The ABC's of Witchcraft

Ritual and Spellcraft Basics...



Start at the very beginning! Here are some ritual basics for those new to their path. I have included 3 different Circle Casts for your perusal. You may want to use these now, as you are first beginning, but when you feel you are able, it may be a good idea to write your own. Don't forget to close your circle when you are done your magickal work.

• For Young Pagans Beginning down the Path: How to practice within your limitations.
• Playing it Safe!
  
• Spell Rules
  
• Grounding
  
• Creating Sacred Space
  
• Blessing of the Book of Shadows
  
• Aislyn's Circle Cast
  
• Another Circle Cast
  
• Four Winds Circle Cast
  
• A Consecration Technique
  
• Another Tool Consecration
  
• Blessing of the Book of Shadows
  
  
  Spell Rules
  Normally, I don't care for Silver Ravenwolf, but I thought this might be helpful:
  
  Casting spells require a lot of energy and concentration but in the end it is all well worth it.
  
  1. Give thought to what you are about to do and visualize the out come effect of it. If you can't see it, don't do it...or at least until you can.
  
  2. Relax. Push all your emotions, all your feelings out of your head and into a deep dark hole and don't let them show their faces until you're finished.
  
  3. Draw energy, not from just one place but from everywhere; the dirt, the trees, and even space. Feel it flow through your fingers, up your arms, and into your stomach. Keep drawing and drawing until you can not hold any more. After reaching your limit, hold it.
  
  4. Clear your head and only think about what you're doing and why you're doing it. Hold it. Hold it, Keep thinking the same thoughts. Hold it. Feel it burning inside you, feel it aching to be set free. Hold it!
  
  5. Now start pushing! Push it all out of your stomach, down your arms, and finally from the tips of your fingers. There, you're finished, give thanks to the God/dess and say 'blessed be' for the completion. Celebrate with cakes and wine.
  
  And those are the steps in casting a spell. Remember, spells are only the uses of natural energy, the only out comes will be natural out comes. Magick is not supernatural.
  
  Note that you will not find any spells anywhere on my page. We create our own spells, so if I told you any of my spells, they probably wouldn't work for you. So, I'm leaving it up to you to create your own spells. That's the best way to learn because it's hands on and because you'll find out what works for you and what doesn't. Experienced Wiccan priest are the best Wiccan priest. So, good luck!
  
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  Grounding
  
  Face East and center yourself.
  "I am grounded in the center of my being."
  
  Visualise energy of below.
  "I am supported by the powers of below."
  
  Visualise the God/Goddess of above.
  "I am guided by the powers of above."
  
  Visualise the unity of self with center above and below.
  "I am balanced in the axis of my being."
  
  Extend your hand to the East. Visualise and make contact with the powers of the elemental forces. Visualise clarity.
  "I am inspired by the powers of Air."
  
  Visualise purifying/transforming.
  "I am enlightened by the powers of Fire."
  
  Visualise healing/cleansing.
  "I am renewed by the powers of Water."
  
  Visualise nurturing/stability.
  "I am nurtured by the powers of Earth."
  
  Establish the balance of axis and elements. Feel this to be true.
  "The forces are in balance within me and about me."
  
  Feel the Sphere of the Circle.
  "The Sphere is placed."
  
  Feel the Cube of the Temple within the Sphere.
  "The Temple is established."
  
  Feel the Temple within yourself.
  "I am the Temple."
  
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  Creating Sacred Space
  
  There are many ways to create a sacred space. It is more a result of the focusing of will than of the props and special effects. A properly cast circle can be 'felt' by everyone there.
  One way to do this for yourself to begin with is to relax and calm yourself. Now sit in the centre of the space you are going to be casting in. Try to be aware of the subtle energies which are dormant there. Now, gently, reach out with your own inner energy and try to touch that other energy. Once you feel confortable, now you cast.
  
  Standing with something in your 'active' hand like an athame or wand, see your energy flowing out through the athame (or wand) out into a thin blue line of fire (or whatever imagry suits you). Trace your way around the circle until it is complete. Now, take a moment to 'see' this circle of energy in your mind.
  Feel it like a swirling cone, a swirling cone of power... touch it ans see if you can manipulate it.
  Now feel the energy gathering strength, feel it begin to pick up speed... feel yourself directing it faster, more energetic... feel it fill with power and energy from you, your enviroment, the earth, the core of the earth or he sun, the water that flows through the earth and the air... feel all these elements combine and add power and energy to your circle.
  Feel the energy spiral up and become more and more powerful until you feel you may burst then release it or use it in a spell.
  
  Be sure to ground by eating after doing this.
  
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  Blessing Of The Book Of Shadows
  Blessing of the Book of Shadows
  Hearken as the witches' word
  calls to All, a gulf to ford.
  Bridge the vast realities,
  An it harm none, do as ye please .
  
  Elements protect and guard this book,
  From wandering eyes and prying looks.
  Fill it with thine ancient power,
  In this right and ready hour.
  
  Powers of North, the East below,
  Help me to live, to learn, to grow.
  Lend your strength and stability,
  To practice the Craft and with love be free.
  
  Powers of East, the Wind, the Sky,
  Watch over these pages with thine eye
  . Your wisdom and knowledge, for these I do ask,
  That this book be worthy of the Craft and its task.
  
  
  Powers of South, Fire, and the Hearth,
  Help these Shadows to prove their worth.
  Infuse them with all your Healing and Passion,
  So only good comes from the Work that is fashioned .
  
  Powers of West, the Water and Sea,
  Change and growth are granted by thee.
  Bless these pages with all that you know,
  That righteous readers may learn and grow.
  
  And to the unschooled eye that see
  Confusing words and sophistry,
  Lead them from these sacred pages,
  And bless their passage through the ages .
  
  For free will of all,
  And harm of none,
  As I have willed it,
  It is now done.
  
  
  So mote it be!
  
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  Aislyn's Cirlce Cast
  
  This is how I personally cast a circle. Feel free to change anything to fit your own needs as this was written for me. The colors are for the wiccan setup. And your altar can face whatever direction you want it to. East is the recommended direction, but if you are doing spellwork using the other powers you can face that direction. ~Aislyn
  
  Altar: facing East
  Candles for each Direction:
  
  North - Green
  East - Yellow
  South - Red
  West - Blue
  Everything needed for the ritual should be placed in the circle, so you do not have to leave during the ritual.
  Call the Corners
  
  ** Face east, circle three times while saying:
  "Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the (East/South/West/North) powers of (Air/Fire/Water/Earth). I do summon, stir, and call thee to witness this rite and to guard this circle"
  
  Call to the God and Goddess
  
  ** Face east and begin to draw the circle with dagger/wand/hand and say:
  "I consecrate this circle of power to the Ancient Ones, For they know what goes and what comes. Here in this sacred space and time I call to the Old Ones. The Goddess of the Moon, of the seas and rivers, The God of the rayed Sun, of valleys and forests. Draw near to me during this, my circle. Here, in this sacred space, may they feel welcome, And bless me, (Name), their child."
  
  ** Move back to the altar, face east, raise dagger/wand/hand in greeting, say:
  "This is a time that is not a time, in a place that is not a place, on a day that is not a day. At the threshold between the two worlds, I stand before the veil of the unknown. May the Ancient Ones help and protect me on this magickal journey"
  
  ** Set the water chalice on the pentacle disk. Hold your dagger/wand/hand over it and say: "Great Mother, bless this creature of earth to your service. May I always remember the blessed Earth, in its many forms and beings."
  
  ** Sprinkle salt in the water, hold chalice high, say "Great Mother, I give you honor"
  
  ** Begin in the east, move clockwise, and sprinkle the mixture lightly around the edge of the circle. Replace the chalice on the altar. Hold dagger/wand/hand over incense burner, say "great father, bless this creature of fire to your service. May I always remember the sacred fire that burns within the form of every creature."
  
  ** Hold dagger/wand/hand over incense. Say, "Great father bless this creature of air to your service. May I always listen to the spirit winds that bring me the voices of the Ancient Ones."
  
  ** Light the Incense. Say, "Great Father I give you honor."
  
  ** Carry the burner around the circle clockwise. Return to the altar. Light the candles, begin in the east. Greet each element. Say "I call upon you, powers of (Air/Fire/Water/Earth) to witness this rite and to guard this circle."
  
  ** Return to the altar, face east, raise dagger/wand/hand in greetings. Say, "This circle is bound,with power all around. Between the worlds I stand, with protection at hand."
  
  Proceed with any planned spellwork.
  
  ** When ready to end the ritual, go to the east, snuff candle. Say: "Depart in Peace o powers of Air/Earth/Water/Fire. My thanks and blessings. Depart in Peace Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East/North/West/South. My thanks and blessings."
  
  ** Cut the circle counter-clockwise with dagger/wand/hand to release remaining traces of power.
  
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  Another Circle Cast
  
  By the strength of Witches honor
  I conjure the Magick Circle.
  Feminine steel, a powerfuf boon.
  I am safe within Goddess womb.
  A sacred place. A world apart.
  Black and white. Light and dark.
  In between the balance starts.
  
  Strong and powerful, safe place about.
  Gods strong energy, I circle out.
  East, South, West, and North.
  Circle round bring power forth.
  Land, Sky, Fire, and Sea.
  Open now for divinity.
  As above, so below.
  This Circle is sealed
  
  
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  Four Winds Circle Casting
  Instructor: Daniel M. Bemis © 1996
  Date: 1 Mar 1997
  
  Purify the area where the circle will be cast..
  this may be done in any way that the practioner
  feels affinity for, from simple sweeping to sprinkling
  with charged water.. etc.
  
  I prefer to mark a physical boundary with small
  stones or string, or chalk or salt.. though this is not
  strictly necessary...
  
  I'll take the approach, for the sake of this
  example, of a 'four winds' circle for simple protection
  or meditation..
  
  Facing to the east, one calls to the east wind..
  (I use the latin name:)
  
  EREUS..
  
  and cleanse the quarter of the east by, again, sprinkling,
  sweeping, visualizing the wind sweeping the ground clear..
  whatever works for you..
  
  proceed to the south,
  
  NOTUS..
  
  the west
  
  ZEPHYRUS
  
  and on to north,
  
  BOREUS..
  
  in the same fashion..
  
  This completes the first pass..
  for the second.. call and invite the winds by
  name, explaining why you request their presence..
  for the third pass, charge each of the winds
  with the duty.. ie to protect, or to witness the rite..
  etc..
  then bless the center of the circle:
  
  "Blessed be the place where the four winds meet.."
  
  and I would consider the circle to be cast as
  soon as one has made the formal declaration to that effect..
  
  
  Take it down by reversing the direction and process, thanking the winds for
  their help; for attending, and bless the winds..
  
  Thats one of the basic ones I use..
  Pointers:
  Try to stick to "one circle.. one rite (or request)..
  I find that doing many operations of conflicting natures
  within a circle does not work well.
  
  Q&A
  [Q] Do you have to remove it? [the circle]
  
  [A] It is removed when you have thanked the winds, done as
  many times widdershins as you did deosil, and declared the
  rite formally ended..
  
  [Q] 4 questions.....You remove it after meditation
  etc.? And what are widdershins and deosil's? What is "charged water"?
  
  [A] Deosil: Clockwise Widdershins: Counter-clockwise
  As to 'charged water'.... this is water that has been
  exorcised of all impurity and ill intent.. and requested
  blessed by your deity..
  
  [Q] What is the water used for? The 'sprinkling'?
  [A] Sprinkling is ONE way of cleansing an area.. use
  whatever you think of as 'cleansing'. The symbols and
  symbolic acts of ritual must have meaning to the individual
  who uses them..
  
  [Q] Do you have to remove it?
  
  [A] A circle must be taken down, or it will tend to cause odd effects..
  
  [Q] Odd effects?
  
  [A] Odd effects: strange smells, odd dreams, headaches, dizziness, and
  symptoms typical of hauntings.. the circle is a portal.. the "place between
  the worlds". It must be taken down after use, or the 'door'is left open.
  
  [Q] Portal to where? Implying where are you getting the effects?
  
  [A] The circle functions as a 'portal' between the
  physical realm and the non-physical.. I chose the winds
  as guardians due to the fact that 'wind' is percievable
  in some form in most places. That "portal" can be to
  anywhere you wish. Sorry if I seem vague.. but the
  possibilities really are infinite..
  
  
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  Consecration Technique
  
  1) Light your illuminator setup. Pour spring or rain/storm water into
  chalice until half-full. Place pinch of seasalt on small piece of white
  paper.
  
  2) Holding the chalice at your heart with both hands, visualize a warm
  green light emanating out of your heart, encircling the chalice and then
  infusing the water. (SEE IT!) [my notes. sorry]
  Say:
  
  Powers of my love,
  Powers of my life,
  Bless this chalice
  And the water in it.
  
  3) Take a deep, strong breath and hold it in your stomach; then slowly
  bring it up to your heart; then your throat.....
  Exhale *strongly and loudly*, seeing your breath as gold and silver light.
  Let the gold and silver sprinkle into the chalice, infusing the water again.
  Say:
  
  Powers of my life's breath and my soul,
  Powers of my inspiration and my expiration,
  Bless this chalice and the water in it.
  
  4) Pick up the salt in your dominant hand and hold it awhile,
  concentrating/focusing on the merging of the two. Pour the salt into the
  water and say:
  
  As we were born from the sea and saltwater is our blood,
  as it is the mysterious holy blood of ______________,
  [the Great Goddess],
  let this salt and water combine into inseperable strength.
  Let this saltwater bless and protect all it touches!
  In the names of ____________ [the Lord and the Lady]
  So be it!
  
  5) Add a few drops of holy water. Say:
  
  Powers of the Divine Moon,
  Powers of my ancestors,
  this water will now cleanse, purify and protect
  all it touches.
  Blessed be the power stored in this holy blood of
  ___________ [the Great Goddess]!
  
  6) Set chalice on altar and pick up tool to be cleansed. If it's small,
  just dip it into the chalice - if it's big, use dominant hand to touch a few
  drops to the tool. Say:
  
  Powers of ________ [the Great Goddess]
  Powers of Earth and Water,
  Be thee present in my work.
  Ensoul and empower this/these/my _______ [name of tool/item]
  
  Visualize the elements of water and earth (or colors) whirling around the
  tool/item for a few minutes. MINUTES....
  
  7) Next, hold the tool/item near the candle flame. [I swirl it over my
  incense sticks or over small cauldron if I'm using resin incense over
  coals]. Then raise tool/item over your head with both arms. [god or goddess
  foot positioning is entirely up to you....i always think of the Arthur
  Miller dance studios. Gotta get some footprints..]. Say:
  
  Powers of the Horned God,
  Powers of Fire and Air,
  Be thee present in my work;
  Ensoul and empower ________
  
  Visualize all four elements (or colors) whirling around; permeating and
  enveloping the tool. Take your time...Then say:
  
  By the will of _________ [the Lord and Lady],
  I have empowered this ________________.
  May their blessings shine upon and through it always.
  
  By the free will of all, and with harm to none.
  As I will,
  So shall it be done!
  
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  Tool Consecration
  
  Materials:
  Tools
  Incense (in the east)
  White Candle (in the south)
  Small Bowl of Water (in the west)
  Small Bowl of Salt or Earth (in the north)
  
  [Cast the Circle]
  
  "Before these spirits I bring (name of tool) to be dedicated to the service of the Lady and the Lord."
  
  [Pass the tool three times through the smoke of the incense, saying:]
  "By the power of air, be purified. Be dedicated to purity, that all goals you help achieve may harm none and be for good of all."
  
  [Pass the tool three times through the flame of the candle, saying:]
  "By power of fire, be purified. Be dedicated to desire, that all goals you help achieve may harm none and be for good of all."
  
  [Sprinkle a few drops of water on the instrument, saying:]
  "By power of water, be purified. Be dedicated to emotion, that you be used in a spirit of harmony, harming none and for good of all."
  
  [Touch instrument to the earth or salt, saying:]
  "By power of earth, be purified. Be dedicated to steadfastness, that my will be achieved without wavering, with harm to none and for good of all."
  
  [Thank the Deities, Release the Circle.]
  
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  Blessing Of The Book Of Shadows
  
  Blessing of the Book of Shadows
  Hearken as the witches' word
  calls to All, a gulf to ford.
  Bridge the vast realities,
  An it harm none, do as ye please .
  
  Elements protect and guard this book,
  From wandering eyes and prying looks.
  Fill it with thine ancient power,
  In this right and ready hour.
  
  Powers of North, the East below,
  Help me to live, to learn, to grow.
  Lend your strength and stability,
  To practice the Craft and with love be free.
  
  Powers of East, the Wind, the Sky,
  Watch over these pages with thine eye
  . Your wisdom and knowledge, for these I do ask,
  That this book be worthy of the Craft and its task.
  
  Powers of South, Fire, and the Hearth,
  Help these Shadows to prove their worth.
  Infuse them with all your Healing and Passion,
  So only good comes from the Work that is fashioned .
  
  Powers of West, the Water and Sea,
  Change and growth are granted by thee.
  Bless these pages with all that you know,
  That righteous readers may learn and grow.
  
  And to the unschooled eye that see
  Confusing words and sophistry,
  Lead them from these sacred pages,
  And bless their passage through the ages .
  
  For free will of all,
  And harm of none,
  As I have willed it,
  It is now done.
  
  So mote it be!
  
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