Witches & Wiccans? Why Cast Spells, Whats The Point?

Question

I've read the books, I understand what you do, the rituals are involved and take practice, but why do it? I see very little bottom line intrinsic difference between casting a spell and ordinary praying, or simply wishing real hard for something. Isn't it egotistical and self absorbed to think you have special powers to change the course of nature or affect the outcome of events. Sometimes the Magick works, and sometimes it doesn't, sometimes prayers are answered, wishes and dreams do come true. Plus it takes an awful lot of commitment, study and work to be a real practicing witch. Why do it, why put out all that extra effort, it seems to me that in the end you always lose a little something?

Energia, Transversus Dimensio, Coalesere Incantare...

By lose a little something, I mean you have to expend and send out an inordinate amount of physical and spiritual energy to effectively induce Magick.

swarr
I don't use commercial spells, I've never cast a spell, that's what I'm asking you about? So you maintain that to be a "true witch" the ability has to be passed on and inherited through bloodlines? If that's so, as fast as Wicca is growing, there must be a lot of un-true witches out there losing themselves?

raven blackwing

Why are you shouting, this isn't a prayer question and I'm not picking on anybody.

When I was a child I knew an old woman in her nineties who was in the craft, and had been since she was a young girl. She once told me that she doesn't do spells much because it takes so much out of her. Bit by bit she said, the young ones don't see it.

Are there any old witches out there to reply?

Answer 1

It is done in my case because I wish to be an active participant in the outcome of my life. I do it because it shows commitment on my part to dedicate myself to such a practice. I do it because it works for me.

I can not just sit back and hope that so and so happens. I am going to get up and make it happen. If I can't make it happen at least I started in the right direction.

I don't believe I have special powers. Everyone has the potential to practice magic. Commitment and desire are the only things that separate me from others. My commitment and my desire to affect the outcome of my life. Praying, wishing, positive thinking, casting spells are all forms of magic. Each individual decides how they will perform this magic.

Also not sure what you mean by lose a little something. Since I have started to practice magic my life has been alot better. Alot more positive and I feel like I participate more instead of being a bystander. Maybe you could explain this a little better for understanding.

EDIT: I see what you mean about losing something. However those that are adept at casting spell do not use personal energy to bring about the desired effect. We raise the energy by useing the natural energy around us. The energy then becomes concentrated and we can then direct that energy. One thing that happens with me is I build alot of energy and what is not needed I ground or send it back into the earth. I am never tired or out of energy after doing spell work. The opposite is true. I fell energized and full of life. I was able to connect with the earth for that times while in circle.

And thank you for responding to my question!

Answer 2

Do I count as "old"? Been a practicing "witch" for over 40 years. And I do agree that there is not much difference between "spell-casting" and praying, Those who think they have special powers are deluded. I am not, and do not want to be associated with a coven. I am a solitary Pict. We don't go in so much for spell-casting or set rituals, but more on relying on Nature itself for clues and direction. I work WITH Nature not try to controll it (other than cultivation and utilizing what is there). It is not so demanding to send out positive energy and not so difficult to learn how to direct it. I will ask the Goddess to empower my herbs to help provide the desired effect and stones so that they will attract the energy attributed to them. We all have that power within ourselves, it is a matter of tapping into it, and evoking the Goddess is a way to do that. Not so different than asking God to bless things. As far as the effort goes, to some of us it just comes naturally. Anything worth doing is worth a little effort, just like your family or job. Wishes and dreams only come true if you work towards the outcome, nothing "supernatural" or "Magickal" about it, that may take some effort no matter who you are! The most directed effort I ever have to put in is when I am doing visualization, and that just takes a little more direct concentration. There isn't much more commitment, study or work involved to become wiccan than there is to become a practicing Christian, no book to study, no preachng or going out on mission, no church to attend at least once a week. BTW you cannot possible understand Wicca from reading books. You can only scratch the surface.
As to "why cast spells?" The only way I can answer that is with the question "Why pray?"

Answer 3

Unless you have studied and practiced, you do not understand what takes place. True witchcraft comes through bloodlines. Every witch I know also lays claim to another religion. Why on earth would you use a commercial spell, starfish? Of course it didn't work. Most spellwork comes through bloodlines and is all ready in the unconscious. Extra effort? No, just like breathing. There is nothing at all to lose when you are true to yourself and your heritage. When you aren't and you are attempting something that you don't have a gift for, you do lose a little something, yourself.

Answer 4

I often think about how silly we would all look to an outside race, trying to explain the differences of the many religions on our world. Because prayer and spell casting are not different at all. Every religion goes through rituals and seeks to speak with their chosen god or gods. The only thing that differs is what we call our god or gods. Be it spell casting by a Wicca or prayer by a Christian, we are all trying to contact our god or gods and asking for guidance and favors.

Answer 5

Well, of course you are correct in the purely physical sense. We can 't magically alter the course of physical events, including the behavior of another person. But just as in any other faith, the physical behaviors are part of the devotional mileu. Catholics and Episcopalians kneel frequently during services, whilst many protestants never kneel at all. Many churches include the rite of holy communion every time they meet, while others do it only monthly, and still others never do it at all. In the pews of Episcopal churches you'll find parishioners with three holy books - the Bible, the hymnal, and the Book of Common Prayer. Other denominations include only a Bible and a hymnal, and at least one allows no hymnals either. None of these denominations or other religions has any greater claim to legitimacy than does Wicca. The casting of spells, as you claim to have discovered, is simply part of the ritual when Wiccans meet in faith (or when they practice as "solitaries"). As such, it is every bit as meaningful as is crossing onesself during a Catholic or Episcopal service, kneeling or simply bowing one's head during the preacher's prayer.
To our Native friend: Hota hey! Greetings from a former resident of the Navajo Nation! May you walk in beauty all your days.

Answer 6

Casting A SPELL TO BRING ON SOMETHING LITTLE CAN IN TURN BRING GREAT THINGS. I HAVE DONE IT MANY TIMES. AS YOU SAY ITS LIKE PREYING. I KNOW CHRISTIANS THAT PUT GREAT ENERGY INTO THEIR PRAYS. MY SPELLS WORK AROUND 80% OF THE TIME. I WOULD SAY THAT'S PRETTY GOOD. I WAS SUPPOSE TO DIE MY SISTER AND SOME OF MY FRIENDS CAST A HEALING SPELL AND AGAINST ALL ODDS I LIVED AND WALKED OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. how COME YOU DO NOT ASK CHRISTIANS WHY DO THEY PUT SO MUCH INTO PRAYING?

Answer 7

You Got to Believe!!!
The Earth Does have a Soul/Heart Spirit!
Once you Learn How to Tap into It!!!
Many Things are Possible!!!

Hokahe!!!

Answer 8

Don't do it you'll waste your time. I tried it and I did a bunch of spells for love and money and to help a friend with some stress he was having and none of the spells worked. I talked to people about it that were very firm believers and they kept telling me that the spells take time...(yeah, sure.) I recommend sticking with prayer!

Answer 9

The point to cast spells is to save innocents and fight off evil protecting the world from destruction, that is the point. Also it's fun to curse ppl and practice Magik altogether.

Answer 10

well if you really want something you would work hard for it