Spell Work: Incantations
In the few years I’ve been dabbling in magic and spell work, the basics I’ve found that are the most important to focus on are:
The energy of the spell
and
The incantation
The energy of the spell comes from what you use for the spell, itself. This all depends on what tools you typically like to use. If you prefer herbs or other ingredients for a spell (i.e. rosemary, jasmine, salt, ashes, etc.), then you choose things that carry the specific energy you want to integrate and utilize for the desired effect. Same goes for crystals, sigils, runes, or the color of the candle you use. Simple science. Many of these items, though, can be used for different energies, so it is important to focus your intention on how you want them to be used and where you want that energy to go. This is where the incantation comes in.
The incantation of a spell is what tells the energy to go in any desired direction. For instance, if you want to create a protection spell for your home and you use all the tools in your arsenal to do so but don’t provide some sort of spoken incantation, the energy is absorbed into the tools, but it just stays there, leaving the home unprotected. The incantation provides guidance to the energy you pull in. Otherwise, it doesn’t know what you want. So, it’s crucial to use incantations if you want your spell to work.
Again, this is basic stuff. We see it in Hollywood movies all the time, of witches brewing their spells in their cauldron, and saying their little rhymes, and PRESTO, we have a magic potion. If you glean through older texts, black books, occult studies, or other various documentation of witchcraft through the ages, you’ll find that each comes with incantations. We can use these incantations in our own work, and I’m sure they work just fine. However, in my experience, I've found writing my own incantations is much more effective, so I’d like to explain why and detail how you can do the same.
First, why are personally written incantations more effective? What I’ve seen reading through some pre-written spells is that if they’re intended to be versatile and shared among large groups of people, they’re vague. My thoughts on that are that it is purposeful, and it gives the practitioner the opportunity to add in their own lines to make it more specific. Though if that’s the case, it’s assumed rather than instructed. The more specific your incantation is, the more effective the spell is going to be. This is why when I’m posting here or on social media about spell suggestions, I only give ingredients and basic instructions, but don’t provide an incantation. Any incantation I write is painfully specific to the situation I need it for and may not apply to everyone else’s purpose in using the spell.
For example, if I’m going to be creating a protection spell that I intend on using for my family, I’m going to write an incantation that specifically names each person I wish to protect. I can do this by simply listing their names, but I prefer to be more creative with my approach, so I’ll use symbolism that I typically associate with each person living in my home. I just created a stress-relief potion for my sister, so when I brew it, I speak an incantation that is specifically designed for her situation, that may not apply to anyone else. That way, the energy knows exactly where to go and what to do when it gets there.
Now, onto how to write your own incantation. If you’re not familiar with or comfortable with writing, no worries, there are simple ways of doing this and it definitely doesn’t have to be extravagant. The incantation doesn’t even have to rhyme (though I’ve found that does add an extra spark, it’s not necessary) as long as it describes three things:
A call to the energy you want in the spell. You are requesting the energy you’re working with (i.e. energy of protection or defense), or if you work with specific spirits or deities, this is where you list them by name and ask for their assistance. You can call them by their name or you can use common “nicknames” they’ve been given (i.e. calling on Odin as “the wise wanderer” or “Valfather”) and be as creative as you like as long as it’s done with respect. Also, if you’re calling on a spirit or deity to assist you, keep in mind you should also leave an offering for them to thank them for their help.
Describe the situation that you are facing. Using the same example of a protection spell for your home, say you’ve been having issues with general moodiness concerning everyone living in the home, or you come home from work and immediately want to leave or start feeling sick, getting a headache, or experience other unpleasant physical symptoms. These are all signs that there is built up negative energy in that space, which needs to be cleared. However, if you clear it without addressing the problem of “how’d it get here in the first place” then there’s a strong chance it will come right back in after you clear the space. This is the situation you want to describe in your incantation, so you say, “there is energy infiltrating my home that is causing me and my family some distress.” Again, as creatively as you like.
End the incantation with a request for action. What do you want the desired effect to be? Using the same example, you want the home protected from those energies coming back in. This is where you lay out what you want the spell to do: “Keep them out of my house.” Be direct, don’t be afraid to command the energy to do as you wish. There needs to be some level of confidence and authority if you want it to follow your instructions. Respectfully, yes, but firm. There is a difference between “commanding” and “demanding”, so choose your words carefully.
As I’ve stated before, I prefer to work in groups of three, so when I speak my incantations, I do so three times. This is not necessary if your practice doesn’t require it, saying it once is enough.
I trust this will serve you if you need the assistance during this full moon. Good night, good day, and good luck.