A
Pagan Primer - 20
Spells
In
this episode of A Pagan Primer, we’ll take a look at what spells are and give
you enough material to try a simple spell on your own. This isn’t a strict
recipe … it’s not meant to be exacting directions to cast a spell, but more of
an idea or outline.
In
many Pagan paths, especially Wicca, spells are the meat and potatoes. It’s with
spells that we let our intentions be known and try to effect some change in our
lives and in our world.
First,
it describes magic as both a science and an art. When it speaks of magic as a
science it indicates that there is more to magic than mere wishcraft.
Magic is more than fortuitous coincidence; it’s testable and repeatable. If
we’re able to perform it correctly, the results will be predictable.
When
we describe magic as an art, we start to recognize that there are many ways to
perform magic. To religious people, this results in the wonderful variety of
religions that exist on our planet.
Every
religion has its magic; from the spells that Pagans use to the prayers offered
up by other religions, we all have some way to express our desires and hopes
and worries to deity and the universe. This variety is the art of magic.
The
last word of
I
can desire a candy bar or a bicycle, and some people might say that it is my
“will” to have these things,
That though, is a different use of the word than that we use in
magick. Will, in Paganism is closely
analogous to “faith” in Christianity. Christians will often speak of faith as
expressing their needs to God, and knowing that God will fulfill them … it is a
desire that is in accord with the will of God.
In
Paganism, we don’t ask deity to place an imprimatur on our will. Rather, when
we’ve closely examined our desires, our life’s path, our needs, and determined
what we need to continue that path, we know what it is that we will … our will
becomes that which enables us to live our purpose. Where we have some control
over our purpose, our will can change over time, but it is still something more
than mere desire.
So,
we’ve discovered our will, the things that facilitate our lives … how then, do
we do “magic” to cause these things to come about?
Believe
it or not, the process of discernment, the definition of our “will” is the
first part of that magic. The first part is in determining what, exactly, is
truly important to us because that is a process of focussing on what we need
and desire and want and will.
The
next part is the part that “looks” like magic. It’s a plan that enables us to
focus our intent on achieving that will, and, more importantly, in expressing
that will to deity and the universe.
For
those of us who have children, we’ve often heard our children asking for
something, but doing so with a thumb in their mouth, or mumbling. Usually when
they are asking for something this way, it’s a want … something that if they
are distracted a bit, that they might even forget about. When they truly want
something, they are likely more clear.
As
parents, when our children speak to us unclearly, we’ll tell them to speak more
clearly, to take their fingers out of their mouth, not to speak with food in
their mouth … we’re telling them to clear up the channel of communication.
That’s
what a spell is … it’s an opening of a clear channel of communication between
us and deity or the universe.
What
do we do to clear up that communication?
The
human mind is an incredible machine. It speaks in the language of symbols. We use
symbols every day, and they have great meaning to us. Smells, shapes, colors,
patterns, even letters on a page. We’ve all had the experience of seeing a
pattern in the midst of visual noise. That’s one way that programmers have of
determining whether a user is a computer or another computer. We see those
characters in a box that a computer asks us to enter when registering for a
service or email account or that sort of thing. Humans are exceptional in
seeing the actual letters that are obfuscated behind visual noise.
In
magic, or a spell, we use symbols to help us focus our intent and our will. We
surround ourselves with colors, scents, words and symbols that will let us
focus every part of our intent, will and thought on achieving a particular
outcome.
So,
when we’re talking about spells, we’re talking about the language of symbols.
Let’s consider that our spell is for our financial will … we’re looking for a finances that will permit us to live a life allows us to
fulfill our life’s purpose. What would the symbols be that we’re looking for?
Part
of our finances involves our work, so symbols of that work might be a part of
our spell. If we’re carpenters, that could be nails or tools or wood. If we’re
writers, we could use symbols such as a pen or ink. We’re looking for a way to
represent our labor, our seeds.
We
can also represent that income with colors. Green is a common color for
increase. It can represent the green leaves of plants; the fruit of the labor
of the farmer. Today, at least in the
Words
and rhythm are also useful tools They help keep us
focussed.
Many
people practicing magic use incense. Frankincense and Myrrh have, for ages
represented prosperity.
So,
let’s take a look at a simple spell that might be used to encourage prosperity.
We’ll work with color, sound, smell, rhythm, rhyme and sound.
When
I’m working on deep meditation, I like to have some music playing, or sounds of
nature. There are lots of CD’s available which can help you get in a meditative
mood. If I’m going to be using a verbal meditation, I prefer something
instrumental … I don’t want other words to compete with my thoughts, but you
can use what works for you. It just needs to be something that doesn’t
overwhelm your thoughts, but allows you to travel freely with them.
As
this spell will be for financial purposes, we’ll focus on the color green. A
green candle, a pen with green ink, perhaps some leaves might be around … maybe
you can have a green altar cloth, maybe you could set
up your altar in a growing fertile garden.
The
rhythm and rhyme are the parts of spells that have been romanticized. From the
old “bubble, bubble, boil and trouble” to the pseudo-Latin spells in the Harry
Potter books, these are the words that we use to focus our intent. We can use
them to call upon the special qualities of a particular deity as well. We’ll
use the Goddess Brighid in this example. Brighid is a goddess of healing of
smiths (craftsmen) and light. We’ll be calling upon her to help us find
employment in our particular field … say, as a carpenter. Let’s come up with a
simple rhyme that might help us focus that intent. It might go something like
Brighid,
goddess of light,
Brighid,
Goddess of healing,
Brighid,
Goddess of the skilled.
Be
with me on this night,
Be
with me in this working,
Be
with me in this spell fulfilled.
My
will is set this night,
I
see my career proceeding,
My
life’s purpose is to be fulfilled.
We
have three sections … we can use the first section while we’re setting up our
altar. The second section can be while we’re lighting our incense and our
candle and beginning to focus our intent. The third section is for use while
we’re actively meditating and visualizing our ultimate outcome. The number
three is important in many magical systems, and the three groups of three is considered powerful and not uncommon.
So,
let’s start … we’ve got our incense, perhaps a green candle (you can get
candles that will burn for 30 minutes or so), maybe a green cloth on which to
work our spell. You might have a small cauldron or bowl that’s fireproof as
well. We might have a paper on which to write our intentions. We’ve got our
music and a CD player. We’ve chosen a time when we won’t be interrupted (and
that’s one reason why many spells are done at night).
Put
on the music, and use the first part of the meditation as you set up your
symbols. Know who Brighid is, and know that she’s with you. Spend some time
with her.
Then
light th candle and incense.
Using the second part of the meditation, spend more time with Brighid; know
that she is with you and listening. Take some time and write your intentions,
your will on your paper. Focus on what it is that you intend to have happen.
See it clearly. Watch the candle burn and know that your intention, your will
is being offered up to the universe.
Moving
into the third section of the meditation as the candle is burning down. If
you’ve written your intention on paper, you can light it on the candle and see
it being consumed and taken up by the universe. Watch it being consumed, and
deposit it in the cauldron before your fingers are burned. Know that your will
and your purpose are being brought to fruition by the universe.
When
your paper has been consumed, the candle consumed, the incense consumed, you
can take the ashes and remains and remand them as well to the universe. You can
place them in the ground or in a stream, knowing that what you have done will
not be ineffective.
Many
people will think that this is the end of the spell. Actually, it’s the
beginning. What you’ve done here is to start something rolling … you’ve put the
key in the ignition and started the engine, but someone needs to drive the car.
From
this point, you need to keep your eyes open for opportunity … you’ll possibly
hear of jobs in your field, but you still need to fill out applications and
show up for interviews. You need to let people know what you’re looking for.
The
spell that you worked is like charging a battery … it provides energy for the
system. The universe takes that energy and provides opportunities, but you
still need to be ready to take those opportunities and complete the circuit.
Most
Pagans find that after they’ve done ritual or spell-work, that it’s best if
they perform some sort of grounding activity. Often this will be in the form of
eating something, such as bread and ale … something which helps re-connect them
to the physical world, and release whatever residual energy there might be.
Some report physical disturbances if they don’t do this, as in feeling “not
quite right”, so you might wish to take this precaution as well.
©
2008, Deirdre Hebert