Writing About: Magickal Spells

NOTE: I'm co-hosting over at Unicorn Bell. My post is about finding writing inspiration: Dear Uninspired Writer.

I love movies, TV shows (like Charmed and Witches of East End), and books about witches and magick. It’s one of my passions, so of course I wrote a short story about both titled “Witch of Death,” which involves witches and detectives.

If you ever want to write about witches, check out this post: Writing About: Witches, and follow the steps below for spells. Although there's no spells in "Witch of Death," I wanted to write about them to continue this series on witches.

Here are 5 tips if you want your character to say a spell and use magickal tools:

1. Do research to understand how spells are written, so you can create your own for your story. The purpose of the spell and what it’s supposed to do has to be clear in the wording. They usually call upon the four elements (earth, fire, water and air) in the beginning as well as a goddess or god. Then they end with “so mote it be.” The spell doesn’t have to rhyme if you don’t want it to, but it is a nice touch as it’s easier to read.

Check out this website: Basics of Wicca and Paganism for more help on how to write a spell for your story.

2. Know what kind of tools your character(s) can use. There are fire, water, earth, and air spells that use items associated with these elements. There’s also candle magick.

Items often used:

-       Incense

-       Oils

-       Herbs

-       Candles

-       Gemstones

-       Water

-       Salt

Some spells involve chanting or burning a piece of paper with your wish on it.

Colors for candle magick:

Red: Courage and health, sexual love and lust

Pink: Friendship, sweet love

Orange: Attraction and encouragement

Gold: Financial gain, business endeavors, solar connections

Yellow: Persuasion and protection

Green: Financial gain, abundance, fertility

Light Blue: Health, patience and understanding

Dark Blue: Depression and vulnerability

Purple: Ambition and power

Brown: Earth-related or animal-related workings

Black: Negativity and banishment

White: Purity and truth

Silver: Reflection, intuition, lunar connections

3. Know how a character would cast and close a circle. A circle is a line of energy that creates a safe place for the witch to perform magick. This can be done with candles or an athame.

4. Describe your character as he/she casts the spell and what he/she does. Does he/she raise his/her arms? Does his/her voice rise? What does he/she do with the tools?

5. Describe what happens during the spell. Does he/she feel warmth or a sense of calm? For a thrilling story, does the wind pick up? Do the candle flames flicker? If you think about what the spell is supposed to do, you’ll be able to figure out what can happen while it’s being cast.

6. What is the outcome of the spell? Can the result be seen or felt? Does it work? If the outcome isn’t immediate, follow your character so your readers can see the impact the spell has on his/her life.

NOTE: Witches don’t like to cast spells that’ll manipulate other people or affect their free will.  They avoid it at all costs.

Again, do your research. I recommend reading “The Everything Wicca and Witchcraft Book” by Skye Alexander.

QUESTIONS: Did you ever watch Charmed? Although it’s canceled now, did you watch Witches of Eastend (on Lifetime)? What about the Good Witch movies on Hallmark that’s now a show? I watched all of them! :D