Wicca, Spells, Magic, and Whatnot

Wicca is widespread in the Internet. As you browse for Wicca, you will always tumble upon spells and magic.

This is because part of Wiccans’ ritual practices is casting spells in an attempt to change the present system of the physical world. You might have heard Wiccan spells for healing, love, fertility, or success. These examples are often called the white magic. Distinct from these kinds of spells is the black magic. The latter one is popular since the ancient times because it is associated with evil and Satanism. There are many who argue that black should be eliminated in describing the negative magic because the color has nothing to do with Satan.

It is important therefore to know the roots of Wicca to be able to delineate the good and bad in its practices.

Wicca is a pagan religion that believes in both the gods and goddesses—a belief that is comparable to the Taoist belief in yin yang. The god is associated with nature, wilderness, hunting, and sexuality. The goddess is pre-eminent.

Magic is part of Wiccan practices. This is often called the witchcraft or sorcery. This magic is defined as a science and art to effect change according to will. For them, magic is a law of nature. Others even say magic exists because it works for them.

There is no set of ethical codes followed by Wiccans in all kinds of traditions; however, several Wiccan practitioners follow the Wiccan Rede, a statement that guides them to a certain moral system.

Wiccan Rede states that “an it harm none, do what ye will.” The word “rede” came from the Middle English. It means advice or counsel. The first word “an” used to be a conjunction that means “if” in an old Middle English language. Further, the word “ye” means you.

The Wiccan Rede tells about the liberty to act while taking accountability to every consequence of such action.

Wiccans follow the Law of Threefold Return too. This is similar to karma of Hindus. It tells about the consequences and rewards of every action. Every good or bad deed a person does to another, it will return to that person with triple force.

Gerald Gardner introduced both the Wiccan Rede and the threefold return.

Several Wiccan traditions believe in five elements especially in consecrating a magic circle. This circle is usually used in casting spells. The five elements are Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Aether or spirit. Five different points of the pentagram represent each sign. The pentagram is a fundamental shape in every Wiccan tradition. Other symbols include the triquetra and the tirple moon symbol. This belief is similar to Christianity’s crucifix.

Moreover, Wicca does not follow any particular book. The Book of Shadows is just a collection of spells, which has been continually updated and added. It contained the procedures of religious poetry and chants too. An example of a ritual written in the book is the ritualized sex magic. It is performed in Grand Rite.

Preparing For A Spell

Casting spells is not just about reading incantations and using candles and incense. There are more to it that reading lines and waiting for the outcome. For some, especially Wiccans, using or casting spells is a part of their religious belief. This could be an equivalent of a prayer. Casting spells is considered to be an intentional use of the universe’s power that already exists around us.

Casting or using spells would require meditation and directing the spell-caster’s spiritual energy into the desired outcome. Directing your personal energy means that a person should have an understanding of the power “within” the person. For example, casting a spell may require some items like candles, etc. The spell-caster should evoke imagery and visualize the goal while holding the items. This practice would direct the energy towards the items which would help in achieving the goals.

There are strict guidelines that should be followed when casting or using spells. Wiccans would follow the “The Wiccan Rede” which states that “do what ye will, harm ye none.” This clearly states that Wiccans could perform rituals and spells but its effect or consequences should be recognized first. For harm done to others and nature, “will return three-fold.” Spell-casting cannot be used for anger, revenge, and jealousy.

Aside from being clear with your intensions, you should also be clear in what situation you will be using the spell. There are different kinds of spells, all depending on the situation. There are healing, love, energy, wealth, peace and other kinds of spells.

There are spells which can be modified to suit the needs and situation of the spell-caster. There are some spells which would require the spell-caster to use the exact words, while some would say that those spells which are spoken by the spell-caster’s own words are more pure and powerful.

Spell-casting would also use different tools or methods. These tools would contain the energy which can be used to represent your desires and goals. There are different kinds of tools like oils, candles, cards, stones, runes, etc. Most of the times, the object used is something associated with the objective or intent. For example, if it is a money spell, loose change can be used as a tool.

The location where to cast the spell is also important. Wiccans believe that we are in one with nature. They may have some rituals and practices which would require them to be with nature, however, spell-casting can also be done privately. Some Wicca followers would often conduct their practices secretly, not only to avoid public persecution but to contain their energies and direct them towards their goal.

When casting a spell, it is important to keep it mind that we are using our energy and directing it to achieve a desired outcome. The universe is full of energy. Therefore, there could be negative energy which could interfere with how we use ours. Performing privately would ensure that our energy and our spell are not disturbed.

Another common problem among spell-casters is the timing. Some spells would require specific time to perform them. Adapting to time phase could be hard. There are some expert spell-catchers who would say that performing spells under a full moon, for instance, is not that important. It can increase the potency of the spell, but it is the intention which is more important. Directing our mind and spiritual energy towards our objective would be the determining factor on how effective our spells would be.

Kinds Of Spells

Spells are simply active prayers. Just like prayers, spells are used to catalyze or create change in one’s life or someone else’s, most often that of a loved one.

They are petitions to the Higher Powers to create the change. Spells are used to connect with our divine selves using our own energies to create changes.

Ordinarily, Wiccans/Witches will not perform a spell for anyone who has not asked and had given them permission. Spells, like those that use love magic to gain the good graces of an individual or curses are considered manipulative.

Anything that manipulates or goes against the free will of anybody is considered wrong.

Wiccan spells

The Old English term for witch is Wicca. They used it to counter all the negative stereotypes that society gave to witchcraft.

Wiccans use spells. These are rituals and prayers carried out to ask for divine help in a certain aspect of life. However, these must adhere to the Wiccan Rede, the witchcraft code of conduct.

The overall consideration is that any spell used to manipulate, dominate, or control another person is forbidden. The Wiccan Rede rules that a witch may engage in any action as long as it is carefully considered and that their actions do not harm anyone including themselves.

All of witchcraft is ruled by the Threefold Law. This is the belief that any action taken by any witch affecting another person will come back to the witch threefold, whether good or bad.

Constructive spells

Constructive spells should be done during the waxing of the moon, the time when the moon is full and bright. These are spells performed for luck, some fertility rites and spells used for protection.

To achieve the best end results, all witches agree that spells should be practiced while in a positive mood. Most often, too, in the practice of witchcraft, they have aids in spells to guarantee good results.

These aids in witchcraft, believed to have magical properties, include different herbs and leaves. One example is the bay leaf used often to invoke positive energy.

Consecration or Purification

The dictionary defines consecration as a “formal dedication to a religious or divine purpose.” In the practice of witchcraft, consecration should be practiced before any tool can be used.

Consecration is a form of purification and is done with salt, water and incense. These all stand for the five elements of nature – water, earth, fire, air and spirit.

It is important that consecration used for witchcraft be done in a positive state of mind. This will incorporate the spirit part of the elements.

Consecration is actually to ask for and gain approval of the God and Goddess for what is about to be performed.

Wiccan God and Goddess

In witchcraft, all spells are basically used to channel the power of the Wiccan God and Goddess to initiate positive changes and for the resolution of problems. In this regard, a spell-giver must know the phase of the moon is in while performing the spells.

As an example, it is best to do banishing spells in the waning of the moon when it is dark. Sample spells include hope for the end of illness, warding off destructive insects in farms, and many others.