Casting a spell is no different than saying or doing things in your ordinary life; your actions and words, plus your intention, causes change. Everything is a form of energy and everything you do, say or think in your ordinary life will cause other things to happen (change in energy). It is the same with spells. Spellcraft is the art of using your energy to focus on your goals and bring them into being.
Spells use the natural vibrations and frequencies of objects added to your own vibrations (your intent = energy). Every thing, from a candle to a mountain has an energy vibration, including yourself. In spellcraft we choose objects according to their energy vibrations, using things like colors, herbs, and incense. Every thing affects every other thing, so change in a small object, or a change in thought or focus, affects the entire universe, and your own reality. Ancient magicians knew this.
Today, a modern minded person might look at a spell and ask 'how can a spell affect reality? Surely this is just superstition or myth?' However, successful magicians understand that reality is subjective, personal to the individual. Your thoughts and emotions actually cause things to happen in your ordinary life, and even create it. You will notice that you attract certain people towards you in your life, repel others, create opportunities, design your living environment, choose your job, attract your partner. Looking at everything you have created in your life you will very quickly realise how powerful your thoughts and emotions are. It is precisely because of your own individual thoughts and emotions that you are living the unique life that you are currently living, experiencing your own unique reality and existence. In ordinary life, those who focus fully on their goals, bring them into being.
In magic, a spell is a way of focussing your thoughts and emotions towards goals for yourself and others.
At the same time that you are individual and unique, you are also part of the whole. Your vibrations echo out into the energy field, creating change in the universe on a wider scale, changing the world as an artist paints on canvass. Non-action = no change. This is what it is to be human.
Spellcraft is used by magicians to support physical action. If your focus is on your goals, you will have success. Magical and physical focus need to match in your life. For example, lighting a candle to help you lose weight and assuming that the candle itself has the power to change things for you will not succeed. Lighting a candle, focussing your intent, and following this new power with physical action succeeds. Action and focus, magical and physical is required.
Magical Ethics
Everything you think and do comes back to you!
Positive creates and attracts positive, negative does the opposite. Depending on your tradition you may have a set of rules about ethics in magic and life, the Wiccan Rede, Karma or the Hermetic Laws. Because your magic (and all your ordinary actions and words) comes back, all your magic should be goodly, without harming others or yourself.
Trying to control others or impose your will onto others with magic will also backfire; I've seen it too many times and it is sad to watch. What goes around comes around. Finally, get consent when casting for others. Treat other people in the way you yourself would like to be treated, and you won't go wrong. Bring the positive energy back to you multiplied by sending it out.
If you're concerned about the effects of a spell, add 'harm none' at the end or 'if it is for my highest good'.
Religion and Spellcraft
Magicians both past and present practise spellcraft from within their own religion. You do not need to change or alter your religion to cast a spell. Religion is personal to you and will help you in your work. If you see a spell that is written for a religion that is different from yours, you can alter it to fit your belief.
Magic, Magick, Magik, Majick or Majik???
It doesn't matter, whatever feels right for you to use. Some people like to change the word magic slightly to differentiate from stage magic (rabbits in hats, card tricks etc). You will see different spellings through the site and there's no right and wrong.
I've never personally had any problems being mistaken for a stage magician, and 'magic' is the easiest to type for me personally, if that helps! - 'me'
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