Designing Spells, a how-to guide for every level of experience and discretion: Threshold Theory
Basic spell components:
All spells have a few components that are absolutely necessary for potent results. It is going to be assumed that physical and/or energetic work was done to actually prepare and cast the spell.
In order to cast a spell, one needs to be in a space of mind that facilitates the spell working. We often refer to this as ‘Headspace”, this assists one to be more focused. This can be the most difficult aspect of spellworking for some practitioners. The mind needs to be honed in on the spell, the energies, spirits, and intentions involved.
Secondly, one would need to have passion, an emotional state that is used to fuel the spell.
Lastly, one needs to have an Intention for a spell. This is the most discussed aspect of spell casting, but is also the most misunderstood. Intention is not to be confused with desire. Intent is a personal truth, something that cannot be lied to. It is possible to cast a spell without one of these three components, however the spell most likely will not be as potent as if one did. You totally can cast spells based on desire and not intent, but validating the spell may be difficult or it may have varied results.
Correspondences, Tools, & External resources:
When looking through the internet or other informational resources and/or guides on witchcraft, you’ll probably notice that a few things tend to be regularly occurring:
1. That though a lot of practitioners may say that tools and correspondences aren’t necessary, a vast majority of sources and guides include and/or require correspondences and/or physical tools.
2. The correspondences used in each source are only as common as the dominant source for those correspondences within that specific tradition. For some, those sources are books, and for others they are the first result on a Google search.
When it comes to Tools used to perform magic, there are a few things that must be kept in mind. Some tools are culture/tradition specific and it would be disrespectful for you to use them, which may or may not have spiritual consequences. Many tools are used to accomplish the same ends. For example, wands and athames are used for very similar purposes, the casting and/or projection of energies within a specific space- typically when sanctifying an object or opening/closing a space for a working. If you decide to use a tool for your practice, please be sure that you understand the cultural ramifications of doing so within a spiritual space.
When it comes to Correspondences, there are a plethora of sources that may appear to have contradicting data. This is because they stem from various traditions and sources. This occurs because correspondences are 100% subjective. However, if you practice within a specific tradition or culture, then you are expected to follow the correspondences of that practice. This can be incredibly powerful because people have been building on those ideas and connections for lifetimes.
IF you aren’t a part of a preexisting tradition ask yourself what you feel you should use. Magic can be a very personal and intimate experience. Don’t be afraid to create your own correspondences. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to invent your own tools- but be sure to do so as if it were a sacred act. Magical tools aren’t something that should be thrown together thoughtlessly and then treated like pencils or hair ties, they should be created and treated as what they are: a medium for your magic. They should be planned and made with materials that you deem appropriate. The should be stored as if they were fragile or put on display on an altar. If you’re not open about your practice, this aspect may be challenging to hide.
Types of spells:
In my experience, there are seven types of spells. Please bear in mind that these are by no means finite boundaries for spellwork to exist within, just an acknowledgement of trends.
Altar Spells: Spells that require not only tools and correspondences, but also require a ritual or ceremony in order to cast it. Often, these spells utilize candles and crystals, prayers and symbology, and may even go as far to actually require an altar.
Glamours: These spells more often than not, require only symbols and energy. They are use to altar the perceptions of whatever they’re placed on, whether targeting other or yourself.
Divination: Spells used to heighten your intuition. A lot of practitioners don’t view divinations as being spellwork, but a good diviner uses all three of the basic components of spellwork for their readings.
Psychological Spells: These are spells put on yourself to altar your own mind by manipulating your own subconscious. These spells are performed often through repetitive action and subliminal messaging through turn of phrase of symbology.
Energetic Spells: These spells require only the energies of yourself and/or beings and objects around you. Most energetic spells that are easy to find on the internet are very small spells, typically aimed at small scale manifestation. However, with enough practice and intuition, Energetic Spells can do anything that any other spell type can achieve.
Astral Spells: These are spells that require being in an Astral form or even on the Astral Plane. They are very similar to Energetic spells but they require even less. However, due to the nature of the Astral, maintaining the basic components of spellwork while in this form can be very challenging.
Spirit Spells: These are spells that either use spirits as the medium for the spell to travel through, or employ a spirit to do the spell work for you entirely. Like energetic spells, this type of spell can achieve anything that all the others can if given enough experience and practice.
Spell dictation: Whether it be for recording a spell that you have already cast or recording how to perform a spell you have only just thought of, the way you choose to record your spellwork with have a massive impact on your craft as a whole.
The importance of record keeping:
When performing spells, it is imperative to keep a record of the exact spell process and results. By doing this you’ll be able to keep track of successful spells and those that aren’t. Then it becomes easy to home in on effective spell processes.keeping a record also makes it a lot easier to undo spells that take an undesired turn. I recommend having a dedicated book or Google drive folder to record your spells.
Spell Design Process:
All spells can be thought of as a combination of Thresholds, Nodes, Intent, Focus, and Passion. (And an action)
Without any of these a spell will not function as intended or would not work at all.
Nodes are things like correspondences. They are individual concepts that are connected to form a complete web, or Threshold, for the spell to travel through. Correspondences need not be only for the physical objects involved. They can be as simple as word association or a memory.
Start creating a spell:
1: Decide on a goal, what you wish the spell to accomplish. It is important that your spell takes the path of least resistance in order to have the highest chance at success
2: Create or find correspondences and concepts to create your nodes from and then find how they can be connected. This can be done mentally or by using nodes that are associated with each other.
3: Get all your tools and sympathetic representations together, if you decide to use them. If not, skip to 4.
4: Decide what is the best headspace to be in for casting the spell. It is important to record this as well.
5: Find what is the best emotion to fuel the spell and record that as well.
6: Figure out what energetic programming you wish to use and record that. Do this as best you can, I do realize that the current energetic model definitely leaves a ton to be desired.
7: If you wish to involve spirits, be sure to commune with them beforehand if necessary. And be sure to keep record of the conditions that are reached and which entities you involve.
8: Compile your spell into a single process.
9: Cast and record results.
Be sure to do as much research into your target as possible. Like if you’re casting a spell onto the brain of another person, it would be wise to know their medical history or there could be unwanted side effects.
Discrete Spells and Practices:
The best way to keep your spell work private is to forgo your physical tools and sympathetic representations. This can be achieved by relying on spirit work or energy work.
If you wish to keep the physical aspects of the craft and the way you keep records, I recommend having a small discrete bag to hold your tools and such and coming up with a transcription orthography to write with. This can be either a personal alphabet or a simple encryption like a caesar cipher. A lot of discrete practitioners cannot use candles or burn, in order to get around this you can have ashes as your fire representation and draw things you would burn in water soluble inks. You can also draw Sigils using invisible inks as well.
Networking and How to Talk About Spells:
When discussing witchcraft, it is of the utmost importance to first establish personal semantic meaning. Since witchcraft is a multicultural and multilingual phenomenon, the words used to discuss it vary wildly. This is why I take the time to define my terms.
Once the baseline of semantics has been discussed, it is safe to proceed with discussions about magic. It would be easier to start with practitioners who have a similar practice. But I recommend connecting with anyone who is willing to have fair, free and, open discussions. Remain aware of the nuances of culture as to avoid taking and using what is not meant for you.
Validating Spells:
when recording spells, be sure to note the date and time of casting and have a timeframe in which you would expect a given result. Once the timeline runs its course take any notes of what might be pertinent.
If the spell is continuous, be sure to make note of the situation beforehand so that as time passes you can make notes of relative change.
Sometimes spells don’t work and that’s okay. That just means you need to reassess the working and try again.
Troubleshooting Spells:
If a spell effects more than what was desired, you likely weren’t focused enough or your nodes weren’t connected thoroughly.
If a spell worked but wasn’t to the desired intensity, you likely didn’t fuel it with enough passion during the casting.
If a spell didn’t work at all, it could be that it didn’t take the path of least resistance or you were missing a crucial element. As an example, it is more effective to cast a spell for your employer/client to notice your hard work than it would be to cast one to get a raise.
As you adjust aspects of your working, you’ll be honing it to perfection. Keep track of your changes and overall processes.
(alternate recipe with just vodka also available, just use a caramel vodka instead of caramel whiskey! I've been making this recipe for 3 years and every year company love it, if you're having guests over for a samhain or costume bash this is a large quantity recipe that can serve up to 10 ppl)
You'll need:
2 cinnamon sticks for prosperity and luck
3 grannysmith apples for three times the power, and for love.
A sprig of rosemary to garnish for protection, remembrance, and friendship.
375 ml of smirnoff green apple vodka
1.5 L of any brand of moscato wine
750ml of Ole Smokey Tennesee Salty Caramel Whiskey (sub smirnoff kissed caramel if you want a sweeter sangria)
A gallon of apple cider
One liter of any lemon lime soda to top it off, bubbles to the brew
A big dispenser or pitchers to mix and contain the brew, and preferably a wooden spoon.
Directions:
First you're going to place the cinnamon sticks in the container and chop up the apples. Dice some of the apples into chunks but leave the center to slice lengthwise to reveal the hidden pentacle ☆.
This next process however all depends on your dispenser or size pitcher. My dispenser was very big so I used the whole 750 ml of Smirnoff apple, poured the whole 1.5L of moscato and about shy of 500ml of whiskey before adding half of the container of apple cider I had left from Mabon (waste not want not)
Next add in the sprig of rosemary, stir your brew counter clockwise to banish negativity and ward evil-- stir clockwise to attract good and abundance. Leave room at the top for about 1 cup to 2 cups of lemon lime soda for bubbles and top off before serving.
Cover and let flavors infuse in refrigerator for 5-7 days. Serve in chilled glasses and garnish with any of the following: rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and pomegranate seeds to represent hades and the thinning of the veil if you so desire.
Take extra apple scraps outside and offer them to any woodland creatures that are out scavenging for winter!
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