Even if you aren't into magick, you probably cast spells on a daily basis without even realizing it. All that is required is a great amount of desire. When you sit and day dream about it, visualizing it in you head and thinking how you could do it, that is the start of all spells.

But for those who are serious about magick and rituals, you have to go beyond the immediate result of a simple wish that manifests in your space; it requires personal growth, evaluation and progression with each ritual you do.

So what is it that requires a spell to make something happen? There has to be something otherwise you wouldn't be calling upon the powers of the universe. As persons, we are masters of our own creation and how we move on to the future is effected by what has shaped us in the past. However, the only way to change the effect of the past and not carry it into the future is to do something about it in the now, the present. Why is this important? The ritual or spell you do to bring something about (future event) is affected by the moment when you cast it. Also, you need to understand that there is a difference between the spell that will come about in the future whether it be 2 minutes from now, a day, a week or a year from that moment you give the spell life. Again, why? There are those people who are earth bound and can not see beyond the boundaries of the physical plane i.e. those who need scientific proof. If this is you then stop now because a ritual or spell will never work. Magick and cosmic energy, like your thoughts and dreams are not tangible… you can't bottle it or show it to someone else but it is as real as those thoughts that make you walk and talk and do things. For you to manifest something, you have to believe that you can do it, that magick is real

In essence of all rituals and spells is the faith that what you will, will come into being. Even the desire for something to happen puts the wheels into motion. Whether it comes to fruition depends on whether you do something to bring it about.

So with this in mind, before using magick to bring something about, ask yourself:

1. Is this REALLY what I want?

2. What are the long term effects of my casting this spell?

3. What would REALLY happen in short and long term if I get what I want through casting this spell?

It is important that you ask yourself these question as there is always the consequences of you magick that you will have to deal with: cause and effect. In Wicca, it is called the Rule of Three's: what ever you do shall return on you threefold over. Whether you believe in the Wiccan way or not, what you have to entertain is that for every action, there is an equal an opposite reaction. Our actions will return to its source. We need to be careful with every action, word, or thought, for each of them unleashes the cause producing effects about which we are not sure. Another way to look at it is, what will the effect be on others and yourself if you use magick. Hence the Wiccan Rede, "Do as you will as long as you harm none". By this, as you will refers to your will. Also, this includes omissions as much as what you do. Therefore, we can state that any "bad" or "good" thing form wherever it comes, is our own making. So don't go looking for something or someone to blame when the effects of are not to your liking. Sometimes the re-action may come under a form, which you cannot recognize, but it is always your action that started the process. This may not be always pleasant, but how empowering to know that we are at cause of everything happening in our universe.

So, heavy stuff out of the way! Now down to how to set about making a ritual or casting a spell? (There is a more in-depth plan at the end)

1. Decide what you want

2. Make a written statement of it

3. Make sure you state the spell the way you want it not the way you don't want it (e.g.: I want my body to be totally healthy rather than I don't want pain in my body).

4. Cast the spell.

A Few Pointers:

1.     You can improve your relationship if there are things you're not happy with.

2.     Love and hate spells have a particular nasty effect to backlash upon you.

3.     Use not fear, for fear binds you to the darkness. Be careful with what you wish for. It will come true.

4.     Remember, you get what you focus on, so focus on what you want. If you want light, focus on the light.

5.     Declare yourself to be the conscious cause of all that happens in this universe and thereby take responsibility for all that happens. This is the step that raises you to the stature of magnificence and makes you the Kahuna. To gain maximum control in the universe, assume cause for every effect.

6.   BALANCE: With regard to balance, it is important to remain balanced, grounded -- "...it is not enough for our mental and spiritual development that we draw down the Divine Light, we must also draw up the earth forces. Only too often mental health is sacrificed to spiritual development through ignorance of, or denial of, this fact. Nature is God made manifest, and we blaspheme her at our peril... The adept never speaks of hell, but of the kingdoms of unbalanced force." (Fortune, 1922)

Planning Your Ritual or Spell

1. Clearly understand and define your magickal goal.

2. Plan your visualization and other wording.

3. Choose your tools and supplies and begin to empower them. This includes particular types of herbs, stones, candle colors, etc. that are appropriate for the ritual or spell you are doing.

4. Decide on the day and moon phase you need to do it on.

5. Be sure of the ETHICS of your goal. For example, you may want to do a tarot reading to get a feeling of the spell's outcome. This can help you decide whether it will be a good idea to do a particular spell, or if you have to think more about your goals. Will what you plan to do bring harm to yourself or another?

6. Gather all your equipment and go to your magickal place at the appropriate time according to: day, moon sign, and planetary aspects if applicable.

7. Prepare your magickal space. This can include: setting up the objects you will use for the ritual, cleansing/smudging the space, and purification of yourself, and dedicating the altar and tools.

8. Ground, center and begin clearly visualizing.

9. Raise your circle and magickal energy.

10. Do whatever physical actions your spell requires. 

11. Release the magickal energy towards its goal.

12. End your spell and close the sacred space.

13. Ground excess energy into the earth.

14. Record your experience in your Book of Shadows.

15. Back up your action on the physical plane. A lot of people tend to forget this part. Many think a spell "takes care of itself" like a magic trick, but it takes will on your part to make sure the spell is manifested. If you do not do this, the spell simply will not work.

16. Rework the spell as needed.

17. Break the spell when necessary.