I'm a bit confused. It was my understanding that spells for drawing to oneself were done during a waxing moon and spells for pushing away were done during the waning moon. In one of the books I have been reading it gives a spell for banishing something you don't want in your life. This spell is done during the Samhain ritual. Samhain falls on a waxing moon this year. So needless to say I am very confused. : : : :
Another question. I don't get off work until 2am on the 31st. Does the time the ritual is performed matter : : : :
All help is much appreciated, as I would hate to piss off the deities by doing this wrong.
Pen

That is an excellent question about spellcraft, Pen.

Think of spell craft in these terms: You can perform any type of spell at any time, however, there are certain times and dates that will add stregnth to the energy you raise and/or make it more favorable and directed to a specific goal. The main "times" one should consider when casting spells include:

1. Point in the cycle of the year (seasons)
2. Sacred holidays during the year
3. Monthly planetary coorespondences
4. Days of the week and their coorespondences
6. Sunlight or nighttime
5. Planetary hours during the day

I've put these in a rough hierarchical order according to how I use them, but there are any number of "special times" to be considered.

Rarely will you have a opportunity to perform magic at a time when every aspect of time is in perfect coorespondence. Rarely will you take the time to calculate thise times well enough in advance to recognize them. Therefore, in you life of spell casting, the time coorespondences will rarely be completely relevant to our spell workign intentions.

I would not worry about Samhain being on a waxing moon this year, as the season and the holiday should be suitable enough to add power to your spell work. If you combine this time with the proper planetary hour, I think you will find your spell work most successful.

If you are performing a banishment spell to bring about a positive change in your life, I would think a waxing Samhain would be a perfect time. Samhain would provide the necessary energy for the banishment, but the waxing moon will help will the banished area of your life with positive energies of the final harvest, as it's most definitley no going to remain a vaccuum.

In general, I have found that if I approach my spellwork with an earnest heart, regardless of time, it goes well. I am not into performing extremely powerful spells, and must admit that the relevant time may be necessary for invoking a deity or elemental, at least in terms of controling the spell.

I just wanted to add, I believe Laurie Cabot use to put an inclusive phrase into her spell work along the lines of "may all of the astrological times be appropriate for this spell", except it was a bit more elegant. I don't know if I agree with this use, but it was worth mentioning.

Here's the article I think you were talking about, Morkatt. Lady Elaine posted it in the Young Pagan Path forum under the "Your Biggest Magical Mistake Thread." I think it's great advice, even for veteran pracitioners. I know it's made me reconsider a few ideas.

STOP, WAIT, DON'T CAST THAT SPELL

Not until you do some much needed preparation and thought. A spell should not be done in a casual, offhand manner at the height of a desperate emotion. Spells often go awry when we cast them in the heat of the moment or on a whim. When we do not take the time to think about what we want to do then we get in over our heads and have all kinds of problems.

When a spell begins to coalesce in my and form I start writing. I want to make a change, but how. The first thing I think about is "what can I do mundanely? Never waste time magickally with something you can do much more easily mundanely. Why wasted energy? Just because I can do something does not mean I have to. I know the extent of my abilities, I have nothing to prove, so why would I cast when I do not have to?

There are some ground rules I follow when I cast a spell that perhaps you would like to consider:

Never cast above your abilities: Understand everything you do, know the reasons you perform a certain movement or speak a certain way. Not just from books but your heart. You should understand the logic of everything you do. You should understand the flow of energy into and out of you.

Don't do magick to impress others, or yourself: I am speaking of both people who are with you and those you cast to. To do something to show off is a tip that you are insecure in what you do. To cast a spell so that others will know how magickal you are is nothing more than ego. If you know you are strong and powerful then other people do not have to know that for it to be valid. Ward yourself, but wearing a neon sign says you do not have faith in yourself.

Never do things that are spooky to get attention: In many ways this goes along with number 2. If you are doing magick to scare yourself and others you are showing off and not working with the energies around you. You are also leaving yourself open to bringing out the spooky, nasty part of yourself (I personally believe most demons are the parts of ourselves we are afraid of).

Perform a divination before you cast: It is always a good idea to see which way the wind is blowing.

As you start to think start to write. What is the purpose of this spell? What do you want it to do? How can it go awry? What are all of the possible outcomes?

If you are comfortable with these thoughts then start to think about what you will need, tools wise. Start to gather your ingredients, what are they? How do they mesh? Do you need to research this anywhere? How do you feel about what your are researching. What is the perfect time of the month? Is there a moon influence that would enhance your spell? What about a day of the week?

Before you cast your spell you will want to prepare your body with a ritual bath using the scent that will best enhance your purpose. As you bath fill your mind and thoughts with what you wish to accomplish. Your soul should be full of purpose and your energy being gathered as you complete your bath. If you need to empty your mind of other thoughts and influences do so now.

Now you are ready to do the things you need to do to in order to cast your your spell.

:!: This might help also...If there is something you want to Banish...you might try taking your ATTENTION AWAY From IT...The Law Of Attraction you know!...This is an attraction based universe...Whatever you Focus on Comes!...Blessed Be

Thanks to all for the help. And my oops the moon will be waning on Samhain.
Pen