THE BASICS OF SPELLWORKING ARE:

1. Decide on intent
2. Consider intent to be sure it is not against the will of someone else
3. Decide on the level of elaborateness you wish to do
4. Decide on the number of times or days you wish to perform the spell
5. Research the Moon phase (increase during waxing, decrease during waxing)
6. What will you use or do to give the spell sticking power?
7. Write the spell

BASIC GUIDELINES:
a. setting up circle
b. casting the circle
c. inviting a sprit to attend/to petition
d. stating intent
e. repeating or chant intent (especially if working craft like mojo or amulet)
f. focus or meditation
g. thank spirit
h. release spirit and circle
8. Decide when you wish to do the spell
9. Write a list of items needed, if necessary

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The Elements of Spell or Ritual Construction

Clearly understand and define your magickal need. Organize the ritual and write it out on paper or in your Book of Shadows, and look it over several times.

Gather together all the items you will need for your spell, such as candles, incense, herbs, gemstones, athame, chalice, etc., and empower these items using your mind's energy.

Decide on your incantation, and create an appropriate chant if you desire. It is helpful to memorize these, to avoid interupting the flow of energy by instead reciting it naturally.

If you will be invoking a paryicular deity, decide on who and write out and memorize any special prayers and invocations that you will use.

Plan how you will visualize your goal in your mind's eye.

Decide when and where you will work your spell, keeping in mind moon signs, phases, and such.

At the appropriate time, gather what you will use and go to the place where you will perform the spell.

Cast your circle, or create your sacred space. Call the quarters if you would like.

Invite whatever elements, faeries, spirits, or deities you wish to have present as you work.

Clear your mind and begin visualizing your goal.

Raise energy within yourself and "pour" it into your magickal objects.

Use your words of power, light your candles, charge your stones, dance, or sing. Do whatever you have decided to do to focus your attention and raise energy.

When you feel that you have put as much energy into your spell as you possibly can, send the energy out to do your will. Relax, throw up your arms, raise a tool, kneel, or do whatever else makes you feel the energy being sent.

Finish your spell with words such as "So mote it be" or "This is my will, so shall it be". It is a statement od completion and affirmation that you will know your magick is to be successful.

When you are ready, open your circle and thank the spirits who have been with you to help.

Ground your energy ~~ see it dissipate and return to the earth.

Record your ritual in your Book of Shadows.

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Basic Spell Construction
Because of the very nature of Magick, each working should be highly individualized and personal. Even if following a traditional spell, it should be tailored to your specific needs to be most effective for you. Understanding the basics of Spell Construction will enable you to formulate your own specific, effective spells for any purpose you desire.

Preliminary planning is necessary. The very first step is to decide precisely what your desired end result is to be. Before you can start, you must decide where you are going. You must be very explicit.

It is important, also, that you choose your time carefully. You should take into consideration all Astrological implications, energy currents and Moon phases.

The Moon is the astronomical body closest to us and, therefore, has a profound influence upon us, it is very important to choose a time when the Moon is in an astrological sign which is appropriate for your working. For example: Aries/Action -- Enthusiasm, Taurus/Renewal -- Sensuality, Gemini/Communication -- Curiosity, Cancer/Emotion -- Nurturing, Leo/Vitality -- Determined, Virgo/Organizing -- Studious, Libra/Balance -- Cooperation, Scorpio/Sexual -- Philosophical, Capricorn/Authority -- Ambitious, Aquarius/Innovation -- Social, Pisces/Sensitivity -- Idealistic.

Bear in mind that magickal workings for gain, increase or bringing things to you, should be initiated when the Moon is Waxing (from Dark to Full); when the Moon is Waning (from Full to Dark), it is time for magickal workings of decrease or sending away.

The highest energy occurs at the Full Moon and, therefore, this is the most powerful time for magickal workings. The New Moon is the next most powerful time for Magick.

Whenever possible, follow Nature's own energy flows. There is a natural time for starting things (a planting time), for maturing things (a growing time), for reaping things (a harvest time) and, of course, a time for rest and planning.

Flowing with these currents will make your magickal work much easier.

Remember to plan your project for a time of uninterrupted privacy. It is important that you have no distractions. Generally speaking, it is best to work as late at night as possible. A time when there is less frantic energy is most appropriate. You might consider Midnight or later.

In choosing a place to do your magickal working pay particular attention to your needs, for you must be comfortable. Your place should be private, quiet and secure. If at all possible, set aside a special place for this purpose only. An unused room, a special corner of your bedroom, a quiet, secluded spot in your garden. A place that is yours. A place that you can come to whenever need arises and that is as free from intrusion of others as possible.

Prior to the night of your magickal working, gather together the things that you will need. All of the things used are tools. They have no inherent magick. They are to help you create a mood. If correctly made and used, they will trigger primitive responses from deep within you. They should be chosen with care. Consider the purpose of your ritual and choose your tools accordingly. If your magick is to be sexual, your candles, oils, incenses and so forth should bring forth a sexual response. If the desired result of your Magick is tranquility, then the tools should make you feel calm, peaceful and serene. Any candles you might use should not have commercially added fragrances as these may not be appropriate for your working.

Prior to your ritual, prepare yourself and your equipment by any means necessary to clean and purify. Historically, people have fasted, followed meticulous and detailed bathing practices, practiced chastity and used many other methods.

Most often a ritual bath is the preferred method. A bath frequently utilizing candlelight, fragrant herbs, bath salts or sensuous oils. A sumptuous hot bath, special bathing preparations and appropriate lighting, combined, can create the soothing effect which will help in the very important step of relaxing and clearing the mind completely of all mundane thoughts and experiences of the day. Your ritual bath should, also, begin to set the specific vibrations conducive to your purpose into motion. You must not only cleanse and purify but must also begin to create the type of energy necessary. Once your purification process has been accomplished, you are now ready to begin. Proceed to the special place you have previously chosen in which to perform your magick. If at all possible, you should make use of the primitive responses set into motion by a well chosen piece of music. Your music should start slowly and build to a rousing climax.

As you use your oils, light your candle or incense (or utilize any other tool you have chosen), you should begin to further intensify the energy that you have set into motion around you. A high degree of intensity is vitally important.

The Altered State of Consciousness that you must reach is not a meditative state. Anything that interferes with your ability to concentrate upon, reach and control the high energy state necessary to perform magick should be avoided, such as screaming children, a sink full of dirty dishes, use of alcohol or drugs, etc.

Do not scatter your energy by attempting to do more than one magickal working at a time.

Remember that Magick is the manipulation of energy, a thought is a form of energy and a visualization is an even stronger form of energy. Your visualization can be a method used to intensify further and direct your will. Your visualization can be the method by which you control the magickal energy you have produced. You must know what you want. You must see it. You must feel the high energy flow. You must direct it.

One of the most important elements in the practice of any form of Magick is the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. This means that whatever you do (or don't do) you cause something to happen.

The most important consideration is the Universal Law of Retribution. This means that no matter what you do, it comes back to you in like kind.

It is the nature of things that as you send something out it gains momentum, so that, by the time it comes back to you, it is three times stronger. If you do something nice for someone, someone will do something nicer for you.

"As you weave and
spin your spell,
Three fold return

the tale will tell."

 [ send green star]

Clear the altar, leave it bare
Consecrate with fire, earth, water and air.
Mix the energies thrice around
Seal the harmony with a silver bell's sound.

Left palm down, right palm out
Gather the energies all about.
Raise the circle, up, up, up
Stamp your feet to seal it shut.

Summon the quarters to guard the space
Take your time, it's not a race.
Light two candles, silver and gold
Speak of lineage, ancestors old.

Call the Goddess then the God
Touch the Path all witches trod.
Ring the bell, one, two, three
It's time to plant the New Year's seed.

Hold the hour with quiet sand
Empower it in both your hands.
Ask for blessings, all you need
Stay true in heart, mind and deed.

Raise the glass, your power too
Turn it quick, then you are through.
Set it on your altar there
Watch the sands fall through the air.

Hail and farewell, well wishes grow
Watch the clock as the old year goes.
Greet the new year with smiles and cheer
Thank the Gods, may they stay near.

Clap your hands to take the circle down
Watch it filter through the ground.
Look to the future, plan a lot
Love, peace and harmony, that's what you've got.

~author unknown

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I use this protection spell for my home and my family.The spell is written down and has been on the fridge the last couple of years.

 Walk from room to room,with incense, candle or what ever you like to use... say the following in each room three times:

  "For thine protection,I now pray,let all evil turn away.Protect night,protect day,and keep misfortune well at bay."

  Light&Laughter,Rhia

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 [ accepted]

Pet Protection Bottle Spell

To many of us, our pets are like our children and considered close family members. Here is a spell bottle to help keep your four-legged friends from straying too far and getting lost when they explore the outdoors. On a small piece of paper, draw the outline of a house. Inside the outline, write your pet’s name and your address. Roll the paper up, scroll-fashion, and place it inside the bottle along with a small amount of dirt from your home. If you live in an apartment, soil from around a house plant will do. Add nail clippings and strands of fur, plus a garlic clove or two. Close the bottle and seal it with red candle wax. Place this in a safe place, perhaps near where your pet supplies are kept.

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Mel,

I use the Seventh House Publishing Dayrunner as a guide for all my spells. They have great hints and tips in it all year as well as what they call "power days". Days of the month and year that are especially charged for specific things. I also combine it with herbs for incense specifically for my need. Yours is visions. I have a book call "The Master Grimoire" by Pat Kirven Sawyer. I consult that. Then build my spell, juju bag, sleep pillow or whatever and charge it on my altar. I construct the spell myself using hints and tips from a lot of different sources. The grimoire, some of Scott Cunningham's works, Konstantinos' and other things.

So, for visions. I would take some anise seed and marigold (called Calendula) and make a vision pillow with them. I would charge them on my altar after designing and performing a spell (or ritual). Then I would sleep with it under my pillow on the "power day" for psychic dreams. Making sure to have a notebook and pencil handy for when I woke. Also, when doing this, make sure to aviod looking out a window immediately upon waking as you will forget your dreams if you do.

Hope this helps. Sorry I was so long in replying.

Xanth

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 [ accepted]

I meant Mel W not Mel S

sorry

Xanth

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 [ accepted]