Spells and Rhyme?

Question

To the Witches and Pagans out there - we all know the chant
" To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spoke in rhyme" but do you really need to? Isn't it the intent of the heart that the Divine hears the most, not our ability to form rhyming couplets? What do you think?

To those out there who will feel the urge to bash or spout religious dogma at me, don't. Please.

Answer 1

I think the intent is the most important part of the spell. The words are what the intent is built on, but they are not the final product. My words rarely rhyme. In fact, most of my spells do not contain words at all. I figure if they're listening, they can hear without words.

Answer 2

Rhyming Spells

Answer 3

I didn't know that particular rhyme, and I was initiated some 25 years ago.

No, I don't think they have to rhyme, but there is something magical about rhyming. It sets a rhythm, for one thing, and also makes the words easier to remember. You can more easily set them to music if that's appropriate.

Most of my spells involve just one line of verbal content, and so no rhyme is necessary. I set up all the symbols, cast the circle, and put all my concentration into my intention, then speak the one line that states my intention in my best deep-chested voice. Often it is something very direct, like "Let justice be done!" or "Come to me!" Three times, of course.

Often it is a rhyme because it is an invocation from a ritual.

Answer 4

The reason for the rhyme is twofold, Fuguee. Firstly, a rhyme helps you remember the words, and secondly, the rythm helps to focus the mind on the job in hand.
If you have been practicing magic for a long time you may be able to cast the spell without the rhyme. I don't even know where my black handled knife is at the moment, although it's safely away. The actual words are not important, and the rhyme is all but irrelevant. It's the INTENT which will tell in the end.

Answer 5

The important thing in ritual or spell work is that your intent, the purpose that you are enacting them. Energy is just that energy its directed thru will and therefore will have the desired result intended by whomever does it. You cannot allow yourself to become bogged down in the ceremony of things or it serves no purpose. The purpose is to give focus and provide a road map in your workings. If the things that you do in ritual or in preparation for a spell seem unnecessary or foolish, then don't feel the need to continue to do them and find a way that you feel is meaningful. If your in ritual and you mess up or you do something you didn't intend don't stress about it. The only way that you can make a mistake or cause what your doing to become negative is IF YOU CHOOSE TO. Sitting there worrying about a word that didn't rhythm or something you left out does nothing but take your intent off the purpose of the ritual/spell. Don't worry so much explore learn and grow that's the real beauty of it. Mistakes are supposed to happen and are usually a really good thing in the end because you learn so much from them. I hope this helped let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Answer 6

the energy you put in making the spell is not wasted, by trying to do the rhymes (especially if you don`t find it too easy to do) makes the spell better since you fill it with your energy. But you can also do it without rhymes, or however it suits you because a spell usually, is a personal thing.

Answer 7

For me the only advantage to saying it in rhyme is that I have to stop and think about what I'm saying. I don't think it has to be in rhyme but for me it causes me to invest more into it. I may re-write it several times before I'm happy with the words. I have had those that just kind of pop out at one sitting and those are usually the faster working ones for me.

Now I have to say it's definitely not mandatory though.

Answer 8

i like to use rhymes when i can. like in little chants and what not. but when i write an actuall spell i very rarely use rhymes. i find that if im trying to come up with a word the rhymes with "negitivity" it just takes the power out of it. i feel that its the intent not the content that makes the spell work.

Answer 9

I pretty much consider all I learn about Pagan traditions as suggestions, not written-in-stone rules. The way I look at that is it is basically suggesting you rhyme it to make it easier to remember and perform, not saying if you don't do it that way it won't work. That's why I like Paganism, it's such an open-minded religion.

Answer 10

spells rhyme