Modern Witchcraft: Beginners Guide

Spellwork pt. 2: Performance

Now it's time to put all of our spellcasting knowledge together and finally cast a spell! We're going to use everything discussed in this book so far, and I mean everything!

You'll need:
> mastery of The Basics (particularly grounding, centring, and energy work)
> ethical practice (consent, divination, etc)
> cleansing & charging
> basic protection (the sacred circle)
> ritual components (tools like candles, athame, wand, etc)
> knowledge of correspondences (ingredients, planets, colours, etc)
> spell preparation (ritual space, altar, tools & ingredients, etc)

If you've read every chapter and tried every exercise in this book so far, you should be more than ready to cast your first spell!

Basic Spellcasting Framework

First we need to cover the framework of casting any basic spell. You by no means have to follow this completely, but I highly recommend it for beginners as some semblance of structure helps a lot when you're just starting out as a witch.

1. Create a sacred space. Cleanse yourself and the ritual space. Set up a witchy atmosphere by diming the lights, lighting candles & incense, etc. Ground and centre.

2. Cast a magick circle and call the quarters. This will protect you and the elements can lend you their power to achieve your goal.

3. Invoke the chosen deities, spirits, or ancestors. If you don't work with any deities or spirits, you can skip this step if you wish. Invoking the concept of "Spirit" or "Universal Consciousness" is also an option.

4. State your intention and perform the spell. Raise energy, then release it.

5. Thank the deities/spirits and the quarters and release them.

7. Open the circle. Then ground, rest, relax, have some food and drink.

Invoking Deities & Spirits

When we invite deities, spirits, or ancestors to join us in a ritual, this is known as invocation (1). Witches sometimes invoke entities for means of protection or lending some of their power towards a spell. Eclectic witches can invoke whatever entities are relevant towards their goal on any given day, whereas other witches only invoke entities they have close relationships with; it's up to you.

Invoking should always be done politely and respectfully, absolutely no demanding or ordering around. (Demands are reserved for removing unwanted presences where we need to assert firm boundaries about who/what is allowed in our space).

When invoking, you don't need any tools, but you may want to use certain hand gestures like holding your arms open, or pressing your palms together like praying. I do not recommend invoking using overly assertive tools like the athame (but the wand is fine).

Simple invocation: "[Deity name], god/ess of [association], please join me as I seek to [goal]. Thank you and blessed be."

For example, a Wiccan invoking the God & Goddess for an altar blessing might say:
"The Goddess, lady of the moon. The God, lord of the sun. Please join me as I seek to bless my altar for magickal work. Thank you and blessed be."

Another example, an eclectic witch invoking goddess Fortuna in a money spell might say:
"Lady Fortuna, goddess of good fortune & prosperity, please join me as I seek to increase my abundance. Thank you and blessed be."

After the ritual is over, all entities need to be released or dismissed. Again, this is always done respectfully, often with an invitation to stay if they'd like to. Once again, no need for tools but you can use hand gestures or a wand if you'd like to. I recommend using an athame only if you need to command an unwanted presence to leave.