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So I've started doing research into Wicca, and the more and more I learn the more I love it.

Anyway before I rant about that I attempted some practice spells recently to see how it felt. I didn't have time to gather all the materials and basically made an impromptu circle. Actually, it wasn't so much a command as a request, so I'm not sure if it would really count as a 'spell'

But never the less I asked the Lord and Lady several things and requested that the help me with several issues in my life and in the life of others. For example, my mother has been extremely emotionally, physically, and mentally unstable for the past year or so and its only gotten worse as time has passed. She's a drama teacher and they're in tech week, and last year tech week resulted in her suffering a minor stroke. I asked the Goddess to help relieve her stress and renew her, and made similar requests to help heal the souls of other people around me as well as myself. I was very careful not to ask for punishment even to people I usually would have complained about. For example, there's a very angry boy in my school who bullies everyone around him and who I really hate, but instead of asking for some kind of punishment I asked that they help him to accept and deal with his anger and hopefully help him to find some peace of mind.

I probably botched most of the actual ritual, but I was worried that my mother's health (who was my primary concern) would really be in jeopardy if something wasn't done soon. I explained that I was still learning and that if they saw fit I would take responsibility for any negative consequences that might befall me as a result of my impromptu blunderings.

I told my friend about this and it really seemed to bother her, not only because I didn't follow proper ritual (I figured the intention was more important than the actual formal ritual, which I felt was more of a focus. These are all my own thoughts so far, I really know next to nothing about this and probably should have waited before attempting a prayer or casting) and also because I cast a spell on someone else without permission. Apparently, no matter the intention, you aren't allowed to do that. Is that an important universal rule, like the Rede? Or just something some witches follow?


Both the boy who I was having trouble with and my mother have seemed oddly uplifted and less tense lately, so it seems like it worked, at least for now. Do you think though that this might have angered the God and Goddess because I wasn't showing proper respect and following established ritual?

Thats how I was looking at it, and I was very careful to think of it in the right way so it followed the Rede and ensured a positive consequence for everyone involved. But apparently you aren't allowed to cast a spell for someone if you don't ask their permission first, or so says my ex-Wiccan friend. I wanted to know if that was just a rule some people chose to follow or if it was universal like the Rede. Thats what I was really worried about.

In any case I think they forgave me for any transgression, but I want to make sure I do the right thing next time I come to them.

I'm pretty big on not doing any spells that interfere with a person's free will, however this primarily refers to bindings and other things that would have a more negative impact on a person. As far as healings and general well-being spells, I am rarely in a position to ask someone for their permission and for the most part am well know for sending people healing energy if I think they need it. I know that it will go where it is needed most and if it really isn't appropriate then the energy will simply dissipate or the Goddess will direct it to something more important.

I do have to agree that when you are just starting out that you should take your time and not feel like you need to rush into anything. I will also say that I too am known for informal circles and wouldn't worry too much about it...intent definitely goes a long way.

Yeah, I guess I got too eager and was really worried about the wellbeing of my mom. I'm definately going to wait longer till I attempt anything else, I still have plenty to learn before I can confidently approach that. For now I'll focus on the spiritual aspect. Thanks for the advice guys, it really helps to get more than one or two opinions.

I'll remember that if I find myself in a similar situation, I could definitely use the surplus energy. Luckily though, I don't think I'll have to worry about my mother for a while. The past couple of days she's been glowing, it almost brings me to tears. She has been so unstable for almost over a year now and had completely changed from being my best friend to being my worst enemy. She became so incredibly bitter, and her terrible health coupled with that only made things worse. She was a large source of a lot of anger and loneliness that was building up in me that made me realize I needed spiritual direction to help abate that anger and hopefully help others.

To see such a dramatic change in her over the course of just a few days is absolutely breath-taking and one of the most faith-affirming experiences I could have possibly imagined. She's back to her old self again after so much strife.

I don't think I can properly express the feelings I'm going through right now. Its the most wonderful feeling in the world, I feel like I've been reborn. I used to scoff when other people would talk about their experiences with religion feeling a very personal relationship with god, feeling as if god were speaking to them, feeling renewed and whole. I feel guilty now for all those times I doubted and mocked other people for what they found in Christianity or Buddhism that I'm finding now in Wicca. Its so difficult to communicate, because I'm afraid other people might perceive it as over-dramatic and fake, when for me its something very very real.

Sorry for going on a rant XD

Thanks again for you advice

Thanks =]

I'm a little confused though at how you determine what interferes with free will and what doesn't. My friend seemed to think that any time you cast a spell its imposing you will onto something, so you're violating its free will unless you've already asked permission. Its difficult to really see where you draw the line and say "this is messing with free will and this is not." If you look at it in the right light you could say that nothing violates free will or that everything does. I guess thats something you have to figure out for yourself.

I don't know about angering the lord and lady(I don't make it my buissiness to speak for deity) but, I don't think it was right of you to perform a ritual or spell whatever you desire to call it on anyone.

It's obvious you were just trying to help but, it does kind of go against the rede. You didn't mean harm, but you also did not get permission to act upon those individuals. Some people don't like the idea of witchcraft even being in their homes(even if you explain it) so acting with it upon them can be terribly upsetting to them, and you're imposing your own will upon them.

My advice would be to simply not perform rituals or spells without the permission of others and perhaps to wait and perform them after you gain more knowledge. But, I'm new to wicca and witchcraft to so, my advice may be wrong or whatever. Plus I've never even been aloud to do anything wicca related...and I won't until my sister leaves. She won't even be in the same room as me with a book on it. She's kind of confused about her own religeous beliefs and has always feared magick. I used to before I did research(even though I knew it was a force of good).

Best of luck. Hope things turn out for the best.

I think its important to make a ritual your own.

If you're in a bind etc then I see no reason why you can't adapt spells for yourself.

I made a spell I called "Insta-Circle". It's a quick way of casting circle outside of my normal ritual environment if I'm feeling stressed or stuck.

Within it I improvise spells and as Goddess for blessings etc.

Hope that helped