The Modern Guide to Witchcraft (21 page)

“By these words, my will, and coin,

Magick and good fortune join.”

Carry the coin with you or place it where you need the most luck—your home, business, or elsewhere.

Some quartz crystals contain bits of greenish mineral matter in them. These are known as “money crystals” or “abundance crystals.” If possible, use one of these in this spell. Otherwise, a clear quartz crystal will work fine.

• 1 quartz crystal
  
• An image that represents abundance to you
  

• On a Thursday when the moon is waxing
  

Select a magazine picture or download an online image that symbolizes prosperity to you. It might be an object or condition you desire, such as a new home, a sports car, or a European vacation. Lay the picture face up on a windowsill where the moon’s light will shine on it.

Wash the crystal in warm water with mild soap to cleanse it of any unwanted energies. Dry the crystal, then hold it to your third eye (between your eyebrows) while thinking about your intention. Doing this sends the image into the crystal. Then set the crystal on the picture. Make sure the crystal’s point faces toward the inside of your home, to draw what you want to you. Leave the crystal in place overnight. In the morning, remove the crystal and picture and give thanks for the bounty you are about to receive.

If you like, you can decorate the pouch for this talisman with beads, tiny charms, embroidery, or symbols that represent wealth to you.

• 1 strip of paper
  
• A pen that writes green, gold, or silver ink
  
• Peppermint essential oil (or the Magick Money Oil from earlier in this chapter)
  
• 1 green pouch (preferably made of silk or velvet)
  
• 1 coin (any denomination)
  
• Cedar chips
  
• 3 whole cloves
  
• 1 pinch of cinnamon
  
• 1 gold or silver ribbon 9" long
  
• Incense burner
  
• Pine or sandalwood incense
  
• Matches or a lighter
  

• During the waxing moon
  

On the strip of paper, write this affirmation: “I now have plenty of money for everything I need and desire. Riches come to me from all directions.” Dot the corners of the paper with essential oil, then fold it three times and slip it into the pouch. Add the coin, cedar, and herbs to the pouch.

Tie the pouch with the ribbon, making three knots. Each time you tie a knot, repeat your affirmation. When you’ve finished, say, “This is now accomplished in harmony with Divine Will, my own true will, and with good to all.” Fit the incense into the burner and light it, then hold the talisman in the incense smoke to charge it. Carry the pouch in your pocket or purse. If you prefer, take it to your workplace to help you earn more money.

The vivid colors and images on tarot cards make them a wonderful addition to any spell. Even if you don’t understand all the symbols on the cards, your subconscious will register them. The candles’ colors are meaningful, too. Green is the color of paper money in some countries, and also reminds us of healthy, growing plants. White represents clarity and protection.

• 1 green candle and 1 white candle
  
• 2 candleholders
  
• An object that represents your desire
  
• 1 deck of tarot cards
  
• Matches or a lighter
  

• During the waxing moon
  

Cast a circle around the area where you will perform this spell. Put your candles at opposite ends of your altar. Between them, place an object that signifies your desire to increase your income. This could be one of the items that you chose at the beginning of this chapter to symbolize the intentions on your wish list. It could also be a coin, a dollar bill, a piece of jewelry, or something else that suggests wealth.

From your deck of tarot cards, select the ace of pentacles (sometimes called coins or discs), which represents new financial undertakings and opportunities. Place it in front of the white candle. In front of the green candle, put the ten of pentacles. Sometimes called the “Wall Street” card, the ten symbolizes a financial windfall. In the middle, between the two candles, place the nine of cups—the “Wish” card—and the Star card, which symbolizes hope.

Light the candles and say:

“The money I spend

and the money I lend

comes back to me

in multiples of three.”

See money flowing to you from all directions. The more vivid you can make your visualization, the faster your wish will manifest. End the spell by extinguishing the candles and giving thanks. Open the circle. Allow everything to remain on your altar overnight.

Whenever you do a spell, record all the details in your book of shadows. That way, you can perform the spell again at a later date, adjust it, or adapt it to other circumstances. Following is a list of the basic information you should include about any spell or ritual you perform:

1. Name and type of spell. Write this at the top of the page.
   
2. Date and time you did the spell. If it’s an original spell, you may also wish to add the date and time you composed it.
   
3. Who else was present, if anyone.
   
4. Moon phase. Add the moon sign if you know it, as well as other pertinent astrological information.
   
5. Weather. This is more important than you might think, as weather can affect your feelings as well as the place where you choose to perform your spell.
   
6. Location. Did you do the spell in the living room, backyard, etc.?
   
7. Your health. Your energy level and overall health can impact your spells. If you are female, also note where you are in your menstrual cycle.
   
8. Purpose of the spell. This may be obvious from the name of the spell, but a heading such as “Simple Cauldron Spell” might require a little more information about why you did the spell.
   
9. A complete list of the tools and ingredients used. This is vital for future reference and if you choose to repeat the spell.
   
10. Deities invoked, if any.
    
11. The entire text of the spell or ritual. You can write this down before the ritual, and just work from your text, if necessary.
    
12. How long it took to complete the spell.
    
13. The immediate reaction you felt to the ritual.
    
14. Short-term results. What did you notice over the first few days or weeks following the ritual?
    
15. Long-term results. What sort of changes have you observed over the following months or years?
    

You may choose to add other information you consider relevant, interesting, etc. Add drawings, poems, or other jottings if you like. Of course, you can always come back later and put in notations about things you thought of afterwards, dreams, discussions you may have had with fellow witches, and so on. It’s your book to work with however seems best for you.

Witchcraft and spellcasting are inseparable. Witchcraft, as you already know, is the practice of using your will, mind, emotions, and perhaps special tools to bring your intentions into being—magick is what happens during that process. Magick spells don’t have to be complicated to be successful. If anything, the simpler the better—unless lots of details and drama enable you to create the magickal ambiance you desire. Some spells need nothing more than the witch’s presence to activate them.

In myth, song, and poetry, love and magick are often linked. When we speak of falling in love we use such terms as enchanted, charmed, bewitched, under a lover’s spell—and it often feels that way. But as Shakespeare wrote in his delightful play about magick and love,
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Therefore it’s probably no surprise that the most frequently cast spells are—you guessed it—love spells.

Love spells, however, can be tricky and more than a few witches have performed questionable spells for romantic reasons. It’s easy to let your heart rule your head. Before you do the spells in this chapter, give some thought to what you really want in a relationship and what your motives are for casting a spell. Do you really want to use magick to snag a guy who’s not that into you? If your girlfriend is cheating on you, do you really want her back?

What’s your reason for doing a love spell? Are you trying to attract a new romantic partner? Looking for your soulmate? Hoping to rekindle the spark in an existing relationship? The more specific you can be, the greater your chances of success.

Keep in mind that a love spell’s primary purpose isn’t to use magick to manipulate someone into falling in love with you. Its purpose is to balance your own energy so you attract the partner who is right for you. A relationship results from the interaction of two people, two individual forces—yin and yang—that merge to form a sum greater than the parts.

You’d think this should be easy, but for many people it’s not. Your ideas may be influenced by the expectations of your family, your friends, or the culture in which you live. Your perceptions about your ideal mate might be conditioned by television and movies, books and magazines, and all sorts of societal stereotypes. The reasons a man in Zimbabwe marries could be quite different from those that unite a couple in Sweden. Even you and your best friend may not agree on what constitutes a good relationship.

Before you do any love spells, make a list of the qualities you seek in a partner. The act of compiling this list will prompt you to really think about your needs, desires, hopes, and priorities, and to put energy and intent behind the process of creating what you want. In a sense, your list becomes a spell. Like an affirmation, you state your intentions—what you intend to find in a partner—and focus your mind toward achieving your goal.

Your list can be as long and as detailed as you choose. As you write your list, be sure to state your desires in a positive way and in the present tense. Here are some examples:

• I now have a partner who respects and values me.
  
• I can trust and rely on my partner at all times and in all situations.
  
• My partner and I support and encourage each other’s goals.
  
• My partner and I share a spiritual path.
  
• My partner and I have many common interests and enjoy one another’s company.
  
• I now have a mate who is willing and able to enter into a committed, loving, primary partnership with me.
  

Be specific. Consider every angle. Cover all your bases. You might want to let a trusted friend read your list and provide feedback, so you don’t overlook anything. You don’t want to write a long and detailed love list that described all the qualities you seek in a mate, and then realize too late that you left out something important. I once drew up a list of things I wanted in a partner, and one qualification was “likes to travel.” I should have stated “likes to travel
with me
” because the man I attracted loved to travel—and did, a lot—he just preferred to travel alone.

Astrologers connect Venus with love and relationships, and Venus rules the zodiac signs Taurus and Libra. Libra is the sign of romantic partnerships and marriage, so you’ll get an energy boost if you perform a love spell when the moon and/or the sun is in Libra. Taurus is connected with the physical side of love, so if you want to improve your sex life, consider doing your spell when the sun and/or moon is in Taurus.

If you’re trying to attract a new partner, do a spell on the new moon. If you want to increase the joy or passion in an existing relationship, or to nudge a budding affair into full bloom, do your spell when the moon is waxing. To end an unfulfilling relationship, do magic while the moon is waning.

Does it sometimes seem like you’re invisible? If you aren’t getting the attention you seek, perhaps you need to boost your personal power. This spell helps you raise energy and project it into your environment, so that the person you’ve got your eye on will notice you.

• A clear quartz crystal
  
• A drum or gong
  

• During the full moon
  

Collect the ingredients needed for this spell. Wash the quartz crystal with mild soap and water, then pat it dry. Cast a circle around the area where you will do your spell. Stand (or sit) in the center of the circle with the drum or gong. Place the crystal nearby.

Begin playing the drum or gong. Feel the vibration breaking down the invisible wall around you that has prevented that certain person from seeing you clearly. Now imagine you are drawing energy up from the earth, into your body. Envision it as a brilliant silver light moving up your legs and spine, until your entire body is filled with a silver glow.

Continue playing the drum or gong as you now imagine drawing energy down from the heavens. Visualize this as golden light flowing into the top of your head, down your spine, until your whole body is alive with a golden glow. Pick up the crystal and hold it to your heart. Strike the drum or gong one time as you imagine the mixture of silver and gold light radiating outward from your heart. As it flows through the crystal the light is magnified tenfold and spreads out, filling the room. Strike the drum or gong again as you send the light further, into the environment outside. You can project this powerful light as far and wide as you choose.

When you feel confident and secure in your newfound radiance, open the circle. Pick up the crystal and carry it with you at all times. It will retain the energy of the spell and continue resonating with it, enhancing your personal power wherever you go.