Spells 101-A Basic Primer

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To Cast or Not to Cast

There are rules…written differently in different traditions, covens and in different forms but there are rules!
1.The Power- First of all dressing in your most witchly wardrobe item does not give you power. The power comes from within and you must have learned to recognize it , resonate with it, and most of all feel it in your heart!
2.Motive?! Be careful what you do! As with all power comes the warning to be careful what you do with it. Know thyself Witch!  Are you being selfish, manipulative or just plain mean? Or are you directing energy to help others or even yourself in a positive way? Not everything in your life can be dealt with by wielding power especially unwisely.
3.Be careful who you trust! As always being a witch is not the most popular life choice out there. Be careful of psychic vampires who would drain you of your power, for their own lack of it and also listen to your intuition! If something does not feel right-it probably is not! Casting for someone else does not alleviate the kharma.
4.You don’t cast-against another ! No cast should ever be performed without considerable thought  of the good and evil that can result from it. You MAY NEVER interfere with free will. Kindness is a necessary element-even the heat of anger. It’s okay to be angry with someone-just don’t cast against them! Spitefulness is not the way of a true witch!
5.All witches are family! We all draw from the well. Never use the power against someone who has the power!Not only does it bounce immediately but the three fold rule will make your butt whistle Dixie!


   Now with the rules discussed we can get on with it.  Spells have always held an alluring air of mysticism about them. I prefer to look at spells as tools to obtain a desired effect. Yes! So with this outlook the question almost always comes up with my coven and Students. Is it white magic?? White Magic, Black Magic are just words. We go way beyond this concept. Magic is discerned by  the components used, the purpose, and the method. People speak of black, white, or even gray which is a middle road between the two. This unique polarization really has nothing to do with the ancient ways and the Old Religion. We act in tune with the Earth, and spirituality and balance.
  With most spellwork, items from natural materials are used. I sometimes walk in nature for the express purpose of finding things to be used in spells. Stones, herbs, trees, plants, shells, clay, soil, feathers, and sometimes even creatures! A while ago my cat killed a Sparrow as cats act-and all that was left was one of the bird’s tiny wings. To this day that tiny wing is in the Magic cabinet at the store and is used for smudging.  Please note anything you find yourself, or make yourself has way more power than anything you can buy! So walk and look for feathers, interesting pieces of wood and stones. A bird’s nest is an excellent holder for crystals!  Do not disturb a nest but oftentimes they can be found on ground.  Nature has a wealth of things to offer you and express gratitude for it when it is offered to you!
  A true witch can construct a spell using ingredients and objects that are readily at hand.  All those bottled remedies that you can find on the internet-waste of money!  You only need simple things that will work because of their connection to the Elements and to you.
  A basic understanding of the Elements and a Pentagram is helpful.  Other things can come into play as well-in circle or not, inscribed candles, planetary influences and lots of other things.  Why so many ways-because we are so many different people.
  I can work a spell with a candle that has an inscription and for really big things I use a circle and ritual.
  As always be prepared to ask the Goddess for help and I have found this to be an excellent method.  When I ask something of the Goddess I often times pledge to give something back to her.  Should you employ this method-whatever you promise be sure to do!

The Basic Componenets Of Spell Casting

1.timing
2.ritual and preparation of tools
3.preparation of self
4.work area
  The four Elementals will draw and focus your energy.  Our familiarity with the Elementals helps us utilize their energy. In a ritual format-slat conveys Earth while incense smoke conveys Air. A candle flame is fire and a bowl of water (blessed and charged of course) is the element of Water.
  I do magic mostly in circle-in the sacred space created there. Why? Because it concentrates and enhances the energy raised by the practitioner.
  Etiquette on circle casting is a whole separate lesson and I will not go further into it at this point. 
  Most spells properly written make reference to the Elements in them.  Successful spell work is encouraged by making use of timing. Day vs. night, astrological considerations and of course the Moon. When the Moon is void of course no spell should be cast.
  Spells do not have to require a lot of ritual. In an emergency, there might not be time to cast a circle or no opportunity to do so. Then what.  Determining what needs to be done and doing it with the aid of visualization and a few tools can accomplish this very nicely. The more you practice-the better you get.

  FOCUS
  I have been confronted with questions of how to focus.  Let’s go back in time to learning to drive. This is a ritual that passes us in to seemingly adulthood (questionable with the stuff I see on the freeway) This was the ultimate desire. You got your Temp’s Package. You went to Driver’s Ed. You practiced in a car that had 2 brake pedals(one for the teacher). You drove with your parent in the suicide seat and might have even asked them to duck when driving by your friends on the street corner.  Your total focus was on the Driver License!  To pass the test, to drive on your own. You thought about this, you studied for this, you talked about this, and day dreamed of this. Then finally you passed your test and got this!  Remember that focus?  That’s what you need to do with your spellwork.  Make it have a reality. The more energy you put into your spells, the better they are, and the quicker they happen!  So FOCUS coupled with VISUALIZATION makes a good spell.
VISUALIZATION
  How do you visualize? Use pictures, articles, and practice.  Pics are an excellent way to direct energy, whether they are of people or a desired outcome.  Articles belonging to other people are an excellent way to direct energy to them. 
  Employing meditation is a very useful way of visualization. This is a basic skill you should have or are on your way to acquiring it. If you can’t go it alone get a guided meditation cd. Glenn Harrold is the best!


CANDLE COLORS AND THEIR MEANINGS
  The candles you choose are an important part of your spells. the list below gives you some ideas of the colors and their associations.

BLACK-is not  evil. symbolizes Light coming out of the darkness. Releases only that which has been placed into it. Good for meditation and banishing rituals. Brings positive outcome in an impossible situation.

BLUE-Emotional healing, inspiration, peace of mind, tranquility. patience, fidelity and honesty.

BROWN- Money.and financial success. used to attract earth spirits. Healing of animals. Eliminates indecisiveness. Improves powers of concentration.

GREEN -To bring abundance of any kind, healing, material gain, money, good fortune, cooperation, rejuvenation and improved appearance. promotes balance and cheerfulness in any off balance situation.

PINK-Spiritual awakening, generates affection, generosity and benevolence, used for domestic matters such as healing and helping troubled children. Good for romance, honor, gentleness and healing of the spirit. Dispels gloom and negativity.

YELLOW -Used to stimulate the intellect, imagination and creativity. Will cause sudden changes, to gain confidence of other people, improves business, success in performing arts, promotes cheerfulness and used of exorcism.

RED-A strong positive vibration, passion, an intense desire of any kind, courage, energy, strength and radiant health, protection against psychic attack or physical harm, Conquers laziness and [ear

GOLD-Gold symbolizes the cosmic spirit. For great fortune, new money, promotes understanding, divination rituals, brings Last luck in financial matters and attracts a buyer for anything.

ORANGE -used for enthusiasm, encouragement, vitality and attraction of anything you desire. Burned for success, used with other candles to stimulate their effect.

WHITE -Balance of all colors. Improves psychic abilities, used for truth, sincerity, purity and virtue of all kinds. can be used as a substitute for any color.

PURPLE -Used to foster loyalty, dignity, wisdom, spirit contact, to gain great spiritual power and for psychic healing. Added power to success rituals and to secure any ambitions. Also used against Black Magic to drive away evil.

SILVER or GRAY-used to neutralize any undesirable vibrations. Aids in development of psychic abilities. Removes negative influence within your life, used to invoke assistance of the Great Mother or  Goddess.
Ingredients
Herbs, stones, oils , locks of hair, blood, whatever.  All very special and sacred.  Sometimes burned, sometimes buried, sometimes worn around the neck in a mojo bag or placed in a jar for safe keeping.  Do your research and know what you need and if it is not obtainable find a suitable substitute.

The SPELL
Write your spell in rhyme if possible. If you can’t you can’t- but try because of the chant like quality it gives it. It also does not have to be in epic proportions.  Short and sweet works better so your energy does not dissipate.  Be precise and careful with your words.  
  A rhyming dictionary can help you.  Spell Books are found everywhere and I do encourage you to use them -but...use them to give you ideas and how to's to write your own spells.  these books are numerous and give ideas and ingredients.  This is great for the novice witch practioner. 
  Once you have written or re-written a spell copy it into your Book Of Shadows-  I can not stress enough how important this book is