Keys to Witchcraft

Witchcraft doesn’t have to be difficult or beyond the reach of a solo practitioner. Here are some key elements of witchcraft that will help any budding witch begin their journey or help rejuvenate a seasoned witch who may want to return to basics.

Creating an Altar

A witch’s altar is the physical place where the normal world meets the magical world. It is the workspace for spells, ceremonies, rituals, and meditation.

You can place your altar anywhere. It can be on a cabinet top, a corner table, a mantlepiece, a shelf, or any other suitable space. It can be as big or small as you choose, and it can be in any room in your house.

The objects you use for your altar should have a personal resonance. They could include herbs and flowers, sand, shells, photographs of your ancestors, representations of deities, an offering bowl, or your magical journal. Find what speaks to you.

Altars often include items to symbolise the four elements – earth, fire, air, and water. For example, for earth you can use salt, for fire you can use a candle, for air you can use incense, and for water, you can use a chalice.

Once you have finished decorating it, clear and cleanse the space with a smudging ritual. Add new items according to the seasons or as your intentions change. As you use your altar to meditate and practise spellcraft, it will grow in power.

Centring & Grounding

A vital step before performing any spell or ritual is to centre and ground yourself. This gives you strength and shuts out distractions, allowing you to focus all your attention on the magical work. Grounding helps you to connect with the healing energy of Mother Earth, while at the same time, helping you to tune into your internal power.

You are now ready to perform your spell.

Casting a Circle

When casting spells or rituals it is important to cast a magic circle to act as a protective forcefield against unwanted energy and external influences.

Before casting your circle, be sure you have prepared your space with all the objects you will need. Now ground and centre. As you visualise Earth’s energy filling you, direct the energy down the arm of your dominant hand. Feel it flowing out of your fingers.

Point your hand at the floor and trace a circle clockwise. You can either turn slowly or walk around the perimeter of your space. Imagine the energy flowing from your fingers like a ribbon. Make sure you complete the circle by visualizing the ribbon returning to its starting point.

You can choose to add a physical aspect to the energy barrier in the form of sprinkling salt to define it or placing candles or other symbolic items at each cardinal direction to represent the four elements.

When you have finished your spellwork close the circle by redrawing it anticlockwise. Point your hand at where the circle began and trace it in reverse, imagining the energy flowing back into your hand and up your arm to your core.

Cleansing and Purifying Objects

An unavoidable fact is, energy will collect on objects, especially when people handle them. To avoid unintentionally drawing upon this energetic residue – of someone else or from your previous spells – you should always cleanse your objects before you use them in any magic work. There are various ways to give items an energetic wash.

To intensify the power of the ritual, you can chant some along the lines of:

“With this energy I cleanse you,

With this energy, you are cleared of all the lies within.

As I speak it, may it be so.”

Candle Magic

Many spells and rituals use candles. The sacred flame is one of our most ancient sources of wonder and bringing it to the service of rituals is an act of spiritual creation. Lighting a candle is a symbolic act of intention setting that empowers magic.

Candle magic can take many forms, and the suggestions below will add to and intensify your candle magic.