I

set forth these words

as the moon shine Full bright

The Crab holds the deep waters

of intuition and lens of clear sight

That all who read may learn, explore

and grow

In the ways of spell working

and the seeds of desire they wish to grow.

1.19.2011

Full Moon in Cancer

High Magick vs. Low Magick   (Practical Magick)

There are generally two specific types of magickal working. High Magick and Low Magick. This does not denote that level of effectiveness or potency, but rather the nature of the working and more specifically the energies and entities involved in the process.

High Magick is work done with the specific intent of achieving a spiritual, mystical goal. Ceremonial Magick, followers of the Order of the Golden Dawn and Qabalistic Magick are all work with the formality and formularies of  High Ritual. The work is done in a ritualistic manner; always with  a circle being cast, energies of the quarters called and statement to the seen and unseen regarding the intent. The work is formal, structured and well planned in accord with the desired results.

Want to know more? Check out this Witchvox article:  High Magick Demystified

Low Magick includes Folk Magick, spell work and those workings that look more to effect the mundane world using the tools and energies of the mundane in concert with the spiritual to bring about a desired result. These are the practical workings that we do on a daily basis in accord with our life or communities needs. Those who were the pagans of  agricultural society and  lived in the lowlands worked from dusk to dawn, had little if any time or need for elaborate ceremonies; therefore the practice of low magick was straightforward and to the point with little fanfare. Feathers, stones, herbs, flowers and other natural items were the ingredients used to work magick to ensure a good crop, fertility in marriage or protection from those  who would do harm.  These needs have transformed to some degree in modern society, but the underlying premise is still the same. That of improving or safeguarding those things we need.

The SPELL- A magickal working directed toward the achievement of some goal such as obtaining, banishing, changing a condition, etc. Sometimes refers to the verbal part of the ritual.

Spell work is generally categorized as Low or Practical Magick.

We cast spells as we cook. Carefully preparing and choosing the finest ingredients to produce pleasure and nourishment for ourselves and those we love cooking.  Sitting and writing that special sentiment in a birthday card or sharing condolences intended to comfort are crafts of spell work. Prayers offered up for a loved one's health and the even the simple gesture of a hug and kiss accompanied by words of "have a good day" are spells cast.   These and more are done transparently and largely unknowingly as we move through our daily routines.

The Tools:

Adding layer upon layer of compatible and supportive tools onto the energetic working of the spell gives the extra oomph for success. Additionally, the extra time, care and effort in selecting just the right ingredients activates the process of intent and desire before the actual working is done. You have sent out the etheric template that you wish to manifest and set up the first steps of calling forth what you desire.

The Basic Ingredients: 

• Words

Create and set forth the necessary vibration that interacts with the vibratory state of energy that surrounds us.  We’ve talked in previous lessons about how we are effected by and affect energy. Spell work sets up a direct line of communication between the energetic creation or thoughtform of what we wish to occur and introduces or inserts it into the flow and fabric of universal energy.  It is for this reason that we try to work in accord with those energies by assessing and making use of moon phase, astrological timing, specific Deity and so on. 

*** A little aside.  Take a look at the shape of the intro spell for this page. In addition to using specific word and rhythm, often a form or shape can be embedded or (reveals itself ) in the way the lines flow. This silhouette makes me think of a very full short trunked Tree with plant life extending out beneath.  (And, no I rarely drink alcohol and have never taken drugs J)

•  Symbols that represent the thing we wish to draw towards us:

  • Color

  • Numbers - the number of lines in the written spell, # of objects used, # of times of repetition, etc...

  • The elements: air- fire- water- earth *

* As represented through natural ingredients such as stones, feathers, botanicals (herbs, oils, plant essences, flowers, roots) water, etc..

• Working through the Natural Laws

  • Law of Vibration

  • Law of Correspondence

  • and others; Review the The Kybalian

• Petition to appropriate deity, spirit or entity

 Raphael- health issues

Michael  - protection

Gabriel – miracles and change in resolution

Uriel  - information

Vesta- for maters of the home

Venus/Aprhodite- for matters of the heart

Hermes – wisdom

Brighid – fertility of all manner

• The  Cosmic Connection

Planetary

Mercury- communication

Leo – strength

Jupiter- expansion

Mars - assertiveness

Astrological

Aquarius – innovation, larger perspective

Scorpio – surfacing  what lay behind, transformation, revealing

Virgo – analytical details, fresh approach

Taurus – firm resolve, moving in strength

Leo - protection and strength of purpose

The Process:

• First and foremost is INTENT

Think clearly about what you need. If you need a car, perhaps it would be best to do a spell that will help you to bring a car into your life, rather than asking for a few thousand dollars to come your way so that you can buy a car. Magic can work in many ways and you might be limiting yourself if you don't stay open to all possibilities! But remember, magic works best if you really need something, rather than just desiring it.

• Be as clear and concise as possible in what you want want.

Unless you are imminently pressured to perform a spell immediately, the best practice is to thoroughly plan out and make the necessary preparations for an effective spell. Sit down and think through what you you wish to manifest. Once you have this narrowed down, think about what that manifestation would look like. Add as much detail to the image as possible. If this is for a new job, what would that job involve? What steps would be needed to qualify you for this job? What would be the optimal setting for this job?  Be as specific and detail oriented as possible. In magickal workings open-ended means precisely that. What you may be imagining as outcome and how the universe perceives that request are generally very different. If however, you can specifically and clearly give image, voice and shape and form to that request, you are more likely to get the desired result in a way that more closely replicates your need.

• Maintain and direct your focus

If what you wish to manifest has many steps involved towards the final outcome; work on each step fully before before you move to the next. This works in accord with fully directing your intent and focus towards a singular purpose. As each step is realized, then being the process of calling forth the next. 

• Work in accord with the natural flow of universal energies

Choose the correct timing for your spell. If it is regarding new growth work during a New Moon. If it regards something you wish to bolster, strengthen or bring fully into manifestation, work at the Full Moon And, if you wish to release or transform something work at the waning phase, through Dark Moon.
Focus only upon one work of magic at a time. For best results, don't scatter your power, channel it in one direction.

• Have an end date

Setting a goal date to accomplish the fruits of your spell gives boundary to what has been set forth. It also gives more focus to what is being done because you have narrowed in. You also do not want to have the energy of your spell lingering needlessly. This keeps you accountable for cleaning up what you have begun, and also gives markers along the way that allow you to modify, change or redirect with additional boost as needed.

• Always include..." For the Good of All"

When creating the wording for your spell, remember to include the phrase, "For the good of all!" This phrase will help your spells to enhance your life, without having your good fortune being at the expense of another. Another useful phrase is, "This or something better now comes to me." Often that which you want at this point in your life may be different to what you really need, and it's only when you look with hindsight from a future point in time that you can realize this. So, by asking "for this or something better," you leave yourself open to greater possibilities becoming available to you. I have heard so many examples of spells going wrong when the "For the good of all!" wording is not taken into consideration. One friend did a spell to get $1,000 for a holiday, and two weeks later his house was burgled, and the insurance reimbursement check ended up being $1,000 exactly. Another person I know did a spell so that she could have some time off work, and she promptly broke her leg, requiring three months off work! I have also heard (many times) about people who do a spell to lose weight, and they get diarrhea, or excessive vomiting, or both. They sure lost weight, but not in a healthy way. Be careful for what you wish for, because you may get it!

• Consequences

Apart from the examples just given, there are other consequences to be aware of. When something comes into your life, certain responsibilities come along with it. For example, when doing a spell to get a car, remember that along with the car comes registration costs, petrol and repair bills, perhaps monthly loan repayments, etc. Are you in a position to handle these? A Law of Exchange is always at work when magic is used. Sometimes what you have wished for seems to come out of thin air, with little effort on your part, but often it will arrive from more mundane sources. For example, it may be that after doing a spell for a car, you win $20,000 in the lottery and you can buy it...Or it may simply be that you are offered the chance to do extra hours at your work, or a second job turns up so that you are then in a financial position to afford a loan for the dream car. Are you prepared to give this extra energy to the universe/gods in exchange for the items you wished for? Another way in which money can become available to you after casting a prosperity spell, is through being asked if you want to sell something that is of value to you. Are you willing to part with that family heirloom if someone makes an offer out of the blue?

• Wording

Spell books are great for getting ideas, but the spell will work better if you put it into words that are meaningful to you. In the book "The Key of Solomon the King" there is a spell for gaining inspiration, and at one point the spell-caster is supposed to say the Hebrew words, "Vegale hamicata umsa terata yeh dah ma baxasoxa un horah himesere..." But this sort of wording does nothing to focus awareness upon the aim of the spell. It is much better to make something up yourself. For example, for an "inspiration" spell, you could scry into a water-filled cauldron and say the words, "Beneath the stars and moon so bright, from cauldron deep and candlelight, the answer that I seek tonight is now revealed into my sight."

Frame your spell in positive words, actions and outcomes.   Your subconscious will respond in the appropriate way to that which is phrased in a way that is in support of what you desire. Unless you are specifically trying to release negative attributes keep it in a positive light. If you are releasing something you feel is harmful, name it but be sure to call to yourself the positive  things that will replace these negatives.

• Lastly, be realistic in what you want.

Spell work is not the equivalent of rubbing the genie's lamp and asking for things that exemplify greed, lust and overindulgence. Of course everyone has their own perceptions of what is realistic and what is not. If you hold fast to the thoughts of not only looking at what you desire, but what the consequence of achieving that thing would be and what measure of true happiness and benefit it will provide this may give you pause to set you sights on what is achievable and will produce the best outcome for all concerned.

Always remember that you are the most important ingredient in any spell work. Just following the directions in a book of spells will not produce results. If you are not fully engaged in what you are attempting to achieve the true magick underlying the work will not be realized.

After the Spell is Cast:

To BE Silent: 

Do not discuss your spell with anyone. This dissipates and dilutes the energies. What you have carefully woven, is now open to receiving the energies, input and thoughts of the person you share the information with. Remember, “energy follows awareness”, so by casting the light of awareness on your spell it can now lay open to energies other than that of the Deity, spirits, essences and others that you worked so hard to gain support from.

The Necessary Work: 

Setting forth a spell will not be successful if you do not also do the work necessary at the mundane level to help it along. In other words, asking to be guided towards new employment will not occur, if you do not make the effort to look and put yourself in places where the manifestation of opportunity will present itself.  Spell work for health will not manifest if you continue to pollute your body with alcohol drugs and cigarettes. Be sure to follow through to the extent of your mundane capabilities.