Jamie Della - The Book of Spells: The Magick of Witchcraft

Acknowledgments

There are many helping hands on the way to writing and publishing a book. The first of these is my glorious literary agent, Julie Castiglia, who carved out an authors path for me for which I am eternally grateful. In its original incarnation, this book was guided by Kirstie Melville, Windy Dorresteyn, and Lisa Regul.

Eighteen years later, this book has grown up and has been infused with the wisdom gained in those years. Thank you to my editor, Kimmy Tejasindhu, and designer, Sarah Rose Weitzman, for truly caring about the empowering message of this new revised book and helping bring that light-filled vision to life.

I am so thankful for the assistance of Yeshe Matthews, Raven Grimassi, Anna Korn, Lunaea Weatherstone, Jan Tjeerd, Brian Cain, and Rain Graves, who offered centuries of wisdom for the diverse paths of Witchcraft. And a great big shout out and thanks to all who gave spells and rituals, and all things magickal.

I am so appreciative of the continued inspiration of my children: Alethia, Skyler, and Kobe, who I think have come to appreciate having a Witch for a mama. And thank you to my love Joey Conti for always wanting the very best for me.

About the Author

JAMIE DELLA has studied magick and spirituality from around the world for more than twenty years. As a practitioner of healing arts, she leads workshops and ritual retreats on earth-based spirituality at the Northern California Womens Herbal Symposium. Jamie is the author of eight books, including The Wicca Herbal and The Wicca Cookbook, and writes the Herbal Journeys column in Witches & Pagans magazine. Several of her essays and articles have also been featured in online and print publications such as Southwestern American Literary Journal, SageWoman magazine, Rebelle Society, and the Manifest-Station.

Glossary

affirmation
A positive, repetitive declaration about something you want to manifest in your life. It always needs to be in the positive and present form.

altar
A table, stand, platform, etc. that holds sacred objects in dedication to the one creator/Spirit and a host of Gods and Goddesses.

amulet
A consecrated piece of jewelry or coin that is often worn or carried, which has been instilled with special desires.

anoint
To rub oil on something for ceremonial or magickal purposes.

astrology
The art-science of identifying and clarifying the basic personality traits of a person through reference to planetary movement and position.

athame
A ritual knife.

aura
The magnetic force field surrounding a human being, which can be seen or photographed as pulsating and floating colors. The colors reveal ones state of mind.

banish
To assertively drive energy away from a specific area or yourself.

Book of Shadows
Also known as a grimoire, a diary or journal of rituals, spells, and traditional lore.

chakra
Energy centers or vortexes located throughout body.

charge
To infuse an object with personal power.

cone of power
A method of directing the energy of an individual or group for a singular purpose or to provide a connection to Spirit.

consecrate
The act of cleansing and blessing an item, most often for magickal or spiritual purposes. May also include infusing or filling a focused intent into the item.

deosil
Clockwise, or going with the suns direction. Used to gather, build, and strengthen positive energy.

divination
The art or practice of foretelling or predicting the future under the influence of Spirit.

dowsing rod
Usually made out of wood, this tool (shaped like an upside-down Y ) is often used to find water as well as for divination.

dragons blood
Bright red resin from a tropical plant and/or tree.

elements
The four fundamental substances (air, fire, water, and earth) that constitute physical matter.

energy
The celestial or primal force that is individually generated and can be combined with others for greater strength (as in a cone of power).

ether
The transient substance swirling throughout all spaces.

grounding
The act of centering or aligning oneself with the balance of nature and Spirit.

image candle
A candle infused with your unmatched energy, personality, and power.

incantation
A chant with the intention of bringing magick into your life.

infused oil
Herbs that have soaked in a carrier oil, such as olive, jojoba, or avocado oil for up to eight weeks.

intuition
To look in, consider, and respect the truth within yourself.

karma
The universal law and order of cause and effect, which demonstrates that whatever you do will come back to you.

magick
The relationship between focused will and Universal energy

meditation
An exercise requiring an emphasis on breathing and relaxing the minds chatter for purposes of harmonizing and balancing oneself.

metaphysical
Events that occur beyond physical explanation.

Otherworld
The world where Spirits abide, waiting to be reborn.

paganism
Nature-based religion. The word pagan derives from the Latin word paganus , which means peasant, and pagus , which translates to country.

pantheon
Collection or group of Gods and Goddesses in a specific mythical or religious structure.

pentacle
A physical representation of a pentagram.

pentagram
A five-pointed star symbolizing the four elements in balance with Spirit.

rede
An advised plan of conduct and ethics.

reincarnation
The belief that life and death are a cycle. After you leave this life, you spend time with Spirit until you are reborn, to experience various situations and perspectives.

ritual
A sacred system of ceremonial acts in observance and of accordance with ones spirituality.

runes
An ancient alphabet inscribed on stones for the purpose of bringing in Spirit.

sabbat
One of eight festivals that celebrate earth, God, Goddess, and the ever-changing cycle of the seasons.

sacred space
A hallowed or blessed area that has been cleansed and prepared for magickal purposes.

smudging
A ritual to balance, protect, or purify yourself, others, a room, your crystals, or other special tools, using the smoke from an embering bundle of sage.

spell
To cast your word. A means of helping one channel or direct wishes and desires from the spiritual realm to the material.

Spirit
The ever-present life spark that exists as the Great Mystery, God, Goddess, Universe, and by many names, which exists in every being and living thing.

supernatural
Events and experiences occurring beyond the natural order of things. Also, unexplainable events and experiences attributed to the spiritual realm.

talisman
A consecrated item that brings good luck, averts evil, and embodies your personal magick.

tarot
Cards of archetypes, numbers, and symbols used to perceive the past, foretell the future, or divine current possible pathways.

thurible
An incense burner.

totem
An animal symbol or Spirit that guides one throughout life.

Underworld
The opposite side of the living under the rule of Hades, the Greek God of the dead.

visualization
The act of using your mind to see events outside your physically visual perception.

Wicca
A nature-based religion derived from the Anglo-Saxon root word wicce , meaning to bend or shape as well as wise.

widdershins
Counterclockwise, or going against the suns direction. Used to banish, wither, or remove unwanted energy.