I would like to start with descriptions of magick. Some people like to talk about white magick and black magick. I do not like these terms. Some people talk about positive and negative magick. This is more helpful nomenclature, but still I think there are better terms. I like to think of magic as beneficial versus harmful. While I talk about magick, I will use these terms. Note that I spell the word magick with a “k”. This distinguishes the magick we do from kind the of magic that a stage magician does. According to Urban Dictionary this is the definition of magick: “Not to be confused with stage “magic.” Magick is art of utilizing natural forces to bring about a change. Magick is neutral, neither good, nor evil. The practitioner decides how they would like to focus this natural energy.” Yes, magick is a tool and as such inherently is not beneficial or harmful. It is how magick is used that leads to a discussion of these issues that surround it. Also the forces involved in the creation of magick are scientifically unexplained. Otherwise I could type something on my computer, print it out and call it magick. This is my definition: “The art and science of influencing scientifically unexplained forces for a desired outcome through Will.” Even though the forces used to create magick are unexplained through science, we use science in magick. Think about healing and the uses of herbs. Magick is most definitely an art as well. For example, cooking is both an art and a science and is very magickal. The desired outcome is the goal of the magick or a spell. Will is the power that activates magick. Magic is not just a few words or like wriggling your nose like Samantha in “Bewitched”. To do magick requires a lot of work, creativity, learning and planning. Be prepared to do the mundane footwork along with your magick for it to work.
Most of us Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede and abide by the Threefold Law. See my post titled, “The Wiccan Code of Conduct”. This is where beneficial versus harmful magick discussion comes in. There is some magick that on the surface you might not consider to be potentially harmful. The classic example of this kind of magick is a love spell directed at someone. First to protect yourself from harm, think about your own readiness for love. Do not forget that harming none includes not harming yourself. The target of a love spell may not be happy loving you and who knows, may not be ready for love. Magick is generally reserved for things we cannot resolve in more mundane ways. So try telling this person that you really like him/her and ask this person on a date. If you are looking for love in general try a magickal working to make yourself more attractive and to advertise to the universe that you are looking for a relationship. What about protection magick? Magick that bounces harmful energies back to the sender is considered causing harm. However a witches’ bottle which has a rusty bent nail or shards of glass to tear apart and trap harmful energies is considered not to cause harm to a person. Think through your strategies for protection well. These are a couple examples of magick in which you need to think about the harm that a work of magick could cause. These are just examples. Think about the benefits and harm you would do with all magick and indeed all actions you take in life.
So, what do you need to create magick?
We talk a lot about intention with magick. Do you have a burning desire? And is this desire realistic or something necessary? We will go back to our example of love. Are you ready for a loving relationship? This would be a huge commitment in your life. A spell might backfire if you are not ready, and if you do succeed in finding a relationship you might be miserable if you are not ready. On the other hand, you may have a burning desire to get a job. Let us face it, you need groceries and the rent is due. A job is something you have to be ready for. You may be in a job you hate. You may very well have a burning desire to look for a job more suited to you. This desire equates to Will and is a force that activates the magick. A strong desire will give your magick the power boost it needs to achieve your goal. Too much desire that leaves you frazzled can weaken your magick. Part of intention is knowing yourself and knowing what your wants and needs are. Know that some of your wants may at least be put on the back burner. Have confidence that your magick will bring your important spells to fruition.
You need a connection to the target of your magick. The easiest and best target for your magick is guess who? Yourself. If your magick involves someone else, a consideration must be made. Ethically you need to get this person’s permission. If you are doing the magick from any distance, you will need things that connect to that person. The more items you use the stronger your connection will be. It may be a part of the person such as a lock of hair or fingernails. You may use a picture of that person or something with his/her fingerprints or footprints. Use a candle of a specific color to represent that person. The color of the candle might correspond with his/her astrological sign. You also need actions and items to correspond with a goal that you desire. For example, a couple having sex in a fields encourages the crops to grow. Or if you have a burning desire to be rich, you might put a pile of pennies in a spell box and burn a green candle. Follow up with mundane work. What are your strengths? Find employment that fits your strengths and will make you rich. Are you the next Jeopardy champion? Take the online test.
Concentration is something else you need to create magick. You need to be able to concentrate on the target and the goal for the magick to work. Practice at meditation will help strengthen your ability to concentrate. How you meditate is up to you. I suggest deep breathing and something for your meditative focus. Examples of items you can focus on are a candle, crystals or a tree.
Now you need to send the spell. This is where you use power through yourself from the earth or deity and send it to accomplish the spell. This is using your Will. Sing, chant and/or dance to build the power, then send the spell in a single burst or waves. Do not forget to ground afterwards. And what do you do with the remains of a spell? Respectfully bury, leave as an offering or burn those items that are not meant to be kept. Water a plant with clear (not salt) water. Use water to clear crystals of energies and they can be used again.
Things that are important to keep in mind are:
Do not try working magick that is in a language that is foreign to you.
Do not do magick that goes against what you feel or believe.
Do not attempt magick that will manipulate another person’s free will.
Do rewrite a spell so that it fits your needs and desires.
Enjoy learning more about magick and create your own spell.
On the date of this post the moon is a waxing gibbous. This is a great time to do magick to attract something to you.
I will continue to post on Wednesdays.
Auburn Greene
Suggested Investigation:
Lipp, Deborah. Magical Power for Beginners: How to Raise and Send Energy for Spells That Work, Llewellyn, 2017. I highly recommend this book. It is a comprehensive book on creating magick.
Telesco, Patricia. Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders: Modern Magic for Everyday Life, Crossing Press, 1995. This book has a lot of good spells.
Weinstein, Marion. Personal Magic: A Modern-Day Book of Shadows for Positive Witches, Weiser Books, 2003. This book is a classic.
Windmoon, Evadne. Urban Dictionary, August 13, 2003, urban dictionary.com/define.php?terms=Magick
My Inner Wiccan 