Spells
By Sandi Liss

Just what is a spell, anyway? A spell is really just an active form of prayer. You're not asking someone or something else to manifest what you desire (a passive approach); you're effecting that change yourself.

When you do a spell, you employ candles, incense, herbs, crystals, oils, amulets, and any number of other items to help you. This is because these items, whether it's scent, color, or quality, all possess characteristics that will enhance your spellwork. For instance, for a spell for additional money, you might use a green candle (since green's the color of money) an aventurine stone (for the same reason), and cinnamon incense or herb (prosperity is one of cinnamon's metaphysical properties). You might also do this spell on a Thursday - since Thursday is Jupiter's day, a day of expansion - under a waxing Moon, since you want the money to come to you. Write a ritual - the rhyming part that you're going to recite - and you have yourself a spell!

You can go much further, obviously, appealing to specific Gods and Goddesses for their help, using oils, wearing specific clothing in specific colors, the list is endless.

Most spells fall into the following categories: Money, Love, Health, Purification/Protection, or "other." If you think about various spells, you'll realize they fall mostly into one of the above categories. Banishing negativity would fall under the Purification/Protection heading. Healing a broken heart would be Love magick.

We don't harm others when we do spells. This includes Commanding/Conquering spells. This further includes attempting to influence a specific person to, for instance, fall in love with you. You cannot force anyone to do anything against their will, no matter how much you think it'll benefit them. This means that even though you think you're the perfect person for them, you cannot do a spell, particularly without their knowledge, to bring you together as a couple. Sure, with enough effort, you'll probably succeed, but then you'll always be wondering if the other person's with you because they want to be, or because you forced them to be. And more importantly, who appointed you "Grand Leader of All That Is?"

Think about it this way: Would you want an Influencing spell done on you, without your knowledge? Probably not. So why do it to someone else?

This is why it?s so important to follow The Rule of Three. This Rule states that whatever you send out to The Universe returns to you threefold. If you only send out positive energy, then only that positive energy, times three, will return to you. So why bother risking a kick in the butt by sending out any negativity? And Conquering/Influencing/Commanding spells are negativity because they take away another person's free will.

Writing your own spell is the best way to go, since you?re the one in the situation. If you take a spell from a book or the Internet, as is, you?re only doing someone else's spell. If you use an already-composed spell, be sure to change some things so that it's yours, even if it's only to substitute some ingredients. At least it'll be your spell that way.

There are many different types of spells. Astrological Magick uses Astrology and the movements of planetary influences. Candle Magick uses specific candle shapes and colors that correspond with your intentions. Elemental, Rune Tarot, and Herb Magick are rather self-explanatory. Cord, or Knot Magick involves tying knots into a cord or ribbon while reciting a chant for your purpose.

I use the spelling of the word Magick, with a K, for a specific purpose. This separates it from the slight-of-hand magic that magicians do. You'll find a lot of authors don't use the K, or they spell it Majik, but that's just a matter of personal choice.

There are many reasons a spell doesn't work. Some of them may be that you haven't thought it all the way through and you're missing something. Or, you're not supposed to be doing a spell for the purpose you are. Or The Universe is telling you to wait. Or, you just haven't put enough thought and energy into your work. There are many more reasons, but these are just some of the most common.

In conclusion, always think twice before you do a spell. Evaluate, and re-evaluate, what you're doing, and why, to ensure that you're not actually doing anyone harm, or that there will be no repercussions from your spell. Believe me, it's worth the extra time you put into it to be sure.

Sandi Liss is the owner and founder of SoulJourney in Butler, NJ, northern New Jersey's longest, continually operating metaphysical store. She holds a Level 1 Certification in Astrology from NCGR (National Council for Geocosmic Research), her Master/Teachership in Usui Reiki and Shamballa Reiki, her Master's degree in Natural Healing, and continues working toward her Ph.D. She has been a practicing Wiccan for many years, both Solitary and Coven-trained. She revels in Candle Magick and spell construction, and in spending time with her two deaf Dalmatians. Contact her at www.souljourney.com