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Spell Methods

To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.lucky.w,alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic,alt.magick,alt.pagan.magick,alt.occult.methods
From: catherine yronwode 
Subject: Re: Spell Methods
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 22:26:55 GMT

lorax666 wrote:
> 
> 50030313 VII om
> 
> "Nightwish" :
> > ...what things do you all take into consideration when
> > writing a spell?
> 
> I don't often write them out, but when I do I like to
> give it careful consideration.

I don't write spells out unless i am doing so for the sake of teaching
a student. I may rehearse then in my mind once or twice before
performing them. 

> > Do you pay close attention to when you plan to perform
> > the spell? (ie: do you pay close attention to day
> > of the week correspondences,
> 
> date is usually more important to me than week day,
> but both factor in. mo./day relations are valuable
> to me too: 3/9, 4/16, 5/25, etc.
> 
> > moon phase correspondences, etc.?)
> 
> quite often.

Time and timing are very important to me. I recognize at least 9
methods of timing a spell (astrological, numerical date, clock time,
time of day, day of week, etc.) and i try to have at least 4 of them
lined up favourably for the purpose of any given spell. 

> > Do you cast a circle when doing a spell?
> 
> never. circle-casting is something that I have studied
> but never consistently-employed. I gather it came out
> of Solomonic magic into Wicca through Gardner, but the
> Sorcerer's Chamber substitutes when I need a focus
> or solitude. Hermetic sealings appear rather overdone.

I rarely cast a circle unless the purpose of the work is for
protection. 

> > Does your spell rhyme?
> 
> it doesn't always include words, but sometimes rhymes.

Unless i am performing a spell that was taught to me with a rhyme, i
do not rhyme. Not all of my spells involve spoken enchantments, but
many do, and i adopt the formal cadence associated with
African-American improvisatory preaching (this is sometimes called
"tuned" speaking, because there is a melodic content to it as well as
a rhythmic cadence).

> > Do you use herbs,
> 
> of late, yes, mostly as additions to incense/oils,
> sometimes as ingredients to a mojo.

Yes, i have always used herbs, roots, spices, and other botanical
ingredients in my spells and in the compounded products such as
incense, oils, and powders. I also work with lodestones and other
minerals and with zoological curios. 

> > candles, insence, oils, etc. in your spells?
> 
> I've always used candles and incense. oil was a recent
> addition, I've become aware of their formulae
> and quality standards within the last few years.

I do not always use candles, but i find that they provide a good focal
point even for spells that are not candle-magic per se. I do like
incense burning as i work. My incenses are loose powders with added
herbs and resins. I often use herb-based oils or herb-based powders to
dress candles, papers, lodestones, talismans, myself, and so forth. 

> > I'd like to know more about how different people go
> > about doing things. I know each person generally has
> > their own method, and I was simply curious as to how
> > people here did things.
> 
> sensible. there are traditions which flow through people,
> taught in tenuous ways like through this thread.

I work in the hoodoo tradition. For more about how candles, herbs,
oils, powders, and such are used in this tradition, see these free,
non-commerical web pages:

Laying Tricks and Disposing of Ritual Remains in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/layingtricks.html

Ritual Baths and Floor Washes in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/baths.html

Dressing and Anointing Oils in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/oils.html

Incense in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/incense.html
           
Sachet Powders in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/powders.html

Candle Burning in the Hoodoo Tradition
     http://www.luckymojo.com/candlemagic.html

Cordially, 

cat yronwode

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