The Modern Witchcraft Grimoire Read online

  Keep it short.

  Use only positive imagery.

  State your intention in the present tense, as if the condition already exists.

  Let’s try a couple examples to help you get a feel for creating affirmations.

  Right: I am completely healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

  Wrong: I don’t have any illnesses or injuries.

  See the difference? The first sentence affirms what you seek: health. The second makes you think of conditions you don’t want: illnesses and injuries.

  Right: I now have a job that’s perfect for me.

  Wrong: I will get the perfect job.

  In the first sentence you state that the job you seek is yours right now. The second indicates that you’ll eventually get the job you want, but doesn’t specify when—it could be some time way off in the future. Yes, it may take a while for all the pieces to fall into place, but the first step to achieving success is believing (and affirming) that you already have what you desire and that the situation is already determined in your favor.

  Being specific is usually a good thing when creating affirmations. If your goal is to lose twenty-five pounds or you’ve got your heart set on acquiring a 1965 red Mustang convertible, for instance, list the pertinent details in your affirmation. But sometimes you don’t know all the ins and outs of a situation, or you don’t want to limit your options—as in the job example we just considered. In such cases, simply state that whatever you achieve is right for you in every way and let the universe work out the fine points.

  Consider designing some general, all-purpose affirmations and use them regularly. List these in your book of shadows and, if you like, enrich them with illustrations.

  Your list might look something like this:

  My life is rich with abundance of all kinds.

  I have everything I need and desire.

  I am happy, healthy, wealthy, and fulfilled in every way.

  You can recite these favorite affirmations first thing in the morning and last thing at night, while driving to work, taking a shower, folding laundry—whenever you have time. In this way, you make magick part of your daily routine and attract good things into your life on a continual basis.

  Using Affirmations

  The versatility of affirmations makes them the darlings of many modern witches. Each time you read the words of an affirmation you’ve created, you are reminded of your objective. Seeing the written affirmation makes an imprint on the visual part of your brain; hearing it stated aloud impacts the auditory sense. Together, they provide a one-two punch in spellcasting.

  Here are some ways you can use affirmations:

  Say your affirmation aloud several times a day—or at least first thing in the morning—to set your objective into motion.

  Post an affirmation in a place where you’ll see it often: near your computer, on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, on the dashboard of your car, and so on.

  Write an affirmation on a slip of paper and add it to a medicine pouch, talisman, or amulet.

  Write an affirmation on a slip of paper and burn it in a cauldron or ritual fire to release something you want to eliminate from your life, such as an unwanted habit or relationship.

  Carve a short affirmation on a candle, and then light the candle to ignite the affirmation.

  Once you understand the basics of creating affirmations, you’ll probably find lots of original ways to include them in your spells and rituals. Record them in your grimoire, and comment on the results you get from using affirmations. Over time, you may refine the affirmations you’ve noted in your book of shadows, based on your experiences.

  Affirmations and Healing

  Bestselling author and publisher Louise Hay, in her book You Can Heal Your Life, includes a lengthy section of affirmations intended to aid specific health issues. For example:

  Problem Affirmation

  Allergies “The world is safe and friendly. I am safe. I am at peace with life.”

  Lower back pain “I love and approve of myself. Life supports and loves me.”

  Indigestion “I digest and assimilate all new experiences peacefully and joyously.”

  Sore throat “I speak up for myself with ease. I express my creativity.”

  By repeating an affirmation regularly, you reprogram your thinking process. Your updated perspective enables you to remedy the problem.

  INCANTATIONS

  One of the oldest known incantations—believed to be more than 3,000 years old—was discovered by archaeologists in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Kish. The author inscribed this ancient love spell in cuneiform on a clay tablet, calling upon Akkadian deities:

  “By Ištar and Išhara

  I conjure you:

  As long as his neck

  And your neck

  Are not entwined,

  You shall find no peace!”

  Incantations can be as short as two lines or as long as your imagination and intention dictate (the Mesopotamian one excerpted here, for instance, contains a total of thirty-eight lines). Although early spellcasters used incantations to curse as well as to charm, witches today usually frown on the practice of performing magick to harm or manipulate someone against his or her will.

  What’s the difference between an affirmation and an incantation? Incantations are usually written as rhymes. The catchy phrasing makes them easy to remember. You don’t have to be a poet laureate to create an effective incantation—just follow the same basic rules when writing an incantation as you would when writing an affirmation: keep it simple, use positive imagery, and state it in the present tense. Here’s an example of a simple incantation for healing:

  “I am healed

  In body and mind

  Of imbalances

  Of any kind.”

  Although it’s perfectly okay to merely write incantations, they become even more effective when spoken aloud. Because incantations feature both rhyme and meter, you may enjoy putting them to music and singing them.

  THE FORCES OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONS

  Many spells and rituals petition gods, goddesses, and other entities for assistance. You may choose to call upon a deity with whom you feel a particular kinship. Or, if you’re performing a ritual on one of the sabbats, you might seek the aid of the deity connected with that day: for example, Brigid on Imbolc, Lugh on Lugnasadh.

  Witches often summon the forces associated with the four directions and the four elements. You may envision these as angels, guardians, or other spirits. The archangel Raphael, for instance, is said to oversee the east, Michael the south, Gabriel the west, and Uriel the north.

  Here’s a simple practice you can use as part of a circle-casting ritual:

  Stand in the center of the circle, facing east. Outstretch your arms at your sides, with your left palm open and facing down toward the earth and your right palm upturned toward the sky.

  Say aloud: “Before me Raphael, angel of air, guardian of the east. Please guide, protect, bless, and empower me.”

  Next, say aloud: “Behind me Gabriel, angel of water, guardian of the west. Please guide, protect, bless, and empower me.”

  Next, say aloud: “To my right Michael, angel of fire, guardian of the south. Please guide, protect, bless, and empower me.”

  Next, say aloud: “To my left Uriel, angel of earth, guardian of the north. Please guide, protect, bless, and empower me.”

  Finally say: “About me shines the five-pointed star, and within me the six-rayed star. Blessed be.”

  While you call to these angelic beings, envision them standing around you and offering their support. Perhaps you’ll see Raphael dressed in yellow, Gabriel in blue. Maybe Michael wields his famed sword. See the five-pointed star—the pentagram—overlaid on your body, its points aligned with your head, arms, and legs.

  You can design your own ritual, but before you begin calling the quarters, gain as much knowledge as possible about their energies and correspondences. This will enrich your experience
and enhance your magickal work.

  East, Realm of Dawn

  The east corresponds to daybreak. When contemplating the energies of this direction, find an eastern-facing spot and rise early enough that you can see and feel the tranquil transition of the awakening world. This will give you a very real experience of new beginnings, as night surrenders her darkness to the power of the rising sun. Birds emerge from sleep and herald the start of the day. The grass is wet with dew and the world seems fresh and undisturbed. Open yourself to the sensations of dawn and the promises she proffers, then write down your experiences in your book of shadows.

  South, Realm of High Noon

  Preferably on a bright and sunny day, find a place where you can sit quietly and be undisturbed. Face the south. Do not look directly into the sun overhead, but feel its heat and warmth on your face and shoulders. As you breathe, envision the glowing center of energy contained within you as an internal echo of the sun itself. Notice the heightened activity of the day, when everything seems to be at its very peak. The sun nurtures life on earth, but it can also dangerous, scorching the land and your own skin. Contemplate this duality and other insights or sensations that come to you, and then record your experiences in your book of shadows.

  West, Realm of Sunset

  In many mythologies, the western lands are seen as a magickal place. To the west lay the Summerlands, the Isle of Apples, Avalon, Tír na nÓg, and the Isle of Man. At the time of the setting sun, when the earth begins to grow quiet again after the day’s activities, face the west. Notice the changes in the sky. The sun descends toward the horizon, the temperature cools, and nocturnal creatures emerge from their lairs. Twilight paints the sky with many colors and, on the seacoast, land and ocean appear to be one. As you relax, breathe deeply and observe day surrendering to night. In your grimoire, note your experiences in this place of twilight and mystery.

  North, Realm of Midnight

  At midnight, when the moon is bright and other humans sleep, begin your contemplation of the north. Gaze at the stars. Find Polaris, the North Star, which has guided sailors and navigators for centuries. Once you find the North Star, you can never truly be lost. The north pulls the compass point to itself, thus its magnetism and power are undeniable. Picture the earth in the sleep of winter, trees bare of their leaves, the earth frozen and solid, icicles dangling from branches and twigs. Feel yourself standing upon the earth, the Great Mother who gave life to us all and who will one day cradle our bones. Turn inward and open yourself to the wisdom and secrets of this direction. Write down your experiences in this time of silence and solitude.

  CALLING THE FOUR QUARTERS

  When you feel comfortable in your knowledge of the four directions and their energies, you’re ready to evoke and/or invoke the deities who reign there. You may do this alone or with other like-minded people, as a ritual in itself or as part of a more extensive ritual or rite. Before performing a spell, you may choose to invite the assistance of the powers and elements of the four directions. Use the following to call the deities who guard the quarters, or better yet, write your own “script.”

  Call to the East

  Start in the east, the realm of new beginnings, of the dawn and of springtime. The east corresponds to the element of air, and represents possibility and awareness. Look to the east when you seek to renew hope and faith. Face east to summon the power inherent there for strength in communication, mental clarity, and wisdom. Call the forces of this direction with this charge:

  “I call upon the spirits of air who guard and protect the gateway to the eastern realm. I beckon and call you forth from the far corner of the universe wherein you dwell. Winds of change, strength of tornadoes, bear witness to this ritual and give us your aid. Gentle breeze that carries the seed to fertile soil, descend into this circle and grant us your blessing. Realm of the Dawning Star, bestow upon us your gifts of vision, insight, and song. We seek to know you, we seek to honor you. By the air that is our breath, we charge you, be here now! To the East and the spirits of air, we bid you hail and welcome!”

  Call to the South

  Proceed clockwise around the circle and face south, the direction of noontime and of summer. The south corresponds to the element of fire, and represents fullness and vitality. Turn to the south when you seek fulfillment of desire, when you need passion, inspiration, or courage. Face the south and call the powers of the direction with this charge:

  “I call upon the spirits of fire who guard and protect the gateway to the southern realm. I beckon and call you forth from the far corner of the universe wherein you dwell. Candle flame and hearth fire, come into this circle and warm our hearts. Strength of wildfire and volcano, descend into this circle and grant us your blessing. Golden orb of the high noon sun, realm of heat and brilliance, bestow upon us your gifts of passion and inspiration. We seek to know you, we seek to honor you. By the fire in our hearts, we charge you, be here now! To the South and the spirits of fire, we bid you hail and welcome!”

  Call to the West

  Continue around the circle to the western “corner” and face the direction of sunset and of autumn. The west corresponds to the element of water. Turn to the west when you seek to enhance your intuition, uncover mysteries, and balance your emotions. Face the west and call the powers of the direction with this charge:

  “I call upon the spirits of water who guard and protect the gateway to the western realm. I beckon and call you forth from the far corner of the universe wherein you dwell. Ocean depths, cradle of life, come into this circle and reveal the truth of our inner visions. Strength of storm, rushing rivers, and rolling tides, descend into this circle and grant us your blessing. Gentle rain that nourishes and cleanses, realm of the setting sun, bestow upon us your gifts of intuition and mystery. We seek to know you, we seek to honor you. By the water in our blood, we charge you, be here now! To the West and the spirits of water, we bid you hail and welcome!”

  Call to the North

  Finally, you come to the north, the powers of elemental earth, representing both the womb and the grave, the source of all life and that which awaits at the end of life. North corresponds to the season of winter and to midnight. Turn to the north when you wish to manifest outcomes and reveal truth. Face the north and call the powers of the direction with this charge:

  “I call upon the spirits of earth who guard and protect the gateway to the northern realm. I beckon and call you forth from the far corner of the universe wherein you dwell. Gaia, Demeter, Earth Mother, come into this circle and manifest the power of your divine law. Strength of earthquake and of mountain, foundation beneath our feet, descend into this circle and grant us your blessing. North Star, navigator’s guide, that which calls all other directions unto itself, bestow upon us your gifts of strength. We seek to know you, we seek to honor you. By the earth that is our body, we charge you, be here now! To the North and the spirits of earth, we bid you hail and welcome!”

  Wiccan Words

  Wiccans often greet one another with the words “Merry meet.” Another phrase, “Blessed be,” may be spoken as a welcome, at the end of a ritual, in parting, or any time you want to wish someone well. This simple blessing contains the vibrations of love, and it thus attracts positive energy, dispels harmful vibrations, and confers protection.

  ENDING A SPELL OR RITUAL

  Spells, like books, have a beginning, middle, and end. Properly concluding a spell or ritual is just as important as the other parts. These final actions seal your spell, activate it, and allow you to step back into your everyday world. Witches do this with actions as well as with words.

  Binding a Spell

  It’s customary to close a spell with a definitive statement. Wiccans often use the phrase “So mote it be” to bind a spell. If you prefer, you can say “So be it now” or “So it is done” or “Amen.” The number three represents creativity, form, and manifestation in the three-dimensional world. Therefore, you can end a spell by repeating a statement three times or
performing a gesture three times. In her book The Spiral Dance, Starhawk offers this closing statement to bind a spell:

  “By all the power

  Of three times three,

  This spell bound around

  Shall be.

  To cause no harm,

  Nor return on me.

  As I do will,

  So mote it be.”

  To make sure your spell only generates positive results, say something in conclusion like, “This spell is done for the good of all, harming none.” Put the finishing touches on your spell in this way, before you open the circle and allow your intentions to flow out into the manifest world.

  Releasing Deities and Spirits

  If you’ve summoned deities, spirits, angels, guardians, or other entities to assist you during your magickal workings, you must release them at the end of the spell or ritual. Do this with gratitude and respect. Just as you called forth these beings with chants, incantations, invocations, or other utterances, you’ll say so long to them verbally. You can design a personalized ending ritual or use a “readymade” one from another source. Here’s a simple way to release entities, so they can return to their usual realms of existence:

  Face east, and say aloud: “Guardian of the east, spirit of air, we thank you for your presence here. Depart now and return to your home, harming none, and let there be peace between us. Hail, farewell, and blessed be.”