Books of spells and rituals make up a large part of the Wicca and Pagan book market. There are books that offer spells to fix everything, from money problems to heartache, and there are books that teach people how to become deeply spiritual. Each book has its niche: one gives spells and the other, rituals. However, as younger generations are beginning to get into writing and sharing their practice in Wicca, they are losing sight of the original meanings of these two words: spell and ritual.
Spells
Modern day Wiccan spells are very much like the spells used centuries ago. There are the spoken words, usually a rhyme that states a desire, and there are usually a few props, such as candles and incense. According to Hill and Williams (1965), “[t]he power of the spell derives from the power of words and incantation” (p. 154). For example, a love spell may require the person searching for true love to light a red candle and chant a simple set of words. After the person performs the spell, she is finished. She will not need to cast the spell again.
Rituals
Rituals, on the other hand, do not rely on the power of incantation alone. Instead, rituals rely on repetition. In the Oxford American Dictionary (1980), ritual is defined as “a procedure regularly followed” (p. 585). By this definition, a simple spell can become a ritual when the same person repeats it for a continuous desired effect. A repetitive procedure can be a group ritual where a coven initiates a new person into their group. The same welcoming ritual will be performed each time a newcomer decides to join the coven. Another form of ritual is casting a circle. Casting a circle is performed each time a practitioner of Wicca performs an act of magic, and is meant to create a magical barrier of protection.
Similarities
Despite the difference in how often a spell or ritual is performed, there are many similarities between spells and rituals. Both may be based on a person’s religion. A spell can be cast that calls upon the help of an ancient goddess or god, and a ritual can be performed in honor of a goddess or god.
On the flip side, spells and rituals do not need to be based on a person’s religion or spirituality. Cunningham, a well-respected author in the Pagan and Wiccan community, and Harrington (1996) introduces The Magical Household by telling readers “[y]ou. . . needn’t become a Witch or magician to bring your home in tune with ageless magic, nor must you change your religious affiliation, if any” (p. xv). People of all religions, including atheists, practice basic spells to get what they want and may ritually repeat actions based on a belief that it might somehow, perhaps magically, help them.
How to Tell the Difference
Newcomers to the Wiccan and Pagan communities are sharing their personal spells and rituals across the Internet, and there is confusion as to how a spell is different from a ritual. A simple way for young writers to understand the difference between these two practices is to ask themselves one simple question: Will the magic be performed only once to gain something (spell) or will it be performed repeatedly for the same cause (ritual)?
References
- Cunningham, S. & Harrington, D. (1996). The magical household. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications.
- Ehrlich, E., Flexner, S. B., Carruth, G., Hawkins, J. M. (1980). Oxford American dictionary. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Hill, D. & Williams, P. (1965). The supernatural. New York: Hawthorn Books.
