Writing your own spells & rituals

How To Write a Spell or Ritual

Many who are new to Witchcraft want spells to use. As I have emphasized on other pages, the most potent spell is the one that is created by the practitioner. But how do you do that? Spell crafting *is* a craft, and like all crafts the only way to learn and hone your skill is by trial and error. Here is a simple guide line for crafting effective spells.

(Although I will be using the word spell through out this essay, rituals are created the same way).

The first thing to do is ask yourself is if a spell is actually necessary. Not everything in life requires magick, and it's not something that should be abused or used frivolously. It's best to try and deal with a situation as best you can before casting a spell.

Keep in mind that spells don't work on their own. It's your personal power that makes them effective during and after the spell. Sitting around expecting a spell to work makes it a futile effort. If you perform a spell, you must also take action to make it effective. If you cast a spell to attract love into your life (not a particular person!) and sit around hoping they knock at your door, don't hold your breath. Just as doing a spell to protect your home and leaving all the doors and windows unlocked, it defeats the purpose of the spell. Now that I've made that clear...on to the spell :)

Determine Its Purpose - What *exactly* is it for? Think about this carefully and be very specific. 'I need protection', is not a clear purpose. What do you need this protection for? Travel, walking through a dangerous neighborhood, your home..etc? Each need is different.

Once you have clearly determined the purpose it's time to start putting the spell together. The first step is to decide what materials you need. You will find references to candle colours, moon phases, herbs, and elements throughout the site to help you decide what is right for the spell. How many materials you use is entirely up to you. An effective spell can consist of no tools whatsoever. Go with your instincts and what feels right for you.

Now that you have decided what your going to use it's time to start drafting the spell itself. I suggest that you write down a full explanation of the purpose of the spell, why you are doing it, and what you want the outcome to be. This is especially important for beginners as having your own words in front of you brings added clarity. Read this as you begin the spell.

During any spell or ritual chanting is used to raise power. Compose an appropriate chant, preferably one that rhymes.

Now it's time to put the finishing touches on your spell. Read it through carefully and make any changes or additions. Be sure to include any actions (burning a piece of paper), moon phase, and preparations, such as a purification ritual, you may wish to do before the ritual. Remember that this will be going into your Book Of Shadows, so it's important to keep a record of when it was performed and so on.

          Wiccan Symbols

Wiccan Symbols and Meanings

Ankh: The Ankh is the Egyptian symbol of eternal life. The ankh consists of a circle on top of a "T". the circle is a bit elongated.

Circle: The circle is a symbol known worldwide in many different cultures. It represents the woman, eternity, cycles, seasons. It is the representation of the wheel of the year, the wheel of fortune, and the wheel of life. The circle is also a term used when one does ritual since one "casts a circle" between the worlds. This is really not the case. When one casts a circle, it is actually a sphere. One must be protected both from above and below. The circle is equidistant in all directions that pass through its center, and therefore focuses energy like a radar dish...right into the center. This is why the circle is a powerful symbol throughout the world.

Crescent Moon: The crescent moon is a symbol of the Goddess. The crescent moon can be either waxing (going towards the full moon), or waning going towards the new moon). The waxing moon is great for doing magickal workings that have to do with growth, creativity, etc. The waning moon is for the opposite, for example, banishing negativity. The crescent moons also symbolize two of the aspects of the Goddess. The waxing moon symbolizes the maiden, and the waning moon symbolizes the crone.

Faery Star: The faery star is a 7 pointed star used, I believe, to attract the faery folk.

Pentacle: The pentacle is a 5 pointed star. The pentacle is the symbol of many things. It is the symbol of wo/man, the elements, and many other things. The pentacle is found in many places in nature. Many flowers have only 5 petals, an apple cut crosswise shows a pentacle, and these are just 2 examples. The pentacle is also a symbol of the male aspect of Deity.

Pentagram: The pentagram is a pentacle surrounded by a circle. It combines the properties of both the pentacle and the circle. Thus it represents the union of the God and Goddess.

Triangle: The triangle is the strongest geometric form. It cannot collapse unless one of it's joints give out. The triangle can be used to represent the 4 basic elements, earth, air, fire. and water.

Seal of Solomon: The seal of Solomon is depicted by two triangles. One right side up, and one inverted on top of it. It is also called the star of David. It is used extensively in Quaballistic and Cerimonial Magick.

Spiral: The spiral is symbolic of a snake, of the weaving of ones life. The spiral dance is a wonderful way to raise energy during ritual. You start in a circle, then one person breaks the circle, and leads the others into a spiral into the center of the circle, then turns at the center, and leads everyone back out again. The spiral is a symbol of life.