What is a Spell Part 1: Whaddya Want?

In the last newsletter article, "What is a Spell?", we talked about the 12 steps of any given spell... and we promised that in future articles we would dig deeper into each of those steps. Well, the future has arrived! In this article we discuss the very first step in any spell: defining what you want.

Defining What You Want
When it comes to how to cast a spell, most people want to dive right into litanies, candle carvings, divinations, and all the other fun "witchy" stuff that goes into a spell. And we don't blame them because those parts of casting a spell are indeed fun and witchy and magical.

But the fact of the matter is that the first step to any spell is the step that is skipped by many new practitioners of magic--defining what is wanted. As they go about designing spells, most people are quite sure that they know what they want... and they do. The problem is that most people only know what they want in a general sort of way. For instance, see if any of these sound familiar.

I WANT ...

• more money
• a better life
• a soul mate
• to be happier
• a better job
• better health or a better body

Do these ring any bells for you? They might. They do for a lot of people who email us requesting help with spellwork. These are all admirable goals and we applaud people for knowing what they want. But when it comes to how to cast a spell that actually works, this level of wanting isn't enough.

Defining What You Want... Magically
Defining what you want in life and defining what you want in magical terms are two fairly different endeavors. Why? One reason:

"Magic is a precision science."

That means that using a spell to get "more money" isn't going to be more effective. That kind of loosely-defined desire, probably WILL net you more money. You just won't have a clue how much more money you will get. You may get any amount from one cent to ten thousand dollars. You may get a million dollars, but the money may not arrive until the day before you die.

Are you getting the picture? In other words, when you define what you want in magical terms, you have to think like a reporter. You have to answer questions about who, what, when, where, and how. You don't have to answer the "why" of the spell. As a planetary citizen, you have every right to ask for and get what you want. You can expect the Universe to deliver exactly what you request, which means you need to define your request exactly!

So when you think about casting a spell to get what you want, pause for a moment. Before investing a single moment into the actual "methods" of the spell, take as much time as you need to define the terms of what you want clearly, exactly, and definitely. Once you have done so, then you are ready to move on to the next step--deciding which type of spell to cast.

We'll discuss the different types of spells--and their appropriateness for different situations--in the next article in this series... so stay tuned! In the meantime, work on defining what you want in magical terms, and enjoy the process! You know what they say about the journey versus the destination.

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Protection Magic: A Simple Protection Spell or Three

When you start practicing magic, you may find that you will have the need for protection magic. This quote by author Clarissa Pinkola Estes is very appropriate in the practice of magic - "If you have beauty in your life, know that it will attract the dark as well as the light. Don't be surprised. Be prepared." There are several factors that can occur with the practicing magic that make this statement true and will require the use of protection magic.

Protection Magic: Defending Yourself
When you practice magic you inevitably begin attracting the attention of magical beings. Most of the beings you encounter will fall into a category of benevolent and/or non-threatening. There are beings however that are of a more threatening nature and your increased energy and force can attract their unwanted attention. You may also attract beings on different levels that while are not necessarily threatening, do seek to interfere with your path in some way or other. Since everyone has the right to sacred space and to practice magic, protection magic may be necessary and falls within your rights according to laws of magical practice. According to Western magical practice, "You have a right to be here and follow your own path so long as you hinder no one else in doing likewise." This foundational principle asserts our right to exist and follow our own path and by extension, our right to defend ourselves against those who might seek to prevent us from walking our path.

Protection Magic: Self Defense Rules
In many spiritual systems, it is actually considered a crime to not defend yourself appropriately. In doing so, you are enabling the perpetrator to NOT learn spiritually appropriate behavior; therefore, prolonging his or her lack of growth. Generally speaking, any infringement on your sacred psychic or emotional space gives you the right to defend yourself with protection magic. More specifically a good rule of thumb to follow when it comes to self-defense or protection magic is:

"In cases of direct and violent personal harm you are entitled to defend yourself by any means available provided you did nothing to encourage or provoke the attack."

"Direct" specifically means anything that is upon your body, mind or spirit which would include attempts by any outside force or influence to draining your energy or impose their will upon you. "Violent" more specifically refers to anything that's damaging to your physical, mental, emotional or spiritual well being.

3 Simple Protection Spells
Protection magic covers a vast variety of magical techniques from using amulets or talismans to constructing fire shields or omnils. Here are 3 very simple techniques for using protection magic.

1. Sun Candle – this technique helps clear your space of unwanted, junky or negative energies. It can also create sacred space for you. You will need a Sun Yellow candle (a bright yellow candle that has no orange overtones) and paper or wooden matches. To create sacred space with the Sun Candle, you will need to "charge" it, or program it to do so. To charge the candle:

• Stand or sit in the South facing North with the Sun Candle in front of you
• Light the candle using wooden or paper matches (do NOT use a lighter)
• Wait until the candle flame is steady and tall
• Hold your hands up to and around the flame, focusing your attention on the candle and flame.
• Say the charge verse below in a voice of command (a strong, powerful voice)

"Child of Wonder,
Child of Flame,
Nourish My Spirit,
And Protect My Aim!"

Leave the candle burning in the room for at least 30 minutes (be sure the candle is on a protected surface such as a plate and is not a fire hazard). At the end of 30 minutes or when you feel ready, blow out the flame (don't snuff it out).

2. Walking litany – This is a technique that is part of the Navajo Beauty Way and actually a spell in motion. It can create sacred space around you and move with you creating sacred space as you go. There is a long form of the litany and a short form. The particular attribute (power in the example below) in the litany changes according to what you are working on or wish to accomplish. The litany should be said aloud or sub-vocally, but not just mentally. Here's how you do the short version of the Walking Litany in protection magic.

• pick a distance of at least 2 city blocks to walk
• say the following out loud or sub-vocally. Just saying them mentally does not work.

"With Power Around me, I walk in the world.
With Power Within me, I walk in the world.
This One walks in Power,
This One carries Power."

• walk to the rhythm of the litany lines and when you get to the end, go back and start them over. 
• keep repeating the litany-sequence until you have walked the required distance.

3. Hiring an angel – this technique can be used as protection magic for yourself or others or even to take care of your property when you are gone. There are angels for everything. Let's take the example of hiring an angel to protect your property while you are away on a trip. Here's how that would work.

• say out loud or in your mind, "I would like to a request (or hire) a protection angel"
• wait a few moments until you feel a presence, or, just wait a few moments. They don't take long to get there. say:

"Protection angel, I would like to request your help protecting my house, property and belongings there for [name specific dates] while I am away on my trip [specify where and when]. Thank you in advance for your help." 

• Once you return from the trip and find everything which you have asked for has occurred, thank the angel again. It is VERY IMPORTANT to thank angels so they will be willing to help you later.

These 3 protection spells will help get you started on creating and protecting your sacred and magical space. You can learn many other spells, rituals and magical techniques for protection, healing, communicating with other beings and a wide variety of other topics in our courses, ebooks, and Kindle books.

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Got Ghosts?

Check out our video on how to tell if you have spirits around.




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Gotta Make a Decision But Feel Waffly? Try This Online Magic Tip

No doubt, we are living in a topsy-turvy world, a world in which it can seem hard to make the right decisions in life. Eenie, meenie, miney, moe ...

If you are having difficulty figuring out how to make the "right" decisions for your life, we have an online magic tip that can help. But first, here's a quote that can offer you some comfort. This quote comes from Abraham-Hicks:

"Make a decision and then make it right. There just are no wrong decisions ... But in the moment you start complimenting yourself on the decision you've made, in that moment, you come back into vibrational alignment with who-you-really-are."

There Are No Wrong Decisions
What Abraham refers to in the quote above is that there are no wrong decisions. The "rightness" of a decision is based solely on how you feel about the decision. Feel bad about a decision you have made, and prepare for the decision to drag your life into the toilet. Feel good about a decision, and watch the good things in your life soar.

As this online tip will show you, there are no wrong decisions, so any decision you make will be right so long as you can manage to feel good about that decision. Should you use a pendulum, a question circle, or a tarot card reading to help you make a decision? Sure, if performing those magic rituals will help you feel more secure about your decision. Do as many magic rituals as you need prior to making a decision if that helps you make the decision "right."

Ways to Affirm a Decision with Magic
Once you have made a decision, feeling good about that decision may be a matter of reaffirming the decision daily with magic rituals. For instance, we recently made the decision to take more time out of our schedule to travel and replenish our spirits, even though there was a heavy financial component involved. The decision wasn't hard to make: we definitely need to feed our spirits, given that we are on a spiritual path.

But like everyone, we sometimes experience fears and doubts about our decisions. We did about this decision. So what did we do? We had already made the decision, and now we had to make the decision right. We re-affirmed our decision by doing a question circle. The feedback we received from the Universe was definitely positive, and allowed us to "feel good" about our decision. This "feel good" sensation has allowed us to move into the space of making the decision right. If and when we fall back into doubt, we turn back to magical rituals. Each day, if necessary, we use magical rituals to keep making and reaffirming our original decision.

What About You? An Online Magic Tip That Can Help
The conscious choice magical technique is one way to prevent an impending decision from hanging over your head like the Sword of Damocles. Use this online magic tip to help you make the decision, and then make the decision. Then follow through by making the decision right.

To Make a Conscious Choice

1. Quiet your inner self by taking a few deep breaths.
2. Say to yourself, either aloud or silently, "I will now make a conscious choice." 
3. Next, ask yourself the choice question, such as, "Do I choose to xxx or not?" 
4. The first answer you "hear" internally (or sometimes externally from a passing person) is what you must follow. You may not, in this exercise, avoid doing the option you have consciously chosen.

The conscious choice exercise is magical because it puts you in touch with your spiritual wisdom, and by following the answers you "hear" from your spiritual self, you will never find yourself in the wrong place. Plus, you get to practice the idea that there are no wrong decisions. Following your intentions puts you on your magical path, and the conscious choice exercise is a perfect, simple, and subtle way to exercise your intention.

Once you have made a conscious choice, reaffirm that choice each day if necessary. Hire angels, ask for support from your spiritual guides, ask the Universe for positive signs that your choice is correct. Strive to "see" that which you desire, that which supports your decision. You will be surprised how the Universe will ALWAYS support your intention. No holds barred! Watch ... and surprise yourself!

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Online Magic Tip #7: How to Not to Get Carried Away

Do you get into trouble when you get carried away by your interests, your passions, your hobbies, or your weaknesses? Whether "getting carried away" means that you spend too much money, waste too much time, or otherwise do something that doesn't help you reach your goals, getting carried away unintentionally is often not a happy event.

Luckily, there is a simple magical way that you can keep your attention focused on the present moment ... and your present goals. Online magic tip#7 is this: as long as you can maintain attention on a physical sensation in your body, you will stay present. Staying present helps you remember you goals, not to mention preventing you from worrying about the future or stressing about the past.

To stay present, simply pick an area of the body on which you will feel sensation. For instance, you could focus on feeling sensation on your left forearm. Then every time you walk through a doorway, renew your focus on your left forearm. The doorways bring your attention back repeatedly to sensation, helping you stay present in the moment. If you tend to remain at a desk most of the day, pick a different "event" to bring you back. You can even set a timer or alarm on your phone as reminder.

Try it ... you will be surprised at how this simple online magic tip will help you stay in the moment ... which is a "present" you can always give yourself!

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