I browse through a few pagan websites now and then and came across this topic in the ecualdron.com forum (http://www.ecauldron.net/forum/index.php?topic=2141.0).

After reading through some of the replies, I thought this is a wonderful topic to discuss in order to understand some of the risks and obstacles of performing magic. I think that hearing about mistakes others have made, we may hopefully be able to avoid them our selves.

To begin, I can't say that I've had any obvious blowout of a spell I caste. I would say that my spells generally suffer from two mistakes: 1) lack of belief that the spell is possible and 2) I am overly cautious.

Obviously, questioning one's abilites is going to be a problem, but I think I am doing much better than when I first began. As for being too cautious, I tend to spend so much time working out the limits and specifics of what I want to achieve in a spell that I feel more like a lawyer analyzing a contract than a witch. I have quickly learned that a spell must be at least equal parts heart and mind to work. But, I supposed it is a mixed blessing because my caution has kept me from carelessly hurting anyone if the spell didn't work.

So what mistakes have you made in the past? Do you have any advice to offer those of us in our magical youth?

Merry Meet!

Well, I don't know if this was a big mistake, but it was sure a big lesson!!

Be very specific in what you are asking and your intent. Once when I was trying to sell my house quickly, I cast a spell that ended "my home will sell easily".

My home did sell "easily" about 10 months after I cast the spell! LOL.....the house practically sold itself.....no haggling on price and the young woman who purchased the house was such a wonderful person. Her realtor even helped us, as our realtor had taken ill.

It taught me that I need to think before I cast any spell. I always write and re-write a spell before it is cast so I am sure that my intent is what I am casting.

This taught me a very valuable magickal lesson. We have great power in our spells and our intent. Be very sure you know what you are asking for!

Many blessings,
DesertMist

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.

Thank you so much Lady Elaine. Those are the exact things we know we should consider, but every once and a while forget. I found your mention of not casting beyond your magical ability especially important, as we so rarely consider such things.

For everyone else, please share if you have or know someone who has made some mistakes when casting magic. Reading such stories is a great way to help others avoid making such mistakes in the future.

I think my biggest mistakes when first learning were not really knowing what I wanted. I think Lady Elaine put it best.

When I think I want to cast a spell, I start to write everything down. Why am I doing it, what do I want as an outcome, what do I need to do, what else can I do first, etc etc. 99.9% of the time that's all I needed to do. Writing out my situation would make me see it much more clearly and that I don't need to perform a spell. So yeah, know yourself, it's important.

Merry Meet

my biggie is intent and figuring out my intentions is a process for me.

I Must remember the "Law of Three"
Ever mind the rule of three, that whatsoever you do, Be it for good or for harm, shall come back to me three fold!!!

And this means I have to live with the results and the consequences of my Actions and the fruits of my intentions.

when I was much youger I would caste at the drop of a hat and for many years I lead a very troubled life,
today It comes as a thought and then I start writting about why I want to caste what is my reasoning behind this then my meditations starts then I study the rede and I meditate some more I look up the correspondents and study each one.
most of the time my intent changes from what it was at the start of this thought process

When my Actions are True Expressions of My Intentions I Am doing Magic


Merry Part

Brimaso

Okay I have one but not with a spell but with using a Ouija board. I know I have always had a connection with the spirit world but as a teenage I thought it was cool to scare my friends. But I ended up scaring myself and I released something which followed me for a while until my grandmother helped me rid myself of it. All I can say is I was a stupid kid and it took me a long time to find my strength to start practicing again.