Spells

I wish I had a nickel for every time a reporter or radio talk show host asked me the following: “Do spells really work?”

Yes. Of course they work!

A spell is nothing more than linking physical actions with focused prayer. That’s it. No mist rising from the graveyard required. No discarnate spirits hovering over your shoulder a necessity. No ghost riders waiting outside to carry you off to a moldy, evil castle of doom and gloom. Words. Actions. Stuff. That’s about the long and the short of it.

Whether we are talking about spells performed in ancient civilizations or modern times, most spells have the following in common:

• They are like recipes that call for different ingredients, and these ingredients are chosen by correspondences (see part 4, Correspondences).

• They have some sort of timing mechanism attached to them—day of the week, moon quarter or phase, planetary alignment, planetary hour, season, or other significant association with a heavenly body action such as a comet, eclipse, blue moon (the second of two full moons that occur in a calendar month), etc.

• They are done in a magick circle, and often in a ritual within that circle.90

• They work best if tailored to a specific religion that encourages ethical and moral behavior.

• They link to a deity of some sort, whether that deity is from a particular pantheon or is viewed as all-encompassing Spirit. Higher powers can also be included, such as angelic/planetary energies that represent the pure essence of deity. The idea of handing a problem over to god/dess is not a Christian fabrication. You’ve heard some Christian sects say “Give your problems to Jesus,” or “Give your problems to God.” The idea of handing troubles over to deity and higher powers was common among people as far back as 400 b.c.,91 long before Christianity came into being.

• They are accompanied by spoken or written formulas that may include prayers, invocations, or charms.

• Many include the use of symbolism, from the colors chosen to the design of sigils.

• Most employ some type of repetitive form (words or symbols) that may also use analogies, metaphors, similes, or rhythmic phrases.

Analogy: Showing the similarities between two different things—“As the moon’s light grows so shall my own power increase.” The similarity here is that both humans and the moon have power that can be increased.

Metaphor: Descriptive phrase in which one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them—“May all negativity be cut from me as the ship plows the sea.”

Simile: A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced with the words “like” or “as”—“May the disease rot as this potato rots in the ground.” “May she be as gifted as an angel with a lyre.”

• Fully state the intent of the practitioner and of the work, including the name of the practitioner and the name of the individual for whom the working is designed. If a full name could not be found, then a description of the person or his or her family lineage was also used.

• Most spells have some type of sealing device, from hand motions in the air, sealing with wax, tying with string or thread, or using another object. Ancient spells often used nails, not with the intention to harm, but with the analogy that if a nail holds a board into place, it will hold a spell into place too.

If we divided the process of spellcasting in half, there are two main portions: the spell itself and the accompanying rite (set of actions); and both are normally done within the confines of the magick circle. In spellcasting, practice makes perfect and the more you learn, the better you become at casting spells. You can’t read a book, do one spell, fail, and think that’s all there is to it. It’s more complicated than that; practice is the key to success. This doesn’t mean that your first spells will automatically fail (indeed, your success will probably amaze you), but magick is hard work, after all, and, like some recipes, not every spell works well for every person.

Spellcasting is certainly not new, and we can find references to spells in all the ancient cultures and several modern ones as well. It is important to remember that the casting of spells was not relegated to priests and priestesses (or clergy) of the ancient religions. Both aristocrats and peasants firmly believed and used either the services of one who knew how to cast spells, or practiced whipping them up themselves. Greek, Roman, Celt, Jew, Druid, Egyptian, Islamic, Persian, Sumerian, Norse, Christian, and German (yes, I know I’m mixing religions, cultures, and countries, that’s the point)—all incorporated the belief of spellcasting in their daily lives,92 and no amount of convincing—from Roman law to Saint Patrick to the pope to Martin Luther to the Puritans and finally the fundamentalists of later years—has ever been able to fully eradicate the practice.

Why?

Because spells work.

There will always be a debate, however, about why they work, and for that we have to look into the mind of the practitioner. When a person begins to practice magick or study the Craft, he or she is moving from a passive attitude about life and stepping forward into an active, participatory one. He or she is no longer the victim of circumstances, but agrees that by using his or her willpower and level of belief, he or she can accomplish anything. And that’s precisely what they do—they succeed. Witches believe that all acts of magick and ritual will change the practitioner’s perception on any given issue. If you work for harmony (which is the best idea), then you are raising your energy vibration to accept and welcome that harmony—all negativity then naturally fades away. The length of time for the spell to work depends largely on the amount of imbalance in the situation. In spellwork you are conquering your own fear, negative thoughts, and doubts by finding the courage to go beyond issues, self-defeating conditioning, and people that try to hold you back. Other Witches have different ideas on why spellcasting works; however, if you want to dissect why spells work,that’s fine and you’ll find a great deal of musing in both scholarly texts and magickal ones. What is most important is that you don’t have to analyze a spell in order for it to succeed.

You need only believe.

For further discussion on why spells work, please refer to part 4, Magick.

Super Simple Spellcasting

Let’s say you found a cool spell in a book and you want to try it, and let’s also say that this particular spellbook isn’t big in the instructions department (many aren’t). That’s because they assume that you already know how to cast a spell, so in their minds you really just need the ingredients. For the sake of argument, let’s include that you know how to do ritual, that you have a basic understanding of magickal timing (particularly the moon in the phases), and that you’ve read through most of this book, therefore you already understand why the magick circle is important, why the quarters are important, etc., etc. All you really need is a basic spellcasting ritual that you can do from memory and plug in the spell you’ve chosen. The fact that you will do this same simple ritual for your spells on a repeated basis helps to ensure a successful working (the beauty of repetition). Although I provided you with a basic ritual (see page 23), this one is designed only for spellwork. First, let’s work through an example of super simple spellcasting, and then I’ll give you some spells in the form of recipes that you can plug in. Remember, the key is memorizing the format so that eventually you can do it by heart without having to look at a book. To make this procedure interesting and unusual, I’ve added a spell rod. (see part 2, Wand, Rod, Stang, and Staff)

Silver’s Spellcasting Ritual

Supplies: You will need a spell rod, which is nothing more than a dowel 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet long. Paint half the rod black. Allow to dry. Paint the next four inches red. Allow to dry. Paint the next four inches white. Allow to dry. Paint the remaining end of the rod gold. Cover a small portion of the black end with soft red leather or red cloth for a hand grip. Glue in place. Tie three bells with black ribbon at the bottom of the hand grip. These colors—black to red, red to white, and white to gold—are the original alchemical colors (see Alchemy). The spell rod is used only for spells, nothing else, which is why I haven’t suggested using your wand or athame, though you certainly could if you like. By keeping the spell rod separate from your other workings it retains only that energy used for spellwork. Cleanse, consecrate, and empower the spell rod when it is completely dry; this is best done during a full moon. Allow the rod to sit in the light of the moon for at least one hour. Also, I always burn a white candle and set out a white bowl of water, no matter what ingredients are called for in the spell.

step one: Gather all the supplies necessary for the spell, as well as any written information needed to cast the spell, and place everything on your altar or working surface. Light any illuminator candles that you feel you may need. For advanced students, you may also wish to devote the altar at this time. Ground and center.

step two: Cast the magick circle in the following manner: Beginning at the north, walk clockwise once around the room, with the gold end of the stick pointing out and down to start and slowly raising the rod as you intone the circlecasting. When you reach the north quarter the third time, the spell rod should be raised directly vertical toward the sky. I have added the reasoning for each line in parentheses so that you can better understand what will manifest as you cast this circle. This will also help you choose other suitable circlecastings for your work in years to come.

Black and red, white and gold
(invoking the alchemical energies from void to perfection)

rising circle taking hold.
(bidding the circle energy to coalesce)

New moon’s blessing bright and clean
(asking for cleansing and consecration)

full moon’s magick sight unseen.
(asking for protection)

You should have made one pass around the circle. Now walk the circle again, reciting the next four lines and stopping briefly at the quarters.

North is earth and east is air
(invoking the elements)

mighty ones, attend me here.
(invoking the angels or guardian protectors)

South is fire, and west the sea
(invoking the elements)

ancient ones, please be with me.
(invoking the ancestral dead)

You should have made the second pass around the circle. Now walk the circle one last time, reciting the final four lines.

Rise, O circle, Queen’s great cloak
(building the circle energy and
calling on the Goddess)

hunter’s might and Witch’s oath
(calling on the God and invoking
one’s oath of service)

planets spin and kiss the stars
(calling the correct astrological energies)

hearken to the Witch’s charge!
(awakening planetary energies)

Make the magick make the change
(calling for the energy needed to
complete the tasks this night)

nothing is beyond my range.
(declaring one’s power—and believing it)

Between the worlds this circle sealed—
(sealing the circle)

Tap the rod on the ground once.

And naught within shall be revealed.
(secrecy while circle is cast).

As above and so below
(alchemical invocation)

as I say, it shall be so!
(declaration of belief)

step three: As this particular ritual is designed for speed, the quarter call will be a bit different than shown in either the basic ritual or the esbat rituals. Stand in the center of the circle and face north. As you intone the quarter call, point the rod in the air toward the intended quarter with arm extended at forehead level. As you say each element, visualize that element. This is extremely important with this particular quarter-calling procedure. If you say earth, then think about the rich, loamy soil. When you say air, think of the breezes, the winds, the joy of breathing. Fire should have a strong brazier of flame, and water could be a waterfall, the sea, or a flowing river. You already knocked on their door in the circlecasting, but now you are required to open that door.

Ye elemental gates open here
(statement of intent)

bring your special powers near.
(asking for assistance)

Earth! (opening the north quarter)

Air! (turn east, opening the east quarter)

Fire! (turn south, opening the south quarter)

Water! (turn west, opening the west quarter)

No other associated powers are called because each spell is different, and some spells may make specific mention of what should be invited into the circle along with the element (angels, totems, ancestors, etc.). If your spell calls for any of these, or has its own quarter call, insert that information here.

step four: Identify yourself, invoke deity, and indicate your intent. Check the spell. If deity is not mentioned, you should insert your own spiritual power and call upon that deity. If you are worried that the deity you chose will not fit with the essence of the spellwork, simply say Spirit. Again, this spellworking format is designed for speed. That doesn’t mean you should rush through the spell, speak quickly, or hurry any of the parts, but it does keep the working smooth and simple. As you state the words of intent, hold your dominant hand above your head (if you are right-handed, it would be your right hand—left-handed, your left hand) or, with your dominant hand, point the gold end of the rod to the heavens.

Below is an example statement for you to use. When writing your own portion of this ritual, be sure to keep your statement of intent clear. You’ve already seen a statement somewhat like this in Part 1 (see Quarter Calls), so it should be somewhat familiar to you.

Hail, Mistress of the Universe!
I, (say your name), your son/daughter of the Craft of the Wise, do call thee forth and beseech you in the name of your earthly child, (name the person or animal you are working for. If it is yourself, then reword this section), who is in need of your assistance. Great Mother, lend me your ear in this situation.

Now describe the situation in specific terms and indicate what you are requesting. For example, “That Jane Doe finds solace and comfort in her hour of need,” or “That John Doe finds a new job that brings him the income he needs as well as personal satisfaction and a good working environment without having to drive too far,” etc. Continue by saying, “I know that you will do this. So mote it be!”

To let you see what it looks like all together, here is a quick example:

Hail, Mistress of the Universe! I, (say your name), your son/daughter of the Craft of the Wise, do call thee forth and beseech you in the name of your earthly child, Tiffany Doe, who is in need of your assistance. Great Mother, lend me your ear in this situation and provide protection for Tiffany as she travels from her home to visit her grandmother in Portland, Maine. Please
protect her until she safely returns home again.
I know that you will do this. So mote it be!

step five: Cleanse, consecrate, and empower all supplies, regardless if the spells says you should nor not.

step six: Insert the spell, which will probably in some way repeat your original statement of intent. Repetition in magick is not only expected, but helps to focus the work. Perform all aspects of the spellwork, which includes raising energy. If the spell does not say to raise energy, it is assumed you will do it anyway. Sometimes this is done by repetition of a chant or drumming, but some spells tell you to mix something and light a candle without additional information. If this is the case, take the time to raise the energy. The easiest way is to stand with feet apart and slowly raise your arms, focusing on your intent. You will feel the energy move through your body and out through your upraised hands. As you become more experienced in raising energy, you will feel a very cool rush as you lift the energy up and out. I would also like to remind you here that you are not raising your own energy (which would make you feel tired) but gathering the energies you have called (deity, quarters, etc.) to do the job for you. If you feel tired after a ritual, then you have expended too much personal energy. You should feel energized and wide awake! Remember to seal the spell by blowing on the material three times or drawing an equal-armed cross in the air over the project. Many spell books don’t include this information.

step seven: Thank deity.

step eight: Close the quarters by facing west, and saying:

Ye elemental gates begin to close

your gifts were welcome, your energy goes.

Point the rod to the west, and say “Hail and farewell.” Turn to the south and repeat “Hail and farewell.” Then to the east, repeating the closure, and finally to the north, saying, “Hail and farewell. Everything comes from the north!”

step nine: Beginning at the north quarter, point the rod away from your body and toward the ground. Slowly move in a clockwise direction, envisioning the circle lifting and pouring into the rod as if the rod is a type of magick vacuum cleaner. Continue moving counterclockwise until you reach the north quarter again. Tap the rod once on the ground, and say: “This circle is open but never broken. So mote it be.”

step ten: Ground and center. Clean up the area and put all supplies away.

Spells to Try

Here are spells that you can try using the simple procedure we just learned. Remember to write out your statement of intent before you begin. These spells appear here just like you might find them in a spell book, which means that you may have to add things (like incense or other favorite supplies) on your own. You’ll also have to think about timing. Don’t forget the basics like grounding and centering, raising energy, and remembering to seal the spell with sacred breath or the equal-armed cross. If you follow the previously given spellcasting ritual, these conjurations should work well for you.

Money and Prosperity Spell

Fill a small, black purse with silver coins. Add three mint leaves (to draw money), four garlic peels (to keep money once you have it), one silver pentacle (or draw the pentacle on a piece of yellow paper), some silver glitter, three silver bells (to dispel negative energy around your finances), a spring of rue, and a piece of pepper plant. On a slip of paper, write your name and the amount of money needed, then add the words “and a little extra.” Place paper inside the purse. Close the purse. Say the following chant nine times while shaking the purse:

Money, money, come to me.
Bring to me prosperity.
Silver coins and silver bells,
silver star the money swells!

Begin saying softly, then increase volume of voice as you raise energy. Leave the purse on your altar or carry with you until you receive the money. To keep money flowing toward you, remember to give some of what you have received to charity or a friend in need. Save the money bag until you need it again. Add fresh herbs and three more coins to reactivate the energy.

To Banish Someone’s Influence
from Your Life

Write the person’s name who is giving you problems in big letters on a large piece of paper. With mortar and pestle, mix salt, black pepper, and red pepper together. Trace the letters on the paper with glue. While still wet, sprinkle the glue with the banishing mixture. As the glue dries, repeat the following chant:

Goddess made thee man/woman (boy/girl)
and dog, nose to the ground and let me be,
run—not walk—away from me.

When completely dry, burn the paper and place the ashes near the person who is bothering you.

To Find Love

Take the Ace of Hearts from a card deck and place faceup on your altar. Sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar. Place three pink rose petals on top. Burn a pink candle with your name on it. Hold your hands over the Ace and say twenty-one times:

Aces are winners and I’ll win in love,
kisses and hugs from heaven above,
bring me affection that I’m thinking of.

Place the Ace, sugar, and rose petals in a pink conjuring bag. Carry with you until your desire is granted. Keep until you wish the relationship to end, then open the bag and scatter to the winds, saying five times:

Aces are winners and I’ve had my fill,
leave now with happiness, and leave me no ill.

To Gain Entrance into
a Group or Club

Mix dried clover, white sugar, and ground orange peel together with mortar and pestle. Draw or find a picture of the group’s insignia. Draw the bind rune below over the insignia.

Write your name over the bind rune. Write the club’s name on the back of the paper. Activate the rune as explained on page 326. Sprinkle the herbal mixture onto the front of the paper (the side containing the bind rune). Fold the four corners of the paper over to completely cover the herbal mixture. Securely tape. Seal with red wax. Place in a small, red felt bag. Carry with you until entrance is obtained. If for some reason you decide to leave the group, take the spellwork apart in ritual and burn everything in a fire-safe bowl.

To Activate Group Effort

Many times a teacher or professor will insist that you work with others on a class project. Although this is meant to encourage group participation, invariably one person is stuck with most of the work (that one person is probably you). To ensure that everyone does their fair share, try this spell.

Write the names of those people involved in your project on the inside bottom of a white paper bowl without spaces between the names (so it looks like you have one big, huge, crazy word). Write the name of the project underneath. Place a magnet in the bowl. Place a handful of sunflower seeds (for success) on top of the magnet. With a clean wooden spoon, stir the seeds twenty-one times, visualizing everyone working together and having a fun time. As you stir, say: “Become one, be one.” You’ll notice that you’ll sometimes confuse “become one” and “be one”—that’s okay. Keep going. That means the spell is working. If, over time, the group starts to pull apart, or someone is not doing what they are supposed to, repeat the stirring process along with the chant. Don’t forget to do your fair share. When the project is finished, scatter the sunflower seeds outdoors, burn the bowl, and cleanse the magnet in holy water or moonlight.

To Gain Understanding of Literature
or Other Material

First, you must study! Make a bookmark out of yellow construction paper. (If you are having trouble with more than one subject, make a separate bookmark for each subject.) Punch a hole 3/4-inch from the top. Loop a gold cord through the hole. Tie carefully. Tie a white feather to each loose end of the gold cord. Draw the following bind rune at the top of the bookmark, about 1/2-inch below the hole.

Activate the bind rune following the instructions in page 326. Rub the bookmark with dried, crushed peppermint. Put the peppermint (herb) in a baggie, as you will use it again later. Hold the bookmark over the book you are currently studying, and say: “I empower this bind rune to open the way for me to understand this material.” Pass the bookmark around the book three times clockwise. Open the book and riffle the pages with your left hand so that the air from the moving pages flutters the bookmark that you are dangling from your right hand. Do this three times. Now find the chapter you are to study and begin to do so. Keep the rune visible on the desk at all times. If you come to a particularly difficult passage, close your eyes and tap the rune three times. Take a deep breath, then open your eyes. Continue to study. If you are still having difficulty, take a five-minute break, then return to the passage. When you are finished studying for the day (or for a longer break), place the bookmark in the book at the page where you stopped working. Keep the bookmark in the book until you have finished that book or project. To reactivate the bookmark, place it in the baggie with the crushed peppermint and sit the bag outside in the sunlight or moonlight for at least one hour. Renew the peppermint every thirty days. When you are finished with the book or project, burn the bookmark and scatter the ashes to the wind, thanking deity for the assistance you received. Note: This spell does not relieve you of the responsibility of studying. It is merely a helpful tool.

To Cleanse an Area Before
and After a Party

You will need one new salt or pepper shaker with large holes, and one with normal holes. If the holes are not large enough and the cap is metal, very carefully widen the hole with a nail by tapping lightly with a hammer. Turn both shakers upside down and paint a black pentacle on the bottom of each. Allow to dry. Drop one large jingle bell into each shaker. Mix sea salt, basil, powdered clove, and ground lemon peel in a bowl. Transfer to mortar and pestle. Grind to a fine powder. Cleanse, consecrate, and empower mixture using the herbal charm on page 381. Fill the shaker with the larger holes. Test shaker. If the mixture pours out too rapidly, the holes are too big. Cap tightly. Fill a second shaker with holy water. Before the party, begin at the center of the room and walk clockwise around the room, sprinkling the holy water and herbal mixture, saying: “Clearing, cleansing, sparkling clean. Banish evil sight unseen.” Vacuum. After the party, begin at the center of the room and walk counterclockwise around the room, sprinkling the holy water and the herbal mixture, repeating the chant. Vacuum the area thoroughly.

Money Wheel

You will need clay (such as Crayola Model Magic), twelve large paper clips, twelve new one-dollar bills, and one magnet. Shape clay into a smooth ball. Flatten. Draw a pentacle in the center with pencil or nail. Write your initials in the center of the pentacle. Embed the paper clips on end around the pentacle, like the spokes of a wheel. The paper clips should be positioned so that they can hold a folded dollar bill or a small piece of paper. Allow to dry. Write the following on each dollar bill: Money must come to me. If you don’t want to write directly on the money, you can write the words on a removable label or cello tape, and tape on the bill. Rub each dollar with a mixture of ground cinnamon and clove, repeating the statement seven times for each dollar. Neatly fold the dollars. Place one dollar on each paper clip, repeating: “Money must come to me.” Place the magnet in the center of the pentacle. Set your project on your altar. Each day for seven days turn the wheel seven times, repeating: “Money must come to me.” If you have a specific amount of money you need, then place the dollar amount on a piece of paper with the words “and a little extra.” Fold the paper and put under the magnet. You may also wish to burn one green votive candle inscribed with the Feoh rune (page 322) each night to add strength to the spell. This spell works extremely well in a Taurus moon.

Success in Sports

You will need a sport headband or wristband that you have worn. On a small piece of paper write the name of your team, the position you play, and your name. Cover with the Victory rune from page 326 or choose your favorite symbol of victory and self-empowerment. Activate the symbol. Most headbands and wristbands are double-ply, meaning you can carefully cut a small slit on the underside of the band. Slip the paper into the hole. Sew shut. Wear or carry with you throughout the season. If you will play again next year, you can save the band as a lucky talisman and re-empower it at the start of the new season, or you can burn this one, scattering the ashes to the winds, and make a new one next year.

To Relieve the Pressure of an
Unfair Professor

Let’s face it, not all teachers and professors are kind, gentle, loving people, and even some of the good ones have very bad times in their lives—they are only human, after all. This spell has two purposes: to help you become more understanding and see what may be possibly causing the root of the difficulty you are experiencing, and with that information to use it wisely to sweeten your position. You will need a large potato, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, basil, and an indelible marker. Write your name on one side of the potato and the professor’s (teacher’s) name underneath. Beside each name draw the symbol for Mercury () to enhance the flow of information and communication. Turn the potato over. Carefully scoop out at least one inch of potato with spoon or knife. In a bowl, mix a small amount of the sugars (to sweeten the situation) and basil (to bring understanding) together. Empower for information, wisdom, and understanding. Sprinkle into the opening of the potato. Add three drops of vanilla. Empower for stated purpose. Place one nail in the potato to seal the spell. Set outside in the sun. As the potato rots, the evil will break down and understanding will come. If you are doing this during the cold months of the year, when it won’t be possible for the vegetable to rot, use a sweet potato instead and bake in your oven until soft. At a place with moving water (stream, ocean, etc.), remove the nail and throw the potato into the water. Dispose of the nail in a dumpster off your property.

Giving a Problem Over to Deity

In this section we discussed how the practice of giving our problems over to deity is an ancient application. This doesn’t mean that you can act like a jerk and then expect Spirit to fix it. It does mean, however, that you always have a spiritual support system, especially when you are so confused that you have no idea where to begin. We’ve all had situations where we feel that a tidal wave has hit us and we are being carried along, helpless and alone. If this is how you feel, try this spell.

Supplies: Any and all items that are associated with the problem, as well as a complete written page (or more) of what that problem entails. On the paper around your account of the events, draw your favorite magickal symbols or sigils, asking for empowerment and harmony. You may have to do a little research to determine which symbols fit the issue—that’s okay. The more you learn, the wiser you become. The supplies used could be pictures, jewelry, etc. A piece of black cloth—the size depends on how much junk you have collected. A bottle of holy water made at the full moon.

Instructions: Place all items collected in the center of the black cloth. Douse with holy water, asking Spirit for a thorough cleansing of the issue. Tie the four corners of the cloth together, making a bundle out of your junk. Spit on the bundle three times, then seal by making the sign of the equal-armed cross in the air. Throw the bundle into a dumpster off your property, saying:

Great Mother (or deity of your choice), I have bound this issue into this bundle and I am giving it over to you. Please take this negativity away from me and in its place bring love and harmony. I know you will do this for me. So mote it be.

Reversing Your Own Spellwork

Granted, all spellwork should be composed for balance, and sometimes moving toward that harmony isn’t particularly pleasant. In that case we have to wait and be patient. Every now and then, however, we realize that our spellwork is not going where we wanted it to, or perhaps we have changed our minds and decided that what we asked for is not what we really wanted after all. If either of these two situations are the case, use the following conjuration to break and de-magick the original work.

Instructions: Go back over your notes and read over exactly what you did in the original spellcasting procedure (this is another reason why you should keep some sort of magickal record—just in case you think you’ve done a flubbo). Use the same ritual that you used before until you come to the point where you cast the original spell. Hold your hands over any of the physical components of the spell (such as a Witch’s bottle, a cord with knots, etc.) This is another reason why most spells have something physical attached to them, just in case you want to change your mind. In spellwork, this is called an “out.” Say:

Backward, oh backward, O time in its flight

unfetter the binding of magick and might.

Reverse the intent with love and with grace

disperse and return to your original state.

State loudly and firmly exactly what you are trying to undo, then sprinkle the project with holy water. Break the project into pieces, then dispose in the garbage or burn as much of the project as possible, saying: “The spell is reversed without hatred or curse. So mote it be!” Finish the ritual as originally done.

Note: For whatever reason, if you no longer have the object, simply place your palms on the altar and visualize the act of removing the magick and taking apart the project you made. Finish by sprinkling your hands and the altar with holy water.

Reversing the Spellwork
of Another

A note of caution here—the ups and downs of life do not automatically indicate that someone has put a curse on you or sent negative magick your way. More often than not, we are experiencing unfortunate circumstances because we did something stupid, or because the lesson is in your life plan. Blaming a curse or other magickal vehicle is buying into superstition, and we really don’t want to go there. In fact, it takes a lot of effort to throw a curse, and even when that is done the rule of three always applies, hence most magickal people don’t mess with curses because there are several ways to handle the issues of life without bringing negative magick into the mix. I say “most magickal people” because there is always that particular soul that feels he or she knows best and thinks there is more power in negative magick. Wrong. These people are not real Witches, they are dabblers with a major self-esteem problem. Trust me on this one—I’ve watched a few people crash and burn through sheer stupidity of this kind. I’ve had letters from a few teens that tell me their friends have “cursed” them openly, and to be quite frank with you this has nothing to do with modern Witchcraft and everything to do with psychological terrorism, meaning that you have to believe they can hurt you for the curse to work, as it is your own mind that fulfills their prophecy. If you realize that they are truly powerless, then you will be just fine.

This is not to say that evil does not exist in the world. We know that it does. Therefore, regardless of how the negativity got to you in the first place, the following spell, taken and rewritten to match the times from ancient texts, should do the trick. Use the spellworking formula given in this section and plug in where needed.

Bowl Reversal Spell

Supplies: One large paper bowl; one black marker; 3 candles—red, white, and black.

Instructions: In a magick circle, write the incantation below on the inside of a paper bowl, starting with a circle in the middle and then spiraling out. Place on the altar. Light the black candle first, followed by the red, then by the white. Say: “The void, the action, the spirit of harmony, I invoke thee now!”

Now read the incantation:

Overturned, overturned, overturned, overturned, overturned is the Earth and the heaven, overturned are the stars and the planets, overturned is the gossip of the people, overturned is the curse of he or she who stands in the open field and in the town, and on the mountain and in the churches, and in the city and in the suburbs, in the home and in the place of business. In the name of Hecate, Dark Queen of the Witches, whomever transgresses against me shall be bound by their own negativity and banished as the rays of the sun banish the mists in the valley. All that is of the Earth calls and all that is of the heavens obeys! I implore our Lady, who is the voice of all the heavens and of all the Earth, of all the stars and the heavenly bodies, and who receives all souls from this world. Should I have brought this upon myself with my own fear, overturn this negative energy and replace it with harmony. I know you will do this for me. So mote it be.93

Carefully, so as not to start a fire, drip the black wax over the incantation and say: “All negative energies that oppose or surround me are banished back to the void.” Drip the red wax, saying: “By the action of my words.” Drip the white wax on the red, saying: “By the hand of Spirit, this spell is sealed. So mote it be.”

Bury the bowl off of your property and seal with an equal-armed cross in the dirt.