Spellcraft - Write Your Own? Or Use Spells from Others?

With Solitaries there is often a big scramble to get straight to spellcraft.  And with that hurry comes scouring books and the internet for spells to lift and use.  Presto bamo, instant Witchery!  NOT GOOD!  The most important thing about spellcraft is intent and the best way to know the intent behind a spell is to write it yourself.  That way you know exactly why each and every thing in the spell is there.

When teaching students I take them through a process of learning correspondences of colors, herbs, stones, oils, days of the week, candle colors, phases of the moon, its timing and more so that they build a foundation of knowledge from which to draw for spell work.  Students are also taught that before doing the spell, to make a list on exactly WHY they are doing the spell and to explore whether there are mundane ways of reaching the desired goal, and to assess whether the spell will actually accomplish the desired outcome. They are taught that mixed emotions or purpose can compromise spell working, and therefore they must be very clear of mind why they believe a spell will achieve the result they require. They are also taught that it is not the elaborateness of the spell or the number of ingredients that make it work.  It is actually the intent behind the spell and the clarity of purpose.  So with all these factors as part of crafting a spell, is it really any wonder that I would say lifting spells from a book or the internet isn't good?  There is obviously a lot that goes into spellcrafting.

I realize that starting out on your own without guidance other than books or internet leaves one pretty much in limbo so it is easy to see why lifting pre-written spells is tempting.  A test I often give students is to hand them a pre-written spell and have them take it apart and tell me what part everything in it contributes to the spell and why.  Once they learn to take a spell apart, it is a snap to craft one of your own.

One thing I will always caution against is using words in languages that you do not speak.  In my humble opinion, there is too much margin for error and the nuances of a different language can greatly change the meaning of something.  I know I have indicated that *intent* is key and is the strongest element of spellcrafting so one might ask, what difference does it make then about the language?  My response is that if it doesn't make a difference, why do it?  Plus, you will be most strong in your native language. That being said, every Witch can do as they please and can disregard this advice.  However, while under my tutelage, students would be required to use their native language in all spells related to their studies with me.  Likewise, for their spellwork to count, it would be required that they write their own spells and be able to give a detailed explanation as to why they used the items in it and what their intent and desired outcome is.

In closing, I will say that it is my firm belief and the practice of WiseCraft Wicca to craft your own spells and not lift them from books or the internet.  Should you choose to use someone else's spell as a basis for your own, it is strongly advised that you have a complete understanding of everything in the spell, make certain the spell is adapted to serve your intent and is properly geared towards your desired outcome.  It will always be my position that this is best accomplished by writing your spells from scratch and using the knowledge that you have.  Your spellcraft will naturally get more elaborate as your knowledge grows.  But always remember, it isn't the number of ingredients, fancy tools or elaborateness that gives the spell its power -- YOU are the most important part of any spell and you and intent alone can be a spell.

Bright Blessings and Blessed Be!

Rayven Michaels