Interrupted spells

[Amadore]

When doing a spell, is it okay to do a little bit at a time? Examle, lets say to do a spell, you need to carve a word into a candle, then sprinkle herbs around, then say a chant, and then light the candle. Is it okay to carve the words into the candle, prepare the mixture of herbs, and then do the lighting and chanting a few hours later? Or would it not have the same effect?

I was wondering this because a friend of mine was talking about how she just finished carving some words into a candle for the spell that she's doing tonight... I do spells very very rarely, but when I do, I always do everything at the same time.

Which way would be more effective?

[Jenne]

I've always been a proponant and follower of: do what comes naturally to YOU. Intent is what matters most, and as long as you have THAT down, then everything else should fall into place.

You're going to find that each practitioner has his/her own way of doing things. Just like in everything else. Even those in a coven. As long as it gets the results as desired, no harm, no foul.

[IndigoMoon]

I agree that everyone should do what works best for them. And finding what works is a matter of trail and error sometimes. Maybe you should keep a journal of your magickal workings so that you can keep track of what gives you the best results.

[Aidron]

When doing a spell, is it okay to do a little bit at a time? Examle, lets say to do a spell, you need to carve a word into a candle, then sprinkle herbs around, then say a chant, and then light the candle. Is it okay to carve the words into the candle, prepare the mixture of herbs, and then do the lighting and chanting a few hours later? Or would it not have the same effect?

I was wondering this because a friend of mine was talking about how she just finished carving some words into a candle for the spell that she's doing tonight... I do spells very very rarely, but when I do, I always do everything at the same time.

Which way would be more effective?


That would be preparation steps. There are many things in rituals and spells we can do ahead of time, such as preparing a special incense blend, or creating a talisman on the full moon (to give it more power) and using it during the waning moon for a spell designed to remove obstacles from our business ventures.

There is no real rule to determine what can and cannot be done ahead of time, you really have to use your own judgement. However, there are often things that can be done in advance and made ready for the actual casting, such as inscribing sigils into a candle and charging it before the spellwork begins as your friend no doubt did.

[badkitty]

At one point early in my practice I decided to do a spell for money for college. I had been turned down for financial aid and thought I might not be able to go. Back then every bit of the spell was hard/hard work, as I knew very little. There was lots of research. I brought river stones about a mile and a half from a river to the woods... Big, heavy river stones... one at a time... it took days.... I carved and annointed candles.... then I had a dream that my grandmother died and got worried that it was how I received the money, via an inheritance. I decided it wasn't worth it. I never cast the circle, I never asked the gods. About a week after I was scheduled to have done the ritual. I was notified that my application was reprossessed and that they were giving me financial aid after all. I had not requested it, and it was unheard of.

I guess my point is that if you are able to put more energy and intent in by spacing your work, it can actually add to what your doing. Had I done all of the steps of the above together, the same amount of energy and time could never have been given to each step.
Also that focused preparation is a part of your ritual even if it isn't done in circle.

Ultimately how well you focus, visualize, and channel energy is what is going to make a spell effective.

[Faeawyn]

As everyone else has said, it's perfectly fine to "prepare" your ritual tools prior to casting your spell. However, once you sit to do the actual spell....raising and focusing energy is very important to success. You need to be uninterrupted in order to concentrate and focus your energy :).