Anything you do yourself has the most power. Never forget that. I write a lot of my own spells - I also change a lot of spells I find in books to better suit my needs.
How do spells work?
I get asked that a lot. and it's very, very simple A spell is simply the raising of energy and giving it a purpose or task. That's it. Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, that's because it is. Spells are a very small part of the earth based religions, those religions are not about casting spells, growing spiritually and becoming better people is the true reason. And it's usually easier to do things physically (the boring way) rather than ask for a magickal answer - I know that's not the answer you wanted but it's the truth.
BEFORE YOU CAST A SPELL
Try doing things that way first and save magick for the last resort. 90% of all situations can be handled easier on a physical level. Even when you do magick, you often need to back it up with mundane actions.
For example if you do a spell to bring you love, you aren't going to get very far if you don't go out or get out make your presence known. sitting at home -waiting will get you exactly =nothing. Except you wasted your time and energy.
ETHICS OF SPELLS
There are ethical considerations to consider. If you are going to exercise power, then it should be done responsibly. Free will is a very important thing for humans and to do a spell that would step on this right is highly unethical and just plain wrong! This is why love spells to make a specific person fall in love with you
are unethical. You are trying to interfere with a persons free will, and I'm sorry, that's not a positive thing,
And think about this- would you really want someone if you had to FORCE them to fall in love with you?
Now a general love spell to bring the right person to you is acceptable, as long as you don't mention anyone in particular. Listing the qualities you want will suffice. Know completely what you want BEFORE you do a spell. I have heard of many people getting weird (or scary) results because they were simply playing..
RAISING MAGICKAL ENERGIES
You need energy to drive the spell. It really doesn't matter how you raise the energy, as long as
you find a way that works for you. Each element has a different energy as well, as does each planet.
These should be studied before any spellworking in order to assure that the right type of energy is being used. The raising and holding of energy is one of the reasons that circles are cast. The circle is to hold the energy until YOU release it with a purpose.
ABOUT CIRCLES
Circles will keep the summoned energy in one spot until you are ready to release it. So you can effectively raise the energy needed without it bleeding away before you can use it. There are various ways of casting
circle. Basically, you want to outline the space you want to use (this is the making of the circle part).
Move clockwise within your circle - it's considered positive and for LIFE to move counterclockwise is said to be negative and destructive.
You can sprinkle salt around, you can spread a cord or thread around,
or just use visualization to "see" a circle forming around you. By the way the traditional placement of the Elements are Air/East, South/Fire, Water/West, Earth/North. There is a fifth element called Spirit that can be seen as a ball of white or violet light.
You can visualize this light filling your Circle, cleansing it. Or you could go to each direction and call upon the elements to cleanse the circle with their energies. Then usually comes the setting up of defenses which is done to keep things from entering in and interfering.
This can be done together with the cleansing. In Wicca/Witchcraft this is referred to as Calling Quarters. Again, you would begin at your chosen starting point and call to the powers of that element to enter the circle to aid in your work and to protect you from negative entities.
After you are done you must close the circle. Simply reverse the above steps. When dismissing a circle be very polite. Thank them for their help. Then visualize the circle going away. And , That's the basics for circle casting. Focusing the energy is simply a way of giving the energy a direction to move into as well as instructions to follow. The typical way of accomplishing
this is to use symbols. Symbols are usually simple design that have a lot of meaning attached to them.
SYMBOLS WITH SPELL CASTING
Symbols can also be used in the raising of energy as well to insure that the type of energy you want will be collected. Using symbols and even photographs are a way of pointing out the direction and intent that the energy is to follow. You might want to make a comment that you don't want anyone harmed in the process of the spellworking. This helps to insure that you don't benefit from another's tragedy or expense. A physical gesture or movement can be a good way of releasing the spell. Raising and then sharply dropping the hands is a way. Or you could stamp your foot, strike the ground with a wand or staff, make a pushing gesture with the hands, etc. What you need is something that announces specifically, and dramatically, that it is time for the spell to go and do its job. Once the spell is released many people recommend grounding to get rid of any lingering energy that might be in you. Another school of thought says that once the spell is released, forget about it.
AFTER THE SPELL
If you want to reinforce the spell do another, identical spell at another date. Don't mess with the spell already in progress. Close down your circle and that's that. Don't do multiple spells one after another - that only wastes your energy and will leave you tired and drained , not to mention the HUGE waste of time it is.
THE LAST BIT
I hope these basics help you - and by all means write your own spells! Research herbs, incense, symbols, inks, dates and times. The more knowledge you have- the more power you have!
