Lessons in Magic... for those interested in the magical side of paganism
When one mentions paganism, magic usually comes to mind. Most think that to be a pagan, you have to be a witch or practice magic in some form. However, this is not the case. Not all pagans practice magic or call themselves witches. It is just like not all witches will call themselves pagan. Everyone is unique. However, there are some pagans that practice magic frequently or even a little bit. If you are curious, then I've added a few things in to introduce you.
Now, I would recommend finding some reading and doing some research before you take any major steps in doing magic. If you are not knowledgeable, then you can bite off more than you can chew. So, I would recommend getting a teacher or at least ask for advice before doing too much. However, below I have added a few bits of knowledge to get you started. If you are comfortable then, I have added on a few spells on the next page. Just remember to think about what you do before you do it. I have added magical ethics below, so make sure to read it! You can find a great number of spells on the internet, but make sure that you are careful!
Well, hoping that I haven't scared you off as I was just giving a word of caution, feel free to look below and see if anything interests you! Oh, and one last thing. Magic doesn't have to be expensive. You don't have to buy elaborate things for magic to work. Just look around what you have at home. I'm sure you will find something that will work just as fine or even better!
Now, I would recommend finding some reading and doing some research before you take any major steps in doing magic. If you are not knowledgeable, then you can bite off more than you can chew. So, I would recommend getting a teacher or at least ask for advice before doing too much. However, below I have added a few bits of knowledge to get you started. If you are comfortable then, I have added on a few spells on the next page. Just remember to think about what you do before you do it. I have added magical ethics below, so make sure to read it! You can find a great number of spells on the internet, but make sure that you are careful!
Well, hoping that I haven't scared you off as I was just giving a word of caution, feel free to look below and see if anything interests you! Oh, and one last thing. Magic doesn't have to be expensive. You don't have to buy elaborate things for magic to work. Just look around what you have at home. I'm sure you will find something that will work just as fine or even better!
Magical Ethics
Taken from "Craft of the Wise" by Vikki Bramshaw
I will write down a more detailed description below, but here is a quick checklist whenever you do magic:
Never work to influence any other person's will or freedom of choice
Never work to cause harm to others
Never work for ego or unreasonable financial gain
Never work to influence any other person's will or freedom of choice
Never work to cause harm to others
Never work for ego or unreasonable financial gain
When working on a magical level we must understand the possibility that any change we attempt to make by the way of the magical arts may be returned to us. In some Craft traditions, and particularly Wicca, it is believed that you receive three time whatever you send out - the 'Threefold Law of Return'. The true origin of the Threefold La is sketchy, and something that only you can decided whether to follow. However, it isn't a bad rule of thumb to keep in mind that whatever we send out we are going to get back, and quite possibly more generously than we offered it. Whether what you get back is positive or negative is then, ultimately up to you. We create our own path, and we reap the consequences of our actions.
So, if we choose to believe in the power of cause and affect, then that means we must take responsibility for our own actions - both magically and non-magically - within our day to day lives. So then, when working with magic and ritual, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not cause accidental harm towards ourselves or anyone else. Take spells seriously! They are not completely harmless and you could cause disastrous consequences if you do not take them seriously! So, how do we do this? Keep reading below:
When we decide to do a spell, we must first think about HOW the spell will reach the end goal. For instance, consider that you have done a spell for prosperity, so that you can get out of debt. If you don't specify HOW that money is going to get to us, it is statistically more likely that the money will come to you through the death of a family member rather than buying a winning lottery ticket. Magic is like electricity in a way; if you do not give it a specific way to travel then it will find the quickest route itself, which usually ended up with someone being shocked. So, give your magic a safe route and give it specifics so it will work without hurting you or anyone else.
A good idea would be to use a good circle casting if that is what the spell requires. I have a separate page that will describe this in more detail. Also, it is a good idea to use affirmations at the end of your spell. A popular one is 'for the good of all', though there are others out there. It is called a 'fail-safe'.
So, if we choose to believe in the power of cause and affect, then that means we must take responsibility for our own actions - both magically and non-magically - within our day to day lives. So then, when working with magic and ritual, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not cause accidental harm towards ourselves or anyone else. Take spells seriously! They are not completely harmless and you could cause disastrous consequences if you do not take them seriously! So, how do we do this? Keep reading below:
When we decide to do a spell, we must first think about HOW the spell will reach the end goal. For instance, consider that you have done a spell for prosperity, so that you can get out of debt. If you don't specify HOW that money is going to get to us, it is statistically more likely that the money will come to you through the death of a family member rather than buying a winning lottery ticket. Magic is like electricity in a way; if you do not give it a specific way to travel then it will find the quickest route itself, which usually ended up with someone being shocked. So, give your magic a safe route and give it specifics so it will work without hurting you or anyone else.
A good idea would be to use a good circle casting if that is what the spell requires. I have a separate page that will describe this in more detail. Also, it is a good idea to use affirmations at the end of your spell. A popular one is 'for the good of all', though there are others out there. It is called a 'fail-safe'.
The Elements
Chakra Points
(Also check out the Chakra page for more information)
Crown (just above the top of your head) - colour violet
Third Eye (forehead) - colour indigo
Throat - colour blue
Heart (center of the chest) - colour green
Solar Plexus (center of the abdomen) - colour yellow
Sacral (just below the belly button) - colour orange
Base (the base of the spine - colour red
Colour and Herb Correspondence Charts for uses in Spells
Herbs (short list):
Allspice: money and good luck Basil: wealth and good luck Bay leaf: purification, health, and strength Chives: protection, absorbs bad vibes Cinnamon: prosperity, happy homes Cloves: protection, stops gossip Dill: security, money; frightens away unwanted creatures Garlic: protection, purification, exorcism Ginger: power and prosperity Lemon/lemon rind: breaks up negativity, healing Mace: increases psychic powers Mint (leaves): prosperity and protection Mustard seed: fertility and safe houses Orange rind: energy, vitality, and health Parsley: purification, protection Peppermint extract: cleansing, purification, and protection Rosemary: healing, love Sage: Wisdom Thyme: Sleep, courage; promotes good health Vanilla extract: love, passion; stimulates mental powers |
Colours:
Black: removes negativity, is powerful, and establishes boundaries Blue: the element of water; peaceful, healing, and soothing Brown: earthy, stable, grounding, and comforting Copper: earthy and rich; a lucky colour that is thought to encourage healing and prosperity Gold: opulence, wealth, the sun; a god colour Green: the element of earth; prosperous, stable; a Faerie Kingdom colour Grey/neutral: neutral, soothing; a harmonious colour for homes Ivory: sentimental feelings, memories, and coziness Orange: energizing, exciting, warm; a harvest colour Pink: a "warm fuzzy" colour; soothing, quietly romantic, and relaxing Purple: magical, spiritual, passionate, powerful Red: the element of fire; lustful, vital, loving, and warm Silver: mystique, illusion, the moon, and a goddess colour White: all-purpose, the moon, fresh, pure; a great basic starting point Yellow: the element of air, spring; creative and knowledgeable Another (similar) colour list: Black: Divination, protection, darkness, restriction, binding Blue: Protection, healing, emotion, divine power, the compass direction of west Gold: Colour of the Gods, attraction, prosperity, sun magic, the God Green: Healing, nature magic, financial gain, the compass direction of north Purple: Magic, powers of the ancients, wisdom, mysticism Red: Passion, love, energy, heat, the compass direction of south Silver: The Goddess, moon magic, night magic, divinity White: Righteousness, purity. Can be used to substitute any colour if need be Yellow: intellect, healing, change, the compass direction of east |