Spirited (14 page)

“A Witch cannot heal if a Witch cannot harm” is a saying that merely shows that Magick is not all strawberries and cream. Now, before I am attacked and beaten to a pulp by the Pagan paparazzi, I am going to make my intentions clear: by including a section on cursing in this chapter, I am by no means advocating its use for minor problems but reaffirming what Witchcraft is.

When it comes down to it, cursing is ultimately a self-destructive and draining procedure that requires you to constantly reinforce the energy. If you truly despise a person, are you going to devote the entirety of your free time to seeing that they are scarred forever?

Hatred is a valid emotion when it is felt within the context. When you hate something, you are expressing your negative feelings in order to deteriorate the link between yourself and the subject. Once hatred has done its job, it is put away, and you can continue on your way again.

Hedge Witchery is perhaps the most historically accurate in terms of its approach to spellcraft and ethics. A Hedge Witch does what has to be done in order to keep herself and her family safe from harm. Therefore, if the need arises for a curse, then that need is deeply considered. A Hedge Witch looks at ethics as a thing of necessary adaptation. If the harm factor is not high, then the Hedge Witch will generally exercise compassion towards others. However, when the harm factor is high, the Hedge Witch knows it's time to forget what everyone else would think, and act!

On that note, perhaps the best thing you could do if you are considering cursing someone is talk to the gods. Ask for their counsel and wisdom. Put forth your problem and see if they can't do anything about it. It's important that we stand by our principles as Pagans through and through.

Love Makes the World Go 'Round

If a situation does arise in which someone is deliberately causing you to feel horrible simply to serve some egocentric problem, you could opt for the alternative route. This option is based on the philosophy of love and fear.

A Druid priestess once told me that there are two extreme forces at work in our world: the two are love and fear, and they go full circle. In fact, all emotions contained within our human experience can be traced back to either one. Hatred comes from ignorance, which comes from fear. Obsession comes from admiration, which comes from love. Often these patterns develop into complex chains of feelings that become irrevocably entangled. Sounds very
Donnie Darko
, eh?

My Druid friend went on to give me an example of how embracing love could create positivity even in the most dismal of situations. My friend relayed the story of how a woman she knew was raped and how her fellow Witches rushed to her aid immediately. They bathed her
battered
body, and then in unison they turned their attention to the rapist. They sent loving tides of energy to the man responsible.

As my friend's message was particularly relevant to the hell I was living through at school because of someone's wilful desire to destroy my morale, I decided to make use of it. One night I cast a circle and focused my entire being on love. I didn't think about how much I resented him for what he was doing to me; I gave myself entirely to love and let it flow from me to him. That week, several people told me that they thought he had turned over a new leaf. From that day onward, instances of his rumour mongering were far and few between, and I barely let it get to me.

If you are ever faced with the vindictiveness of the human spirit and cursing just doesn't cut it with you, then perhaps my story will provide you with the necessary leverage to act in love.

Respect

Hold Life dear, for without held
Who would know the verge of peak?
Take us to your heart again,
And our wonders you may seek.
15

Respect is an important part of Pagan spirituality. Respect for yourself, others, Nature, and the gods is what empowers a Pagan. Respect is the foundation of Pagan ethics. When it comes to magickal work, respect for the subject of your spell is what gives you perspective. It takes maturity to discern whether or not you are being fully cognizant of the results of your magickal work.

Often there comes a time when someone close is in need of your magickal help. Somewhere along the track, the belief that asking someone's permission before helping their situation was introduced as mandatory. This has more to do with ethical common sense than metaphysical law.

You need to decide whether or not it's practical to inform someone that you are going to be working for them. In most cases, you will be met with bemused scepticism. If that is the type of reaction you are expecting, it's best to keep your work to yourself. If you are still anxious about the “ask permission” rule, then instead of being so outright with your words, you can still obtain permission by suggesting prayer. If you are secure in your decision to magickally help a friend or family member, simply stating that you will pray for them should work.

It's also important to trust in the bigger picture. If someone you know has recently experienced the loss of someone close, it's best to allow them some time before you attempt to alleviate their grief with Magick. Then again, you may simply want to offer your support. A good friend weaves a Magick of their own.

Ultimately, respect entails a healthy understanding and relationship with Magick as well as with your loved ones. Strengthen these bonds through reverence, and your ability to
wisely
guide others will develop.

Respect should be actively expressed in all aspects of your life. Magickal work, environmental activism, and relationships all require your compassionate attention.

As Pagans, we need to pause and consider what makes us who we are—what gives us reason to identify ourselves as Pagans. Do you participate actively in energy work? Do you celebrate the Wheel of the Year? Do you revere ancient gods? If you answered no to all of those questions and still consider yourself Pagan, then who's to say you're not? You might feel that your trust in Spirit and your love of Nature is reason enough to call yourself Pagan, and I completely agree!

Always honour your charge to respect life and foster diversity. If you are locked up inside all day for lack of anything worth doing, then why don't you grab a few plastic bags and scout your neighbourhood for litter? I can assure you that picking up rubbish is one of the most spiritually enriching things you can participate in. Whenever I see rubbish, I take time to pick it up, and it always leaves me feeling peaceful; after all, this is our earth, and we need to give her a hand.

Pagan ethics are rooted in respect. The next time you are asked to assess your personal spiritual ethics, simply reply “Respect” and you will have successfully conveyed the core meaning of Paganism.

A Note on Will

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

—From Aleister Crowley's channelled
Book of the Law

Generally, when discussing Pagan ethics, two quotes come to mind—the Wiccan Rede and “Do what thou wilt.” It has been suggested that the former is simply a varying expression of the latter, though others maintain they arose separately, as they belong to differing traditions with independent histories. I am not here to argue the possibility of Thelemic material in Wiccan liturgy; however, I do agree that there is a similarity between the two. This similarity lies within the will.

Firstly, the will is innately pure; it is at the soul's highest vibration. It is the divine within the inner being. We are predisposed to what benefits the cosmic balance. We are heirs to the purity of will. Therefore, if we abstain from what is corrupt (i.e., what deters from the cosmic balance), we align with our will, and the great work of Magick may begin. Therefore, when Crowley heard the words “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” he knew intuitively that this was not a free-for-all but a clue to the secret nature of Being itself. We are as we are because we are meant to be. We are as much Nature as the sky and the earth. We are responsible because of our free will.

“An ye harm none, do what ye will” now comes forth in a new light. Your highest will is destined to complete its orbit, and all other orbits are in rhythm with each other. This is the dance of life itself, exquisitely performed for the sake of itself. To dance is to be wild and free; there is no prerequisite except the rhythm that is self-initiating, self-collapsing, self-aware, and self-expressing. You are your Self that yearns to align with the pure will to dance the dance of life. No harm is done. Be at peace with the rhythm and its flow. Fight against it, and only violence and destruction will ensue.

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The most well-known and yet misconceived aspect of Witchcraft is spellcraft. The casting of spells by Witches and Pagans is not something that is taken lightly. Spellcraft is a method of evoking particular powers by working with spiritual allies (herbs, colours, etc.) to achieve a pre-meditated desire. However, it must be made clear that the trappings of spellcraft are not necessary.

Like many other things specific to the practice of Witchcraft, the primeval power of spellcraft has suffered from the claim that spells are synonymous with prayers. There are many similarities between the two, but the difference that distinguishes them must be grasped to fully understand spellcraft.

Prayer makes use of the inner voice. The inner voice also helps to formulate moments of raw human emotion into comprehensible cries for help. Prayer is a focused thoughtform that is offered to the divine. It is essentially up to the deity to answer a prayer, and perhaps something is to be learnt from no answer.

Prayer is not a refined or sequential procedure. It is founded in the emotive language of humanity; therefore, it is not necessarily an effective system. Crying out to a noncorporeal spirit or deity in a moment of vulnerability will not necessarily result in a clear answer or divine miracle. However, the power of prayer is a real thing. The success of prayer lies in your connection with the divine. For prayer to work, you need to be reverent to the respective deity and you must acknowledge the living link between yourself and that energy which is indwelling. If you are patient with your thoughts, prayer becomes a powerful force of intent.

Spellcraft stems from the same human desire—to affect and manipulate the guise of reality. However, spellcraft honours a controlled environment, which is further manipulated through specific imagery, words, and physical actions. Spellcraft does not always require the aid of the gods as external transmuters or catalysts. It applies the divine spark within all of us combined with the power of the materials, actions, and words we are using. As such, casting a spell is a procedure that gives form and purpose to our intent. Spellcraft can be empowered through cooperation with deities; however, ultimately it is what you do with the energy at hand that defines the spell.

Both spellcraft and prayer originate from the emotional and spiritual faculties but can be accessed through the mental and psychological facets. Becoming aware and enhancing your own links with each level of consciousness will help to restore the flow of personal energy, which is the basis of all spellcraft.

The Skill of Spellcraft

Spellcraft is an art. So many people take it to be
an aspect of Witchcraft one should immediately pick up
and have the ability to do, but I've learnt that it is a skill
developed over time. It takes effort, desire,
understanding, and wisdom.
16

We all have something we can do particularly well. It may be something that is not recognised as a valid talent, but essentially it is a skill you have mastered through determination and patience. For the skill to flourish, there must be a degree of personal enjoyment in carrying out the processes that pertain to the skill. You must like what you do for there to be any success in the matter. Like most things in life, spellcraft is a skill, and like all things, it must be practised to enhance its success.

The further development of a skill lies in the desire to pick up the guitar and pluck a string, so to speak. There must be a desire to learn the skill before anything else can happen. For instance, during high school it was compulsory to study maths. My hatred for maths had grown to such an extent that I began to purposefully fail the subject. Set your sights on your goals, work hard, devote some time to the cause, and you'll get there. A skill is fostered by the strength of your will and reinforced by your desire to achieve it.

Think about a spell you have cast. I want you to reflect on every aspect of that spell, recalling the feelings you had during the procedure. Think about what you were wearing while you cast the spell, why you decided to cast it, what materials you were using, what day it was and what moon phase. Could you feel the energy around you? Did you notice the movement of power? Did you cast a circle beforehand? Did you effectively release the power at the climax of the spell? And finally, was your spell effective, and to what degree?

As Witches, it is important to be able to reflect on our past work and to evaluate and deconstruct both the processes and the effects.

Successful Spellcraft

Remember that it takes time and effort to become a competent spell-caster. You need to become aware of the contributing factors to the success of your spells. There is no shame in returning to the basics to gain a better understanding of how spells work and how energy flows. I believe that the opportunity to advance in any field of occult study lies in the foundation of its basic principles: the ability to focus, meditate, visualise, raise energy, and release it are all basic abilities that can be attained by anyone. Like an artist, a Witch is his or her only critic.

The following is a summary of the factors that contribute to the success of spellcraft. Each will be dealt with individually below.

• Psychological and metaphysical understanding of spellcraft

• Ethical considerations

• Correspondence: Witches' code

• The power of belief

• Need over trivial desire

• Clear intent and energy input

• The active principle

Psychological and Metaphysical
Understanding of Spellcraft

Magic is the art of changing consciousness at will.

—Dion Fortune

The first key to successful spellcraft is your comprehension of the psychological and metaphysical processes that a spell utilises. The other factors are extensions of the individual's understanding. Dion Fortune's definition of Magick and Carl Jung's research into consciousness are indicators for both the psychology and metaphysics of spellcraft.

By dictionary definition both the subconscious and unconscious are the underling mentalities working outside the mundane perception. The unconscious is merely an extension or vaster level of the subconscious.

Dion Fortune's definition makes an interesting point, though seemingly incomplete. Changing consciousness at will is part of Magick but not the be all and end all. It could be said that our mental perception of the physicality of life is merely a product of our consciousness. The world is a multitude of experiences and concepts pooled together. Energy vibrates at varying frequencies, and thus each of us encounters life differently. Therefore, the ability to shape consciousness to perceive specific elements of life and aspects of personality is magickal.

To illustrate this concept, I'll use the example of the infamous love spell. I cast the spell, taking into account each factor of successful spellcraft and therefore effectively contact the part of my psyche that is love. My level of consciousness has aligned to my loving aspect, and therefore in my interaction with others this aspect is prevalent. This could manifest as a tendency to involve complete strangers in intimate conversations, which may attract a partner. Or perhaps my loving persona makes contact with another's (someone who is also channelling that aspect). This is indeed part of the mystery of Magick; however, it is not always so neatly explained.

Metaphysically, spellcraft is composed of acts concerning the movement of energy, which are ultimately linked. These acts are as follows:

•
Deliberation:
You need to take into consideration the out
come
of the spell and how this will affect the people or situation involved. Reflect on the need to cast the spell. Working for you is permissible as long as you are realistic and balanced.
See “Ethical Consi
deration” and “Need over Trivial Desire.”

• Preliminary Energy Raising:
In Ceremonial Magick, this is achieved through abstaining from mundane and routine activities, e.g., eating. However, it's as simple as thinking about the spell and building excitement for the task ahead.

• Purification of the Self and Space:
This may include circle
castings. Simply allow yourself to focus on the energy residing
within and it will begin to flow. You may wish to shower or bathe
beforehand to focus your energies and to cleanse.

• Energy Alignment:
Take in the materials before you, and focus on your goal. In the case of a prosperity spell, you may have gold coins, peppermint oil, patchouli incense, and cinnamon sticks.
See “Correspondence: Witch's Code.”

•
Raising Energy:
Chanting, rhythmic breathing, music, dancing,
etc. are all methods of raising energy. You are moving the energy
and increasing its flow.
See “Clear Intent and Energy Input.”

• Directing Energy:
You specify the purpose of your energy,
and its aim is reinforced. You do this through physical gestures,
symbolism, and visualisation.
See “Visualisation: Magick
Incarnate.”

• Releasing Energy:
This is the stage of the spell where the energy
is sent off to do its work. Many Witches release energy by
standing straight, legs spread and arms held skyward. The Witch becomes the Rod of Power.

• Physical and Mental Recuperation:
This involves grounding and returning to mundane awareness. Often, the Witch eats something
or participates in a habitual activity that relaxes the mind and
body. Often the magickal space is “deconstructed” (psychically and physically) and everything is c
leaned up. It is recommended that you do not think about the spell after it is cast, as your speculation is ultimately destructive. If you find yourself thinking about the spell, do not snap yourself out of doing so but acknowledge the thought and put it away. Have faith that the energy is doing its work.
See “The Power of Belief.”

• Reinforcing the Spell:
The spell may be repeated a set number of times. Meditation can help to raise positive thoughts and focus them on the purpose. Acting on the material plane in cooperation with the spell's purpose is recommended.
See “The Active Principle.”

Ethical Considerations

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

—Matthew 7:12, The New Testament

Abiding by an ethical consideration of others is wise for any spellcaster. You need to ensure you have taken into account another's feelings when working with Magick.

For example, the use of love spells in the modern Pagan community is only seen as ethical if the spell does not specify an individual. A love spell aimed at a specific person without their knowledge or input is perceived as dangerous and harmful, as it disregards the individual's gift of free will and literally imprisons the person.

As Witchcraft has no governing body, there are no law enforcers in regards to the use of spells. It is up to the individual to determine the possible outcomes of their actions and thus take full responsibility for the consequences. Before the spell is cast, the Witch needs to put him/herself into the shoes of the subject and discern whether or not he/she would feel comfortable with the spell's effects.

Ethical ground rules are not wholly reserved for negative spellcasting and should be referred to in times of stress and inexperience. If, for instance, your grandmother falls violently ill at the age of ninety-five and you want to help heal her through spellcraft, you would have to consider her age, the inevitably of human mortality, and the likely chance it is her time to go. If you decide to go ahead with the working, and your grandmother recovers, only to live in fear of the disease returning, how would you feel?

Before embarking on any magickal endeavour, it is wise to think things through. Spellcraft is no easy task. It requires attention to detail and respect for oneself and others.

Correspondence:
Witch's Code

Correspondence is the unique relationship between a physical object/organism and its energetic qualities. Beginners' texts are filled with countless tables describing in detail the magickal uses of herbs, planets, days, stones, etc. You will find no such tables here. This discussion on the importance of correspondence is to help strengthen your understanding of how and why correspondence works.