A spell is a combination of ingredients, tools, actions and focus, which come together energetically to create change. Timings (when you cast your spell) can also be observed to ensure added power. These timings can be Moon or astrological phases, seasonal times and also correspondences that connect with days of the week or hours of the day or night.

TIMINGS

These are the times that you put spells together and cast them. They add an energetic boost to your spells by bringing alignment to what you are doing in the space you are creating the spell. I'm sharing simple timings here for you, but you can also explore deeper, seasonal timings – ones associated with traditional pagan celebrations and observances and ones that are unique to your area and people as well as being open to other peoples.

Moon Phases

» Waxing: new projects, beginnings, growth

» Full: empowerment, healing, attainment

» Waning: banishing, cleansing, letting go

» New: divination, revelations

Day of the Week

» Monday: home, family, dreams, emotions, female energies, gardens, medicine, psychic development, travel

» Tuesday: courage, strength, politics, conflict, lust, endurance, competition, surgical procedures, sports, masculine energies

» Wednesday: communication, divination, self-improvement, teaching, inspiration, study, learning

» Thursday: luck, finances, legal matters, desires, honour, accomplishments, prosperity, material gain

» Friday: friendship, pleasure, art, music, social activities, comfort, sensuality, romance

» Saturday: life, protection, self-discipline, freedom, wisdom, goals, reincarnation

» Sunday: spirituality, power, healing, individuality, hope, healing, professional success, business

Time of the Day

» Dawn: beginnings, awakening, cleansing, new ideas, change, love

» Morning: growth, home, gardening, finances, harmony, generosity

» Midday: health, willpower, physical energy, intellect

» Afternoon: communication, business, clarity

» Dusk/Twilight: reduction, change, receptiveness

» Night: pleasure, joy, socialising, gatherings, play

» Midnight: endings, release, recuperation

INGREDIENTS

The ingredients you gather to create the spell will have correspondences to your intention. In a way, they illustrate what it is that you want to happen. They will support the things you wish to happen because they have similar meanings and energies. These meanings and energies may also assist you in removing something. These correspondences are important because they also help us find substitute ingredients for our spells when what is prescribed is not available. I will give you my suggestions with each spell.

TOOLS

Tools are additional items that you can use to help you create your spell. These are just a few examples of tools used in spellcrafting and casting:

» cloths to set your spell up on (usually in colours which align with the energy of the spell)

» wands and staffs to direct and enhance energies

» divination tools such as tarot and oracle cards, crystal balls, pendulums and runes to provide clarity

» drums and bells (musical instruments and music express your intentions)

» practical items such as glasses, cups, vases, bowls and cutting tools.

The way you put a spell together, the words you may recite, the things you actually do to cast your spell are the actions that bring it all together. These focus your intention, put you squarely in the path of the outcome and strengthen the relationship between the energies of the ingredients and the tools you are using. The combination of all these things raise the energy for magick to happen.

WHY WOULDN'T A SPELL WORK?

Not many things in life work all the time. External factors influence them; maybe they are not put together properly; sometimes it is just not meant to be. I'm sitting here writing my book for you on my laptop. I love my little computer, but it's rather clunky at times and has had its moments. It closes down for no apparent reason, loses files, can't be bothered accepting my Airdrops and decides I need to look at all the files with a certain keyword except the one I want. It appears to have a mind of its own.

You cannot change another person's free will and this is also why spells do not work at times. Perhaps the consequence of the spell will adversely affect another or counter their stronger will, which you might not even be aware of. Another reason a spell may not work is because other energies have greater strength at that moment or they may in fact be leading you to a better eventual outcome.

Spells work because the person creating and casting them fully believes in what they are doing and has a strong, focused intention with a good connection to the energies of their spell and the outcome. While perhaps changing things for personal benefit, the outcome is still generally in keeping with a good outcome for all involved without forcibly changing anyone's free will.

HOW TO CREATE AND CAST A SPELL

When you are using the spells in this book, please ensure you do so safely – and by this I don't just mean keeping burning candles attended to. Working with energies to create magick requires you to take responsibility for what you are doing, for yourself and the world you live in. There are many ways you can do this, just as there are many ways of life and beliefs with their own rituals, which ensure safety and power in spellcasting.

Most safety measures include a way to protect yourself and those around you. A way to mark the beginning of the spell or opening the space comes next. There will be words, meditation, music, chants or actions, which will help you focus on the task at hand, and then there will be a way to release the energy, perhaps give thanks and to close the space.

This is a simple and safe way to cast a spell.

Protect and Open

Before you can begin it's important to establish protection from negative energies. There are various ways you can achieve this, but whatever way you use make sure you always protect yourself before casting. You may wish to use a smudging method, by burning sage or other plants, or by spraying the room with a smudging mist. You can also visualise or draw a circle around you and your spell with your finger in the air, then fill your circle with white light.

If you are aligned with certain deities, elementals or guides, you may wish to ask for their assistance in providing protection. A very simple and effective protection method is to light a white candle while visualising the light cleansing, clearing and protecting you.

Focus Intention

Sit or stand still for a long moment and imagine your outcome. Really see...