~*Spell Casting*~ the basics

[AphrenSama]

Hello Eveyone and Welcome to Spell Casting for Beginners!
-My name is AffrenSama. You can call me Sensei Affren, or AffrenSama.

I understand that there are many other systems of Magick- Ceremonial Magick, Folk Magick, Voodo, Hodoo, etc. But this class is going to be on the Magic in Wicca, and the general beliefs and magick rituals within Wicca.

Rules:
1) Follow the General rules of the Guild
2) Be respectful to yourself, the class and the teacher.
3) An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will.

The Class times will be random, depending on my plans outside of Gaia, but for the most part I will be here.
I am in the Eastern Pacific time zone.

What you will learn:
-In this Class you will learn how to cast spells.
-Magick correspondends needed for a spell to be successful.
-The meanings of specifc symbols.
-How to use ritual tools and what tools you will need for specific spells.


NOTE: What I teach here might not be exactly what you have heard or read or what you personally belief. The risk you take with wanting to be taught by someone is they are teaching you their personal beliefs and stragities. I want everyone to be aware of this so that they can understand if some things they read in this thread aren't exactly what they've learned.  

[AphrenSama]

What is Magick?
-Before we get into the fun stuff... lets talk about what Magick is so you can get an understanding of using it.
-The definition of magick is - a change of situation through ritual means.
-Magick is using the energies from specific sources to work your will to get it to happen.
-These Sources of Magick would be the deities, the elements, etc.

Rules of Magick:
-There are Rules in Magick you must follow.
1. An Ye harm none, do what Ye will.
2. Mind the 3 fold law ye should, 3 times bad and 3 times good.
3. Never use anothers ritual tools without permission.
4. If you are casting a spell on someone, it is important to get persmission before casting the spell.
5. Spells to alter anothers free will is also a big no-no.
-Those are the Rules in a nutshell. Some people might believe in more, some people might believe in less.
-Learning magick from someone is always risky because there are so many ways to do magick that there could be much controversy.


Types of Magick
- What I mentioned above about Hoodo, Voodoo and etc. Those are systems of magick. But there are many types of magick.
1. Candle Magick
2. Color Magick
3. Animal Magick
4. Elemental Magick
5. Cord Magick
6. Petition Magick- [Basicly Prayer Magick]
7. Saint Magick - [using the energies of the Saints (More comfortable for those who are still closely connected with Christianity)]
-etc.

Magickal Correspondents (MC)
-All types of Magick, all of those above have something called Magickal Correspondents. They are things that are used in spell work that help with the intend.
- Ex. In Color magick, Green is for healing.
- In Elemental Magick, Fire is for passion. etc.

*I will later be posting lists of the magickal correspondents for herbs, Stones, Trees, etc.  

[AphrenSama]

Elements
- There are Five elements of nature. Here are their representations on the alter and their directions:
- Air- East - insence or bird feather
- Fire- South - candle (if you cannot have candles, use something else, something red, or even a picture of a flame or candle)
- Water- West - a bowl of water
- Earth - North - salt or a rock
- Spirit - Center of circle - The God and Goddess Statues or Candles are representations of this.

Altar
* Your Altar is something very sacred to you. It is something that is a place you can go for safety, comfort, to pray, or meditate. It is something that reflects your personality. It can be anything from a dresser, to nightstand to its own personal space.
- Your Altar can be perminent, or you can only put it up when doing spells. That too, is up to you and providing your environment allows it.
- Nothing but religious things may be placed on your Altar. And once you concencrate the tools on your Altar, you will not want others to touch them.
- Some also believe that in order to first begin spells you have to also have the 4 ritual tools that correspond with the elements and diections. Avalibility is a big thing here, and if you can't get something (ex. athame) then improvse but don't get sloppy.

Four Elemental Tools
Wand- Air
Athame- Fire
Chalice- Water
Pentacle- Earth
- In some traditions the Athame is Air. And the Cauldron is sometimes Water. This is all depending on what you believe and if you belong to a tradition.
- Many Wiccans can do without these tools, but then again, Many believe that they are essitial. This Again, is personal preference.

Altar Set Ups
1. You can have something as simple as representations of each element in their specific direction.
2. You can use the altar set up of a specifc tradition.
3. You can do it as you like.
4. You can place two candles in the back of the altar, the Altar Pentacle in the center, and everything pertaining to the Goddess, or feminie tools on the left, and masculine tools on the right side of the Altar.
-Again, this is what ever you feel is best.

*Last comments about the Alter. Through all of this just remember that the alter is an important part of spell casting. When setting up the alter, all things are to be dedicated and cleansed before put on the alter, before every ritual (though not everyone does it that often). You don't have to have all the ritual tools, but it is up to you. Some of the tools you can go without.  

[AphrenSama]

The Magick Circle
- The Magick Circle is a very important aspect of doing magickal work. It is like a barrier to help protect you and your energies when doing magick. It will keep the energies held within it until you are finished with your magick.

Casting A Magick Circle
-This procedure is very important because the circle must be cast for every spell, espically when you are beginner. The circle also acts like a bubble, you raise energy and it stays in the circle until you are ready to relase it into the universe to get your goal. This procedure is the very basic, and you should learn this by heart, because you'll need it EVERY time you cast a spell.

-For casting the circle, you won't need anything. If you choose to use the wand, Athame, etc. to cast then that is ok but since you are new and you haven't blessed, or concecrated your tools, then you can't really use them.

1. Begin at North.
2. Extend your index and middle fingers on your dominant hand.
- Your dominant hand is the hand you use most, the hand your write with.
3. Walk deosil [clockwise] around the circle and say:
"By the Air that moves us,
By the Fire that is in her Spirit,
By the Living Waters of her womb,
By the Earth that is her Body,
The circle is cast let the ritual begin"
4. Visualize a white ring of light in the area you are walking to create the circle.
5. Visualize the right connecting when you get back to North.
- Some people cast the circle 3 times, by walking around 3 times instead of one. This is up to you.
* This circle casting was taught to me but I promise you there are trillions of ways to cast a circle.
* Casting the circle is also sometimes referred to Closing the Circle.

Taking Up The Magick Circle
- This should be done once the whole rite is finished.
1. Beginning back at north, do the same hand gesture.
2. Walk Widdershins [counter-clock wise] around the altar.
- Some Wiccans believe you never walk Widdershins in a circle, but others believe you do only when taking up the circle.
3. As you walk, say:
"Now the time for the ritual has passed,
All ye elder Gods,
Leave if you must, but stay if you like,
To walk beside me in all aspects of life.
Blessed be, Merry Part."
4. Visualize the energy you placed down, coming back up into your fingers and fading away.
* Taking up the Circle is soemtimes referred to Opeining the Circle.

-Closing the Circle should be done before every spell, and opening the circle should be done after every spell. This is important for many beginners.  

[AphrenSama]

Symbols
-Symbols are very important in spellwork. You can use them as a focal point. You can use them to inscribe into candles to empower the candle with the entent you are working. Or you could simply use them as magickal short hand. The next few posts are going to be for symbols.

 

[AphrenSama]

 

[AphrenSama]

 

[AphrenSama]

Creating Sacred Space/Erecting your Temple
- Doing this is basicly using the elements to bless and clenase the area. This should be done initially as a beginner, before any spell. Then monthly after that to keep the area cleanses of negativitiy.

Need:
Candle (any color)
Water
Salt
Incense (feather)
Snuffer

1. Place each representation of each element in their approperate direction, and any other tools you wish to have.
2. To do an initial blessing before the ritual of the altar, say:
"I bless you now that you may ade,
The energy flow as magick is made
I cast out negative energy,
Leaving only positive to live and breath,
Within you as I start this rite,
Blessed be in joy, and love and light."
-This can be done after the circle is cast to bless the area.
3. Stand at the north and pick up the Salt. Sprinke some as you walk Deosil, say:
"With the element of Earth,
I cleanse this place, and remove all negativity.
By the name of the God/dess (name of deity),
Let this be.
As I will it, so mote it be."
4. Return to North and put down the salt.
5. * The above saying will be used in every direction walking deosil by saying the name of the element.
6. Once you return to north place the salt or rock down. Walk deosil to East. Pick up the feather or insence and walk around the circle saying the same chant as before but say: 'Air'. Put down the insence/feather and walk to south. pick up the candle and using the same chant but saying: 'fire' walk around the circle. Once back at south, put down the candle and walk to West. Using the water, sprinkling some as you go, say the same chant but saying: 'water'. Place the water down and walk to north once more.
7. Holding your hands, with palms upward, say:
"I purify this circle round,
by elements of sky and ground,
by air, fire, water and solid earth,
it's cleansed in love and light and mirth."

*This Rite cleanses your space and purifies it. This can be done before every spell depending on personal preference. Sacred Space is within your magickal circle. Your Altar is within your Sacred space.  

[AphrenSama]

Magickal Correspondents
-The next few posts will be about the MC's of Colors, Stones, Trees, Flowers and such. This is also very important for spells.

CANDLE COLORS
These are the basic magickal correspondents to candle colors.

Black- stops gossip, meddling people, breaking bad habits, anything involving separation, wisdom, secrets, and to invoke the Crone.
Pale Blue- relieving confusion, anxiety, and loss of control. For efforts involving calmness, peace, tranquility, and healing or pleasant dreams.
Dark Blue- adding structure to life, water element, or calling feminine deities.
Brown- grounding or centering, stability and common sense, to defuse harmful situations.
Gold- representation of the God, financial increase, or general success.
Green- invokes fertility, prosperity, growth, general independence, and the Earth element.
Lavender- intellect and knowledge, controlling erratic energies, inner beauty to rise to the surface.
Mauve- increases in intuitive and psychic powers, self-trust, and self-confidence.
Orange- attraction rituals, gaining positive test scores, and business projects or proposals.
Peach- efforts involving kindness, friends, sympathy, empathy and well wishing.
Pink- romance, love, friendship, and harmony.
Purple- spirituality, mental and psychical power, and to invoke Akasha.
Red- passion, sexual desire, vitality, and psychical strength, energy and activity, to invoke the Fire element, and the Mother.
Silver-peace, and serenity.
Teal-practical matters, decision making, balance, gaining trust.
Turquoise- stress relief, study, knowledge retention, finding logic.
White- can be used for anything, in place of another color. Used to invoke the Crone.  

[AphrenSama]

WINDS
-This is the info on the winds. Sometimes you can do a spell and depending on the intent, you could sprinkle the ashes of a burnt paper form the spell into that wind, or do a spell when the wind is blowing that direction.

East wind- change, transformation, new beginnings, and fresh perspective.
South wind- love, lust, passion, and more.
West wind- soothing, healing, cleansing, psychical and mental fertility, and strengthens the intuition. To tie up loose ends.
North wind- finances, business, clarity of the mind.

HERBS
-These are the magickal correspondents of herbs. You can use this in a few ways which will be listed.
used;
-Burning- to infuse the air, toss some on a charcoal block.
-Carrying- it adds their energy to you.
-Growing- good so they are fresh when you need them.
-Infusion- taking the dry herbs, and making them liquid. The same procedure as tea. Some are not good for you, so be careful which ones you drink.

Bay Leaf- athletics, competition, and victory. Removes negative energy, protects health, and boosts anything involving love, divination, and wishes.
Chamomile- luck, prophetic dreams, sound sleep, protection, and hex breaking.
Cloves- lust, love, luck, and money.
Ginger- psychic ability, health, and personal power, general success.
Lavender- protection, easy childbirth, mental and psychical healing, peaceful sleep, love and longevity.
Mugwort- psychic awareness used as a wash for divination tools.
Nutmeg- love, money, health, luck, when it all is an issue.
Sage- when burned, it removes negative energy. Anything involving good health and fortune, wisdom, long lives, and wishes.
- *These are but some of the Magickal herbs you can purchase. Some do have warnings so don't go making any ol' herb into an infusing unless you know what you're doing.

-If you are going to burn herbs, there is a special way to do so. You can buy something called a cencer. It is a hanging insence burner, and place a small charcoal berquet into it. Sprinkle the herbs ontop once it is lit and it will burn for about 2 hours or so and infuse the air with the herb smell. ****WARNING- do NOT use charcoal from a grill, it is not healthy. When burned the charcoal from a grill can create harmful gases, and you don't want to inhail that. If you can go to a new-age or Wiccan/pagan store you can get some, and they also sell them at church supply stores.  

[AphrenSama]

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[AphrenSama]

Basic Ritual Outline
-There is a basic ritual outline for larger rituals, not just simple spells.

1. Say chant to bless area before working.
2.Cleanse area (optional)
3.Cast the circle.
4. Call the quarters.
5. Invoke the Lord and Lady (God & Goddess)
6.Do the spell. (ex. protection- do the spell for that here)
7.Libation.
8.Thank and Release Deities.
9.Thank and release Quarters
10. Releasing (taking up) the circle.
11. Dump libation bowl outside.
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1. After the alter is set up, the insence and candles lit. Put your hands over the alter and as I mentioned in an eariler post, say:
'I bless you now that you may aid,
The energy flow as magic is made.
I cast out negative energy.
Leaving only the positive to live and breathe,
Within you as I start this rite.
Blessed be in joy, love and light.'
*Visualize the area being cleansed with a silver or white energy.

2. Taking your dominant hand (the hand you write with) and hold out your index and middle fingers. Point your fingers down and walk around the circle deosil (clockwise) while saying the chant. As I mentioned before the circle casting chant:
'By the Air that moves us,
By the fire that is in her spirit,
By the living waters of her womb,
By the earth that is her body.'
*And visualize a ring of silver or white pure light in a circle around the alter.

3. Calling the Quarters is when you walk to each direction- N,S,E,W and ask the energies of that direction and element to enter the circle. Walk to north and say:
'By the direction of north, the element of Earth,
I ask you enter my circle and wittness this rite,
Come in O creatures of light.'
Walk deosil to each direction saying this chant, just place in the direction names and element. When you wal to each quarter, as you say the spell put your hands- palms together in front of you. Open your hands wide and visualize the color of that element entering, ex. Earth- green.

4. Invoke the Lord and Lady by asking them into the circle. You can make up your own thing to sa (which might be best) but you could say this:
'God and Goddess hear my plea,
Enter my circle and be here with me.
Enter here and see this rite,
And with your entrance, remove all plight.
God and Goddess you are welcome.'
**some of these chants might rhyme while others don't. It is all up to you. I know the Author Dorothy Morrison (one of my favorites) rhymes all the time, and she believes it helps the energy flow. You can do the same too, if you wish.

5. The body of the ritual is when you cast the actual spell. This is where you will do what you came to do. if you are doing a healing spell, it would be done now.

6.Libation is an offering to the God and Goddess. An offering of juice and bread or cake and ale. Which ever you use is up to you. You would take a drink of the juice and pour the rest into a special 'libation bowl' while saying something like:
'I offer this gift of drink to thee,
God and Goddess, so mote it be.' Or something like that. Take a bite of the break or cake and put the rest into the bowl while saying something like above but add 'bread' instead of 'drink'.

7. When you thank and release the Deities (God and Goddess) say something like:
'Thank you God and Goddess for being here.
You are now free to go if you please,
But let your blessings be bestowed upon me.
So mote it be.'

8. Thanking and releasing quarters are when you walk again deosil around the circle while thanking the quarter energies. Stand with your hands apart out streched facing that direction say:
'Direction of North, element of Earth,
I thank thee for being here with me,
Thank thee for lending your energies.
You are now free to go.'
Go around to each direction as before and after you say the chant close your hands visualizing that color of the element leaving the circle.

9. Release the circle by walking around the circle deosil while visualizing the ring of light going into your hand as you say:
'Now the time for the ritual has passed,
all ye elder Gods,
Leave if you must but stay if you like to walk beside me in all aspects of life.
Blessed be, merry part.'
*After the circle is taken up, you can snuff the candles and let the insence burn all the way out, if you like.

10. After the circle is open and the alter is put away take the libation bowl outside and pour the juice and bread out onto the ground. And the ritual is finished.