Spells? (ritual, experience, pagans, pray, God)

[GloriaPatri]

Could someone explain to me how Wiccans use spells? Do you expect them to actually do something or does it accomplish another goal? What is the point of them?

[Enigmata]

Let me first start off by saying that that my opinion is not the typical viewpoint of Wiccan's. I will answer your question then ask one of my own. "Do we expect them to actually do something?" Yes. Now for my question. Do you expect some kind of result when you pray to God? For me it is a similar concept and is a little easier to understand when looked at like that. Thanks for asking. I like questions.

[GloriaPatri]

Originally Posted by turk179

Let me first start off by saying that that my opinion is not the typical viewpoint of Wiccan's. I will answer your question then ask one of my own. "Do we expect them to actually do something?" Yes. Now for my question. Do you expect some kind of result when you pray to God? For me it is a similar concept and is a little easier to understand when looked at like that. Thanks for asking. I like questions.

Not all the time.

Could you explain a little more in depth? In your experience, have spells done things for you? How does this happen? Is it because of 'magic' or some other force? Can you make your own spells?

Thanks for you patience.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by GloriaPatri

Not all the time.

Could you explain a little more in depth? In your experience, have spells done things for you? How does this happen? Is it because of 'magic' or some other force? Can you make your own spells?

Thanks for you patience.

yes, i will go into more detail later on, as i'm at college at the moment and have people breathing down my neck....

[Luke Wolf]

Could you explain a little more in depth? In your experience, have spells done things for you? How does this happen? Is it because of 'magic' or some other force? Can you make your own spells?

Turk is correct, IMO, that a spell is similiar to a prayer to God. A good comparison would be "God, I need this change in my life" or a spell, in which certain elements and dieties are invoked, in order to cause the needed change in life.

The way I go about it is:
1)Cleanse the area and cast a circle (This cleanses the area, and makes the energy free of negativity throughout the ritual)
2)Arrange my altar, light candles and inscense, and other small bits.
3)Focus on what it is I need
4)Then I envoke the appropriate elements, and a diety I feel is appropriate
5)What is next is basically a prayer. "Great diety, I call upon you to do whatever."
6)Then I give thanks for help, and then close the circle.

I also have my own rule of casting a spell only for things I need, and when other methods have failed. You can make your own spell for wants and desires, but I feel it is abusing the power. I have created dozens of spells, but then didn't use them as they the intended goal isn't a necessity.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by GloriaPatri

Could someone explain to me how Wiccans use spells? Do you expect them to actually do something or does it accomplish another goal? What is the point of them?

While I'm not a Wiccan, we Pagans use spells in the same way as they, so I hope it's okay for me to answer.

Doing spells is a lot like prayer. It can be as simple as visualizing something and asking for either one's personal 'patron' god or another, more appropriate god to help with the situation. The types of spells used tend to be determined by the practitioner. Some people like to do 'candle magic', wherein one uses candles to focus their intent. Other people work best with crystals.

Those who use spells expect what people who use prayer expect. That the universe/ goddess/ whatever will recognize their hope that something might be and that- unless there's a reason why it shouldn't happen- it will be. There's also another goal that it accomplishes, though. For example, if I cast a spell to find a better job, it's reinforcing my intent to myself. Because of this, I would be working extra hard to find a better job, and it would probably then happen. It's a bit like an affirmation that way.

I really hope this was helpful!

[Mike182]

i pretty much follow what Amber K has to say on this:

define your purpose

situation: you are casting a spell because you need a car, because your job is a long way away.

so, you cast your spell/prayer for "a car"... three days later, you see an Advert for a cheap brown car, just the right model, but you hate brown

you go back home and cast a spell for "a blue car".... five days later, you see an Advert for a cheap blue car, you buy it, but two days part of the engine breaks.

you go home, you cast a spell for "a blue car in a good condition" which, four days later, you get! so you buy your new blue car in a good condition, but a couple of days later, in the rain, you discover the wipers don't work, and you are stranded at work

this could go on ad nauseum, because you are asking for something specific, yet you can't give all the details needed to get what it is you want

instead, you try casting a spell along the lines of "i ask that i find the right form of transportation for me at the point in time" or "i ask that i find content with the current public transport systems to get me to work each day".... present your problem to the divine, and allow them to plan the details!

the above was taken and alterd from Amber K's book, "true Magick"

[EnhancedSpirit]

The problem with getting spells to work is being able to believe that you have the power to 'create'. Most of us are conditioned to believe that we have no control over our surroundings, and our experience, but the truth is, we created it all, without being aware of it. Creating in this state of 'unawareness' makes our lives appear chaotic. Once you truly realize the concept, the next step is to create with intention.

This is were spells come in. The ceremony that surrounds spellcasting is merely a technique to get you to 'focus with intention' on something specific. I have most definitely had spells do something for me, learning the hard way that you must "be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it."

I believe there is power in crystals, colors, sounds, and smells. I see these all as tools, again to help you focus and put your intention into something. I have read a few spell books, and was never able to get into the details of what color candle you use, or making potions. I use very simple techniques like smudging with sage and sweetgrass, lighting a flame. Usually I will right want I want on a piece of paper, and burn it. And I always add this ".... under grace and in the perfect way". This is my little safety for if what I asked for is not in my best interest, the 'universe' will make what ever adjustments might be needed to my request. It is my way of protecting myself against the 'genie in a bottle' thing.

An example would be if I was going to cast a spell to get a promotion at work. If I manifest that promotion to myself, when it was supposed to go to someone else, I will have 'harmed' someone, and this would be trouble for me, threefold. So I would ask for the promotion under grace and in the perfect way.

But all the ceremony and brewhahaa in the world will not be enough if you have any doubt. It's like trying to drive a car while standing on the brake, you won't go anywhere, but eventually all that power will build up and blow your engine.

[Enigmata]

Originally Posted by GloriaPatri

Not all the time.

Could you explain a little more in depth? In your experience, have spells done things for you? How does this happen? Is it because of 'magic' or some other force? Can you make your own spells?

Thanks for you patience.