Does this break the "HARM NONE" ideals?

[lilyavalon]

I have friends who are in need of some luck and a little protection.
But is it wrong to cast a spell of luck or protection on someone if they dont know it? Can you do it like a prayer type thing? Because I see prayer as one thing... but I see casting a spell like a prayer with a added punch.

But I dont want to harm someone or break a rule persay...

And are there any good spells to use for luck and mental/health/hart protection?

[Morgandria]

I don't perform magical actions for others without their express consent.

However, this is more out of respect, than any belief in the Rede.

[RoseKitten]

I have friends who are in need of some luck and a little protection.
But is it wrong to cast a spell of luck or protection on someone if they dont know it? Can you do it like a prayer type thing? Because I see prayer as one thing... but I see casting a spell like a prayer with a added punch.

But I dont want to harm someone or break a rule persay...

And are there any good spells to use for luck and mental/health/hart protection?

If you're casting a spell, it's best to ask permission, just out of respect for the other. However, *if* you do it, you're not harming them. *shurgs* It's up to you though.

[Astara Seague]

I always ask first before I do a spell, I also ask why .
Prayers are different you can "bless" anyone that isnt really a spell
if you want to PM me I have a few good spells also if you PM me give me some more info on whom and why:bubbles:

[aluokaloo]

depends on what you believe I guess, i have cast a spell for safety and protection when my little cousin had to have his kidney removed.

[Alanea]

I've also casted without someone's permission first. But it's always been along the lines of safety/protection. Anything else and I would probably ask them first.

[LostSheep]

I kind of agree that it's not so different from praying that someone gets well, say, when that's at a specific individual ... amd it's surely better intentioned than unsolicited prayer, like when some fundementalist says that they'll pray for you whether you asked them to or not.

[Cyzarine]

If it's a protection spell for someone then I don't ask. I don't believe in the 'Harm None' 100%. You aren't harming anyone by trying to protect them. A prayer will work as well if you do not feel it best to do a spell.

[Ben Gruagach]

Keep in mind that "harm none" is ADVICE and not a commandment. Perhaps some specific groups do have their own set of commandments or laws but there aren't any that apply to all Wiccans, let alone to all witches. (Not all witches are Wiccans.)

The "harm none" advice, in my opinion, is just a guideline that basically means, do what you want to do but think about the consequences and be sure you are willing to accept whatever those consequences might be. Everything is connected so everything we do (including choosing to not do something) will have consequences.

[lilyavalon]

My best friend has just had a rough life, and shes starting new life(kinda) with her daughter, a new apartment and a divorce from her draining husband, and father of her only daughter.(Although, hes moving in to the three bedroom apartment)
She just needs a bit of mental and heart help and I want to cast a spell so shes a bit more protected, and this start goes off beter this time. Shes really been put through the ringer and has finnally started asking for help and really getting it now.

And the two of us have recently just re-connected, so its good and i want to keep it that way because I dont want to loose her if something else goes wrong.

Thats all. I just wanted to do something quietly for her. And a blessing of sorts to her daughter who has been caught up in alot of the... crap. Shes luckly too young to know of anything thats going on.

[DonovanJoseph]

its best to ask permission before casting a spell directed towards anyone. i once heard a story of a girl that cast a healing spell on her grandmother since she had just gotten a "new hip" or something like that, the spell was sort of a get well/invincible spell to speed up the healing process. long story short, a couple days later her mother got a phone call from the hospital saying that her grandmother decided she was well enough not to use her walker, which was assigned to her for a couple weeks as a must use (the "invincibility" feeling obviously clouded her judgement), and collapsed on her way to pick up her mail just in front of her house.

although your not exactly manipulating their free will, you're still interfering, whether you have good intentions or not, so its always best to ask permission! :)

[Teresa]

Everything is connected so everything we do (including choosing to not do something) will have consequences.
Excellent point here that few ever think about or consider!:huddle: _wiz_

[jcldragon]

When a person prays with words, they are doing the same thing as casting a Spell, for all practical purposes, since the power comes from Mind. Silent heartfelt Prayer uses the power of emotions, rather than the concentrated intellect.

When you feel great emotional urgency, then you should use heartfelt Prayer. When your emotions are calm, and your mind is clear, then you should use Spellwork.

Acts of compassion & healing are rare enough on this planet. If you can ease suffering without hurting yourself or anybody else, do not hesitate to do something truly Divine.

[ap Dafydd]

If you're working for a specific thing to happen to someone, then I wouldn't do it without their permission, and even then I wouldn't do something that tried to make a third party behave in a certain way.

But if it's a general spell (like with the intention of making things work out for the best) then I don't think it does any harm.

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[Sage Rainsong]

As long as you are not specifically trying to manipulate a person its fine. I think that a nice, general blessings sort ritual would be fine.

[DebLipp]

First, not every Wiccan follows Harm None as a rule. Second, 'Don't perform magic on someone without his/her permission' is a separate rule, invented by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s, not an inherent part of Harm None. Third, not everyone follows the second rule either.

[Danustouch]

I feel praying for someone is fine. Doing a spell, is best only done with expressed consent. However, I have SOME friends, who due to their OWN religious beliefs, would prefer I don't even PRAY to my Gods on their behalf. Thus, I cut corners.

"Please allow ME the comfort of knowing my friend is safe/happy." etc.

Or

Occasionally, I'll offer up a word to their own gods.

"Hey, so and so. My friend really believes in you. So don't let him down, okay". Well..maybe not so flippant, but you get the point. If it comforts them to know I'm offering up a word to their deity, i'll do it. After all, if my God and Goddess exist, I don't have a right to deny that theirs does. :)

[Xentor]

If you do a spell (or a prayer, for all I care) without someone's consent, you might just be interfering with their own actions... you wouldn't want to cause a major catastrophy by thwarting their own efforts, would you? The idea that protection and good luck spells won't harm anyone is not correct. Maybe they're trying some magic and your good luck boost will increase the power of their intentions too much, having the entire thing blow up or backfire. All because you went ahead without asking... without knowing.

If you don't know it, don't do it. Unless you feel up to facing the consequences.

[DocBruce]

If you don't know it, don't do it. Unless you feel up to facing the consequences.
If there were ever words that should be set in stone...
Well said. _handclapp

[Ivy Artemisia]

I think this is where you might want to examine your own personal set of ethics and values. Do you feel as though you will be manipulating them? Do you think manipulation is 'harm?' Personally, myself, I would probably abstain from doing magick unless the people I'm helping are aware of it. But I feel that this is part of the personal mysteries of witchcraft traditions... you must look within yourself and see what you find. How you personally feel about it. Then make your decision. :)

If the preceding made no sense, this is because I'm on cold medication. ::coughsputter::