Gerina Dunwich - Spellcrafting: A Beginners Guide to Creating and Casting Effective Spells

GERINA DUNWICH

This edition first published in 2020 by Weiser Books, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

65 Parker Street, Suite 7

Newburyport, MA 01950

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2001 by Gerina Dunwich

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages. Previously published in 2001 as Exploring Spellcraft by New Page Books, ISBN: 1-56414-494-1.

ISBN: 978-1-57863-711-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

Cover design by Kasandra Cook

Cover photograph by Shutterstock

Interior photos/images by TK

Interior design by Debby Dutton

Typeset in Bembo and Optima

Printed in the United States of America

IBI

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I Am a Witch

I am a witch

With rhymes and reasons.

I am a changeling like the seasons.

My mother is the Moon,

My father is the Sun;

With Goddess Earth am I as one.

I am a witch, a pagan child.

Mother Nature's spirit so wild

Grows within me,

Flows within me,

Meandering like a spellbound stream,

Enchanting my every waking dream.

I breathe the air of liberation,

I tend the fire of transformation,

I drink the water of creation,

Earth-magick is my conjuration.

I am a witch of shadow and light,

Of Avalon mists and ravens' flight.

I am a witch, with pride say I,

For a witch's soul

Does never die.

Gerina Dunwich

The casting of spells is an art that can bestow upon you many of the things in life that you need and desire. Since ancient times, this art has played an important role in many of the cultures and religions throughout the world. Along with the worship of the old gods, spellcrafting was (and still is) an important aspect of the Old Religion, which is another name for witchcraft.

A spell, which some refer to as a witch's prayer, is not the work of the Devil. Nor is it only under the domain of those who are gifted with psychic or supernatural powers. Nearly anyone can learn how to cast a spell. Just as traditional witches can be of any religion or even hold agnostic or atheistic views, so too can a spellcrafter be of any religious or non-religious path. One does not need to be initiated into any mystery cults, swear an oath of dedication to any god or goddess, denounce or convert to any religion, or even wear the label of a witch or Wiccan in order to be a spellcrafter. But among the things that are required, the most important ones are: an open mind, true desire and will, patience, self-conviction, the courage to follow what is within one's heart, and the maturity to take responsibility for one's own actions.

Spells need not be complicated or involve expensive and hard-to-find paraphernalia in order to achieve positive results. The real magick comes from within.

Once you gain an understanding of how magickal energy works and learn the secrets to casting spells, you will be able to tap into your inner powers, focus, and direct them utilizing simple items found in the average home or easily purchased at the nearest occult shop. In fact, many of the herbs and other ingredients called for in spells can be found right in your very own kitchen!

This book is designed to be a guide to the history, philosophy, ethics, and practical application of spellcrafting. Written with the novice-to-intermediate student in mind, it covers all areas of folk magick in an explorative and non-biased manner.

The basic tools of spellcraft include the athame, wand, sword, pentacle, cords, cauldron, chalice, and altar bellall of which are traditionally cleansed and then enchanted (or charged) by the practitioner prior to use.

Many spellcrafters feel that the best ritual tools are the ones that one personally fashions for his or her own use, or the ones received as gifts. Others have no objections to purchasing their tools new at an occult shop; however, an old custom when buying tools or ingredients for a spell is to never argue with the merchant over the price. To do so is said to cause the buyer to be jinxed. Some witches fear their rituals, tools, and supplies will not work properly or, in some cases, be completely ineffective, should they haggle over their marked prices.

To steal a ritual tool, or any object handcrafted or owned by a witch or magician, according to an ancient legend, brings down a powerful curse upon the thief, which he or she can never be free of until the stolen property is returned to its rightful owner. Only then can the curse be lifted.

The athame is a ritual dagger with a double-edged blade and a black (sometimes white) handle, which many witches paint or engrave with runic names and magickal symbols. It is employed for casting the circle, the storing and directing of energy during rituals, the stirring of potions, the ritual mixing of salt and water, inscribing the magick circle, and the consecration and charging of such things as poppets, mojo bags, and amuletic or talismanic objects. In addition, the athame is used in invocations and evocations, initiation ceremonies, pentagram rituals (invoking and banishing), the calling of the Lords of the Watchtowers, and many other rites and spellcastings.

In certain traditions of Wicca, the athame is never used for cutting or for any purpose that is mundane (non-magickal). However, there are many witches and other magickal folks who use their athames as often as possible, both in and out of the circle, in the old belief that an athame's power increases with use. If one chooses to restrict the use of his or her athame only to the casting of circles or certain ritual work, that is fine. But if spellcraft is looked at from a historic point of view, one will find that the pagans of old commonly used for magickal workings the same knife they used for harvesting herbs, hunting, food preparation, and even self-defense.

The traditional uses of the wand are to cast the circle, draw magickal symbols on the ground, invoke spirits, conduct spiritual energy, and stir cauldron brews. Some practitioners also use a wand for manifestation, which is the ritual transformation of spirit into matter.

The wand is an instrument traditionally carved from the wood of the hazel, ash, rowan, or willow tree. Some modern wands are fashioned from crystal, carved ivory or ebony, or metal such as silver or gold.

To witches and ceremonial magicians, the wand is the emblem of power and the life force. Symbolizing the ancient element of Air (in some traditions, Fire), it is said to be sacred to all gods and goddesses.

The sword is a tool used more frequently by ceremonial magicians and witchcraft covens than by solitary practitioners of the Craft. In many traditions of Wicca, the sword is used in the same manner as the athame, but considered to be more authoritative. It is also used for invoking the Lords of the Watchtowers and for making salutations. Like the athame, the sword is typically engraved with runic names and symbols of magickal importance.