spells...read or memorize?

[dawns_eve]

I have been studying paganism for many years but have yet to cast a spell because I believe that before you do that, you must feel ready. That said, I am curious as to how people perform their spells. Do you do them, book open, and just read and perform as you go along? Do you have to spend hours memorizing the entire thing bit by bit first and then perform it? Just wondering...
Thanks, Dawnseve

[Aidron]

There are a few spells I have memorized, typically with very few or only one component (such as a verbal one). Psychic abilities, such as the one I use for turning traffic lights to green I simply have memorized and there has never been any need to write them down.

Most of my spells, however, are extremely complex and contain numerous components, and I could never memorize them even if I wished to-and I do not. Naturally, as most of my magic is complex, I tend to perform it by following my grimoire and once in awhile if inspiration strikes me adding a bit of spontaneity to it.

[Mouse]

I prefer to memorise at lest a big chunk of it before i try to cast it as reading from a book can break your focus and because most of what i do is done at night and flickering candels aren't always the best to read by

[badkitty]

In general I write my own rituals and enter sacred space with an idea of what I am going to say and let it flow out. When I use something someone else wrote, I memorize it. I think that the energy that goes into the memorization process adds to the power of the spell.

[Theres]

i would only use a spell i had written myself anyway, so memorization isn't too hard.

[Isis Diana]

The ones I write myself I memorize... but at this point I haven't written that many myself. For others I usually have my BOS handy.

Blessings,
Isis

[elfmage]

If you are going with a more complex one, then yeah, it may be easier to read it, although ideally you should memorise it, so that more of your concentration can go into the actual energy direction.

However, I still strongly believe that some of the most effective, most powerful spells that you can cast are the ones that you make up on the spot!

[Memory's Flame]

I'm HORRIBLE at memorization; always have been!!

The few that I've actually done (and it's less than a handfull!) I wrote down and read most of, however parts were improv... I went more with my feeling and my thoughts than word for word!

[Gede]

MM~
I memorise as I believe it adds to the Spell's potency, to the continuous rhythm stimulated by my wilful focus. There are several chants that I use from day to day to help with little mundane problems here and there like finding lost things, protecting objects or keeping myself out of trouble that are internally stored. But for the most part memorisation is a key component of my Spellcraft.

Namaste, Gede...

[Ivy Artemisia]

I write my own spells... and that helps in the performing process in the regard that its easier to visualize. If I memorize something, a lot of my energy is spent on trying to remember what I wrote, rather than channelling it into the spell. If I write something, and then read it, I already sort-of remember what I wrote and it aids me in the visualization aspect. :)

[Shanti]

I do it as I go along. I never use anythng written, or repeat any I used before. I do it live, unprepared, but thought about, and unwritten previously. I like creativity always. Something differant for everything I do.

[SacredWithin]

I have been studying paganism for many years but have yet to cast a spell because I believe that before you do that, you must feel ready. That said, I am curious as to how people perform their spells. Do you do them, book open, and just read and perform as you go along? Do you have to spend hours memorizing the entire thing bit by bit first and then perform it? Just wondering...
Thanks, Dawnseve

Well, I can agree with you when you say that we should be ready. Personally, I believe that knowing what words to say attributes to being ready. But I guess if you're limited on time, meaning you've been procrastinating and waiting until the last minute, then I guess it's okay. Although I'd certainly feel like I was getting more done if I knew what I was doing and what I was saying from the start. :)

[Lunacie]

I would never get anything done magically if I had to memorize something and gather a bunch of things together. I do things on the fly, as the need arises, focusing my intent, my will, and all the energy I can gather on the need. I don't do anything 'just to do it', only when and if I really feel the need, and so far the results have been very good.

[kitsch]

i improvise :)
the odd time i'll have an idea floating around for a while, and will start to prepare in advance, buying herbs and such. but i never sit down and write out what i plan to say. i find things work best for me when i'm working on the spot. i'm trying to stay true to my kw path, which doesn't lend itself to complex ceremonial workings.

[morrigan]

i have found that spells i get from books dont work very well for me.. I use bought spell books just as a reference.. I write all my own spells and i find that as soon as I finish writing it, it starts to take effect. I try to keep all my spells simple so that they are easy to remember and i dont lose my focus worrying about whether i have remembered all the words etc.. Blessed Be ~Morrigan~

[mucgwyrt]

I would LOVE to be able to memorise them (as a friend once said, "how can you read a spell from a book in the dark and the rain?" :lol: ) but in the end I usually settle for reading them. I'd rather read them than stuff them up :lol:

[dawns_eve]

I have been reading them but I did do a spell for clearing my home of negative energy....and I made it up myself on the spot! GO ME!!! :cool:

[wakywitch]

Both, I can memorize the short, easy ones.
The longer ones are written down, and read.

[Silver_FireStar]

I usually memorize most of my spells. As I write them myself it's quite easy to do, but I always have the written thing there incase I get brain block

[zakzekezedd]

The only thing I have memorized is the ritual I use to cast my circle, call my quarters and such. Otherwise, I work everything out and write everything down, and then wind up improvising anyway. As I see it, sitting down and thinking everything through and writing it down is my way of beginning the process...sort of shifting my psyche into a place compatible with the ritual or spell I'm doing.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

I intend to memorize the more standard ritual bits eventually - Circle casting, the Charges, etc. As for spells, I very much enjoy reading them out of my grimoire by candlelight, so I don't really bother.

[whitewater]

id suggest at least reading over it once, so you can get the feel of it, but i dont think you have to memorize it word for word.

[Aedrais]

The only real spells I've done have been rather spontaneous. Nothing was memorised, but I didn't read anything, either. I light a candle, concentrate for a bit, and just talk.

I do have future plans for better organised spells-- I've yet to complete and really decent ritual-- but for now, those random acts are the closest I get to spellwork.

[Nacken]

Opening and closing of rituals are pretty standard, so it is logical to memorize them. There are chunks in the middle that tend to be standard also. But with different times of the year and purposes of the ritual, there are things that you can't memorize. It helps if you print using a big font and someone to hold the candle at your shoulder.

[AislingSidhe]

I am a quick learner, generally, but I have a hard time memorizing spells and ritual for some reason. I usually read by candlelight.

[misschief]

make em up as i go, but rarely use them.

[Flappersquirrel]

I make up most of my own, ahead of time, and commit them to memory. I tend to stumble over words when I make them up as I go or read them off. I'm too focused on the words and not on the intent.