A spell is the ritual act of bringing about a desired result. A spell also refers to a word or written charm which is infused with magical power. According to the 3rd edition of the American Heritage Dictionary, a charm refers to “An action or formula thought to have magical power or to cast or seem to cast a spell on (someone or something).”
“The pretty herb of Venus’ tree, Thy true name it is yarrow; Now who my bosom friend must be, Pray tell thou me to-morrow.”
-J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps, 1820-1889
The rhyme above was published in J. O. Halliwell’s book Popular Rhymes & Nursery Tales of England and was a charm used to find out the identity of one's future wife or husband. Yarrow leaves were sewn into a flannel bag and placed under the pillow before going to sleep. It was believed the user of the charm would see a vision of their future spouse in their dreams.
What is Meditation
Meditation can be viewed as a type of daydreaming whereby one is attempting to merge the desires of the subconscious mind with the desires of the conscious mind in order to work toward a common goal. Meditation is a way to work toward specific goals by visualizing what one hopes to gain or accomplish during the various stages of their life.
It may be helpful to meditate, while visualizing each individual goal, on a regular basis until the goal comes to fruition. Also, remember to record the exact date and circumstances under which the goal was obtained, in a diary or personal journal. Referring back to ones successes will give one a positive outlook while reflecting on the harder to obtain goals without getting discouraged.
Using Charms
A special charm or spell can be created, as empowerment to help obtain specific goals and desires. Words contain a great deal of positive energy, especially if they are spoken with authority and recited as part of a magical ritual. Magical words give a positive affirmation and focus energy onto the desired outcomes.
In the book Leechcraft; Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing (Anglo-Saxon Books, 2000) Stephen Pollington mentions that “Charms can be very effective if those involved, healer and patient alike, believe in their effectiveness.”
Certain symbols, such as labyrinths or pentagrams, may be used to help visualize certain goals. Meditate on these magical symbols while thinking about the steps to take toward fulfilling the goals. Other methods may be used to help one enter a meditative state of mind such as repetitive exercises like dancing, jogging, or walking. Monotonous sounds such as drumming or repeating a mantra over and over again may also induce an atmosphere conducive to meditation and visualization.
A Few Goals to Meditate on Include:
- Finding ones magical working name
- Choosing the particular deities to work with
- Finding an animal familiar
- Working toward the completion of a personal goal such as losing weight
Resources
For a description of some of the benefits associated with meditation see the articles What is Meditation?, Simple Meditation Techniques and Learn Meditation and Feel Better.
