How do Spells Work?

We’ve all grown up seeing spells performed in movies and tv shows. For the most part these Hollywood depictions of spellwork have led to a lot of misinformation, especially when it comes to understanding how spells work and what to expect when you perform your own spells. The magic of modern day witchcraft looks nothing like Harry Potter or Sabrina, but that doesn’t mean it’s not powerful or effective. In this post I want to share my views on the underlying philosophies, mechanisms, and physics in place that make spellwork work.

We can start by asking ourselves “What is a spell?” While there are many definitions out there, I would define a spell as simply your willpower in action. When performing a spell you are setting an intention, focusing your energy, and sending it outward to achieve a particular result. This intention-setting and exerted energy is the core component of a spell.

Since ancient times people have understood on an intuitive level that our thoughts and focused attention have immense power. Throughout the centuries spellwork was a method that tapped into this power of our own mind & energy and I find it very exciting to see that over time the scientific community has started to warm up to the idea that our minds are in fact very powerful. There have been countless studies on benefits of meditation and there has even been a lot of recent research done on how focused attention can create positive effects in the physical body.

We also know from physics that our thoughts have matter and spells are really just a manifestation of our thoughts. Some of the most fascinating studies being done on the power of our thoughts are about the placebo effect. We don’t yet fully understand how or why the placebo effect works. I think it’s definitely possible that at least part of the reason spellwork is effective is due to the placebo effect. In my view that doesn’t devalue the spellwork, instead I think the placebo effect enhances the effectiveness of the spell. I would recommend reading “Real Magic” by Dean Radin if you’re interested in learning more about the empirical data & scientific experiments currently being done on magic and spellwork.

The power of the mind is not the only component of a successful spell. What makes spells within witchcraft unique is that they also usually include additional materials which are meant to assist and amplify the spell. Often these additional items are nature-based, such as herbs and crystals.

So why would adding natural items increase the effectiveness of a spell? To understand this we need to go against certain aspects of the Western scientific worldview. In ancient times it was commonly believed that nature and the universe had a divine essence or consciousness and that spellwork was a way to tap into this universal energy. As we transitioned into the modern era, a division was formed between science and spirituality. Over time that division widened significantly to the point where more and more people began to view the natural world as just material without any divine or spiritual significance. I definitely recommend reading “Cosmos and Psyche” by Richard Tarnas if you want to learn more about this significant worldview shift.

The common belief held today is that only humans have a high level of consciousness and as such we humans are entitled to dominate the natural world however we want. This worldview is drastically different from how our Pagan ancestors viewed the universe. While pagan societies varied across the world, most of them had an animistic worldview. Many believed that there was a life force or consciousness that connected all things in the natural world. Instead of trying to rule over nature, our pagan ancestors viewed themselves as active participants in the wider natural forces at work.

To me the belief that the universe is completely devoid of meaning and that “true” consciousness only exists within the human mind seems like hubris, especially considering that consciousness itself is still mostly a mystery for modern scientists. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to believe that there is some inherent power or consciousness within natural materials such as herbs and plants. And if that is true, the addition of these natural materials could add an extra energy to a spell that could enhance and expand its effectiveness.

Usually the specific herb or natural item used contains an attribute that corresponds to the intention of a spell. For example, in a money spell you might use cinnamon as cinnamon is associated with money and luck. This creates a symbiotic relationship where the intention of gaining wealth is enhanced by the herb that shares the same folkloric meaning.

Finally there is a third element that is also occasionally incorporated in spellwork, which is a call for help from the divine. Just as Christians call for help from God during prayer, a witch might ask one or multiple deities for assistance in their spell. Asking for help forces us to lower our ego just a bit. We’re surrendering and reaching out to the divine within the universe and sometimes the divine reaches back.

If we accept a more animistic worldview, we begin to understand that there is so much to the world that we don’t yet know and that instead of trying to assert our dominance as humans, we can strive to humbly work with the powers of nature and the universe. Spells are more than just a way to get what you want in the world, to me they are a mechanism for building a better relationship to the natural world and the divine essence within the universe.

I hope you enjoyed this post and next I want to hear your thoughts on these ideas. Why do you think spells work? Do you agree with some of the points I brought up or am I way off. I look forward to reading all your ideas in the comments.