When people outside of craft spirituality hear the word Spells, you start hearing a lot of hullaballoo about witches who fly on brooms, wave magic wands, and phrases of “Oh…like Harry Potter.” This is far from the truth of it. I find it sad that people place judgment on others spiritual forms based on mass media and hysterical history. Nature based spirituality has gained so many new members, as well as those who have come out and publicly announced their beliefs, over the last decade per articles I have read in recent years. Since we are growing so quickly, there are so many books, articles, websites, forums, and forms of study we can easily find to try to help ourselves.

But…what are “spells” then? Spells are what standardized religions call Prayers. They are our words, our energy, used with intention, to commune with the universe and set ourselves in motion. Solitary practitioners rely solely on their own prayers. Those of us who are choosing an educational path in our practice, or that are part of a group (i.e. a Band, a Coven, a Grove, etc.) may have organized spells used for learning or for rituals.

One of the largest problems I see with people and spellwork is that they are looking for someone to share a spell for whatever purpose they are working on. Even with religious prayers, most use their own words when praying at home, or at meals, or when alone. Spellwork should be done under this same principle. They should be your words, your energy, your intention. Let’s think about this example. If I am doing a banishing spell for a spirit in my home, or even a cleansing of my home, my situation is going to vary from even my neighbor. They don’t have exactly the same situation I do. So…if I share the words I used, their “power” won’t have the same effect. Needless to say, because they are my words, even someone else using them won’t have the same effect. Your words, emotions, thoughts make your spellwork stronger for your situation.

I am not saying that you can’t go online and look at examples of others’ spellwork to give you ideas. Please do. But, whether you freelance your spells, or write them in a notebook (i.e. grimoire, book of shadows, etc.), make them your own…specific to your situation. Some people need a guide for their words, and possibly those who are newer to their practice.

One last note. When doing spellwork, make sure you are in a positive mindset, cleanse your area, ground yourself, and if you need, create a circle of protection around yourself. Negativity in your mind, in you words, and in your heart can affect your spellwork in ways you may not desire.

P.S. This is coming from someone terrified of Ouija boards. I have never used one and never will. Some say it’s fake, some use them in a lot of their spellwork, but I choose to believe that nothing good can truly come from it. There are far more positive and safe ways to perform spells, in my opinion.