Ex Penna

• I'm not afraid of it.  Of all the stuff that makes me nervous, doing what needs done in the security of my home and head is not one of them.  I know we are taught to have a healthy fear of "the dark side," but I've been there often enough to know that those folks there are just like everyone else, only more honest.
• I'm not ashamed of it.  This shocks some people.  And yet I've met so many mouthy, arrogant, self-important, loose-cannon spellcasters who would never curse because that would make them a bad person.  Listen here--the wickedness you do as a witch is not somehow different from the wickedness you do as a person.  You aren't better than me because you told lies to get a coworker fired while I cast a spell to make my neighbor move.  I have nothing to hide; I'm doing what witches have done for centuries.  But you?  You're just an asshole.
• It's probably not what you think.  Why does everyone think that curses are cast for no reason?  Like I've got nothing better to do with my time than wreck things?  I've rarely heard a story where someone was cursed who didn't pick the fight.  This is especially true of complicated situations, like family, work, or social settings that make direct confrontation impossible.  For myself, the black magic I've spread was totally justified.  
• A happy witch does it.  I don't curse because I hate the world, nor because I'm socially ill-adjusted, nor lonely, nor sad.  I do it because I don't like to see good people be treated badly.  I want to treat bad people badly!  And if you're near this situation at all, you may end up enjoying the fruits of my devious labors!  You're welcome.  All kidding aside, spellcasters are the last people in the world who should suffer from large-scale problems, troublemakers, or anxiety stemming from either.  If this describes you, now is the perfect time to get busy cleaning house!  Black magic isn't all hate--it can be a precious tool for love and compassion towards the innocent.  Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to rescue yourself and those around you from evil.

Now that we've cracked the topic and all the insides are running out, I'll tell you what I think about enforcing my will.


Coercion

• Society has been running on mind tricks since its inception.  Learn about the way advertising works, or salesmanship.  Talk to your mother-in-law (or other master of passive-agressive behavior).  Even innocuous things like art and literature employ tricks to make us feel what we otherwise wouldn't feel.  It's not special and it's not always mean, we just do it because it suits a purpose.  And whether my spell on you is in your favor or not, I'm not going to hate myself for using it if I feel it suits the right purpose.
• Rude people don't deserve to win against my manners.  Well-placed deviousness can be a powerful ally against a jerk who gets away with their bad behavior because no one wants to make a scene.  And, before you start, this isn't about being weak; we all have seen those powderkegs who are just begging for a spark.  Go ahead and be that spark that makes everything explode--when they're not around anything you love.  
• Manipulation isn't a bad thing but it is a witch thing.   To manipulate, strictly speaking, is to shape with one's hands.  And witches do this all the time; it's a good example of what it feels like to cast a spell.  But manipulation has become another boogey man for an otherwise powerful caster to fear.  You say you don't change people, only situations?  Well, situations are made of people.  It's their thoughts, goals, and actions that create problems.  If you want to stop a problem, you're stopping a person.  If you want to get a house or a new car, that's one less for another person. Should you feel bad?  Of course not!  There will be other chances for them, other houses, other cars, and other messes they can get themselves into.  You're not ruining their life, just redirecting a tiny part of it.

At last we come to collateral damage, that old terror.  "If you cast a spell to get money, you could find out the next day that someone in your family died and you now have an inheritance!"  What claptrap!

This farfetched tale is used (often!) to illustrate why magic should only be a pathetically small part of what you do to fix a problem.  This puts magic in the ranks of, at worst, a placebo and at best, self-help mind games.  Those are terrible reasons to cast spells, as
well as being lousy at inspiring newcomers to even bother with learning proper technique. What's the point?  It's all the same, right?  Whether you teach people that magic is only a boost to hard work or that it is far too powerful for you to contain, you're doing the same thing--crippling potential.

So what is the actual likelihood of hurting some poor innocent with your spell?  Not very likely at all, it turns out.  I've done many kinds of spells and rarely have they affected others in a negative way.  Even then, it was not life-threatening, only inconvienent or (once or twice) scary.  That's pretty good considering the amount of magic I've used over the years and how much of it has been lobbed at others.

So to get to the basis of this concern let's dig into it with pick and shovel.


Collateral Damage

• Nothing is guaranteed in magic.  Everything is in motion; there is no such thing as a static situation no matter how slow-moving it may seem.  There may be information you don't have, relationships of which you're not aware.  You must understand and prepare for surprising interactions.  You could be a positive influence or a negative one depending on minute details.
• Major change is always subjective.   When things shift, there are bound to be people who think it's the end of the world.  But just as many might say it's the reprieve they'd waited years to see.  Know that there will be opinions beyond your own.  You needn't feel like a monster just because one was bad.
• Keep the gravity of the problem at the forefront.   The worse a problem is, the less you should worry about what little slip-ups may come.  At some point it may come down to greater and lesser evil.

In the end, you should know that even small situations have the potential to create unintentional harm but, no matter what, it's not an exceptional danger.  If being struck by lightning is keeping you from walking in the rain, you're missing out on a fantastic life.

My final word on the matter is that cursing isn't the problem, incompetence is.  It can ruin any form of magic and turn good men into beasts.  Know our craft, how you feel about the risks, and what you'll do if your work goes awry.  Be smart, be safe, be responsible, and do what needs done!


Related reading includes Dreams and Curses,  Gigi's First Big Spell,  How to Tell if You're Cursed


Images from:
www.vanseodesign.com
www.bloodloveandlustspells.com

Witchcraft 101: Five Things Apologists Should Know


I don't know if you've ever come into contact with this sort of beast before, but this link will take to you a page of instructions for Catholics to use when trying to convert witches and Pagans.

At first it starts off considerate with the basic important information they will need so as not to offend us, which is largely respectful.  But then it turns into an all-out sales pitch.  Of course this is the plan--and I understand that in a faith that teaches that the best thing you can do for you fellow man is convert him, this is a natural goal--but it offers more trickery than actual value to the witch.

Take for example their big plan to trap you with a fallacy of presumption:

"One way to demonstrate this is to ask the witch if she believes in the pope. "No," she’s likely to answer. "The pope is a Christian figure." True, you concede. But there is a man in Rome who holds the office of the papacy, right? Your belief or disbelief in the papacy does not determine whether or not the papacy exists. Put that way, a person will have to acknowledge that something or someone can exist independently of belief in its reality."

This may trip up the occassional practitioner, but not the prepared.  One can easily say that belief in the physical form of a person and belief in their divine-given power are two different concepts.  This is not the same argument, however, as the existence of a non-corporeal being.  A Pagan could as quickly say that a Catholic's disbelief in the Gods is no more valid.  In short, to believe in one world-view to the exclusion of others does not make it the correct view, no matter the number of backers to the theory.

So, just for fun, check out this link and see what you think of one Catholic take on discussing religon and belief with witches.

Of course we know that divination, especially tarot, is standard practice for most magical folks.  But what about when we're not interested in seeing the future?

There are several good books on the market that give spells for a number of specific purposes.  You may be a different sort of reader than myself, so I will simply list the titles I have seen:

The Tarot Spellcaster  by Terry Donaldson

Tarot Spells  by Janina Renee

Portable Magic  by Donald Tyson

Tarot and Magic  by Donald Michael Kraig

Tarot Card Spell Casting  by Franklin H. Zboyan


Getting new books is one of my very favorite things, but if you'd like to try your hand at a tarot spell before you buy, shuffle up to these ideas:

• Post a single card either on your altar or in some other prominent place.  Choose one card that best represents your desired outcome and gaze at it while you let your mind wander around the situation.  Allow the strength of the card's image to overpower the problem, standing above everything, securing what was chaotic, and creating order. Now stand the card upright where you will it every day.  
• Falsify a spread that shows your chosen outcome.  Sort through the deck and pick out cards that show past, present, and your desired future.  Arrange them in your favorite spread and let this sit untouched until your goal has been achieved.    
• Embody your card by wearing clothes in its color scheme on the day of a big event.  You can use the well-known colors of the Rider Waite Smith or pick those of your favorite deck.  You may wish to create outfits for all the majors!

Also of note to a practitoner--and this is my favorite part--are the spreads that are made specifically for the planning and timing of spellwork.  One would assume that this need would be approached more often than it is, but such spreads are not easy to find.  However, the use of divination to create the perfect spell is a fantastic way to incorperate two of a witch's most important works.

I cannot think how many times it has happened that though I know the problem and that I want it fixed, I simply can't think of the ideal way to go about it.  And this is coming from 17 years of practice.  I cannot possibly be alone in this!  Despite armloads of excellent spellbooks and a grand selection of spell components, practitioners aren't always going to be able to see the heart of the situation, nor how to approach it.  When that happens, get out your cards.

My first exposure with spell planning spreads was Edian McCoy's "Wheel Divination*"  Ten cards are laid out in a circle pattern, starting at the top and rotating clockwise:

1. The need or desire on which the spell is based

2. The hidden underlying need (the root of your desire)

3. Hidden influences acting on the spell (could be of your inner self or influences outside your control)

4.  Influence of others

5. The spell's weakness

6. The spell's strength

7.The inner-world outcome (effect your spell will have in the astral world)

8. The physical world outcome

9. The final outcome

10. What comes back to you (Karmic Card) If you get a negative card here you should look
if your spell could be harmful to anyone


*My apologies to Ms. McCoy if this is not precisely quoted.  I found it indirectly years ago (on a Aeclectic Tarot forum)



My own spread takes its own approach: I didn't want to talk about whether or not the spell would work.  That, to me, is obvious; the right spell for the job always works.  My focus was all about how to make it work the best it possibly can.


Quill's "Spellwork Guidence Spread" has a layout that moves from bottom to top: two crossed cards, two side by side, a single, two crossed, and a single card at the crown.

1. What's the problem?

2. (crossed over 1) What aspect of this problem should I focus on?

3. and 4. Which type of spells should I use?  (based on the Element of the cards.  Also                            denotes how the spell should be destroyed after the work is done)

     FIRE- candles, bonfire, the sun, food, enchanted objcts
     AIR- spirit conjuring, incense, dispersal
     WATER- formula, ink, living water/the ocean
     EARTH- herbs, foottracks/dirt magic, animals, burial

5. Barriers or hinderances to success

6. and 7. (with 7 crossing) How long will it take to see results?  Duration of the spell

8. The Big Picture; after-effects of the spell





Even if you don't read tarot as a divination system, it is still useful to keep a deck for use in magic.  As it is most common to see the major arcana used in this way, you may wish to begin by printing out a set of downloadable cards onto cardstock and using them.  This is certainly a more affordable route, but also allows you to have multiple copies of the same card and to destroy the card when the spell is over (often a necessary part of the process).

For those of us who do read, tarot before, during, and after spellwork is yet another handy tool in our kit.

Related reading includes Tarot Every Day


Images from:
futuresobright.com
wikipedia.org
tarotize.com

Fascinating Female Occultists


This excellent slideshow was brought to my attention to another fascinating female occultist, Judika Illes.  The idea of celebrating the influencial women in magic thrilled me, but the stories I read revealed something deeper.

1.  They used the modes of fame available at their time
While it is not unusual in modern times to see a woman come forth in her own right in any topic, in generations past it would have been quite unlikely.  So these ladies were often known first by the good name of their husbands.  After securing a place at the table, however, they quickly proved themselves worthy to sit at the head of it.  This isn't sexism; it's damn good business.

2.  They knew and trusted their talents
If you know what you're good at, start now.  If you trust that what you're good at will either emerge or improve with practice, start now.  Either way, these women were able to let go of the fear of failure, social censure, and mockery to become their best selves.

3.  They stepped into the spotlight
Set up a business, create a group, lead rites and workshops.  Put yourself where the people are.  This is more of that same fearlessness, but with a twist.  If you stay at home, no matter how great your talent, no one will ever know you.  These women were at the center of the action of their times.  Know your local magical community, its most pressing issues, its greatest achievements, and throw yourself into them with gusto.


If you're intersted in gaining fame in your own lifetime, I suggest studying the stories of these fine female occultists--as well as their male counterparts--and taking extensive notes.  Otherwise, sign up for this year's NaNoWriMo and send me a Writing Buddy request to learn more about my project!

Bewitchment is a nice all-purpose term, albeit a bit dramatic, for any kind of spell cast upon another person, especially without their knowledge.  Most people worry only about curses but bewitchment can happen for any purpose--to bring that target love, money, success, peace, healing...anything the caster feels they need. Sometimes it's in your favor, oftentimes not.  We'll be talking today in terms of spells you would like to rebel against--the love spell that horrible guy down the block wants to put on you; the job your mother-in-law thinks you deserve, even if you don't want it; the move you're desperate to make but your friend will do anything to prevent.

But it is an unfortunate by-product of widespread hex-shunning that a few silly ideas (as noted in the above link) have cropped up about all forms of secretive magic.   But, I can attest that the truth is there really is no need for compliance by a target of the spell and targets are generally unaware of any kind of work being done on them, so it's unnecessary to make it public.  This goes for one and all types of spells, so it becomes even more important to know the signs and watch for them.  Even if a spell is just a kind act by a friend, you should know what is being worked on you.  And if it was a friend, say thank you!


So let's jump right in, shall we?



Signs that You're Being Bewitched


1.  Repeated Thoughts and Emotions

Curses, by their forceful nature, must be irrepressible and painful.  You're most likely to see what's going on around you as one disaster after another, with no way to halt the storm.  But other kinds of bewitchments don't need to go to this extent to get the job done.  Instead, you'll note the sudden and persistent thoughts about things you don't normally obsess over.  These thoughts will often be accompanied by strong emotions of excitement and longing.  This is part of the spell casting itself--to make you really desire what the caster desires you must feel what they feel.

Watch any thoughts that come unbidden, especially if they give you ideas that are opposite of what you normally think of that topic.  If your once happy marriage is suddenly smothering and you can't take your mind off the woman at work who bats her eyelashes at you, consider the origins of this thought and if it is indeed your own.  She may be more of a temptress than she seems.

To this end, I recommend journaling so you can really dig into these feelings and see them on paper.


2. Unusual Dreams

The best time to cast spells has always been at night.  Why is that?  Why is midnight "the Witching Hour"? Because your target is asleep!  While we sleep we are vulnerable to influence of every kind. What you awake thinking about, what transpired in your dream world, memorable images or words, and how they make you feel all can be a part of a spell's effect.


Here's an example: you're in the process of breaking up with your girlfriend.  She's got a laid-back "downtown" style and yours is anything but.  Suddenly you think of giving this mismatch another try. When your friends question you, you say with a shrug "I just can't quit that girl!"  Is that you speaking, or her?  Most people would shrug off a few words out of character for you, but you're best to pay attention.  This might be just what she repeated to your poppet.



These are the most obvious, in order of likelihood, symptoms of bewitchment.  There are others, I am sure, but they generally come after these three have been evident.  Naturally, as not all bewitchment is meant for harmful coercion not all spells need to be rallied against.  I remember years ago creating a sigil to get my brother to call me on the phone.  I had lost his number and had something important I wanted to discuss, so I sat down, made the sigil, empowered it, and posted it to await his call.  And, sure enough, within an hour the phone rang.  He is a spellcaster himself and whether or not he knew I cast a spell on him, he went with it because it did him no harm.  If you discover symptoms of a spell that is in your favor, roll with it!  You notice a few words slip out in the same accent as that cute guy down the hall?  Let them slip!  You feel a tug in your chest every time you and your boss walk by the upper management office you'd love to call your own?  Revel in it!  These might be signs that someone is doing all the hard work for you.

If you have been bewitched and would like to share your story, feel free to write in the comments below.  I'd love to hear about your experiences!  If you're shy, message me on my shop's Facebook page, Quill's Occult Supply.

Related reading includes How to Tell if You're Cursed

Images from:
jimlehrman.com
cookmepancakes.deviantart.com

Presented for your consideration:  Shocker: There is No Universal Threefold Law in Wicca


Normally, we wouldn't be discussing Wicca here at all but the concept of the Threefold Law has become so widespread that most people accept is as part of all magical traditions and not just a specific interpretation within a single path.  Even the "Harm None" dictim of the Wiccan Rede has been conversely named the "Witches Rede" by a variety of books and their readers.  The idea that we all should adopt any and all guidelines which will help us to appear less threatening to non-practitioners spread rapidly throughout the '90s and is only now beginning to taper off.

Read and consider.  I have my own theory on the misinterpretation of Gardener's tabboo on haggling for magical tools.  Remind me to tell you about it sometime.