Cerridwen Greenleaf - The Practical Witchs Spell Book: For Love, Happiness, and Success

MAGIC RESIDES INSIDE OF US. IT IS OUR DEEPEST PERSONAL power, and we are all born with it. Accessing this innate magic is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself, and you tap into this magic by approaching it in a conscious way through your thoughts and actions. Practical witchcraft is purposefulto heal a loved one, to bring about prosperity, to imbue your home with positivity. This is the energy we draw upon each and every day of our lives.

The goal of this ritual is to bring about needed change and, in the case of practical witchery, these are changes for the better in your life, your home, your family, and your community. It is how we make things better for ourselves, for the people in our lives, and for our world. From an inner place of intention, we are working to usher in a world of peace, prosperity, love, health, and spirituality.

I began practicing the craft as a child. For me, witchcraft is the most natural thing in the world, and indeed, it is all about the natural world. On woodland walks, my aunt, an expert herbalist and wise woman healer, pointed out heartsease, wild mint, and other herbs that grew in the creek bed near my home. We picked, steeped, and sipped the herbs together while she imparted her wisdom.

On those timeless afternoons, I learned that the practice is not about looking inward, but about focusing your attention on the world around you. Magic exists in every leaf, every stone, every body of water, and every being. My aunt taught me that becoming attuned to the natural world is a witchs highest calling, and achieving harmony with the cycles of nature is the key to inner peace.

When you establish a sacred space and gather the candles, crystals, and other carefully collected items youll use in your spellwork, you can create a place where the mundane world is left behind. It can be in your home or your backyard where, despite the noise of the day to day, you can touch the sacred. There is no need to ascend to the top of a mountain or to attend a silent retreat in search of the sacred; anywhere you choose can become a place of magic, where you can cast a circle.

The magic circle is created by casting, or drawing in the air with concentrated energy. Inside this circle, energy is generated, rituals are performed, and spells are worked. The sacred space is also where you call upon the Gods and Goddesses and become attuned to your own special desires. With attention and focus, working in the circle can be a truly intense experience. All your senses will come alive. You will feel, see, and hear the energies that you invoke. You will have created a tangible sphere of power.

You can cast a circle anywhereout in the forest, on a beach, or in the comfort of your own home. Wherever the circle is cast, that space becomes your temple. If you are in your kitchen or living room, stack the chairs against the wall to define the limits of your circle. The Wiccan tradition specifies that the circle must have a diameter of nine feet. That said, you should feel free to make your circle any size to accommodate a large group of people or just yourself.

With lifes increasingly frenetic pace, a magical approach to living is more important now than ever before. I bestow upon you these special spells, blessings, and rituals, handed down through generations of my family and friends. I also owe much gratitude to my teachers, John Michael Greer, Z Budapest, and Starhawk, who showed me how to stay grounded with our Mother Earth and to always be connected to your spirit. Think of these as pagan prescriptions for the twenty-first century, guaranteed to banish stress, ease tension, and add comfort, joy, and enchantment to your daily life.

Blessed be!

YOUR MAGIC BEGINS AT YOUR SACRED SPACE, WORKING WITH YOUR hallowed tools. To be fully imbued with energy, your tools of magic and ritual should reside on your altar. Always cleanse and purify your newly acquired tools, whether they are antique or brand-new. Think of these tools as energy conductors that absorb and project the energy of the environment and the ritual work you perform. So, keep them clean, clear, and positive.

Every ritual tool is sacred to the individual who is performing the ritual act. Over the years, I have gathered a collection of implements that I treasure. With each use, I feel more connected to my tools and our energetic connection grows. I am very fortunate to have been gifted with some magical tools, some new and some wonderful antiques that have a history attached to them; I handle them all with care.

Let your altar become your personal power center, and your tools will assist you in your magical workings. Whether you find your tool in a store or it is given to you as a gift, each tool should hold special meaning and should feel absolutely perfect to you as you use it. Choose your tools wisely and they will serve you well.