The Real Witches’ Book of Spells and Rituals. Kate West
You are Asking for Something Outside of Nature
This is especially pertinent in the case of money spells. Money does not exist in the natural world. In nature, effort is rewarded in practical terms; you plant then you can reap, the bat flies at dusk and hence can catch his dinner. Hence money magic is likely to either give you what you asked for in an unpleasant way – inheritance, for example, or in a useless way – you crash your car and get paid on the insurance, leaving you financially no better off. If you work for the opportunity to earn money, then you are working within the natural course of things, whereby your effort can be rewarded with payment in the way in which the world works.
It’s Not Meant to Be
There are also occasions when magic will not work at all. In short, I believe that this is because the Goddess and the God know best and, once we have taken the step of dedicating ourselves to them, they do in fact watch over us and step in to prevent some of our greater follies. They also have their own plans and purposes and sometimes it is not for the individual to be allowed to interfere with them. The sort of magic which falls into this category tends to be associated with serious illness, and we just have to accept that in some cases that person’s time to move on has indeed come. This is not to say that you shouldn’t work for the remission of major illness, but that it will not always work. Do also remember that you can also work for the relief of pain, and for the emotional healing and comfort of that person’s near and dear.
You are Too Close to the Problem
It is sometimes very hard to work magic for yourself and for those close to you, not because of any natural laws against it, but simply because your focus and concentration will not be all they should be. It is hard enough to remain focused on dressing a bad cut which is bleeding heavily if this is someone you care for deeply, let alone bringing the elements into balance, raising energy and working magic. Similarly, if you have pressing physical or emotional concerns in your own life, you will find it almost impossible to become mentally and physically prepared for any kind of magic unless you can put them aside. If those very concerns are to be the focus of your magic then you will find it nigh on impossible to put them aside as well as focus on them at the same time! In these circumstances you need to find someone else, who you trust implicitly, to work magic for you.
Love Magic
This is an area where magic can go wrong even if it works perfectly! If you work magic to make someone love you, sooner or later you will be wondering whether it is you they love or the spell which is working. If you work this kind of magic for someone else you will then be perceived as being responsible for their relationship, a bit like being the instigator of an arranged marriage where one partner is not aware that it has been arranged. At the least you will find yourself drawn into every hiccup in the relationship, at the worst you may find yourself being blamed for every argument or problem, or even the fact that person B did not turn out to be exactly what person A had hoped for some ten years down the road! If you must get involved in relationship magic then stay with some of the less direct options, such as increased confidence, the opportunity to meet a person with whom you can be happy, and so on.
You Fail to Pay for What You Have Received
Magic should be seen as an exchange of energies. Whilst you put some of the energy into the spell, much of it comes from outside of you, from the elements, the Goddess and the God. This energy should be repaid. This is not to say that you are going to give them money, but rather that you should do something to repay the energy. This should be something which expresses your thanks, whereby you put your energy back into the land, or into honouring the Goddess and the God. Tending growing things, be they plants, pets or children, is one way. Creating something in honour of the Divine is another. But whether you choose to trim your hedge, clear litter from a local park, take your child to the swings, or paint a picture, it should be done with the intent of giving thanks to the Goddess and the God and to the elements. Every act of magic should be repaid in some way, and as soon as possible, it is a part of making the magic work. It is not a question of a bargain where you will pay for it if it works; it is more a question of giving thanks for being able to access the energies and for the attention of the elements, the Goddess and the God. Should you fail to repay the energies, your magic will decline over time and, in due course, fail.
Having looked at the ways in which magic does and doesn’t work, let’s move on to some of the Rituals into which we put our spells and magics.
THREE CASTING THE CIRCLE, AND OTHER FREQUENT RITES
As I said in the last chapter a Ritual is usually constructed out of several separate pieces called Rites. Many of these are performed in the same way and to avoid repetition later in the book I have put these basic Rites into this chapter, so that you can refer to them whenever you need to.
Basically, there are two kinds of Ritual; Esbats or working Rituals where magic is performed, and those which are celebratory, for instance Sabbats and Rites of Passage. In the former, energy or power is raised to fuel an act or acts of magic, and therefore a Circle should be cast. As the latter are celebratory it is not necessary to raise power and therefore to actually cast a Circle. This division between Esbats and Sabbats is not fixed as it is possible to work magic at the Sabbats (so long as it fits with the theme of that Sabbat), in which case you will need a Circle. Also, you can work magic at other phases of the Moon, and these Rituals will also need a Circle. Similarly, you may choose to hold a celebration, perhaps a Wiccaning or Handfasting, at an Esbat, in which case you will not need a Circle. Initiation Rituals, whilst celebratory, are also magical workings and will need a Circle and the raising of energy, even though you are not working any spells as such.
There is also a difference between working on your own as a Solitary and working in a group or Coven. In the former you have only yourself to prepare, in the latter you have others to consider and communicate with. In the former you can work largely in your head, silently and perhaps sitting on the floor. In the latter you will need to speak out loud and probably move around one another. You will also find that it is helpful to have more tools and visible objects when working with others, as these visual keys help to ensure that everyone is focused on the same thing at the same time. When starting out as a Solitary you may find that these same visual keys help you to retain focus, as you will have much to remember as well as keeping your intent clear.
THE WORKING SPACE
This is the room or area you intend to work in. Witches do not need purpose-built temples or even a special room in the house as they can create their Sacred Space wherever they wish to. The area in which you are going to create that space is your working space. It should be spacious enough for you, whether you are one or many, to move freely in, and indoors this may mean moving some of your furniture. Again, if it is indoors it should be clean, tidy and free from too many distractions, as you not only need to focus but you are also inviting the Goddess and the God, so try to make it somewhere you feel they would come to! If outdoors you need to ensure that you are neither trespassing nor are likely to be disturbed. If you are Solitary, or few in number, then you should be doubly careful that you are not going to be accosted by passers-by wondering what you are up to. You also need to ensure that it is safe, with no hidden cliffs, rabbit holes, broken glass or rusting metal to be discovered by the unwary. The working space is generally considered to be circular, although you may need to compromise somewhat if you are short of space or have a non-circular area to work in.
Whilst it would be nice to be able to align your working space with the points of the compass, so that your North really is in the direction of North, it is not always possible. In this case try to align as closely as you can, whilst still being able to use the space in a reasonable manner.
THE ALTAR AND WORKING TOOLS
Here I am going to give a fairly basic Altar layout with a selection of the tools most commonly placed on it. There are other ways of setting the Altar and a great many other tools which may be placed on it. Some Witches like to have all their working tools to hand, others prefer