Writing The Words To Your Own Spells
Writing can be intimidating to anyone, especially when that person you're writing it for is a divine being. Don't be discouraged, you can do it. The task is much simpler than you think!
The simple structure for the verses of a spell read aloud can follow like a letter, beginning with a greeting; jumping into your spell without a greeting feels rude to me, almost like barking your order at a waiter when they approach your table when they just asked how you’re doing. Speak your mind, list why you're using each ingredient, and what it is that you're willing to happen. Be extremely specific and be careful what you ask for. Don’t skimp on honesty, open your heart. Your spell should clearly state what you want, not what you don’t want. It can be poetic, or not. It can rhyme, or not. Whatever you feel most comfortable saying aloud will yield the best result. However you normally speak will feel the most natural when you’re starting out. I always close my spells like I would a prayer. I feel it’s similarly rude not to close the conversation; it is akin to hanging up on your deities. I also feel a proper closure sets everything into motion. If “amen” feels natural, you can use that. I use “aho” which is a Lakota word that means yes, I agree, or I acknowledge. The Lakota (and many other tribes) picked it up from the Kiowa, who use the same word to mean “Thank you.” At the Native American Church I went to, they used “aho” in place of “amen.”
Here are some examples of phrases I use in building my spells:
“I come before you this morning/day/evening/night with a humble request”
“Oh Goddess, please aid me in my hour of need.”
“Your gentle devotee requires your assistance.”
“Bring these things into my life.” Or “Let me attract all of the things that are meant for me.”
“Hold me in your hands, protect me, quench my thirst, provide for my nourishment and needs.”
“I bring offerings of ____ for the purpose of ___.”
“As I light this candle let the fire of ___ be lit.”
“Let this serve the highest good for myself and for all” is a nice way to keep things positive
“So mote it be” is a lovely way to encourage movement of the energy.
“Make it so” is acceptable as well.
My favorite closer is "I can feel the wheels turning, let my Will be done."
Reading other witches' spells can help make you better at writing the words for your own, just like writers become better when they read books other people wrote. Song lyrics, as I’ve already mentioned, can be magical. Poetry is another lovely place to seek inspiration. Spellcasting can be very personal so don’t worry too much about borrowing from other witches, as long as it’s authentic. The entirety of American folk magick is built upon learning from others, blending traditions, trying things out, and sharing results among other practitioners when things worked as desired.
