Pagan Information Question # 11. What is a Spell?

Question

Do you do them? Are they the first thing you do or is that a means of last resort?

My pat answer is, A spell is a prayer with Props. And NO, my spells are the means of last resort. I rarely end up having to use spells to get what I want done. I look at spellwork like trying to kill a mosquito using a howitzer. I'd rather use just enough to get the job done and not one bit more. So I use every mundane means to accomplish the task BEFORE I rely on using help from the spirit world.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

LOL Kreagan, I love the humor.

Picador, That's EXACTLY what it IS. I am asking these questions from the non-pagan perspective. These questions are questions that many of us have been asked in the past. The point being to have in ONE central area, a set of questions and various viewpoints that non-pagans can easily go to and actually SEE for themselves as many of the different viewpoints of the various "Pagan Religions". Had you looked at Pagan Information Question #1 you would have understood that. Y!A users will just have to type in Pagan Information and the whole list of questions will come up in the results and they will be able to browse through the list of results and find the question that they are curious about and read all the answers to get their information.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Blue Fire, that is the point. If YOU and many others also take that point of view then we run the risk of over exploiting the available energy of the Earth. Yes the Earth has a LOT of available energy and most IS recyled. However, the Earth's eneergy is NOT unlimited. The universe's energy is not unlimited. There exists absolutely NOTHING in existance that is unlimited
Additionally, we as witches, are supposed to be abvle to learn and advance in our knowledge and wisdom. Part of that process is learning to do what we can for ourselves without having to rely on calling on the energies and spirits that exist to solve every single problem that we encounter. We ARE creatures of the Mundane level of existence. As such, we need to be able to function on that level as well. For us to constantly rely upon the Spiritual/Energy level for ALL of our needs cripples us in our mandane life functions. to be continued:

We run the risk of being able to learn and advance. When we treat the universe as a child, constantly asking it to do things for us, we fail to learn how to do them for ourselves. the universe REQUIRES that we grow and learn. Like a doting parent, they will provide for a YOUNG child for the first years of growth, after a while the parents willl require that the child do for him/herself more and more. The objective being, to make sure that the child has the skills and abilities to survive on his/her own.
As a Witch, YOU have the responsibility to increase the overall "pool" of knowldege, if you fail to learn then you have nothing to contribute and become a parasite on the universe rather than a contributing member of it. The universe has a sneaky way of cutting off that energy flow to you and can and will do so without warning. Also, following the law of Karma, it will do so at the MOST inopportune tim, in order to awaken you to the abilities that YOU have within yourself.

BB, Raji

Answer 1

You might want to repost this in R&S- this is the wrong section I noticed. Which would explain all the weird answers.

A spell is a sort of organized form of magic... which is, of course, the accumulation and direction of energy. I too only use spells as a last resort. I know I'm strong enough to work out my problems without pulling out the big guns all the time.

Answer 2

Dear Raji,
I do spells, but I did them a lot more when I first got started in the Craft. As I learned and grew up, I only do spells that I write into my Sabbat ritual, I did an awesome one for the Nov. Morning moon. Also, if I feel really hectic or down or tired, I have some spells that I can do w/out circle casting and they work great. I have only done spells for myself, my hubby, and brother, and they are not Wiccan but asked me for help. The spells I did for others worked faster than the ones I do for myself. I usually give my spell, unless it's for the long term, one moon cycle to work. If it hasn't, I did it wrong, or it wasn't meant to be. I have more spells work than don't, but plenty still fail or turn out with unexpected results. I work best with candles, colors, crystals and stones, and I'm getting better with herbs.
I've only done one banishing, and I did it after I contacted the proper authorities. To my surprise, the banishing worked the fast and had the most obvious results.

Answer 3

It depends. It is difficult to define. There are four most common forms of a spell. It can be like a prayer. It can be a "medicinal" spell, using natural energies or properties of stones, herbs, etc. Aromatherapy can be this kind of spell. As can "Mom's Special Recipe Chicken Soup". It can be sympathetic magic in which you use the law of attraction to bring about the object of you desire; health, prosperity, patience, etc. A spell can also be a focusing of the will that brings about a desired result. Often, a spell is all four in one. I hope that helps.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

My spells are not a last resort. When I have a goal to acheive, I am focusing my energy at that goal. You don't need props for spells. You cast a spell when you focus your will upon something. Getting a job, attuning with Nature, healing, inspiration. Why wouldn't you want to use all that you have to complete a goal?

Spells for me are first action.

Answer 6

Actually a spell is a measurement of time. For example: I went over to cousin Flora's and we sat and talked for a spell. Hmmmm, now that you mention it....I always thought she was a witch.

Answer 7

I do sometimes.
they're ususally a last resort or close to it;
very very rarely are they the first or second thought/action.


Blessings.

Answer 8

Yes I do them, but they are also a last resort for me.

Answer 9

For a person with your self-identification to ask such a question is like a rabbi asking "What does Passover mean?"

Answer 10

Spells are just mythical nonsense. The idea of a spell that actually works is like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.