So what is my
refusal all about? Actually, there is not a single, simple answer. That
I do not freely pass out spells is a reflection of and a derivation
from many aspects of my Craft. I'll attempt to delineate them here,
within three categories: the learning curve, personal responsibility
and power. Most of the time when I'm asked to share my spell work, I
find that the person making the request in new to their path. While
I've no qualms whatever about sharing information with a seeker, I believe
that there are steps to learning one's Craft. The early steps of this
(in my opinion at least) include developing:
Ø one's ability to attain a state of deep meditation,
Ø at least one familiar,
Ø a personal concept of Universal Animism,
Ø a broad understanding of the Law of Returns,
Ø a personal cosmology,
Ø a sense of the interrelatedness of directions, elements,
personal attributes, and spirits and
Ø a method of delineating ritual space along with
a rationale for when it is / is not needed.
Working through the seven areas above is not enough
to make one a Witch. Such development represents what I consider the
basis of being ready to attempt beginning spell work. Emphasis on the
words attempt and beginning. And, as these topics minimally represent
months of dedicated study, one can easily ascertain that I do NOT consider
spell casting to be within the purview of the novice. I tend to believe
that any one brand new to a path who is more focused on obtaining spells
that upon learning their Craft may well be undertaking their journey
for all the wrong reasons.
Next, assuming that a request for spells comes from
someone who has demonstrated accomplishment in the areas I've outlined,
comes the question of personal responsibility. Being responsible for
my own actions - both beforehand and after the fact - is a central aspect
of my Craft. To me, this means that before I take an action (whether
magical or mundane) I plan. Planning includes:
Ø considering the antecedents of my action,
Ø contemplating the motives which drive my action,
Ø planning all of the components of my action,
Ø anticipating the possible (intended and unexpected)
outcomes of my action, and
Ø intending to accept responsibility for any and all
of these outcomes.
So, what does all this have to do with declining to
share my spells with others? Spell work is what makes my Craft Craft,
rather than a philosophy, a religion or simply a path. I believe that
one who asks for spells rather than developing their own is short-circuiting
any commitment to being responsible for the outcomes obtained. Even
if one engages all five aspects of planning before working a spell obtained
in toto from another, the level of investment is likely to be far less
than that involved when working up a spell of one's own crafting. Also,
I am not one who holds with the idea that responsibility only need be
extended to outcomes of intent. One is responsible for all aspects of
one's actions - both intended an unexpected. I seriously doubt that
most drunks intend to kill people when they drive drunk. I'd still never
release them from responsibility for their actions, however. I consider
there to be no difference at this level between actions magical and
mundane.
Finally, what if a seasoned Witch were asking me for
a spell? While I'm dubious of the likelihood, the question does allow
me to clearly illustrate my final point. The power of a spell resides
not with it's static form and the accouterments required, but within
the energy infused into it during both the planning and execution of
the one casting it. My spells are not obtained from others. They are
developed from my own personal understanding of:
Ø seasonal cosmology,
Ø solar and lunar cycles,
Ø the resident energies of various mineral, plant
and animal derivatives,
Ø the power of thoughts, words, and ritual forms,
and
Ø the intricacies of reweaving the fabric of any given
reality.
Since every aspect of my spells is derived from my
own personal belief system - which may or may not overlap to varying
degrees with the beliefs of another - they can not be predictably expected
to produce the same (or in some cases even a similar) outcome if used
by another. I recognize that this is a point which Trad Witches will
have serious disagreement with, because it is common practice to share
spells derived from the Trad with new members as they become ready for
such information. There are huge differences in the sharing of Traditional
spells among members of a coven and the giving of spells by one non-aligned
Witch to another. Coveners share the five elements of developing power
which I've described - plus much more. They work within a common system
- in which myths, cycles, energies, words and forms carry the same meaning
for each Witch. Solitaires and even members of different Trads do not
share the commonalities.
The real story here - for me, at least - is not simply
that I don't share spells. I believe that one truly needing to develop
their Craft seeks knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Casting spells
is done from this basis. The need to cast spells before attaining this
reflects our culture's instilled need for a quick fix, and represents
dangerous ground to tread. If you really want to be a Witch, find the
freedom to set aside your desire to cast spells - to alter reality by
will - until you've learned enough to understand that which you'd Craft…
to understand its relationship with the divine… its potential effects
upon both your inner and outer worlds… its life above and beyond all
that you naively consider spell casting to be.
