The Ingredients for the Perfect Spell

 
The next essential element of spellcasting is to decide on your magickal goal. It is a good idea to write this down (unless it is very simple) and get as specific as possible. One of the trickiest parts of spellcasting is the balance between being as specific as you can on the one hand (so you are intensely focused on the purpose of your spell) while leaving an opening for the gods to grant your request in ways that you might not even consider (since in my experience, this is the way things happen, more often than not).

 
So if you are looking for that perfect job, you might want to specify that you want something that allows you to spend more time with your child, but not say “working out of my house,” in case there is an option that would allow you to work elsewhere but still have your child with you. See what I mean?

 
One way that is very helpful in crafting the perfect spell is to write down your goal and then look for the spell that mostly closely matches it. If there are elements in more than one spell that could be combined to create the perfect spell for your needs, by all means go ahead and take the bits and pieces you think will work the best. It’s all about creating the exact right tool for the job at hand.

 
Once you have your goal set, you can gather a few additional tools to boost the spell. I like Elizabeth Barrette’s explanation of why we use “extras” when casting a spell. She says, “Most spells combine words, actions, and objects to create a kind of `handle’ for the will to grasp, rather like using a wrench to tighten or loosen a nut that wouldn’t yield to fingers alone.”‘ In other words, the addition of specific items and actions can help to rev up our magickal engines, giving us even more power for the spell than we would get from using words alone.

 
This is because the addition of each extra element helps us to focus just a little bit more by reinforcing our intention to create a magickal result. So if you look for items that match the goal you have set, you will be adding another layer of intent to the energy you put out into the universe with your words.

 
How you choose the additional items is up to you. Some people look in books for spell correspondences-colors, moon phases, days of the week, herbs, oils, and more-that are often used for a specific task. For instance, when doing prosperity magick, many people use the color green, work their magick on a Thursday, and use basil or peppermint and maybe a piece of malachite or jade. On the other hand, there are many folks who simply use whatever items feel right to them. It is more a matter of style than anything else, and you can use whichever approach you prefer.
Working magick is not about following someone else’s instincts, after all; it is about listening to your own.

 
And sometimes you just have to make do with whatever you have on hand. If a spell needs to be done right away and you only have a white candle, by all means use that, and it will be fine. Remember that your will and intent are what truly matter here.

 

 

Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook: Wonderfully Witchy Blessings, Charms & Spells
Deborah Blake