So, you want to be a witch? #5
Part one talks about spells, wards, sigils, cleansing, divination and more!
Part two talks about grimoires, crystals, wands, altars and more!
Part three talks about this vs. that for a lot of the common terms you hear!
Part four talks about types of witches, deities and more!
It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when youāre first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it. *And please note that you do not have to do every thing I listed, this is just an overview of basic terms/things some witches do.*
This post is a little different than the other ones, itās all about casting spells!
Grounding and cleansing yourself:
It often is harder to focus on a spell if you are stuck in your own thoughts or have the energies from the day on you. Iāll often start with cleansing myself, by burning a sage or cedar herb bundle, and then sit and take some focused breaths and becoming present in my body.
Casting a circle:
Many witches cast circles as a way to protect themselves from outside energies or unwanted spirits while theyāre performing magic. You can use the elements, a salt circle, invoking a deity, etc. Click the links to learn more!Ā [X] [X] It is recommend you stay in the circle until you finish the spell and close the circle.
Drawing energy from something:
(So you donāt draw all the energy from yourself, which can be draining). Energy can be drawn from the elements, from crystals, deities, and many other things. This can be done by visualization and energy work or by asking.Ā
Casting the spell:
This is when you use your ingredients and the guidelines of the spell. It is best to be completely focused so try to avoid having distractions (like your phone) and have everything you need ready to go.Ā
Closing any loopholes:
Often, this is not included in the written spell so this is up to you. I usually write a list of loopholes I want to close before starting this process, so itās handy when Iām finished with the spell! If itās a spell you want to come to light in a certain way or by a certain time, this is when you clarify that. This post has more info [X]
Completing the spell and dispelling any energies:
Once you have finished with the loopholes, finishing the spell can be as simple asĀ āthis spell is now completeā. I recommend dispelling any energies you called on and returning them to where they belong. If you didnāt cast a circle, now is the time to rid of anything you may have attracted by performing your spell.
Closing the circle:
Closing a circle is fairly simple! All you have to do is the reverse of how you cast it. (If it was with smoke for example, you would then undo the circle by burning the bundle in the opposite direction).
Cleansing and grounding:
Cleansing here is optional, depends on the spell, how youāre feeling, and if you want to do it. Grounding is highly recommended. This can come in many forms. I often use water, putting drops on the key points of my face (forehead, eyelids, cheeks, nose, lips and chin) and sit while taking focused breaths.
Other considerations:
Consent: If you are casting a spell on a specific person and they do not know or they have not given you permission, you do not have their consent. Spells cast to bring a general thing (to attract love instead of to make a specific person fall in love with you), with permission, or on yourself donāt need consent/already have it!
Ingredients: Ingredients are often an important part of the spell and are included for a reason. They either represent a part of the spell, what the spell is trying to accomplish or are something you can draw energy from.
Alternative ingredients: If you canāt get your hands on a certain ingredient, you can almost always use a substitute ingredient. Just use correspondences and trust your gut while searching for the perfect substitute. Many people believe: Clear quartz = any crystal, Rosemary = any herb, Rose = any flower. But really, look at what that ingredient is meant to bring to the spell, then find an alternative that still brings that!
Discarding used ingredients: (Click me)
Belief: If you donāt believe the spell is going to work - it probably wonāt. To combat this, take the time to find a spell you really believe will work and write a list of ways you might expect it to present in your life.
Intention: Similar to belief. Iāve performed magic only using a pen, paper, and my powerful intentions. The more powerfully you want something and bring it into your life, the more likely it is to appear. Intent is the end goal, why youāre casting the spell.Ā
Deities: I do not use deities in my spellwork (or witchcraft at all). There is a huge amount of respect and connection-building that is required before asking a deity to help with your spell. I tend to avoid spells where a listed ingredient is a deity. (If you do have a connection with a deity, by all means ask them to help you out if that feels right to you!)
Energy: It is common to feel drained after casting a spell. Grounding yourself, casting a circle and drawing energy from other things all help with this, but allow yourself some time to recover. [X]
When your spell fails: (click me)
Nullifying your spell: (click me)
Writing your own spells:Ā [X] [X] [X] [X]
Related posts: [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
(Click here for the other parts in this series!)
