The need for spells.

[MrsLynch]

Some practical questions first:

Why is spell in rhyme? Does it have to be?
How does one go creating spells if they don't believe in a deity? Is the call on the deity necessary?
If one is not Wiccan, but considers themselves a Witch and uses magic, is the "So mote", etc, necessary in spells?

Now questions I'm sure I'll be considered a blaspheme for (which isn't anything new considering my Catholic upbringing):

In order to conduct magic (especially in rituals), do you really need to use spells? Why?
And, if spells are necessary could the "spell" be as simple as asking the surrounding environment for the energy you need to conduct your task? Does it have to be audible or can it be a simple mental acknowledgement?

Thanks

[StarlitNox]

Some practical questions first:

Why is spell in rhyme? Does it have to be?
How does one go creating spells if they don't believe in a deity? Is the call on the deity necessary?
If one is not Wiccan, but considers themselves a Witch and uses magic, is the "So mote", etc, necessary in spells?

Now questions I'm sure I'll be considered a blaspheme for (which isn't anything new considering my Catholic upbringing):

In order to conduct magic (especially in rituals), do you really need to use spells? Why?
And, if spells are necessary could the "spell" be as simple as asking the surrounding environment for the energy you need to conduct your task? Does it have to be audible or can it be a simple mental acknowledgement?

Thanks


Hi! :3

1- I think it's in the Wiccan Rede that the spell should be in rhyme, but I don't know if it originated there- still, I think that's a strong suggestion more than anything else. I'm not Wiccan and my spells do not rhyme, and they work. Some people just hate rhyming altogether (myself included, I don't want to feel like I'm reading Dr. Seuss to my niece and nephew in the middle of a serious ritual or when my Gods are involved at all...)

2- I don't like to use Gods or Goddesses in spellwork/rituals, so it's not a requirement, I believe. Actually, not very many people do, I find. I feel it's a tad pushy, m'self. If nothing else, I believe that the Gods and Goddesses just watch over our magic working itself to make sure nothing implodes into a black hole or something, and to possibly cut off a spell if they don't like it. xD

3- No. You don't HAVE to do anything you don't feel like doing. If it makes you feel ridiculous, or you just don't like it, don't say it. You can replace 'so mote it be' with 'apple sauce and bananas' if you wanted. Heck, I don't say SQUAT out loud, to be honest. Only one spell I can think of is actually pre-worded: the rest I word on a whim. My spells work better now :3 Now I want apple sauce... >_>'

4- It can be mental. "Magic" is a fancy word for "intention/intent" in my opinion/personal practice. Just wanting something bad enough and using stones/crystals/incense with it seems to work for me. I don't like elaborate rituals and spells and etc, but it works for me still, so it should for you too. When I want to do something similar to a spell, I just put all the intention I can, stick it on an incense (such as with my hands over it or whatever) and light it. Don't say anything, don't work on it for an hour, etc. I just look like some weirdo lighting an incense at that point, and that's how I like my magical workings. I'm just a Practical Witch, I guess XD

I hope my ramblings were helpful :3 I've only been on my path for only two years, so I know how overwhelmed you must feel :3

[Ula]

Why is spell in rhyme? Does it have to be? No but it may make it easier to remember and eaier to chant once your in the zone.

How does one go creating spells if they don't believe in a deity? Spell work is energy work not deity required.

Is the call on the deity necessary? No

If one is not Wiccan, but considers themselves a Witch and uses magic, is the "So mote", etc, necessary in spells? No, I don't use it.

In order to conduct magic (especially in rituals), do you really need to use spells? Why? I guess it would depend on what your doing. Ritual is not necessary a spell. A spell is magic. I might need more on this one.

And, if spells are necessary could the "spell" be as simple as asking the surrounding environment for the energy you need to conduct your task? Most pull energy to do the spell I guess I dont' know what you mean by spell and task.

Does it have to be audible or can it be a simple mental acknowledgement? I would say you don't need to but I think it boost the power to say it outloud.

[StarlitNox]

Some argue that the sound vibrations from saying things out loud help in one way or another, now that I think of it.

[Heliotrope]

Hi! :3

1- I think it's in the Wiccan Rede that the spell should be in rhyme, but I don't know if it originated there- still, I think that's a strong suggestion more than anything else. I'm not Wiccan and my spells do not rhyme, and they work. Some people just hate rhyming altogether (myself included, I don't want to feel like I'm reading Dr. Seuss to my niece and nephew in the middle of a serious ritual or when my Gods are involved at all...)

2- I don't like to use Gods or Goddesses in spellwork/rituals, so it's not a requirement, I believe. Actually, not very many people do, I find. I feel it's a tad pushy, m'self. If nothing else, I believe that the Gods and Goddesses just watch over our magic working itself to make sure nothing implodes into a black hole or something, and to possibly cut off a spell if they don't like it. xD

3- No. You don't HAVE to do anything you don't feel like doing. If it makes you feel ridiculous, or you just don't like it, don't say it. You can replace 'so mote it be' with 'apple sauce and bananas' if you wanted. Heck, I don't say SQUAT out loud, to be honest. Only one spell I can think of is actually pre-worded: the rest I word on a whim. My spells work better now :3 Now I want apple sauce... >_>'

4- It can be mental. "Magic" is a fancy word for "intention/intent" in my opinion/personal practice. Just wanting something bad enough and using stones/crystals/incense with it seems to work for me. I don't like elaborate rituals and spells and etc, but it works for me still, so it should for you too. When I want to do something similar to a spell, I just put all the intention I can, stick it on an incense (such as with my hands over it or whatever) and light it. Don't say anything, don't work on it for an hour, etc. I just look like some weirdo lighting an incense at that point, and that's how I like my magical workings. I'm just a Practical Witch, I guess XD

I hope my ramblings were helpful :3 I've only been on my path for only two years, so I know how overwhelmed you must feel :3

You said it all, sistah! Beautifully worded and I agree with you. MrsLynch, good luck to you on your path. Remember that you are free to practice in ANY way, shape, or form. This is the best thing about paganism, in general.

Just...don't hurt any wee animals. And I know you won't. That's just my general disclaimer whenever I say things like BE WHATEVER DUDES

[MrsLynch]

To both StarlitNox and Heliotrop - THANK YOU! I figured my questions were kind of silly, especially since I've never believed there is a "correct" way to communicate with the powers that be (whoever/whatever they are). Why would that be any different in Paganism? And Heliotrope, OF COURSE I wont hurt the wee little animals! I LOVE the wee little animals!!!

Ula - I'm sorry I wasn't clear. For your first confusion I don't understand why an incantation or chant must be verbally mustered in order to get some magic/power/energy moving which is why I ask if spells are necessary. And maybe I'm messing everything up by not seeing how magic and spell are synonymous. If they are synonymous then the actual words are indeed not necessary. Right?

No...wait...now I'm lost again. Oh, bother!

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Personaly I think spells were done in rhyme because it compacts and wraps the energy being energized and focused. It usually starts low, increases in beat and tempo then unleashes with the final passages usually stepping the speaker back down to a rest or detached state. If it was a long utterance it may rise and fall in many places giving it a resemblance to packeting of computer generated information within a long cluster.

[Nola]

Why is spell in rhyme?
blah blah rhythm and breathing patterns. etc etc. I tend not to speak out loud at all in my spell work unless I'm asking for outside assistance.

Does it have to be?
I don't think so. it doesn't even have to be spoken as far as I find.

How does one go creating spells if they don't believe in a deity? Is the call on the deity necessary?
well calling on deity puts it more in the category of prayer. it doesn't require that to be a spell. in most cases, spellwork goes with the idea that the powers are inherent in you, rather than in some outside entity. if you call on deity, I would be more inclined to call that prayer than spellwork, even if it does have actions.

If one is not Wiccan, but considers themselves a Witch and uses magic, is the "So mote", etc, necessary in spells?
nope. if you like it, use it. I would feel ridiculous using that sort of language, and it would undermine my work because I wouldn't FEEL it. I don't TALK like that, so I don't talk like that in spell crafting.

Now questions I'm sure I'll be considered a blaspheme for (which isn't anything new considering my Catholic upbringing):
In order to conduct magic (especially in rituals), do you really need to use spells? Why?
not really certain about this question. I don't quite know what you're asking. I suppose that depends WHAT you class as a spell and what you class as Magic. they can exist separately. but it depends if you consider conducting Magic to be a spell automatically or not.

And, if spells are necessary could the "spell" be as simple as asking the surrounding environment for the energy you need to conduct your task? Does it have to be audible or can it be a simple mental acknowledgement?
to me, that would be more of a prayer than a spell.

[MrsLynch]

Okay, so it is apparent I haven't made myself clear on one of the aspects of my question and maybe I might become clear by asking another question.

Is the spell itself magic, or is the magic the end result of a spell? Do you say, and forgive the cliche, "Hocus pocus" to make something happen OR is the something already happening when you're saying "hocus pocus?"

Why doesn't that make it any clearer...UGH, words suck. I wish you guys could just be in my head.

How I see things, "magic" (energy/power) comes from the Earth, the elements, and the Universe and all the Witch is doing is channeling that "magic" through him/herself for whatever purpose s/he has in mind. As far as "spell" work is concerned the Witch is only responsible for visualizing and maybe mentally/audibly asking the Earth, elements and Universe to borrow the energy/power for that purpose. I've never really believed the spell (which is just words on parchment) made anything happen.

I guess if I had just started with that big of information first, my questions and their intent would have been a little clearer.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

My personal opinion is that all a spell does is allow one to manipulate existing energy (I do not believe energy can be created only its form changed or charge inverted) and mold and direct it towards a goal they have desired to reach. One may call upon natural elemental energies (ie earth, fire, water, etc), natural physical energies (kenetic, applied, etc) or they may call upon another to do the control and formatting of the energy in their stead through divine interaction regards of it being a god / a goddess or the Christian God or any other God or God representative, ie Jesus, Allah, Buddah, etc.