Spells always seem to fascinate popular culture. The image of the Witch standing in a floor-painted pentacle stirring something in a pot and whispering ancient words of power seems imbedded in our culture. Eternal happiness is yours if you can just find the right words to recite and the right deity to invoke. And for added fun, there are actually witches and others who cast spells today. Do they know something that everyone else doesn't? Let's see...

What is a spell?

A spell can be best categorized as an active prayer. There are many kinds. In some you simply write on a piece of paper what you want and burn it. Another kind, sympathetic magick, goes about performing your goal as if you had already achieved it. An example of this is to imagine you are paying a bill you're having trouble with, and writing 'paid' on it. And in others, you raise energy through dancing, singing, etc. and then send it out towards your goal.

How does it work?

That's actually a highly debatable subject; and it all depends on how you view the world, and divinity. Generally, though, in doing the ritual of the spell: the candle burning, dancing, etc, you are focussing in on your goal. As you are becoming more focussed, you are raising the energy needed to achieve it. The more you practice spellcasting, circle casting, etc, the better you get at raising and controlling the energy. This energy is both divine, personal, and 'Earthy'. At the right moment: the burning of the paper, or writing 'paid' on your bill, you release all the pent-up desire for your particular goal. You release it out into the universe to effect the change you desire. There are many views on how it works after this point. Some say the energy is directed into the 'collective unconsciousness' of the world where it creates a 'path of least resistance' to the goal. Others say the act of releasing the stress of worrying about it leaves you with a clear enough head to find the solution to your problem. It really does depend on your personal view of things.

Does it always work?

Not always. Sometimes you don't raise enough energy, you're unfocussed, you're just generally feeling down (spells rarely work when you're feeling down), or you're asking for something you don't actually need. And of course, sometimes it just isn't meant to be. A spell isn't to be used to get you something because you're too lazy to work for it. You can't cast a spell for good grades and then not study or go to class. But you can spell for a better grade on an exam you've already written. The spell that will work will be the one that changes something that's out of your hands; and for something you really, really care about.

Can you cast love spells?

Yes, of course. But they can only be general, such as "I really want to find someone", or "Goddess, bring love into my life again". You can't; no, let me be clear: you CAN NOT cast a spell 'on' somebody. Well, I suppose it's possible, but according to the Law of Three, what you do comes back to you three times. This is not a joke. Cast a spell to manipulate someone into being attracted to you, and you'll probably get a stalker.

Can spells be used to harm people?

I suppose so. There's really no foreseeable limit to the human imagination. But again, the Law of Three is a real karmic wheel, not some little model in your head to keep you in line. What you send out, returns. If you were to harm people, or even just manipulate them just a little bit, you'll probably have the whole thing blow up in your face. And if you manage to avoid it for a while, it will happen later. Spells are for healing, calming, and avoiding desperate situations. You can use it to help a friend, heal the planet, grow your plants, fix your broken stuff (don't laugh, it works), get money for your bills, get a job, and of course, for self-improvements. You cannot manipulate other's emotions or thoughts, force them into doing something they don't want to, get people together, or force them apart. You can't wish harm on a person or organization of people, no matter how much you may despise them. If harm comes to someone else because of your magickal workings, I don't even want to know what happens to you later.

What about words of power?

Yes, there are words of power, but you might be surprised to hear them. Words of power are words that have special meaning for You. That's it. No ancient languages and strange-sounding words. Sometimes they're as simple as 'Earth', or 'Athena' (Greek Goddess of wisdom and strategical warfare). Many times they are the names of old Gods and Goddesses, etc. The power isn't in the word itself, but in the reverence of the way you use it.

Are spells demonic?

No, absolutely not. A spell is an affirmation of your own life, a way of saying to Divinity 'Hey, I'm over here, give me a hand'. Casting a spell brings you into contact with the collective unconscious around you; it provides that working link between you and the emotions that surround your life. You certainly don't need to invoke Beelzebub or whoever to do that. The energy you raise comes from within you, from around you, and from the trees and the planet herself. A spell, though some may disagree with me here, is almost outside of religion. There are Wiccan spellcasters, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Native people who cast spells. The idea of using the energy in and around you to get something that you need is far from being new. The spell is neutral; it is the spellcaster who is, or is not, respectful and responsible.

So how do you cast a spell?

Good question. I'll answer it by providing a spell here that anyone can do, for almost any purpose. Remember, though, if you do cast a spell, that it can be for anything at all, as long as you don't seek to harm or manipulate people. If your intentions are pure, no problem.

Simple Candle burning Spell

Needed:

White Candle
Lighter/Matches
Paper
Pen/Pencil
A place you will not be disturbed

Sit down quietly with everything in front of you. Think about what it is that you want. Try to think about everything surrounding it, all the situations, problems, and possible solutions. Let all your worry and frustrations come at you full force. Then start to draw or write down what you want. It can be a picture, a symbol, written words, or anything else that has meaning for you. As you draw or write, visualize your problem solving itself. See in your mind yourself getting what it is that you need. Put all the desire you have into that piece of paper, and still focus on achieving it. When you are ready, light the candle and burn the paper in it. It doesn't have to burn completely, and be careful with the fire. Visualize the burning paper carrying your goal away to become reality for you. If possible, let the candle burn out.

There are more complicated spells involving music, dancing, invoking the elements, reciting poetry, different colors, different times of day, and calling various Gods, etc; but in essence, they all work on this basic frame. Calm and focus yourself, feel your need, visualize the solution as if it had already happened, and release it into the world. Sorry for you thrill-seekers, but no mystic languages, no furniture flying about, no indoor tornado, and no demonic possession. Life's a bitch, huh?