Spellcraft 101
"Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble…"
Spells and Witches? Name a better duo, I'll wait.
Spellcraft is without a doubt the most infamous aspect of Witchery. The two are practically synonymous with one another - if one even hears mention of the word “witch”, our minds can instantly conjure images of boiling cauldrons, candles, crystals…chanting…dancing naked under the full moon.
Thanks to pop culture, our aesthetic lives in infamy and has been enchanting the masses for generations. So if you find yourself pulled towards the witch’s path, it seems only natural to feel called to practice the Witch’s craft.
However, navigating the practice of spellcraft can be a daunting task.
As charming as it is, our culture has become saturated with fantasy. Not unlike many other forms of ART, a lot has been lost in translation between mediums. In this case, from the medium of reality to those of big screen and print. And because Witchcraft itself looks different for every witch, so too does spellcraft, which can make it difficult for us to connect to the Art itself.
But never fear! Witchpowerment is here! Witchery and personal empowerment are what we do here, and I want each and every seeker to have the knowledge to feel confident in accessing the profound ART which is Spellcraft.
So let’s explore what spellcraft actually is, how it works, and how to write and perform your own spells.
What Is Spellcraft?
Well first, if you were tempted to look up the definition, rest assured that it's not worth your time. I know because for context I did that very thing and was met by these two stunningly vague descriptions.
Spellcraft: "the magical practice involving the casting of spells."
Spell: "a word or words which are supposed to hold magical power, an influence that cannot be resisted, or a trance."
Obviously written by muggles. So let me clear this up a bit.
Spellcraft is a magical practice comprised of intentions and actions preformed in order to bring about a desired outcome. (Because this is a magical practice we know that there are aspects of the occult or supernatural.)
Also it needs to be said that there is a difference between a spell and a ritual. A spell is done once, where as a ritual is preformed repeatedly usually in alignment with a particular cycle such as the new or full moons.
HOW DO SPELLS ACTUALLY WORK?
Obviously if we knew for certain, then it wouldn't be considered magic as magic is attributed to the supernatural. However, the magical community have arrived to favor three ideologies on how spellcraft actually works.
Spellcraft Aligns the Mind
As little as 3% of our thoughts, beliefs and actions are controlled by our conscious mind, the rest is controlled but the unconscious mind.
The unconscious mind speaks through symbolism. In spellcraft we are using symbolism that appeals to our five senses to influence the unconscious mind to align with what are conscious mind (the ego) is seeking. This also works in reverse, allowing our unconscious mind to have a voice in co-creation.
When both our conscious and unconscious minds are aligned with the same goal, we set intentions with our whole selves, not just a piece, and are therefore more likely to take the aligned actions that will pull that intention into our physical reality.
Aligning Vibration
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” - Nikola Tesla
All matter, including ourselves, is composed of atoms. The frequency in which these atoms vibrate determines how that matter is expressed in our physical reality - what becomes a chair, what becomes a blade of grass, and the air we breathe.
Spellcraft is a way in which we align our being with the vibrations of that which we desire. Like energy, attracts like energy.
By becoming an energetic match with our desires, our current reality and the one we want are drawn together. And eventually become our ONE.
Connecting with Spirit
Similar to prayer, in this form of magic and spellcraft, we are communicating with our spirit guides, god and goddesses or even the higher aspects of ourselves. We are calling upon these entities to guide and align us with our desire.
Regardless of which application works for you, most often in spellcraft you’ll be cultivating that alignment by working with Correspondences.
Correspondences are items/entities or even actions within the physical world which are identified and accepted by a practitioner to create symbolic magical links to particular vibrations and frequencies which then allows the practitioner to influence themselves, others or the Universe. i.e. Roses are widely accepted as a Correspondent to love, passion and relationships.
Step 1: Designing Your Spell
All spells must contain two things in order to be successful,
Intention + Action
The intention is comprised of the visualization, language and symbolism/correspondences we work with to convey our desires to ourselves, ethereal entities and the Universe.
The action is the aligned actions that we take to bring that desire into reality; the gathering of the correspondences, the physical actions we may take during our spellcraft, and then the actions we take to put our bodies into a position to receive the desire.
Before you get started in designing your spell, here are some things to keep in mind.
Your spellcraft does not need to be comprised of rhyming incantations.
You do not need a bunch of fancy tools.
You do not need to wait for a particular time.
What is most important is your connection to the spell, the correspondences, and the format. However, energy flows where intention goes. By adding these aspects to our spellcraft, we are placing more intention into our work, strengthening the connection between ourselves and what we desire.
To begin crafting your spell answer these 5 questions:
What is it that I truly want? Get Specific! The more clear you are about your desire and intentions, the more clarity you will have about what is needed to turn those aspirations into a reality. Then you can work within that framework to align yourself with that desire. Learn to Conjure Clarity
What correspondences are you going to work with to align with your desires? As we talked about before, Correspondences are the items/entities or actions that create a magical link to particular frequencies. Think crystals, herbs, color, symbols and sigils.
Am I planning to work with any Entities? These would be your Deities, Spirit Guides, Ancestors or other ethereal beings which you would call upon to help aid you in your magical workings.
What tools do I need? Yay! It's cauldron time! Just kidding, but seriously are you going to be working with any kind of tools?
What action steps am I going to take to set energy in motion? I wish spells alone would do the work for us, and sometimes we get lucky and they do. But the majority of the time, we are going to have to take actions within our physical reality that allow us to be in the space to receive what we desire.
Step 2: Gather Your Ingredients And Tools
The second step is pretty straight forward, in order to work with particular correspondences or tools, you need to actually have them.
This doesn't mean that you MUST go spend a bunch of money to get X,Y, and Z. Practitioners through time have used what was available too them and so can we.
Remember in Practical Magic when Jillian and Sally use white whip cream to draw that star? You can do the same thing. The most important part of a correspondence is the significance it has to YOU!
Get creative! Improvise!
Step 3: Formatting Your Spell
All spells look different based on the practitioner and may differ based on the needs of the spell.
Below, I have provided the spell format I have been working with since the beginning of my own journey.
Consider using this as a guide when writing your own spells.
As always, what is most important is that you as a practitioner feel connected to the practice. So take what resonates with you and leave what does not feel aligned.
Cleansing Energy Start your spell with a clean slate - cleanse yourself and the space of any unwanted energy. Cleansing pertains to 1.) Physically cleaning the space 2.) Releasing emotional and mental clutter that might distract from the spell’s intention 3.) the spiritual process of protecting yourself from destructive entities and influences.
Casting a Circle This is a more traditional part of magic in which a practitioner consciously creates an energetic standard for an area or act. In addition, casting a circle is said to ground and concentrate the magic within.
You can cast a Circle by physically creating a boundary, by working with correspondences, visualizing and/or stating those intentions.
"I only allow that which is in my highest alignment to enter this space."
"Only perfect love and perfect trust will enter this space."
Invocation If working with entities, extend an invitation to your deities, spirit team or “Call the Corners” (inviting the essence of the Elements) to aid you in your magical working.
Stating Your Intention Verbalize your desires through written/spoken words, symbols and through correspondences. Traditionally spells are spoken in rhyme. The additional intention required to craft the rhyme strengthens the spell and the rhythm helps the intention flow through the Universe.
Raising energy In this part of the spell, you are building up energy and creating the momentum to pull intentions from the ethereal plane into the material one; going from dreams to reality. This can be done through meditation, lighting candles or incense, chanting, singing, dancing, even sex!
Releasing Energy In this stage, you are "casting" your intentions and the energy you have raised out to the Universe. This is most often done by stating "So mote it be" or "So Shall it be done" and symbolizes the establishment of a reality in which your desire already exists.
Grounding Think of this as drawing back into yourself and reconnecting with the physical plane. You can take deep breaths, stretch, tap… use anything that draws your awareness back to the body.
Closing Lastly, thank any entities for their participation in your work, open the circle, your intentions are set and now it is time to reenter the mundane.
Step 4 Perform the Spell
All conscious shifts are created by intention and action. Now that you have planned your spells, it is time to take the action and perform the spell.
This is actually the most daunting part of spellcraft, especially for those new to crafting their own spells. So if you are feeling hesitant, I want you to keep these things in mind.
“Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now, students. If they can do it, why not us?” Shameless Harry Potter quote, but absolutely relevant and true. Everyone who practices spellcraft, has felt the unease, the anxiety, about preforming their own magic, yet they have all done it. So can you.
It is okay if your spellcraft does not look like anyone else’s. Witchcraft is about understanding our personal connections to the aspect of our reality, so your spellcraft will be most influential when it is a reflection of YOU not some one else.
Do not fear your power. Do you fear yourself? You are not separate from your power, it is you, you are it.
So there you have it!
Navigating the practice of spellcraft can be a daunting task. Not unlike many other forms of ART, a lot has been lost in translation between mediums. -in this case, from the medium of reality to the those of big screen and print. And because Witchcraft itself looks different for every witch, so too does spellcraft, which can make it difficult for us to connect to the Art itself.
But hopefully after reading this guide, you are feeling more empowered than ever to delve into the Witch’s craft!
Your spellcraft is about your connection to the Universe. So use this as a guide, edit anything and everything that doesn’t feel aligned with you.
Be curious.
Be Creative.
And always remember YOU ARE THE MAGIC. YOU ARE THE POWER
And until next time,
May You Live Magic,
Randi Ruby
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Don’t you just love the episodes that pick up directly where the last left off?
Well to recap - For a week our family was swept away on a week’s long vacation and I now living a life that is beyond younger me’s wildest dreams, and by extension and intension, our children are experiencing more of the world than I ever did; more than WE ever did.
Come along with us in Part 2 of Our Enchanting Vacation.