Wiccans/witches: What is a spell, and how does it work?

Question

And how do you undo or protect yourself against a spell?

I mean how to undo the damage done by a spell against you.

Answer 1

You've gotten some good answers so far, especially Tawaen's. Spells and Magick are, on one level, psychological devices, and on another level the focus and direction of energy for a desired intent. Aleister Crowley defined Magick as the art and science of causing change in conformity with Will. It is ourselves that we effect with spells and magick. It is, to a large extent, an internal process of personal transformation. Spells can do a lot of things, because by changing ourselves we can effect the world around us. In many ways, spells and magick act much like prayer. The major difference is that while prayer is passive, spells are active. Prayer says, "please may I?" and spells say, "so must it be!" To, to function effectively as a magician or witch, it is important to Know Thyself, and to seek a deeper understanding of who you are and what your purpose is in life -- find your True Will.

Here's what spells and magick can't do --

Spells can't violate the laws of physics or nature. You're not going to fly through the air, or turn invisible. You can astral project, and have the experience of flying through the air, but your body will remain asleep in bed. You can do an "invisibility spell," and fade into a crowd, but you're still technically visible -- people are just ignoring you.

Spells can't violate the Will of another person. Wiccans say, "don't try this, because it's wrong." I say, "don't try this, because it's impossible." Now, spells, hypnosis, persuasion, these sorts of things can distract some people, but only those who on some level want to be persuaded. Take "love spells," for example. If, on some level, you don't want to shag that woman, it's not going to effect you. It's the "victim" of the spell that allows it to work. As I mentioned above, spells are something you put on yourself.

The best way to "protect" yourself is to stop worrying about it. Protect yourself the same way you would against advertising, or a pushy salesman, or a flirtatious woman. Just have a strong sense of self, take responsibility for your own actions, emotions, and desires, get to know yourself, and know what you really want. Do your Will, and do not allow anything to distract you from it. That is all. Paranoia and fear only weaken you.

I think it was Lab girl who said "a spell is something outsiders think my religion involves." How true. Wiccans aren't out there putting spells on you. You don't have to "protect yourself" against them. Be careful with that way of thinking. Allowing yourself to fall into the "Magickal Warfare" paradigm is a one way ticket to the funny farm.

Answer 2

I'm in the minority opinion on this, but I'll tell you what I think anyway.

Spells and magic are psychological devices, based on symbolism, self-hypnosis and positive reinforcement that are used to affect internal change. When people try and use them to affect external change, psychologically they filter the information and selectively notice things that are "results" of their spell.

Magic is not supernatural. No one has ever defied the laws of physics, no matter what Hollywood shows. Spells/magic can be very effective, when used appropriately. After all, if you can change yourself, you can change your world.

Edit: As to how to "undo" what someone has done to you magically, well, I say that anything you think they've done is perception bias. Or, a self-fulfilling curse, where you think you're cursed and so act negatively and draw your own bad luck.

Answer 3

What is a spell > a prayer to the Goddess.
How does it work> By Faith!
how do you undo or protect your self from a spell> depends on your own faith path.

Answer 4

Those that know what they're doing don't need to "undo" what they've done because they've given it careful consideration. And protecting yourself from someone else's spells is almost laughable because we don't just throw spells/curses at each other for kicks. Spells are basically like a very focused prayer. Being able to focus is key.

Answer 5

A spell is basically focused energy. There has been proof found by quantum physicists that our thought energy can effect changes in matter. Everything else in ceremonial magic or whatever form the caster chooses is just focus points for raising that energy. Protection amulets are made through focusing energy into the item and visualizing said item actually protecting you.

Answer 6

You should start by understanding that there is no more powerful force in your life than your own will. No one can overpower you without your permission.

Once you understand that, you can dispel any spell in six simple words: "You have no power over me."

Watch "Labyrinth" if you want a demonstration of how this works. Good luck.

Answer 7

a "spell" or ritual is just a focus of intention. IMO it's no different than praying or meditating. For example, one person may pray for a sick friend to become well, a pagan or Wiccan may hold a ritual and bring that person's name into the sacred circle. They may burn candles with certain scents or colors associated with healing etc. They may visualize send the sick person healing energies, etc.

Answer 8

A spell is merely the concentrated focus of energy and will to accomplish some sort of change.

There are lots of stupid people who don't know anything about Magick who think that we say rhymes and things happen. This only shows that they don't know a whit about what they are talking about, and that they think that by stupidly making fun of people that they can somehow puff themselves up. They are ignorant fools and not worth listening to.

Magick is about clearly defining goals and doing what it takes to accomplish them. All of your energy, psychic, emotional, physical, is focussed on that goal.

It may involve a change in the way you do things. It may involve investing cash to achieve a goal. It may involve exercise.

A spell to find love might involve going places to meet people. It might involve exercise if you are overweight. Some will claim that this would work anyway, and that magick isn't involved. The magick is in the CHANGE IN THE PERSON. It is in the change in attitudes that allow the person to change to find what they are looking for.

A spell to have a successful business will require work. Magick doesn't happen without work. Magick doesn't happen with a snap of a finger or words from Harry Potter.

Magick is about changing one's life and the world one lives in to come into accord with one's will. Whatever it takes to make this happen is the stuff of magick.

Witches don't ride brooms in the sky. Witches can't change a person into a toad. Magick doesn't work outside the laws of the universe. It is about working WITH the laws of the universe to effect change.

Rhymes help us to focus our thought. They don't have power in themselves. The whole point of magick is in focusing thought and energy.

It isn't "magic" like praying to God and somehow he violates all the laws of nature and makes the impossible happen. That simply doesn't work. I've never seen or heard of an amputee getting a limb back by an act of God. Nor can Magick do that.

Magick allows us to change our situations. It can result in a wealthy life, if we are willing to focus our wills and energies to accomplish that. It can allow us to be successful in most any venture, if we are willing to work for it.

Is magick more effective than simple hard work? Yes. Magick permits us to focus our energy more sharply. It permits us to visualize what we want. In seeing our goals, we can accomplish them easier.

Can magick heal? Yes. Most Witches who have set themselves to serious study have studied herbalism and other arts. Is this magick, or is it herbs? To the Wiccan, it is both.

Some people heal with Crystals. Is this Magick or is it a placebo effect? Wiccans would say it is both. Magick is the use of the will, and in that sense, the placebo effect is part of will. It is magick.

Magick is NOT, once again, some force which acts outside the laws of nature. It is using ALL that is within one's grasp, with the focus of one's will to achieve goals. Spells are merely systematic tools with which one may accomplish this.

Answer 9

Personal i think that witches used to be real and now the people that want to be a witch turns themselves into being "Gothic and Emo" and for a spell i have no idea how that works or how they seem to make them but ok anyway the so called witches probably get them out of a book and think they work

Answer 10

uhh dude you can just look on the net, the way wiccans cast spells and charms vary from person to person,all you need to do is belive in it but then again i don't recommend you getting into these stuff