Starting Spellwork

[AmethystFox]

I'm not usually big on spell casting, but for various reasons I've decided to begin experimenting with it. Spell casting has had a bad taste in my mouth ever since I accidentally set my hair and part of the carpet on fire in high school, sort of like "this is silly, we should just stop, it's not doing anything".
I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?  
What resources would you recommend? I'm fondly regarding Fiona Horne's "Witchin': A Handbook for Teen Witches" because it was a favorite of my high school days. Taking my nostalgia goggles off, I realize it's probably a terrible book and not very informative.

[Tana]

Oh dear, setting something - and esp. parts of yourself - on fire, is not a very good method, agreed.

Let me start with yet another question: what do you want to do? Because there are so many different approaches to spell casting, as there are magic workers.

[SkySamuelle]

I'm not usually big on spell casting, but for various reasons I've decided to begin experimenting with it. Spell casting has had a bad taste in my mouth ever since I accidentally set my hair and part of the carpet on fire in high school, sort of like "this is silly, we should just stop, it's not doing anything".
I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?  
What resources would you recommend? I'm fondly regarding Fiona Horne's "Witchin': A Handbook for Teen Witches" because it was a favorite of my high school days. Taking my nostalgia goggles off, I realize it's probably a terrible book and not very informative.

 
I always point anyone asking to ' Energy Essentials for Witches and Spellcasters' by Mya Om because it takes spellwork out of the religious framework and explains its workings in fairly simple and energy-related terms, even portraying all the different approaches possible to energy-raising.

As for understanding if a spell has worked... i would suppose it was different for everyone and it's not always possible to know right away.

[spoOk]

I always point anyone asking to ' Energy Essentials for Witches and Spellcasters' by Mya Om because it takes spellwork out of the religious framework and explains its workings in fairly simple and energy-related terms, even portraying all the different approaches possible to energy-raising.

As for understanding if a spell has worked... i would suppose it was different for everyone and it's not always possible to know right away.

 
I would start by amassing a bunch of lists of associations of various things.
this helps me a lot in puting together a spell of my own rather than using others. no religious element required.
a list of colours,herbs,days,times,scents, etc.
numbers....

for me the best results have occurred when I pile on as many apropriate layers of association to the finished goal as possible....add a pile of intent and either meditation at time of casting or...energy raising...however you like to think of it....really just a focusing and super thinking of what you want the spell to accomplish. then following through on any time frames,finishing procedures like burning or burying etc.
and every spell needs you to go about your business as though you hadnt done the spell.
easiest example...a spell to find work.
you can't do the spell then sit on your ass waiting for stuff to happen.
you gotta keep looking for work....the spell will use what you are doing and make it work better for you....if your spell is successful.

the last thing I would add is wording.
if you need to write out intent or a lil mantra or chant to focus on during the casting,be sure it's carefully worded so as not to back fire on you.

be careful what you wish for and all that.

-------
that sed sometimes simple is best.
like writing a wish on paper,folding it a specific number of times then burning it via a candle that could simply be white or a proper colour...and untreated,or dressed with oils etc.
and it could be just whenever you like to perform it,or at the right time of day,week,month,phase of moon.....
just think real hard as it burns,that might be all it takes.

.......blah blahblah.....

[RandallS]

How do you know a spell has worked?

Start with spells that are easy to see if they worked or not. Practice them until they do. For example, it would be hard to tell if a spell to make the world more peaceful actually did anything, but if your home or work life isn't very peaceful, it would probably be easy to see if a peace spell worked there.

[MoonCrone]

I'm not usually big on spell casting, but for various reasons I've decided to begin experimenting with it. Spell casting has had a bad taste in my mouth ever since I accidentally set my hair and part of the carpet on fire in high school, sort of like "this is silly, we should just stop, it's not doing anything".
I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?  
What resources would you recommend? I'm fondly regarding Fiona Horne's "Witchin': A Handbook for Teen Witches" because it was a favorite of my high school days. Taking my nostalgia goggles off, I realize it's probably a terrible book and not very informative.

The results of everything we do is a learning curve... and we all have to start somewhere.  So now you are aware of the dangers of working with fire.  
Looking for guidance in books is all very fine if the guidance they offer is valid for that which you seek - so long as the person who has written that book can be trusted.
It really all depends what you hope to achieve with your spells as to what you need to do them with, and how, and when, and where, you set out to do them.

Some would say "Harm None" as in the Wiccan tradition... some hold by the Law of 3 fold return...  Basically, it's all about taking personal responsibility for your actions and any possible outcomes...

I have found preparation is key, research as much as possible, consider all the what if's? that you can, be prepared for as many eventualities as you can... be prepared to think on your feet, to be flexible and adaptable as circumstances dictate, be patient and level-headed (never curse in the heat of the moment) these are the things you need to consider every bit as much as what tool to use, and so on...

Some simple spells to use in early days include growing spells for plants, like painting a stone with the name of a Deity connected to agriculture, for instance, and leaving an offering next to the stone in your veg patch...said to make the harvest bigger
or cleansing a new home with sage bundles and planting half a pomegranite in a pot and planting a peace lily or african violet in it for the window ledge... said to appease bad spirits in the place...
maybe putting an amethyst geode under the bed for help with insomnia, or a rose quartz cluster on the doorstep to fetch love into the home, by taping a pentagrame symbol drawn in red on parchment under the kitchen table to protect all who gather around it, that kind of thing...

Just some of the things I was shown how to do when I set out many moons ago...

[Wickerman]

I'm not usually big on spell casting, but for various reasons I've decided to begin experimenting with it. Spell casting has had a bad taste in my mouth ever since I accidentally set my hair and part of the carpet on fire in high school, sort of like "this is silly, we should just stop, it's not doing anything".
I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?  
What resources would you recommend? I'm fondly regarding Fiona Horne's "Witchin': A Handbook for Teen Witches" because it was a favorite of my high school days. Taking my nostalgia goggles off, I realize it's probably a terrible book and not very informative.

 


Simple, simple, simple. Start with really simple things. The poster who mentioned correspondences was dead on. The key to spell work is focus, the more visible or tangible things that you work into a spell the better. Those things have to mean something to you though. Working with gem stones, or herbs, or oils, or something as simple as the color of a candle. All of these things and any others that you use should all relate to the spell being cast. These things aid in your focus. Again keep it simple at first.

[Nachtigall]

How do you know a spell has worked?

If you've got the results that the spell was intended for, I guess? Otherwise, what is the point of spellwork anyway?

[Dreaming River]

From: AmethystFox
I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?

--Perceiving the result is knowing it worked.  However, this is not always possible.  For myself, I feel the magic "go off".  First there is a building within you, like an expanding or contracting force.  Then some strong visualization manipulates the force into a picture, shape, or wavelength corresponding to the desired result.  It "goes off" in usually one of two ways; a warm tingle that flows or oozes, or a snapping burst that reels me a bit and sets my hair up all over.  If my visualization isn't strong enough, I overreach, or it otherwise fizzles, it's like sparks or soda bubbles moving out and away, dissipating and diffusing.  

What resources would you recommend?

--Anything that grabs you which helps you to visualize more strongly how to tap & manipulate (or Craft) the power(s) in order to fuel your Will and strengthen your Focus.  Rhymes, songs, words of Power (to you), gestures, symbols, talismans, fetishes, herbs, foci.  Anything you believe helps, will help.  In my decades as a practitioner I've drawn from many sources.  Sometimes verbatim, sometimes in principle, sometimes just having an idea sparked.  I might have disliked the resource entirely, but in most cases there's at least a concept meritorious of pondering further.  Even if it's something to strive to avoid.

[Tana]

A Reminder:

Dreaming River, just a quick note:  Please remember to quote, even if you're just  replying to the first message in the thread.  It makes the discussion  easier to follow, and it's required by  our  rules. And please stick to the standard font and color. Some of the users here have trouble reading and colored font is difficult to deal with for them. This isn't a formal warning, just a reminder.  No  reply is necessary, but if you have questions or need clarification,  please feel free to contact a member of staff privately. Thanks! Tana, TC-Staff

[Holdasown]

I guess my specific questions are:
How do you know a spell has worked?  

I have "felt" the energy build up and go out on spells. I have in some cases seen results. In some cases it doesn't matter to me if it works. Some of the purpose of the spell as to put my baggage in the spell and let it go. I would say trust your gut. If you don't feel like it worked try something else.