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

Thak you Baron for noticing that it was in the wrong section and telling me. I didn't even notice that at all. LOL. No idea how it got into Words and Wordplay. LOL

Raji

LOL Cheryl, you're a wordy sort of person too?
Raji

Answer 1

Dear Raji,

Another great question. Of course, there are many Witches and many different kinds of Witches, all with many different ways of doing spell work, and no way is wrong.

I personally learned a lot about spell casting from reading Green Witchcraft (it just so happens, I am not trying to kiss anyone's behind here!) and I learned how and WHEN to cast a spell. As you said, it is not something you do if you can accomplish your goal by using a more mundane way. Spell work requires energy. As you said, it is like a prayer. For me, a spell has certain steps. First, a specific goal must be clear cut in my mind. I then find something that relates to the goal, something in the natural world, like a rock or a leaf. Then, if possible, I go to the place where I want the goal to happen, and I allow myself to be in the physical space, and with focused concentration, I VISUALIZE the goal as having been accomplished. I may use a candle, and incense, perhaps a crystal, to help with my concentration. This is where the use of energy comes in. I must go through the steps mentally of seeing the goal as undone, as in the process of being done, and most important, as HAVING BEEN COMPLETED. When I have focused and visualized the goal, when I have seen it done, then it is like it is a truism and will come to pass, maybe soon, maybe later, but it will happen and can't be stopped.

I am realistic in my spell work, and I don't try work that is outside the real world of what can be accomplished, nor do I cast for anything that is not related to myself. I don't like to go to that place where people want you to cast harmful spells, and I tell them I can't. That is not what this is about, and it is often hard for non Witches to understand what I do. When it comes to magic and other people, I can often tell them things that might be helpful for their lives, but this isn't spell work.

The other thing about a spell for me, is that it requires action. When I have seen the goal as done, and know what steps are required to get it done, I don't sit on my rear end and wait for it to happen. I blow out the candle, put out the incense, and get busy. For me, Witchcraft and spell work are not passive, but very much action-generating forces that guide my steps and zing and spring into life when I need them.

This is a terrific series of questions and answers, and as I said before, I have learned a lot from all the other answers, because we don't all do things the same way, and we can all learn from each other!

Bright Blessings!
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 2

Raji, I have been trying to explain to others what a spell is to me, and you have done so simply what I have always needed to be so wordy about.
"A spell is a prayer with Props." I agree 100%
I wouldn't say casting a spell for me is a first or last resort, I pretty much would cast a spell/pray and take other actions at the same time, sort of to cover every base to get the job done as best I can. I might be able to do it on my own, I might need a deity's assistance. No way to know and no harm doing both, IMO.

Answer 3

To me a spell is another form of prayer, but one on which I can focus my physical energy into doing something physically constructive.
Yes, and they might not always be a last resort, but they certainly are not my first resort.
So we are in agreement with this than, but I also look at the situation, because my family has been on the recieving end of bad magic, long story, when bad spirits come in the house I tend do do a cleansing immediately. My house is also riddled with protection spells and charms, but not enough as to confuse them.
I often ask for council and advice from spirits, but that is only because we have so many "friendlies," and they often provide another perspective of situations.

Answer 4

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 5

I see magical and mundane actions as complementary. They each work in different levels of reality. A spell can help augment your mundane actions--if you take them. A spell doesn't have to rely on deities or spirits, either--it's perfectly possible to work magic entirely by your own effort.

A spell tends to be a more practical form of magic, so I'll utilize such a thing if I'm in need of an extra boost to get a job, or other such things. However, I also use metamorphic magic to help undo bad conditioning and dig deeper into my psyche--in those cases, a spell is rather too simple to really be effective.

Answer 6

A spell is the use of magic for a practical purpose. (I don't consider circle casting, consecration or other religious uses of energy to be spells.) Like all magic, it is accomplished through the focus of will. Chants, stones, incense, tools and other accoutrements are frequently employed to assist in the focus of that will.

I rarely use them. Mundane means are generally more efficient, so I always exhaust mundane options first and then, if needed, use a spell to reinforce those mundane means. I generally use magic only on myself for both ethical and practical reasons.

Answer 7

To me, a spell is the drawing of and manipulation of energies to help bring about a favorable outcome. Granted it does not work every time for every thing.

So far I haven't had an opportunity and/or reason to do a spell, but I think of them as last resorts.

Answer 8

I agree with you. I do a spell as a last resort, after all other methods have failed. Lately it's gotten to where all I have to do is think about what I'd like to happen in a situation and it begins to turn around.... weird. Probably the gods are just trying to avoid having to listen to me yammer on in a spell...

Answer 9

Spells should always be a last resort, except when protecting from something that nothing else can protect against.

Goddess Bless.
Blessed Be.

Answer 10

A spell is conscious will. A spell is active prayer. A spell is consorting consciously with nature to have one's will done.