how do spells work? could I just write down anything at all and make it a spell? does it work my charging or energy?

Oh man, let me tell you. Let me tell you everything. Please keep in mind that you are talking to a very traddy witch.

I follow Robert Artisson’s theory, the ten pillars of sorcery. Now of course there are other theories, this is just one.

To make spells work, you need:

1. Rightfully prepared materials of arte

Awakened herbs, blessed tools, etc. Each of these things is to be given a task. First bless salt, then bless water, using the rite below.

Place each item in the triangle of manifestation.

Then say, “Creature of [material], be cleansed, awakened, and prepare to serve the cause of my sorcery, in Bucca’s name.” Then explain to each thing what it’s purpose is, for example, “rosemary, I charge you to bring your powers of protection to this spell.” Or, “salt, I charge you to cleanse all you touch.”

Mix the blessed salt and water together, and use it to anoint every other item to purify it and make it ready to serve you.

2. Symbolic actions and vessels of symbolism

Your actions and tools should symbolically represent what you are actually doing. A knot binds. Throwing a stone banishes. Let your words and actions support your magical intent.

3. The power of the word used concisely and repeatedly

Your will must be embodied in words. Make no room for ambiguity or compromise.

4. The activity and power of the familiar

Be it the Devil, underworld spirits, plant spirits, nature spirits, or familiar spirits, or any other sort; there must be spirit activity to help the spell and empower it. Proper use of herbs in your spell will engage plant spirits to help you.

5. The transfer of hand, word, and deed

Allow the Devil to work through you! With each action you take, say, “this is not my hand that does this, but the hand of the Master.” Or, “it is not my tongue that speaks, but the tongue of the Master.” This will make your spell very strong. It is also very empowering.

6. Rightly gathered and aligned herbs, proper days, and observed moons

Herbs should be cut fresh on their ruling day with a cleansed and blessed knife, under a large moon. Offer goings, honey, blood, or egg whites to the plants. Do not let the herbs touch the ground. (incidentally… I definitely do not follow this rule. But here it stands).

Cast spells on proper days; look up daily correspondences to see which type of spell to cast on which day. Then also observe the moon phases. The moon has more power than most people realize, I think. The world follows the moon. 

The purpose for using proper days and moon phases is because the energies you seek will be more prevalent on those days. It will make your goal easier to access.

7. The laws of sympathy and contagion

Okay so this one is like… symapthetic magic. Understand that magically, one thing can metaphysically become another thing. A candle can BE a person. I can explain this more if anyone is interested.

8. The triangle of manifestation

Use this fucker all the time. Put everything in the triangle. It helps it manifest and obey your will. 

9. The secret fire

Belief, emotion, and imagination together create the secret fire.

You must internalize the outcome of your spell. If you wish to cast healing, first you must feel the healing within yourself. If you wish to harm another, first you must feel the harm within yourself. Experience the outcome of your spell as you cast it.

10. The law of silence

Do not speak of your workings until they come to pass. If you do, the spell will surely fail, and you may lose magical power. If you obey the law of silence, your magical power will steadily grow*.

11. Awareness of the power that binds

So Mr. Artisson says there are ten pillars, then springs #11 on you at the end.

I believe this is what is described as Gemma Gary as ‘the Becoming.’ It is the constant awareness that all things are interconnected.

Use these eleven ‘rules’ together. Write down whatever you want, put it in the triangle of manifestation. Ask the spirits to help you. Give offerings. Let Bucca act through you. Your will shall surely be done.

*Have I mentioned that this is only one theory of magic and is not universally true?