Magick is anything that works. Witchcraft is not the same as the magick practiced by some other groups, where the words, the symbols, the time of day, the form, if you will, is all-important. In the Craft, all of these things are merely props; devices used to focus the will and the word.

For this reason, anything that you want to use, anything that "feels right" to you, or "rings your inner bell" is the thing you should use. This is because all the form, in the Craft, is used to communicate with the Twilight Self, who is doing the work. And if the Twilight Self wants to use a particular object, then by all means do so.

You will find, as you become proficient at practicing magick, that a certain attitude will also be almost necessary for your work to succeed. This varies with different Witches. Some can only do good work in an atmosphere of quiet reverence. Others function best if full of laughter and joy. Once again, find what is most comfortable for you, and use it! The Lady has made us each different, because She delights in diversity; so we should delight in our diversity, too.

There are several different types of magick that many Witches have found to be efficacious, and we will be discussing some of them here. But do not be afraid to change things, if it feels better to you to do so. Just be sure you know why you are changing them!

A note about times for magick. Most Craft magick is done at night, during the "witching hour". This is because our work is done in secret, because the world is quieter then, and so freer of distractions, and, perhaps most importantly, because that is when the Moon is visible.

The phase of the Moon is important. You should learn to work with it. This means that if the Moon is waxing, you should work to increase things. If it is waning, work to decrease them. As a practical example, if a friend was sick and you wanted to help, you would work during the waxing Moon to increase hir health and resistance, during the waning Moon to decrease the activity of the disease within hir body. If you need a lot of change, it is helpful to start the work just after the New Moon for increase, or just after the Full for decrease, and link the change to the Moon. For example, "As the Moon increases, so will ______ increase".

The phases of the other planets, and their positions in the sky, are less important; but if you want to do a particular thing under a certain planet, and if you can wait until then to do it, by all means, go ahead. It certainly won't harm anything.

Traditionally, each day of the week has been linked with one of the planets. That day is considered to be most appropriate for magical workings "ruled" by that planet.

Sunday is, of course, ruled by the Sun. The Keywords for this day are Power and Success. This is a day to attract money, begin healings and engage in spells designed to bring good fortune. Sunday colors are orange and gold and the incense is Frankincense.

Monday is the day of the Moon. The Keywords for this day are Emotional Affinity and Happiness. Appropriate workings include those designed to still troubled emotions and those which bring peace and harmony in the home or on the job. Monday colors are silver, white, lavender and light blue. Myrrh, camphor, Ginger and Sandlewood are all appropriate incenses.

Tuesday is ruled by Mars. This day's Keywords are Energy and Passion. Workings for Tuesday include all those pertaining to sexual passion, battle, and confrontation. This is a good day to begin an offense against one's enemies or a defense against their attacks. Tuesday colors are red and rusty brown. Dragons blood, tobacco and nettles all make good incenses.

Wednesday is ruled by swift-moving Mercury. The Keywords here are speed and communication, On Wednesday begin workings to bring fast luck, quick cash, and speedy success. Wednesday also rules divination and psychic readings, and is an appropriate day to remove jinxes or reverse hexes. Wednesday's color is bright yellow, and incenses are benzoin and mace.

Thursday is ruled by jovial Jupiter.

(...for some reason, the source I got this from did not complete Thursday or cover Friday or Saturday. Perhaps you can get a good idea from the above. If not, be safe and don't try to do too much. Hmmm, maybe I just didn't finish copying, but I don't remember the source now... Remember the first rule of magick: Never invoke what you can't banish!)

Sympathetic Magick

Sympathetic magick is one of the oldest and easiest to understand kinds of magick.

Sympathetic magick, basically, is based on the principle that like attracts like. This was discovered many thousands of years ago, when the paleolithic hunters painted pictures of many animals on their cave walls to attract herds of animals, and act out killing an animal made of paint, or, better yet, the skin of an actual animal, to ensure that they would make a successful kill on the hunt.

Sympathetic magick can take more forms than I can possibly go into here. Basically, however, you make a symbol of the thing you want to change, and project the essence of the actual thing onto it. Then you change it, and the thing itself changes in reality. The "trick" is to know that the symbol is the thing.

Here are some examples of sympathetic magick. Once you understand how they work, you can invent your own rituals, to serve your specific need.

Using a Poppet to Heal

Make a poppet (a doll representing the person who needs healing) out of wax, cloth, or any appropriate material, concentrating on the person being whole and well as you do so. Do not include the problem in your representation, but make the image of the solution. If you care to include something that belonged to, or was a part of, the person (a bit of clothing, or some hair), this frequently helps.

When you have finished the poppet, cast a Circle.

Light an additional candle on your Altar (blue is a good color for this).

Then sprinkle your poppet with the salt water and say:

Blessed be, thou creature made by art. By art made, by art changed. Thou art not wax (cloth, wood, etc.) but flesh and blood. I name thee ______ (name the person you wish to heal). Thou art s/he, between the worlds, in all the worlds.

Blessed Be.

Now hold the poppet in your hands. Breathe on it, and charge it with energy. Feel it growing warm and alive. Visualize your friend, completely healed, completely well. Charge particular parts of the poppet especially strongly to correspond with the parts of your friend that are hurt or diseased.

Visualize your friend complete charged with white light, well, happy, and filled with energy.

Bind the Spell.

Earth the Power.

Open the Circle.

Keep the poppet on your Altar, or in a place that s/he will not be disturbed until your friend is healed. Then cast another Circle, again take the poppet, sprinkle it with salt water, and say:

Blessed be, child of light. By art changed, by art unmade. I take from thee thy name (your friend's name) and name thee poppet, creature of wax (cloth, etc.). Between the worlds, in all the worlds, So Mote It Be. The link is broken. Blessed Be.

Open the Circle.

If the poppet has physical links, burn it in an open fire; if not, dispose of it any way you wish, or give it to your friend as a keepsake.

To Make It Rain

Go into your garden at twilight, and take a handful of soil. If it has a small plant in it, so much the better.

Put the soil into a small pot or dish.

Cast a Circle.

Light an additional candle on the Altar (blue or violet would be nice), and fill your Chalice with fresh water.

Place the dish of soil in the center of the Altar, and breathe on it. Then take the Chalice, and dip your hand into it. Sprinkle it gently on the soil, saying:

Visualize the rain beginning to fall, and the plants outside lifting their thirsty leaves to its moisture. See it soaking into their roots, and restoring life and health to them.

Continue to sprinkle the water, murmuring all the while about the rain falling on the Earth, and the Earth drinking it in, until the soil is quite moist, and the plant is sparkling with drops.

Ground the Power.

Close the Circle.

Candleburning Magick

Candleburning magick is also very old. Normally, it is done in our tradition by lighting a candle while visualizing the outcome you desire, and then letting it burn away.

Some, however, light different candles to represent different things, and then move them toward a goal, or away from it. This, however, seems more like sympathetic magick, using candles.

Here is a very basic candleburning ritual. Feel free to elaborate on it in any way that you desire.

Candleburning Ritual

Cast a Circle.

Place a candle holder in front of you. Have a white candle (or any other color you deem suitable) ready, and some consecrated oil. Tie the candle by dipping your forefinger in oil. Then, beginning at the middle bottom of the candle, run your forefinger from the middle bottom - up the side - over the top - down the other side - back to the starting point. The bottom of the candle should look like a tied package if you could see the oil. Do not take your finger off the candle as you tie. While tying, say:

As you do this, visualize your desire, putting all your concentration into it. Then light the candle, and allow it to burn away.

Ground the Power.

Close the Circle.

Magick Cords

The cords in cord magick are usually used as a focus for concentration. The exception to this is the rite that is often known simply as "The Spelle", where they are used to restrict the flow of blood, and so induce a state of trance.

Cords are usually colored. Red is good for anything; but usually, the color is correlated to the work that is being done. There are many different color systems, and here, too, you should let your instincts guide you. But just in case you are curious, here is a basic elemental system.

Red - Fire, South: Use for matters of will, desire, evaporation.
Blue - Water, West: Use for matters of healing, emotions, memory.
Green - Earth, North: Use for matters of money and possessions.
Yellow - Air, East: Use for matters of insight, ideas, thoughts, wisdom.

It is a good idea, if you are going to use cord magick, to have the various colored cords on hand to use when you need them. You can buy them, or make them.

To make them, choose plain cotton, silk, or other natural fiber cord the length and thickness you desire, and various colors of dye. Then decide what you want the cords to do, and according to that, choose the proper moon sign, hour, and day to dye and consecrate them.

If possible, cords should be cut and colored in the Circle. In any case, they must be consecrated there. The consecration is the same as for your cords of initiation. (In fact, many Witches just use the cords of initiation in all cord magick.)

If you prefer, you may simply use this rune:

Most cord magick involves the tying of knots in the cord. The knot is the focal point of your will and concentration. As you tie each one, know that your magick is working. Visualize the end result, and see it fulfilled.

When you are working with others, always be aware of your own power reinforcing the others' wishes, and theirs reinforcing yours.

The knots are always left tied, and not loosened until the cord is to be used again for another working. Begin all these workings in a Circle, and don't forget to Ground and Center. The reinforcing may be done anytime.

The Witches' Ladder

This is the basic cord working. Most of the others are simply elaborations of it. The ladder is best used for workings regarding the personality, habits, and healing.

Begin by holding your cord and concentrating intently on your purpose. When you are ready, start to tie knots in your cord; either thirteen or forty. All your intent must go into every knot. Visualize clearly as you work. The knots must be tied slowly and tightly, and it is often useful to state your intent in the form of a rune (two rhyming lines), to be said with each knot.

When you have finished tying your knots, the cord should be kept near you so that you can reinforce the working as desired.

To do this, take the cord in your hands, and, beginning with the first knot that you have tied, hold each knot in your fingers and put new intent into it. Do this for every single knot. A good time for it is when you are in bed at night, just before falling asleep, or when you first wake in the morning; but it may be done at any time.

String Magick

A cord or string thirteen inches long is used in this working.

Begin by tying a knot in the center of the string. Then tie a knot on the left end, then one on the right end, all the while visualizing what you want. Continue tying the knots, working inward to outward until you have tied nine knots in all.

When you have finished, place the knotted string into an envelope, consecrated for this purpose; seal it, date it, add the nature of the working, the time of day, and any other pertinent information. Then put it aside in a safe place, and stop thinking about it.

When your work has manifested, either burn the cord or untie the knots. The envelope should be burned in any case. To untie it, follow the same procedure used to tie it, and as you untie each knot, say:

Spell, be free!

The Witches' Wheel

This working is always done in a Circle with at least two people. The number of people working must be even, and, if it is possible, equally male and female. A six or nine foot cord is used. (Frequently the cords of initiation are used for this.)

A male takes up one end of the cord, and a female the other end. They pull the cord taut, and must never allow it to slacken during the working. If the others are to take part in the working, each couple must loop their cord around the first cord, and then hold their ends taut as well. As each couple joins their cord, a wheel is formed.

Now the females begin, in unison, to exhale, sending their breath through the cord to the males at the other end. The males begin at the same time to inhale, drawing in the energies being sent by the females. Then the process is reversed and the males begin to exhale and the females to inhale. This is repeated for a time.

Throughout this exchange of energy, all participating in this working are concentrating intently, visualizing their purpose, and focusing on the center point of the cord wheel.

When sufficient power has been generated, both male and female put all their concentration and will into the center of the cord wheel and send the power up and out at the given signal.

The Cord Spell

A nine-foot cord is used for this working. The knots must be tied in the order shown, with the Rune said at each knot.

Magick Parchment

Magick parchments are used to release thought forms. In this way, they are like candleburning magick, and, indeed, the parchment is usually burned; but they are more concrete, and so good as a focus for concentration and visualization.

Open your Circle.

Take a piece of parchment or good paper that has never been used for anything else. Write at the top of it the element corresponding to your desire. At the left side, write your desire, or draw a picture or symbol of it. On the right side, write your name or symbol. You may put an attractant in the center, if you so desire.

Hold the parchment, and visualize your desire strongly. See it happening. When you have a clear image, take the parchment in the lower right corner with your right hand, and hold the upper left corner into a candle flame and burn it.

Say a simple rune for your desire to send off the thought-form.

Sometimes it is desirable to call on the Elements for work that is to be done. (To find out more about the Elements, look under Watchtowers.) There are many ways to call them. This is one that is used in a coven meeting.

(Note: If you are uncomfortable saying invocations in a language you know not, you are welcome to ignore all words in any such languages. The intent, not the words, will achieve your goals.)

Prior to casting the Circle, the High Priest will light the candles at each corner to summon the Element of that corner. New tapers must be used for each. The HP goes to the Eastern corner, and all the coveners visualize a great wind. The HP says:

And all the coveners say: Blessed Be!

Now he goes to the Southern corner, and all visualize a great fire. He says:

And all the coveners say: Blessed Be!

Next he goes to the Western corner, and all visualize a great sea. He says:

And all the coveners say: Blessed Be!

Finally, he goes to the Northern corner, and all visualize the green Earth. He says:

And all the coveners say: Blessed Be!

Then he returns to the Altar, salutes, and says to the High Priestess:

And she replies:

And all the coveners say: Blessed Be!

Of course, you can use the "Eko, Eko" when working solitary, as well.

A Cone of Power is the pure psychic energy that is raised from the body during a ritual.

Although it can be done alone, it is usually best done in a group, where all the members combine their power.

The Cone of Power is contained by the Circle, and after it has reached a peak, it is released, usually at the signal of the High Priestess, and directed toward its object, as visualized in the ritual.

Power in this form is able to penetrate anything, and cannot be stopped in any way.

The Power is raised from the bodies of the coveners, and involves motion, sound, and emotion. There are many ways to raise it, but they all involve these things. A few of the ways it is raised follow. Feel free to suggest elaborations and new ways to your coven, always remembering the three vital ingredients.

This is the spell-rhyme dance performed in the Circle. It begins very slowly and becomes faster and faster until the dancers are weary and fall to the floor at a signal from the High Priestess. It is accompanied by a dance step which is impossible to describe; a sort of turning, one step forward, one backward, but always going deosil the whole time.

All the coveners come to the center of the Circle, around the Altar. The HP will put his hand, palm up, over the Altar. One of the coveners puts hir hand, palm down, in his. Then the others put theirs, palm down, one on top of the others over hirs. The HP puts his other hand on the top of the pile, palm down.

Then they begin to rhythmically pump their hands up and down, following the HP's lead, and saying:

This is repeated, at an increasing tempo, until the Cone of Power is complete, at which time the HP tosses all the hands up, and all shout.

White) - purity, new beginnings, truth, sincerity, good general all purpose color for candle magick. You can always use white. White can be "programmed" with any other color if need be.

Pearl) - spirituality, purity, contact with "higher self"

Yellow) - strength, happiness, warmth, intellectual matters, jealousy, joy, comfort, persuasion, charm, confidence (also Gold these last three)

Gold) - attraction, persuasion, charm, confidence

Orange) - high energy color, encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, plenty, generosity, ambition

Red) - passion, anger, sexual energies, strength, health, vigor, danger, hatred, fire

Maroon) - damped fire, controlled power, ego strength, manipulativeness, hidden vigor

Magenta) - otherworldliness, high spirituality, ungroundedness

Pink) - honor, affection, love, morality

Rose) - vitality, healing, cell growth, pregnancy

Purple (violet)) - protection, power, tension, sadness, piety, sentimentality, ambition, business progress

Indigo) - changeability, impulsiveness, depression, ambition, dignity, "effete" intellectualism

Blue) - tranquility, cooling, healing, understanding, patience

Turquoise blue) - creativity, sensitivity, aesthetics, culture, civilization

Green) - fertility, growth, money, healing, luck, energy, charity, envy, stability

Greenish yellow) - sickness, cowardice, anger, jealousy, discord, precision

Grey) - removing negativity, cancellation, neutrality, stalemate, confusion, hesitation

Silver) - mirror energies, protection, moon rituals

Brown) - hearth and home, hesitation, uncertainty, neutrality, pets

Black) - evil, loss, discord, confusion, destruction, cancellation

House Blessings

Supplies:

candle, white or black, and holder
two censers or thuribles
2 pieces of charcoal, self-igniting
banishing incense (should have mandrake and asafoetida among ingredients, but use what you like)
welcoming incense (sweet things)
scourge
chalice or water bowl
salt and water for chalice
water for charcoal (see below)

This ritual is best performed with at least three people, but one can do it if they make a complete circuit for each item. It is designed to be done inside a house, but can be done around the property line or some area of the property if you so choose. It is best performed at the Dark of Moon, the day before New.
Start the charcoal going. One person lights the candle and places the banishing incense on the charcoal, another takes up the scourge, the third blesses the salt and water and takes up the chalice or bowl (or you start the censer and go on, then come back and pick up the scourge and go on, etc.). (If you have enough people, you can use the candle as a light source while doing this.) Starting in the North, you then make a passage widdershins around the house, going widdershins through each room and passing to the next, never turning back deosil until you are back to the starting point. If you encounter a spirit entity, challenge it as to whether it is friend or foe; if it is not friend, banish it verbally with whatever words you find appropriate. All doors, holes in the wall, power sockets, light sockets, light fixtures in the ceiling, telephones, telephone jacks, etc., are to be scourged three times as you pass them; all window panes (each sheet not just each window) and mirrors and other portals should have the Eye of Horus drawn on them (while speaking, “Watch and protect; watch and protect” with each sign drawn) with the saltwater and this sign should be left to dry.
When you have finished this circuit of the house (or the three circuits, if done alone), use the water to extinguish the charcoal you used for banishing, saying, “This is my space, consecrated to the gods for my daily use. Nothing can touch me here against my Will. So mote it be!”
Then light the other charcoal and use the welcoming incense, making a circuit deosil around the house starting in the North, saying, “All good and useful things come to me, and I will use them for myself, for those in need, and for the gods.” Repeat this as long as it takes to complete the circuit of the house, and end it with “So mote it be!” when you are finished and have returned to North. Salute each of the quarters as you pass them at the most appropriate place in your house (i.e., not in each room, but the best spot in the whole house for that quarter).
When you are finished, set down the censer and say, “This work is done, in the names of _____________ and _____________.” (using the names of your preferred deities, male and female)

From Sekhmet:

Here are two Home protection charms:

3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Basil
2 parts Fennel seed
2 parts Dill seed
1 part Bay
1 part Fern
1 pinch salt

Tie up in a red cloth.
Situate the sachet in the highest place inside the home.


1 part Fleabane
1 part St. John's Wort
1 part capers (dry them before using)
a few grains Whole Wheat


This formula, from ancient Middle Eastern magic, should be tied up in a red cloth and hung over your front door.

With both of these charms, you need to visualize your intentions for it to be protective while you make up the herbs and as you tie or sew the bag shut... you should try to use cotton fabric and thread... Both of these charms come from Cunninghams Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews... hope they help ...

From Minx:

At dawn, rise and light some incense. Walk slowly through the quiet house and say the following words while visualizing their meaning and intent:
House of stone, metal, wood and earth; silent one, protective one, you of the four winds; house of health, wealth, joy and peace; guardian, sustainer, you of the Earth, house of stone, metal, wood and earth, secure one, peaceful one, you of the charm: guarded and protected you be, cleansed and pure you be, peaceful and loving you be. it is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty.

Set down the incense and draw as exact a likeness of your house as you can from your imagination. Draw it from all angles: from above, from the front, from behind. If you live in an apartment, draw the building as well.

When finished, go outside and check your drawing. Is it as accurate as you can make it? If not, draw a new one or make changes until the drawing satisfies you. No great skill is required; you need only make a recognizable likeness of your home.

When finished, take a white candle and a sharp knife. Cut seven evenly spaced notches in the candle so that you create a knobbed candle. Now set the drawing down on a table where it can remain for seven days. Set the candle on top of it and light it while visualizing your home as blessed, safe and loving.

Let the candle burn down one notch the first day as you go about your early morning business, then pinch or snuff out the flame and leave it until the next day The next morning, repeat the ritual - from lighting the incense and saying the blessing chant to burning one candle notch.

On the seventh day, after the candle has burned down all the way, fold the drawing into a tight package and secure it with red or white cord. Place it in a wooden box with salt and dried roses and tie the box firmly shut with another white cord. Finally, place the box in the home where it won't be seen or found.

To begin, open all windows and doors to allow the negativity to easily vacate your house. The act of opening up your house at the very least replaces the stale air with fresh It is also part of the ritual of purification and is symbolic of your intention to clean the house. Fresh air and sunshine also help sweep and burn away negativity.

As with most magical deeds, household purification must be backed up with physical work; thus, a purification of the house begins with scrubbing the floors and washing the windows. Because like attracts like, dirty, unkempt houses - with no order whatsoever - practically invite disturbing vibrations. Even if your home isn't scrupulously neat, it's in order if you know where everything is.

While cleaning the house, see yourself washing away all the sorrows and problems that have accumulated there. Even if you are unable to see or sense them, imagine their presence anyway. See the dirt in the water (on the sponge or mop) as containing that negativity. Immediately dispose of such contaminated water outside. After vacuuming, remove the bag, take it outside and replace it with a fresh one.

Once the house is physically clean, you are ready to start the magical purification. Any of the following rituals can be used. Though they vary greatly, they are similar in intent. Choose one that appeals to you and repeat it regularly to ensure that your magical household truly remains "home sweet home."

This rite utilizes the powers of the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) to cleanse the home. At a time when you are alone in the home, or in the presence of family members or housemates, assemble on a table the following items:

A bowl or flat dish of salt
An incense burner (censer)
Frankincense (or any other sweet-fumed incense sticks, cones or powder)
A white candle
A bowl of clean, pure water

Light the incense and the candle. Stand before the table and open yourself to your home. Feel its energies. Really tune in to any impressions you receive.

After a moment, hold your hands over the assembled tools and say something like the following (feel free to improvise):

I charge you, tools of the elements, To sweep my house clean of all ill and bane. This is my will, so mote it be!

Take the dish of salt and, moving clockwise around the house, throw a pinch of salt into each corner of every room, saying the following or similar words:

By the powers of Earth, I cleanse this house!

In your imagination, see the salt burning away negativity as you sprinkle and toss it. Your purification will be as strong as your visualization. Also throw pinches into cupboards and closets, through open windows and doors, into attics and basements, and in the garage.

Next, set the salt down and pick up the censer. While the incense smokes, carry it on the same route you used with the salt. Holding it before open windows and doors and in the corners of each room, visualize the smoke clearing away all negativity and evil. Say the following at regular intervals:

By the powers of Air, I cleanse this house!

Once you have walked through the whole house, return the censer and take the lit candle on the same route. Again, visualize, moving clockwise and holding the flame before windows and doors, seeing it shining forth with magical power, burning away negativity. Every so often, say:

By the powers of Fire, I cleanse this house!

Finally, replace the candle on the table and take up the bowl of water. Sprinkle water throughout the house, in every corner and at exits and entrances. Toss some drops at and through windows. See and know that the water is washing away ills with a tidal wave of magical power. Say the following:

By the powers of Water, I cleanse this house!

Set the bowl on the table and stand for a few minutes in the house. It should feel calmer, more peaceful, fresh and clean. If not, repeat the ritual.

Close the doors and windows, and, if time permits, leave the salt, incense, candle and water together on the table until the candle burns itself out and the incense is reduced to ash.

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