter how noble my own intentions, it is presumptuous and ultimately harmful for me to meddle in someone else’s affairs.

That’s not to say that I haven’t done a little juju for my friends. Far from it; I’ve prepared charmed sachets for newlywed couples, given suggestions on how to attract jobs, held a healing circle for my lover, and even suggested a ritual to help a friend open herself up to the possibility of a love affair. But the main ingredient in all that magick was consent. Before I drag out my herbs and my athame, I get the permission of the person whom the spell is meant to benefit.

Often times people ask me if I have spells. Yes, I have spells. Some have worked, some haven’t. What a witch must keep in mind is that what works for me, may not work for another witch. Magick is within everything. How it is perceived is different from witch to witch. Some think patchouli oil is the best oil for a prosperity spell. I prefer clove oil and have had success in using it. One of the wonders of magick is that there is normally a wide variety of correspondences to choose from for any one desired result. There must be about a hundred different herbs listed for love and at least thirty for wealth and money (a few of which I have listed).

I prefer to perform candle magick. Candle spells are simple, they are not time consuming (very important to a witch with little time) and they work. When I do a candle spell, I carefully choose an appropriate color for the candle, a stone, an oil, and three herbs, one for the physical realm, one for the mental realm and one for the spiritual realm, plus one more as a type of catalyst (normally these catalysts are either Dragon’s blood, Mandrake or Mistletoe).

How do I pick my correspondences? First, I must know what I’m doing the spell for. Is it a prosperity spell, a healing spell, a spell to find a new job or maybe to improve communication with a loved one? Once I determine what I’m trying to accomplish, I hit the books. Within my library, I have several books that index what various colors, herbs, oils and stones correspond with various desired results. I try to be as specific as I can and try to blend my choice of correspondences to better “describe” my desired result. If I’m going to perform a prosperity spell, what attributes are going to be needed to reach the final goal? Creativity, physical strength, courage? I try to chose some herb or the oil to correspond with those added aspects and keep in mind that most herbs and oils have several attributes. Its is very possible to have an herb with the attributes of both wealth and, say, strength. With one herb you can accomplish two ends. I leave the color of the candle to the core of the spell. For a prosperity spell, green, a banishing spell, black. The same applies to the stone I use. I leave it to the core of the spell.

Having said all that, now I must also add, use what you have! One of the first spells I did I literally raided my spice cabinet for the herbs I needed. Okay, so maybe fennel would not have been my first choice, but it worked! I am fortunate to have an orange tree in my back yard. Yes, I use the leaves, blossoms, fruit, and bark in place of other possibly more popular herbs. Use what you have!

Once I’ve gathered my correspondences, I then charge them with the purpose of the spell. How is this done? There are a few techniques that must be utilized for this part of spellworking.

 

Ability to Meditate

This is the art of clearing the mind of all mundane thoughts and feelings. It is a state of relaxation and peace, the goal to reach a state of non-thought. This is not easy and I still haven’t mastered the technique yet, but do the best you can. There are several very good books on the subject and even in many of the books on Wicca and witchcraft there are simple techniques to help in mastering meditation. This is essential to spellwork. Your mind must be at peace so that you can focus on what you’re trying to accomplish.

 

Ability to Visualize

This is the ability to see with your mind, not with your senses. Although it is called visualization, remember, use all your senses! Close your eyes. Within your mind’s eye, see a tree, whatever kind of tree you want or are familiar with. Let your mind see its limbs, its leaves or needles (depending on the type of tree), the trunk, etc. Let your mind feel the bark. Is it smooth, rough, spongy? Does the tree have a fragrance? Let your mind smell that fragrance. Let your mind hear the wind as it rustles the leaves. Visualization is not easy for some, but with practice you can visualize anything. (Taste also falls into this category, but for our little discussion, tasting a tree may not be prudent.) During spellwork you will visualize your goal (and be specific and detailed!) before directing it into the item you’re charging.

 

Ability to Direct Energy

This is the ability to take the energies of the correspondences and your own energy and directing it towards your goal. When you charge an object, that energy is initially coming from you. From within yourself imagine (visualize) a bright light, maybe white or the color that corresponds with your goal, forming within yourself centered between your chest and stomach. Let that light grow and expand. Then direct that light up through your body, down your projective arm, out your fingertips (or through your athame or wand) and into whatever your trying to charge. While you direct that light, that energy, you will be visualizing your intent with as many specifics as you can.

It is important to realize that magick is energy flow. It is not power. All spells create a tangible connection between the objects used and yourself. When you work magick, be specific, but be careful! If you do a spell for a new job, remember to be specific in that your new job doesn’t come at the expense of another! “An Ye Harm None” Remember these words when you work magick. As you finish your spell, (for me after I light the candle), I add something to the affect of “May the energy of this magick harm none and take a path that is for the good of all involved.”

For candle spells remember that the flame must be allowed to continue to burn until it goes out on its own. I use three and seven day candles that are in glass jars. You can sprinkle your herbs on the top of them and they are safer. Remember not to leave a burning candle near drapes or where something flammable may fall into the flame. Keep in mind that the glass jars get hot, so handle with care and as the candle reaches the bottom of the jar, make sure the candle is not sitting on something that might burn from the heat. I suggest getting a ceramic dish and put some sand in the bottom to act as insulation. When I leave my home, I place the candle in my bath tub, just in case. If for some reason it gets knocked over, there is nothing in my tub that could catch on fire.

For positive spells, once the candle is out, use the stone as a talisman. Carry it with you or put it someplace where its presence will have an affect. For banishing spells, very carefully remove all remnants, of the candle, especially the stone, without touching it. Wrap the remnants in white paper and bury it outside, preferably some distance away.

Remember to write down your spells! You can either keep these spells in your Book of Shadows or elsewhere. My Book of Shadows is riddled with pieces of paper, napkins, whatever I happen to jot notes and spells down on. Some choose to use their computers as their BoS. Regardless, with the spells written down, can keep track of what works and what doesn’t and you can also keep track of what you are doing while you’re doing it.

A few words about magick and ethics. Most magick, at least initially, is done for yourself. There will be times when spellwork will be used to benefit other people. Any ethical witch WILL NOT do a spell that will affect someone else specifically without that person’s permission. A witch must respect another person’s soul path. What if you can’t ask them (i.e. you can’t reach them, the person is unable to communicate, etc)? Then you must honestly consider if that person would object. If your favorite aunt were deathly ill and could not communicate, and you wanted to do a healing spell for her, you would need to consider if she would agree to the spell if she could. If she were a devout Fundamentalist Christian, chances are pretty good she’d say no. You must respect her choices and her soul path.

No witch in their right mind will perform magick that is intended to manipulate, control or harm another. Remember, what you send out will come back to you threefold.

A witch should never sell a spell. If someone asks you to do a spell for them, it is not unreasonable to ask them to cover the expenses of the materials used, but other then that, no money should be received for the magick you do. That is counter productive and can cloud the intent of the magick.

When someone asks you to do a spell for them, if possible, instead of you doing the spell, teach them how to do it. The spell will have a better chance at success and they will have a better understanding of how the magick works

 

Elemental Banishing

Elemental Banishing

 

Elemental banishing is a little more complex way to clean an area of the negative influences that reside there. It should only be done within a cast circle. This is an ideal way to prepare a new living space before you move in. It will take away any remnants of the old tenants that were there before you and let you move into a fresh, new space.

Cast a circle as you normally would. Before you call the elements to attend, take your athame to the west side of the circle and face outwards. Draw a banishing pentagram (point downward towards the earth) and then re-center the athame into the middle of it. Push the athame slowly outward while pushing outward with your own energy, ordering, “Go, or be cast into the depths of the flood!”

Move to the south and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be cast into the flames!”

Move to the east and pause to gather yourself and close the circle before drawing the final pentagram and saying, “Go, or be rent by the grinding earthquakes!”

Move to the north and repeat your actions, saying, “Go, or be torn apart by the whirlwind!”

Turn back into the center and yell, “I (we) banish you! I banish you! I banish you! BEGONE!” while clapping and clattering and making a great deal of noise.

At this point, you can proceed with the rest of the ritual that has been planned, starting with invoking the elements to bless the circle

Smudging as an Air Ritual

Smudging as an Air Ritual

Smudging is an easy Air ritual designed to purify, provide balance, cleanse, or sanctify a sacred space. You can smudge a room, a piece of furniture, or even yourself.

Let’s say that you “inherit” a bookcase from your new boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. You need the extra room, but you want to eliminate her essence(but not do her any harm!). A smudging ritual can purify the bookcase and bring some harmony back to your living space.

There are any number of smudging herbs, but some are most traditional than others. These three are most closely related to the Element of Air.

*Sage–There are several different kinds of sage, all types work for smudging, but perhaps the king of sage is white broadleaf sage. It is the most aromatic and is excellent not only for smudging to cleanse and purify, but also for meditation.

*Sweetgrass–As its name suggests, sweetgrass produces a sweet, light fragrance when burned. Believed to attract only positive spirits, it is excellent for cleansing a sacred space.

*Lavender–Most useful for attracting peace, happiness and restful sleep, lavender imparts a lovely aromatic, refreshing scent when burned.

Smudging can be accomplished by using a smudge stick or by burning loose herbs in a smudge pot or a firebowl. First dry the herbs by hanging them upside down in a still room, a pantry, or some other dry room where they won’t be disturbed. They will need to dry for several weeks.

If you want to use a smudge stick, cut your dried herbs into 5- or 6- inch lengths, bundle them together, and bind them tightly with red thread, which represents the Fire Element. Use a candle to light the bundle because you will want to hold it in the flame long enough to get the stick really smoking. The combination of Fire and Air purifies the space or object and disperses negative energy. Use a feather or your hand to fan the smoke into the corners of the room you’re purifying. Smudging is the equivalent of spiritual spring cleaning. You might find that the house feels cleaner and brighter even though you haven’t dusted or vacuumed.

Sweetgrass is often braided into a small rope to be used in smudging. Tie off the ends with red thread. Although you can find sweetgrass growing wild in some prairie places, it’s rare; you might have to grow your own.

Smudging Yourself

Smudging Yourself

Smudging yourself is an especially good idea if you’ve been around someone who is ill, depressed, fearful, angry or generally emotionally unbalanced. Smudging helps you achieve a calm state to prepare you to meditate or just face your day. If you are experiencing an unusual amount of stress, daily smudging can be beneficial.

Smudging yourself is easy. If you’re using a smudge stick, light the stick in a candle flame. Using a feather or your hand, gently fan the smoke onto your body, starting at the top of the body and moving downward. (Although a feather isn’t required for smudging, using a feather that one of your bird friends has offered up to you can also encourage the Air Element to assist you in your cleansing ritual. Or, if you have a pretty fan, that can work, too.) Get the back of your body as best you can (it is often easier to use a smudge pot and loose herbs for this). When you’re finished with your outer skin, inhale a little of the smoke (just a little!) to purify your insides.

If you’re using a smudge pot and loose herbs, light the herbs (using self-lighting charcoal) until they are smoking well. This is best done outdoors in an open space. Put the smudge pot on the ground and stand over it with your legs spread and feet on either side. Weave back and forth in the smoke until you have been thoroughtly cleansed. Clothing is optional for this approach and smudging in the nude(skyclad) is recommended for a more thorough cleansing. Again, when you’re done, inhale a little of the smoke to purify your insides. People often feel more relaxed lighter and brighter after smudging.

Self Purification Spell

Self Purification Spell

Items You Will Need:

  • 1 White Candle
  • 1 Black Candle
  • 1 Green Candle

The Spell:

The White candle is for Positive Energy. The Black Candle is for Negative Energy. The Green Candle is for Healing.   Clear your mind and Light the White Candle and say the following:

”Mother Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Spirit; I ask thee to Cleanse my body of all negative energies.”

Light the Black Candle and repeat the same words as before. Then after that Light the Green Candle and say the following:

”Mother Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Spirit; I ask the to Free and heal my body from all negative forces. Blessed be!!”

You must do this in a quiet room somewhere that you will not be disturbed. After doing this sit back, keep your mind clear and relax for 15 minutes. Afterward’s you should feel fresh and renewed. You will feel a lot better and you body will be healthier.

Water Protection

Water Protection

Items You Will Need:

  • 1 small pot
  • 3 cups of Water (tap will work but spring water is better)
  • 1 handful of Rose petals
  • 1 small polished stone
  • 1 piece of bark (oak works best)
  • 1 Heat Source
  • 1 Wooden Spoon
  • 1 Strainer
  • 1 bowl

The Spell:

Add the water to the pot and put it on the heat source until it comes to a boil. Add the piece of bark in the water and wait about five minutes. Next add the rose petals turn off the heat source. Let cool and drop in rock. Use the wooden spoon to stir it around for a while.  Put the mixture through the strainer and have liquid land in the bowl.  Take the potion and put it on your finger make a line on your forehead and down your arms.  Sit and say

  Spirits of Water hear my Plea  Evil threatens me  Belief of attacks surround me  Protect me from the monstrosities  Let them fall like the tide

Basic Sage Cleansing

Basic Sage Cleansing

Items You Will Need:

  • Sage,
  • Feather (Optional),
  • Charcoal Disc.

The Spell:

Before you start, close all of your windows and doors.

Start by lighting up your charcoal disc.   Wait until it turns white (that’s when you know it’s ready to start smudging!   Drop some slightly crushed Sage on it and wait for it to start smoking.   When it starts smoking, go to each room and fill the room with the smoke.   While you are filling the rooms, you can inhale a small amount of the smoke to cleanse yourself.

As you step into each room and with a commanding voice chant the following:

I cleanse this room of all negativity!   Only love and light may enter!

Pay attention to the smoke, because when it turns black it means that in that room, there is that certain negativity that you wish to dispose of.   When you went through all the rooms, return to the room where the smoke turned black and re-do this, until the smoke has turned back to grey!

BREAKING A BINDING SPELL

BREAKING A BINDING SPELL

Items You Will Need:

  • bit of your own hair
  • a small bowl.
  • 3 candles, 1 red, 1 white and 1 green.
  • a fire safe bowl or incense brazier,
  • piece of charcoal
  • myrrh
  • patchouli
  • sandalwood
  • prick your right index finger.
  • Squeeze three drops of blood

The Spell:

Some binding spells can cause physical manifestations.
You feel as if invisible strands of hair or thin strings are wrapped around you.
You can’t see them but you can feel them and nothing you do can make that sensation stop.
Here is a way to dispel a binding.
Cut a bit of your own hair and set it in a small bowl.
Light 3 candles, 1 red, 1 white and 1 green. In a fire safe bowl or incense brazier, light a piece of charcoal and add some myrrh, patchouli and sandalwood incense (powdered kind not cone or stick). Take a sterile needle or pin and prick your right index finger.
Squeeze three drops of blood into the smoldering incense.
As you drop the hair onto the lit incense repeat these words:
With blood, candle and scent times three
No longer shall this binding be
Free to live and free to soar
Let me leave the house once more.
As I burn this hair, a part of me
Let my heart and soul be free!
And for those who doth cast despair
Binding me with sightless hair
I send to them this well-earned curse
Let their evil spell reverse!
Teach them mercy and love’s sweet gift
Once learned, this simple spell shall lift.
As is my will, so mote it be!
Let the incense burn out and scatter the ashes outside.
Lifting the binding spell should take care of the problem. Keep an eye on those around you. Someone who wished you ill will start to experience the torment they put you through.
Once they understand that what they did was wrong, then the sensation will fade and they will be back to normal.

Free of Past Pain Spell

Free of Past Pain Spell

Items You Will Need:

  • 1 green candle
  • 1 blue candle
  • 1 white candle
  • Paper
  • Pen/pencil
  • 1 black ribbon

The Spell:

Light the candles and write on the paper all the pains of your past that still bother you. Roll up the paper and tie it off with the black ribbon. Chant;

”The past has no power over me. I release the pain, I am free.”

Burn the paper and the ribbon over the flames of all three candles and before the fire reaches your hand cast the paper onto the ground. The moment you feel heat the paper should be cast down. Let the fire burn out on it’s own, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t spread to other things.   I suggest casting this spell on dirt or gravel so as not to start a wild fire.

Reversal spell

Reversal spell

Items You Will Need:

None, just focus on the spell.

The Spell:

First off, think about the last spell you cast, because this only works for your most recent spell, hex, curse, whatever you did.

Just think about the actual magic you performed, then think about how it went wrong. This should take no more than 20 seconds AT THE MOST. Now say this in a clear voice in these EXACT words without stuttering, mumbling, getting your tongue twisted, etc.:

My spell went wrong,
Please reverse it,
Don’t mess it up,
And don’t pervert it.

To Know the Child Within

To Know the Child Within

Items You Will Need:

  • Green or blue candle to signify healing
  • An incense or essential oil which reminds you of -your childhood
  • Doll or poppet to signify the child you once were
  • Salt water
  • White cloth
  • Your altar, which could just be a table which you
  • dedicate to this purpose

The Spell:

Light your candle and the incense.

  •   Choose a particularly good childhood-memory.
  •   Hold the poppet in your arms and think -about the child you once were.
  •   Now treat the poppet as though it were a-child.
  •   Say:

I name you [use your own childhood name or

nickname]

  •   Hold the poppet in your arms, croon to it, -rock it, and talk to it.
  •   Tell it everything you would have liked to -hear as a child.
  •   Imagine that it talks to you and tells you how-it feels and what it wants.
  •   You may even hear your own childish voice.
  •   Let your own voice change in response. Play -with the poppet.
  •   Now become aware of your adult self again.
  •   Sprinkle the doll with a little salt water to -cleanse away the negative past.
  •   Raise your own energy by whatever method -you prefer – breathing, colour, a brief-meditation or an appeal to the gods.
  •   Visualize yourself pouring that positive-energy into the doll, which represents your-own inner self.
  •   Imagine the child you would have liked to-have been, and project that image into your -doll.
  •   Continue until you can feel a change in the -energy and you feel at peace.
  •   During that time you may find that you are-crying or laughing just like a child. This is-simply a release of energy and is perfectly-acceptable.
  •   You may find that the poppet or doll begins to -feel vibrant and alive, glowing with white-light and love.
  •   Kiss the poppet or doll.
  •   Wrap it in white cloth as you would a baby -and lay it to rest on your altar.
  •   Leave the candle to burn out.
  •   Leave your sacred space secure.

    It is important that you give yourself time now to=return to normal, so you will need to spend a little-time just appreciating the person you have become.Ground yourself by whatever method you choose, touching the ground, taking a walk, having a bath or-whatever you prefer. A nurturing activity such as-cooking is also good. You will probably find after this-technique that you tend to dream somewhat vividly, as-you uncover some of the joys and hurts of childhood.

Breaking the Hold Someone has Over You

Breaking the Hold Someone has Over You

Items You Will Need:

A strong visual image of the link between you and the other person

A cleansing incense (such as frankincense, copal or rosemary)

The Spell:

Your image must be one that you feel you can relate to fully. Perhaps the easiest to see is in the form of a rope joining the two of you together.

  •   If you are good at seeing colour then the best to use is something similar to iridescent mother of pearl, because that contains all colours.
  •   You might see the image as a rigid bar, which would suggest that there is an inflexibility in the relationship between you which may require you to deal with the expectations of others.
  •   The incense is used to create an environment which is free from other influences; this is just between you and your perception of the link you have with the other person.
  •   Light your incense and sit quietly, considering carefully the link between you.
  •   Become aware of the flow of energy between you and gently withdraw your own energy, seeing it returning to you and being used for your own purposes rather than the other persons. (This may be enough to bring about a change in your relationship which has a satisfactory outcome for you.)
  •   Next think carefully about how the other person makes calls on your time and energy – whether these are physical, emotional or spiritual.
  •   Resolve that you will either not allow this to happen or will be more careful and sparing in your responses.
  •   You might develop a symbol for yourself which you can use when you feel you are being sucked in.
  •   Preferably use one which amuses you, since laughter is a potent tool. You could use the image of a knot being tied, a cork or a stopcock.
  •   If you decide that you no longer wish to be associated with the person, use a technique which signifies breaking the link. It will depend upon your own personality and that of the other person as to how you do this.
  •   Visualizing the link simply being cut may bring about a more powerful ending with tears and recriminations, whereas a gentle teasing out of the link may be slower but less painful.
  •   It is here that you must trust your own judgement with the thought that it must be done for the Greater Good. If therefore you feel that at least some links must be left in place you can do this, for instance if you would wish to know when the other person is in trouble.
  •   Finally see yourself walking away from the person, free of any bonds between you.
  •   Always ensure that you leave them with a blessing for their continuing health, wealth and happiness.
  •   Now you will only become involved with them at your own wish. You can see from the above that at all points you have a choice for your course of action. This is because each stage must be considered very carefully, and not done in anger. You must remain as dispassionate as you can and always remain true to your own principles.