The Witch's Circle - Spells

Welcome to another meeting of The Witch's Circle!

This time in The Witch's Circle the discussion will be about spells.  What are they? How important are they in a Witch's/Pagan's practice?  Is there a correct way to do a spell?  What about rules?

The following is my take on spells, which is what I know so far.   Anyone who chooses to join in this discussion can offer his/her own opinions on spells, which may or may not be the same as mine and that's OK.

I personally believe that you can't separate a witch from her spells.  Magical workings, spells, what I call The Work is what a witch does.  If a person claims to be a witch who does not perform spells, I really don't call what this person practices Witchcraft, and hence the title witch does not apply, although I am sure he/she is sincere about his/her spiritual path - it's just not Witchcraft by my definition.

I believe spellwork is the Work of the witch and it is performed more regularly than ritual.  In my practice, ritual always includes magical work. Casting a circle and inviting your people to it is an invitation to join energies in The Work, hence if a circle is cast to celebrate a seasonal celebration, some spellwork should be done.

Two regular, related and very important elements in a witch's life is spellwork and honoring/offerings to the spirits.  The reason I place such importance on spellwork in Witchcraft is because through The Work we form and honor our relationships with the spirits and The Work is what we do when we're together.  We combine our energies in this Work and hence become closer to our People.  Spells are not only selfish wishes for our own profit - but often to aid other people, to work towards healing, to bring human energies together, to protect, to shield and repel.  Spellcrafting is the work of the Witch - it is his/her calling.

Thanking the gods, ancestors, spirits for their continued support is very important too, hence regular offerings to these friends are important especially when they help us with our magical Work.

As for ways to perform spells - there are so many.  I am a bit of a spell junkie and have read so many spell books.  In doing so, I have found a lot of similarities in spells, certain elements of spells which stand the test of time, and when I do, I take note.  While it's certainly within everyone's ability to create his/her own spell, I feel that the test of time is proof that these comment elements found within "classic" or older spells from varying traditions have been known to work.  As a result of my exposure to spells, I now have a sense of when a spell seems "right."  I can spot a less than correct ingredient on some spells, and I am not afraid to substitute with something "righter."   So I don't believe there are certain individual spells that are "true" and the only ones to use, but I do see that certain elements are used in spells for certain purposes and I stay true to these elements, whether they be spell ingredients or tools, timing, or instructions. I have a feeling that a spell increases in power with use, so I believe in owning a grimoire in which to keep your favorite spells and magical information.

Now here comes the part with which many of you will disagree.  While I do believe in the power of thought - yes, I do believe that thoughts can be "things," I think there is more to magic than our thoughts.  Which means that I do not believe in concepts such as those in "The Secret," etc.  I don't believe in these simply because magic/spellwork is a combining of energies, not just the wishful thinking of one individual.  Prayer, on the other hand, is a form of magic, as the person who prays usually petitions a deity to help him/her.

Negative thoughts coming from others, however, is often seen as a way of cursing (such as the evil eye.) You might wonder - how can the thoughts of a negative person be more effective  than those of a positive person. How can you consider one a spell and one wishful thinking?   Well the negative thoughts are not more powerful in themselves, however - the negative person often obsessively directs nasty thoughts out towards another, which feeds this negativity, empowering it to the point of actually creating what is called a "thought form" a kind of energy/entity separate from the sender. This form becomes the partner in the magical working- the delivery person, if you will,  of the negative spell. So in this case, and in the example of prayer, there is a combination of different energies working together towards the goal.  This, is, according to my definition, magical Work.

As for the rules. Well, we have all heard some of the various versions of the Wiccan Rede.  I feel that harming none is impossible.  We are all touched by everything everyone does - as we are all connected.  Inaction can harm as much as action.  This is not to suggest that there are no rules, but every instance must be considered on it's own. It's always wise to think about your Work before you begin and to examine your motives and decide on the most ethical way you can achieve your goals. Sometimes this means doing nothing.  Sometimes this means being very involved. An ethical witch knows what to do and what to stay away from, and the inbetween ways you can do your Work without disturbing things unnecessarily or unjustly.  Sometimes it's a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils.  Nothing magical should be done in haste or extreme emotion. Magical Work should be done after much thought and soul searching.  These are my only rules in regards to spell casting and I feel by following these rules, a witch will not do anything he/she regrets.

To Join in this Witch's Circle Discussion, simply comment as usual OR use it as a blog prompt.  If you use it as a prompt, give me the link in the comments section and I'll post a link to your post here.  

Go here to see more posts on this discussion!

My Pagan Path and the Crossroads
The Whimsical Cottage 
Just a Bit of Heart