Tag: Magic

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

Mechanics of Spellcasting

Mechanics of Spellcasting

Spellcasting is the lesser, not the greater magic; but the greater
magic builds on the lesser. The paradox is that in spellcasting we
may start out working with the personal self, but in order to work
the magic we are forced to expand and recognize the Self that moves
through all beings.
Magic involves the deliberate self-identification with other objects
and people. For example, to do a healing, we must become the healer,
the one who is healed, and the energy that is to do the healing. To
attract love, we must be able to love ourselves and to become love
its self.
Spells work in two basic ways. The first is through suggestion;
symbols and images implant certain ideas in Younger Self, or the
subconscious mind, and we are then influenced to actualize those
ideas. Spells can also influence the external world.
The theoretical model that witches use to explain the workings of
magic is a clear one and coincides in many ways with the “new”
physics. It is simply an elaborate but extremely useful metaphor. The
metaphor is based on a world view that sees things not as fixed
objects, but as vortexes of energy. The physical world is formed by
the vortexes of energy, and if we cause a change in the energy
patterns they, in turn, cause a change in the physical world. When
our own energy is concentrated and channeled, it can move the broader
energy currents. The images and objects used in spells are the
channels. They are the vessels through which our power is poured, and
by which it is shaped.
As energy is directed into the images we visualize, it gradually
manifests physical form and takes shape in the material world.
Directing energy is not a matter of simply emoting. Emotion can be
likened to a strobe light which provides a very inconstant light,
while directed energy is more like a laser beam. Even concentrated
power is a small stream compared with the vast surges of energy that
surround us. The most adept witch cannot be successful in all her
spells, for the opposing currents are often too strong.
The craft teaches to first identify the flow of energy and then to
decide whether or not it is going where we want it to go. If it is
not, then we can try to deflect it, or we may have to change our own
course. Sensing the energy climate is a matter of intuition and
experience. Some witches make a study of Astrology in an effort to
plan their magical workings at the optimal times, while others prefer
to work when they feel the time is right.
Of all the planets, the Moon’s influence on subtle energies is the
strongest. Subtle power increases as the Moon waxes, so the time of
the waxing Moon is best for spells involving growth or increase, such
as money spells. The power peaks when the Moon is full and that is
the best time for workings of culmination and love. During the waning
Moon, power subsides and turns inward. The waning Moon’s period is
used for banishings, bindings, and discovering hidden secrets. The
practical witch soon learns to adjust her spells to fit the time of
the Moon. If, for example, she needs to do a money spell during the
waning Moon, she would put a little ‘English’ on it and make it a
poverty banishing spell.
Energy pursues the path of least resistance. Material results are
more easily achieved on this plane of existence through physical
actions than through magical workings. For example, it is simpler to
lock your door than suffer the constant drain from maintaining
psychic seals on your doors and windows while you are away from home.
Of course, once you have locked your door, you might feel more
reassured by placing seals on it.
No magic spell is going to bring results unless channels are opened
into the material world. For example, a job spell is useless if you
are not willing to go out and interview for jobs or at least let
potential employers know that you are in the market for one. In the
same vein, a healing spell is no substitute for medical care.
Most medicine today can be broken down into two broad categories,
emergency medicine and that which is not needed for immediate life-
threatening situations. Emergency medicine has excelled at
stabilizing the body’s condition so that it can repair itself at its
own pace. Most other forms of medicine consist of treatment through
surgery or chemotherapy or a combination of both. The procedures
noted above work on the physical body and do not take the other
levels into consideration. Psychic healing works at healing the
higher levels of the person so that the physical heals itself or
allows the person to let go of their physical body if it cannot be
repaired. In either case, the choice rests with the person who is
being healed and not the healer.
Visualization used in creating a spell should focus on the desired
result, not the individual steps leading up to the result. We give
the spell free rein in how it goes about achieving the results with
the understanding that it is not to bring harm to anyone or any
being. For this reason, spells have a habit of working in very
unexpected ways.
To assure that the power we have unleashed does not inadvertently
cause harm, we bind the spell. This serves to ‘set’ the form we have
created so that the energy becomes fixed in the pattern we desire.
The energy we project to others affects us even more strongly than
the other person. This is because we have generated the energy, and
thus we have become the object at which the energy is directed. If
healing energy is sent out, then the health of the person casting the
spell is enhanced. By the same token, any hex or curse that is sent
out ALWAYS affects the person who sends it no matter whether it
affected the person it was sent at or not.
Reference:

Pomegranate Spell – Mabon

Pomegranate Spell

Mabon

 

PURPOSE  To advance spiritual development and attain wisdom

 

BACKGROUND  At Mabon, the hours of daylight and darkness are balanced before darkness prevails. Around this time, many trees shed leaves, fruits, and seed, and nature prepare for the deep cold of winter. There are numerous world myths to explain this seasonal change, many involving a descent into the underworld, to the land of the dead.

HOW TO CAST THE SPELL

TIMING  Cast this spell at Mabon

CASTING THE SPELL 

As part of your Mabon celebrations, and in a properly prepared circle, work as follows:

1.  Light the charcoal disk, then the candle saying:

“I call upon Inanna, Queen of Heaven

Earth, and the land of the dead.

Wise beyond reckoning

To bless my spirit quest

and guide my footsteps

through the darkness.”

2.  Sprinkle the dittany onto the charcoal.

3.  Slice open the pomegranate, then extract six stones and eat them.

4.  Close your eyes. Imagine yourself sinking into the darkness behind your eyelids, going deep into the dark, where there is nothing but silence. Remain there for as long as possible; then slowly return to the circle

5.  Blow out the candle, and burn it for an hour at each sunset until it is gone.

Bury the pomegranate deep in your garden, and keep a dream diary throughout the winter.

YOU WILL NEED

One charcoal disk in a fireproof dish

One purple candle

Matches

Two tablespoons of dried dittany of Crete

One whole pomegranate

One sharp knife

 

Reference:

“The Spells Bible”
Ann-Marie Gallagher

To Break A Sorcerer’s Curse

To Break A Sorcerer’s Curse

Items You Need:

White candle

Incense

Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

White piece of cotton

 

The Spell:

If you feel that a sorcerer or sorceress has placed a magickal curse upon you, your home or your family, perform this curse-breaking spell just before midnight on the last  night of the Full Moon

Light a new white candle and burn any of the following incense in a fireproof container:  Cloves, frankincense, hyacinth, lilac, pine or sage.

Hold a lucky rabbit’s foot charm over your heart and repeat the following incantation thirteen times:

“With rabbit’s foot and magick verse

I turn around this wicked curse.

As these words of mine are spoken

Let this evil spell be broken.”

Repeat this spell nightly (using a brand-new candle each time) until the phase of the New Moon. Wrap the leftover wax from the candles in a white piece of cotton and then bury it in the ground in a secret spot where it will remain undisturbed.

Book Binding Ritual

Book Binding Ritual

 

Items You will Need:

The Book

Plain white cotton string

 

The Spell:

Those of us who study the Old Ways of Natural Magick are usually fond of books. Our fondness often leads us to loan them to friends. Unfortunately, loaning a book may mean that we’ll never see it again. Hence, this book binding ritual. It utilizes knot magick. Binding and knots are ruled by the element Earth. In Natural Magick, knots are physical objects that both represent intangible goals (such as the return of loaned property) and absorb personal power. The following spell utilizes the power of the knot in this way. This ritual is not intended to force or to coerce another human being to return a book; it’s a spell to ensure the book’s return. It doesn’t affect the loanee; it affects the book itself. Before you loan the book, hold it between your palms. Send personal power into it while saying:

“By hill and wind, by flame and brook,

By shining moon and sea;

I place a bind Upon this Book

That it return to me.”

Wrap one foot of plain white cotton string around the book, securing the string with a knot. Knot tightly, but leave enough slack so that you can slip off the string with out untying the knot. As you make the knot, visualize the book returning to you and say once again:

“By hill and wind, by flame and brook,

By shining moon and sea;

I place a bind Upon this Book

That it return to me.”

Slip off the knotted cord. Put it in some secret place. As you actually loan the book, say the words even again (under your breath). The book should, indeed, return to you. Once it has, untie or cut the cord. It’s done its work.

Living The Life Of The Witch – Do You Have What It Takes?

Do You Have What It Takes?

 

Curses are not for the namby-pamby. Nor are they for fluffy bunnies or for those who insist that even the worst of horrors happen for a reason. They are for gutsy folks with the courage to do something about their situations when all other possibilities have been exhausted.

But just the same, curses aren’t to be taken lightly or flung about without due cause and serious thought. They’re not your normal type of magick and certainly not anything that should be performed as readily as a protection spell or a money spell.  In fact, there’s good reason that they’re usually at the top of the magickal practitioner’s ten-foot-pole list. And contrary to popular belief, taking responsibility for your actions is the least of your worries.

To start with, cursing someone takes an inordinate amount of energy. Your energy. Energy that you’ve stored for other things, like the simple business of everyday living. And cursing someone effectively is going to wipe out all your reserves. But even if that weren’t the case, it’s important to remember that you’re going to be transferring that energy to the person on the other end of your magick. So there’s a good chance that you’re inadvertently going to pick up some of that person’s energy along the way too. Do you really want that nasty stuff on you? Probably not.

Another thing is that the only substance that will fuel a curse properly is anger. Trying to fuel it with love or adding a “for the good of all concerned” codicil simply isn’t going to cut it. In order to even get the spell off the ground, you’re going to have to be so mad that you can’t see straight. So mad that even strangling the person in question with your bare hands wouldn’t be enough to suit you. Yes, you’re going to have to absolutely, uncontrollably, beyond the shadow of a doubt, livid pissed—more infuriated and enraged than you’ve ever been in your entire life and are ever likely to be again. And you need to know whether you’ve got what it take to work yourself up into that sort of irrepressible hissy fit.. What’s more, though, do you even want to?

Further, you’re also going to have to believe that you are unquestionably correct in the need to curse someone. Rationalization to suit your own purposes isn’t going to get it. You have to be right. You have to be sure. There isn’t any room for error or an after-the-fact “Oops…I was mistaken” when it comes to curses. The effects can be finite. What’s more, you can’t even begin to second guess yourself. Do you have that sort of resolve?

If none of this bothers you, and you’re absolutely certain of your position, then a curse is probably the way to go. And if not? Well, it’s best left alone.

Excerpt from:

“A Hex Upon Thee”
Utterly Wicked
Curses, Hexes or Other Unsavory Notions
By Dorothy Morrison

Energy Summoning Spell

Energy Summoning Spell

 

Items You Will Need:

  • A black pen
  • A piece of paper

The Spell:

Draw a pentagram on the paper, raise your power hand (hand you write with) above the paper and say the following incantation:

“Energy I summon thee,
black to white,
dark to light,
I call to thee,
precious energy.
this is my will,
So Mote It Be.”

After you have summoned the energy it is up to you how you use it.

To Summon the Spirits

To Summon the Spirits

By using this spell, you can summon a spirit that can help you when you need it.

 Items That You Need:

a bell

The Spell:

Think of the person and chant the following:

Blood of my blood your sprits of love
Come from below and above
Entities loving who wish me well
Come to this Circe when I sound this bell

After that ring the bell 3 times. You can repeat this spell every one hour.

　The Witches Rune

　The Witches Rune

The Witches Rune is a poetic dedication.

Darksome night and shining moon, East, then south, then west, then north,
Hearken to the witches’ rune:
Here I come to call thee forth.
Earth and water, air and fire,
Wand and pentacle and sword,
Work you unto my desire,
Hearken ye unto my word.
Cords and censer, scourage and knife,
Powers of the witch’s blade
Waken all ye unto life,
Come ye as the charm is made.
Queen of heaven, Queen of hell,
Horned hunter of the night,
Lend your power unto my spell
And work my will by magic rite.
By all the power of land and sea,
By all the might of moon and sun,
As I do will, so mote it be:
Chant this spell, and be it done.
Eko, Eko, Azarak,
Eko, Eko, Zamilak,
Eko, Eko, Artemis,
Eko, Eko, Herne.

What is the Witches Rune?

The Witches Rune is used during Wiccan Rituals as a way to raise energy. The Rune is chanted by all the Witches, sometimes whilst they are dancing in a circle, they will repeat the Rune until the person leading the ritual, often the HPS or HP indicates that they stop.

Usually when the HPS indicates the energy has reached the required level all the Coveners will drop to the ground as the HPS or HP shouts ‘down’ and then directs the energy raised towards the intended purpose.

Good Monday Afternoon, dear ones!

I hope you are having a terrific day. Mine, HA! The contractors that are putting in the fiber optic lines are BACK! And that means my cable, phone, lights and everything has been down for three hours. I have to go to the doctor later on this afternoon for my blood pressure. So I am going calm down, breath, calm down, breath! Hell it will be 200/180 the rate I am going. But I am trying to relax. I calmed down and answered all of the comments that were waiting for me. Which I found very relaxing, thank you for writing it helped me.

I did run across one comment that hit me like a ton of brick. I feel like the subject needs to be addressed. The comment was in regards to an article that was put on the blog about the Wiccan Rede. The author of the comment was giving the article hell because he/she interrupted it as throwing the Rede out the window and doing what you wanted to. I went and read the article myself. I caught it right off the bat, the article was written by a Witch not a Wiccan. I have said this time and time again but…….A True Witch does not recognize the Rede. The Witch answers to know one but herself. She does as she likes and she suffers the results of her actions. It is in a Witch’s heart to know right from wrong.  Some do, some don’t. Let me rephrase that, they do but they do what they please. A Witch is a free spirit, very free. That article was written by a Witch, I hope that does comfort the reader’s mind.

Now, one more thing while I am chatting. I would like to talk about White Magick and Black Magick. You know there is no color in magick. I know this and you know this, but some of the people that aren’t witches that visit the blog, don’t. I do hope they read this today. There is no Black or White Magick! Magick exists! We have the ability to use it and we do. It is our intent when we conjure up a spell or ritual that determines the color of magick. Let’s me explain it this way, pretend magick is a balloon out floating in the air. Nothing special, just an average balloon. There are thousands of them, they all look alike. I go and pick one of those average balloons out. Now let’s say my intention with the balloon is something nasty. Like I am going to let the air out of it and pop someone in the head with it. Well that balloon just became dark/black because it is going to do my bidding. And my bidding is not good at all. Now let’s say, I go get another balloon and pick it out. This time all I want to do is hold it and watch it float in the air. I have nothing but good intentions with this balloon. So it is a white/good balloon. Do you see what I am saying? I know it is a funny example, balloons and magick.  But basically the principle is the same. We have all these spells and rituals at our disposal. When we pick one up, we know what we intend to do with it before we ever touch it. That spell is just laying there waiting on us to tell it what to do, to do our bidding. We are the ones that make the spells and rituals, black, gray, or white. It is with our will and intention, that we do this.

Well now that I have all that off my chest, I guess I will put a few things on the blog before I go to the doctor. At least blogging is relaxing for me. I have one of the girl’s wanting to put a blood pressure cuff on my arm while I am typing. I am going to get the broom and sweep her out the door if she don’t quit, lol! But I am going to run for now and get something done, who knows what, but something.

I hope you have a great day. Wish me luck at the doctor’s office.

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

More Monday Comments

Living The Life Of The Witch – DEVELOPING CLAIRVOYANCE

DEVELOPING CLAIRVOYANCE

It is possible to improve your natural ability with

clairvoyance through practice. A good start might be to look

around you, then close your eyes and try to picture your

surroundings. This is also good exercise for visualization. And

visualization is an essential talent in magick. Open your eyes

again and check your accuracy. Then close your eyes and try it

again. When you use your physical eyes, look at everything

like a child seeing it for the first time. Let the vividness

of color and form burn into you, until everything takes on a

veritable glow. Try to capture that glow when you close your

eyes now and picture your surroundings. It’s just a simple

step to extend what you see with your eyes closed into what

you remember seeing in the next room, or what you *imagine*

seeing in the next building, the next city, even the other

side of the world. Don’t expect perfect results, especially at

first. Just try to be even partly right. Another exercise is

to picture a clock face, and thereby tell the time

clairvoyantly.

Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan or Witch

Warnings & Cautions For The New Wiccan or Witch

The Shadows are out there:

They exist, in the invisible world that parallels our own, living creatures. Unlike creatures from our world, they lack physical form, and feed on energy instead of matter. They are as varied as the animal life on our world. They range in size (power) from the equivalent of insects and rodents to the equivalent of magically trained humans, and beyond to the Great Old Ones. (My land is inhabited by one of these-it gives the psychic impression of a mountain with legs. It is not unfriendly, but an elephant is not unfriendly toward ants either. I stay out of our woods when it is about.) I mentioned that these creatures feed on energy. Most are content to graze on the random energy fields that leak from humans and other creatures in our world. Others, however, are a little more sinister. These, the ones you have to worry about, I call the Shadows.

Shadows come in three basic varieties. First are the little ones that feed off the energy in negative emotions. If you are emitting strong negativity, they will be drawn to you like flies to rotten meat. If you aren’t magically protected, they will happily latch onto your energy field (aura) and snack on it. They are usually not much more troublesome than leeches or mosquitoes; however, a thousand leeches could weaken a person severely.

Next come the more dangerous variety, more like rats or vultures than mosquitoes. These are attracted both by negative emotions and the energy of magical workings. They are stronger, and can push past weak or flawed defenses to get to you. And they are much harder to peel loose once they have their teeth into you.

Last are the intelligent variety. Their favorite meal is human life energy, the ‘heart-fire’ that burns in each of us. They are relatively rare even in their own realm, but they exist. The terms ‘Imp’ , ‘Evil Spirit’ and ‘Demon’ are fairly accurate. They are very strong. The more intelligent ones are capable of working their own Magic to breach your defenses. The most intelligent variety , being as lazy as humans, prefer to talk you into dropping your defenses and linking your energy field to theirs. (“Open yourself to me, and I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams.” Yeah, right.) They also are capable (if someone is helpful enough to open a doorway for them) of entering our world. Once here, if they can get past all your defenses unless you are very strong at warding. They can enter your body and feast at will, even asserting a degree of control over you. Yes, this is exactly like the old stories of Demon possession.

You – yes, you can be a Vampire:

There exist in this world evil creatures. They are highly intelligent, capable of working magic, and extremely devious. They are capable of not only psychic magical attacks, but physical ones as well. As a species, they tend to be amoral, murderous animals. I call them ‘humans’. Humans are also capable of ‘feeding’ off the energies of other humans- Herne (owner of this website) calls them “Psychic Vampires”. They do this to gain more magical power, to control others, or to replace the energies they are losing by dealing with the Shadows. Some humans can even do this while traveling astrally. So that Evil Spirit that tried to get into your last circle may not have been from the other side; it could have been your next-door neighbor.

Oops! Did I just do that?

Magic is an art form. Despite the best efforts of Ritual Magicians and Techno pagans, it remains as unpredictable and powerful as the weather unless you are highly skilled and focused. Scientists studying weather prediction in the 1970’s discovered something amazing. Weather, they found, is so unstable as to be impossible to predict more than a day or two in advance. In fact, computer models suggested something they called the Butterfly Theory. It seems that the air disturbed by a butterfly taking off from a cactus in Mexico, if it happened at the right time and place, could in theory cause devastating storms and tornadoes in the U.S. Midwest. Magic is very similar. Each action we take, magical or mundane, has consequences that spread out from it like the ripples in a pond.

They spread out, touching everything- and reflect back to converge on the source. Be very sure, then, before you work magic, exactly what the consequences may be. Ask yourself, “If this spell backfires on me, and affects me instead of the intended target, can I live with the result?” Thus, I tend to use magic “only in direst need, and then must the cause be just” (author unknown).

Some Wiccans counsel about how rain on your fields could cause drought elsewhere. This might be true, if you are trying with your own personal power to ‘squeeze’ the rain clouds as they pass over. But asking the Lady and Lord for the blessing of rain for everybody’s crops is a different thing entirely. Selfish magic has negative consequences: Loving, giving magic only positive ones. For Selfishness is the true root of all evil. “I want it! Destroy the world, let Chaos take the universe, as long as I get what I want!” Be careful of what you ask, you just may get it…

Power corrupts:

So, you’ve studied hard, learned all about Wiccan magic, and now you find you can really do things. All the power of the Elements is yours to command. Love, money, power, respect- all these are yours. You are special. You are powerful. You are a God! Now, you must convince others to worship you, to lend you their energy so that your power can grow. But that’s OK, because you are a loving God, and you want only what’s best for your worshipers. And you know what’s best for them, for you know all, and see all. For you alone are God of this world you have created.

Can’t happen? Do the names Jim Jones, Sun Myung Moon or David Koresh ring a bell? It is important to remember that the gift of magical power is just that- a gift from the Lady and Lord. It must never be abused. And glorifying yourself because of something lent to you is like showing up at your class reunion in a borrowed suit and a rented Jaguar.

Today’s Charm for September 2 is The Amulet Box

Your Charm for September 2

Today’s Meaning:     

There are papers in your near future. This aspect is affect by legal papers of some kind–a contract, a deed or a license of some kind. These papers will bring improvement to your life.

General Description:  

The people of Tibet are most superstitious. It is the custom for almost everyone to wear charms. The Amulet-box illustrated contains small inscribed scrolls covered with magical characters. These magical formulae are written and blessed by their Lamas. The scrolls are believed to be all powerful spells for appeasing evil spirits, keeping the wearers from all physical harm, safeguarding them from every kind of danger, and protecting them from the blighting effects of the evil eye. Many of these charm boxes are of gold elaborately chased, and encrusted with turquoise.

Your Charm for September 1 – The Utchat

Your Charm for Today

The Utchat

Today’s Meaning:  

You must take steps to make this aspect safe. There are issues you may not be aware of that may cause harm or injury.

General Description:  

Much importance was attached to this lucky talisman in Egypt, the Utchat, or Eye. The word Utchat means primarily strength, and was, at the summer solstice (about June 22nd), applied to the Sun at that time when at its greatest strength and power on earth. The Eye of Horus was supposed to bring strength, vigor, safety, good health, and protection to the wearer. Many of these charms were engraved by the Egyptians with the 140th chapter of their Book of the Dead. This was considered to endow the Utchat with particularly strong and effective magical powers.

Your Charm for August 31 is The Hand

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:

The hand indicates you will need to extend effort to protect this aspect from outside influences. The devices attached indicate you will need tools to be successful in your protection.

General Description:  

The use of a representation of the Hand as a talisman can be traced back to at least 800 years B.C., when it was used as a charm against enchantment. Many varieties of the Hand exist; in some the elaboration is very marked, each devise represents some particular charm. Life size models of these Hands were supposed to guard the house against all the influences of magic and evil, and smaller replicas protected their wearers from every description of harm. The extended thumb and first two fingers, the third and fourth fingers closed, is the position still assumed during the benediction in some Christian Churches of today.

The Witches’ Daily Affirmation

Witches’ Affirmation

A witch is…

One who has power over her/his own life
One who makes his/her own rules, but can abide by the rules of Nature
One who refuses to submit to self-denial
One who recognizes no authority with greater esteem than her/his own, who is loyal to self
One who is untamed and tamed
One who transforms energy for the good of all
One who can be passionate about her/his ideals and values as they are changing
One who is explosive, whose intensity is like volcanoes, floods, winds, and fire
One who is disorderly and orderly
One who is ecstatic
One who alters reality
One who says, “I am a witch” aloud three times

“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”
“I am a witch”

Wiccan Chat

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

 

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.