Spellcasting Basics

The most iconic aspect of witchcraft is spells. Behind the different tools and methods of conventional spells, I've laid out a basic format. Recognizing this format can help you better understand the spells you read, and it can help you make your own spells.

After I've gone over the basic spell format, I'll go over some queries and concerns I have heard before.

Basic Spell Format

1. Raise energy
2. Express your intent
3. Release energy

This format strips away all the suggestions/explanations you'll see in order to get to the core of the spell.

"Energy" in witchcraft refers to spiritual/magical substance. It is the fuel for your spell, the agent of potential. In magick, "energy" makes up the spiritual landscape in a similar way that "matter" makes up the physical landscape. One aspect that makes different spells unique is where this energy is coming from. Almost all spells will have energy coming from the passion and willpower of the witch, as this simultaneously allows you to concentrate and express your desire. A main way of accessing energy to use in a spell is through the practice of energy manipulation. I would highly recommend looking it. Otherwise, energy for a spell can come from spirits, deities, natural substances (namely plants), the sun, the moon, etc. Sometimes a circle is cast to contain the energies, but a formal circle is not always required (different traditions have different views of the "circle", and some traditions omit it completely). Many witches I've talked to don't incorporate circles into their practice.

Expression of intent is where tools, chants, and actions come into play. You choose the right words, herbs, candle colors, elements, time of day, etc. to incorporate into the spell to express the outcome you desire. Within this territory are "correspondences". For a love spell, you might incorporate items like cinnamon, the color red or pink, and rose petals, as these all correspond to love. If you wanted to incorporate the planet Venus in your spell for artistic expression or womanhood, you could incorporate plants that correspond to the planet Venus. To better understand the properties of different items, there are a variety of books available and you can even learn to develop relationships firsthand and detect their different subtle energies, but a lot of times a simple google search can help you find what you're looking for. One technique called visualization is sometimes used to express intent.

Releasing the energy is more simple. Like the conclusion of an essay, you wrap up your final thoughts and bring all your ideas together. At this point, some witches like to say "so mote it be" or similar. Settle down your thoughts and your emotions. Dismiss any spirits you called on to help you if any (and leave proper offerings). If you cast a circle, you would open it now. It may be beneficial to perform grounding or earthing afterwards.

What should I do before a spell?

There are different ways witches like to prepare for a spell. Sometimes when we want to cast spells, we are ready to go right in and we follow where our passion leads us. Other times, we need to bring ourselves into the mindset of casting a spell. A way this can be done is by going into an altered state of consciousness that allows us to more easily tap into spiritual power. A simple method of doing this is by meditating prior to the spell. You can also light some incense, play music that enchants you, or even wear special garment specifically for working magick.

What can a spell do?

I think everyone is aware that magick doesn't work in real-life the same way that magic works in the movies. Simplified, a spell manipulates probability. Spells can manifest anything that is reasonably possible and then a little bit more. If you cast a spell to bring in some money, then you might casually find twenty dollars. If you cast a love spell on someone (a controversial act in the witchcraft community), they might fall head-over-heels for you out of the blue.

Unaware of the nature of magic, you are likely to scoff off magick as coincidence the first spell or two you perform. In some manner, I have grown to viewing spells as beautiful, sacred coincidences. But with time (or quite immediately if you are naturally inclined with the supernatural), you will be consistently casting successful spells.

Magic can manifest in more dramatic ways, which you'll likely see as your craft progresses, although I would warn against dismissing the subtler acts of manifestation. It is because of these more dramatic effects that I say spells/magick can manifest everything that is possible (by our society's current standards) and then some. You might be surprised by what you feel and see throughout your craft.

Is this safe?

Magick is not inherently safe. It is not a shelter. Opening the door to magick is just like going out into the world for the first time. There is the spiritual world and the mundane world. Neither are safe. Your mundane actions and your spiritual actions both have consequences, but in both "worlds", you can take precautions against danger and make wise choices.

One recommendation I would give is to set "conditions" into your spell. Consider how a spell could go wrong, and then address that concern. If you're worried a love spell might force someone to love you and them be harmed by it, consider adding to your spell something like "s/he will not be hurt by this spell, and her/his judgment will not be hazed by this spell". Be careful with how you word things and what you wish for. Understand what exactly you are willing into existence.

Another recommendation I might have is to learn magical protection and how to "reverse" or lift spells. Protection is especially important to know if you plan on working with dangerous spirits, working in foreign territory (such as a forest, likely inhabited by an array of spirits), or working with dangerous magick (curses, hexes, bindings). Casting a protective circle is an option, as well as wearing an iron pentacle.

How can I make a spell more likely to succeed?

As spells mostly work through probability, the more probable something is to start with, the easier the spell is to cast and the less energy a spell requires (from my understanding). There are mundane actions you can take in order to give your magick more room to function. I have heard these referred to as "channels" before. If you cast a spell to get a job, you're not likely to get a job without applying. How can a spell to pass your exam work if you don't take your exam? How can your spell to make your date go well work if you decide not to go?

Consider ways you can allow your spell to manifest. I would not recommend something like buying a lottery ticket after casting a money spell. You are more likely to find money on the street than win it big in the lottery. Buying a lottery ticket doesn't really help your spell by much.

By taking mundane actions to help your spell manifest, maybe you think that's kind of lame and defeats the idea of using magick. If somehow that's your thought, I would reconsider your motives. Spells are meant to get something done. Whatever it is you want, you should be willing to work for it, spiritually and mundanely. In fact, having ambition, willpower, and passion fuel a spell for success. The more attached you are to your desire, the more you need it and the more you're willing to work, the more power you put into a spell. You can harness your passion and say "this WILL happen".

Focus more on what you want to happen, less on what you don't want to happen. A good altered state of consciousness can be beneficial to tap into your ability to shape/affect reality. You want to have a good goal set in mind for what you're trying to manifest; be specific about your desire but also consider if you're being so specific you're losing out on opportunities (back to how I mentioned how "channels" exist).