Whenever I'm asked if magic is real, I feel the need to determine what is meant by "magic."  More often than not, those who ask are referring to the magic they've seen in Harry Potter or Charmed ... the type where magic words and a magic wand or amulet give a person the power to fly or transform someone into something outrageous.  While words and objects can certainly have power, for the most part, it's the user giving these things their power, and not the other way around.

There is real magic in everything around you, and you already have within you the ability to create a magical life for yourself.  Wands, amulets, and especially words, are simply used to help you focus your thoughts. One of the best definitions of magic I found, was in "The 21 Lessons of Merlyn" by Douglas Monroe.  The training of the WILL seemed to be the very heart of Merlyn's teachings.  He tells his young student "The true definition of Magic, little one, does not center around spells or incantations, or the mysterious waving of arms... no.  As is recorded in the Blue Book of our forefathers, true Magic is 'The art and science of changing states of mind at will.'  And as we have learned by experience, action follows thought."

The bottom line is that YOU make it happen.  Use tools such as relaxing sounds and music, fragrance or aromatherapy, and candles, stones, pendants or even wands, to help you focus your thoughts.  But always remember, these are ONLY tools, and not the true source of magic.  Real magic is all in your head! 

There have been Christians, Wiccans and Witches expressing their concern that any attempts to blend these paths could result in an eclectic mish-mash, or a watered down version of the original that would leave followers wandering with no clear direction or destination.  If you are happy with the path you are on, and comfortable with the direction you are going, then following in the footsteps of others and holding tight to the old traditions may work best for you.  But if your current path does not feel right to you and your heart is telling you there is more to discover, you should consider exploring other Divine teachings without fear that this is wrong.

Honestly, I agree with the statement that a Christian Witch is neither a real Christian (as defined by today's church) or a true Witch (as defined by the old traditions).  Perhaps a more accurate label for those on this path would be a Religious Mutt, as this title better reflects the practice of blending and the idea that one is not a purebred.  

In the animal world a good breeder works hard to develop the unique qualities of a breed and keep the line pure.  For them it can be frustrating when others crossbreed and introduce traits that change the look and personality of something they've worked hard to preserve.  So I do understand the concern, but at the same time I see a real need in our world for this new breed of religion. 

Our inbox is full of e-mail from individuals who are frustrated by the total separation of these paths.  Below are a few examples from today's mail:

***...my problem is convincing my husband there is more than one way to believe.  He is a christian and to him nothing else exists.  He does not have an open mind at all.  To get him to understand is a losing battle for me.

***I come from a Christian background and the few (Pagans) I have been able to talk to have had a very judgmental view on Christianity which upsets me.  I'd like to learn more about the Old Ways without cruel commentary on Christianity, as I still hold many Christian beliefs dearly to my heart.  

***I am catholic and I am not ready to leave the church and I am trying to figure out how to balance both. 

***It is words of wisdom like yours which will truly lead our world to peace; for lack of tolerance for other religions has been the biggest factor for violence throughout time.

I have no desire to pollute the current religions or traditions for those who are happy walking those paths.  But there is a definite need to blaze a new trail that will allow those coming from the Christian path to let go of their fear and feel free to explore the beautiful traditions of Wicca or Witchcraft.  I also believe that educating Christians about the original teachings of their religion will help them relax and be more tolerant or accepting of those who choose to walk another path.  THIS is my true goal.  Peace and health be with you all.

You thought you found the perfect spell.  It seemed to sum up exactly what you wanted to accomplish.  You followed it to the letter and thought you did everything right ... but nothing happened ... or worse yet ... it backfired and your situation is even worse now.  What went wrong? Did you use the wrong words, light the wrong color candle or was it just a bad day to cast a spell?  The answer may be - NONE OF THE ABOVE! 

We often receive email from readers who are afraid to even attempt a spell.  One reader recently wrote "Even after reading books on Wicca, I still hesitate to do a simple spell or ritual for fear I could do something horribly wrong without realizing it."  Another wrote "I don't want to hurt anyone, and am afraid to just experiment with spells on my own." Below are a few tips that should help ease these fears and increase the success level of any spell you do.

Most people put a great deal of importance on the words used in a spell.  However, with so many different languages and all the ways we have to express ourselves, would the Divine truly be concerned with the specific wording used?  Is there really a need to speak the exact same words that someone else did?  A successful spell is actually based less on the words we write or speak, and more on the thoughts and feelings that those words generate.  When words inspire intense feelings within us, they become very powerful.  Whether we are casting a spell, or just quietly asking for assistance, how we FEEL when we send our thoughts forth can greatly influence the results.  It's important to use words that help us visualize what we want and how we will feel when we've experienced the outcome.  The stronger our feelings are and the more often we send them out, the greater and faster the response is likely to be.  This reaction is also referred to as the Law of Three and/or the Law of Attraction. 

Unfortunately, this Law of Attraction can also work against us. For example, according to the bestselling book The Secret, if we just ask for more money or better health, we are actually saying to the Universe, "I am broke" or "I am not well" and I don't have what I want or need."  Instead of hearing our verbal request for what we want, the Universe is tuned in to our feelings, which in these examples could result in even MORE lack or challenges being drawn into our life! 

To avoid this we should make sure we are visualizing and feeling what it's like to already HAVE what we are asking for.  Most spiritual paths teach that whatever we ask for, if we truly believe it's possible and can experience the feeling of already having it, we WILL receive it.  If we want to improve our finances, health or relationships, we can best accomplish this by sending thoughts and feelings of thanks to the Universe for what it is helping us achieve.  We can rest assured the Divine is reading our feelings and the Universe is hard at work drawing these things to us! 

Below are a few other positive tips we received from our readers:

~I have found that when I do protection spells for those I feel passionate about, they tend to just keep going indefinitely.  Others only last for a few minutes, probably because I didn't have any deep feelings about it one way or the other.  (This is a good example of how much your feelings can influence a spell.)

~Visualization helps a lot.  If you can clearly see the outcome you want, it infuses the spell with your passion and lends a direction, sort of like following a map.  (This sends a clear picture to the Universe too!)

~ It's a good idea to always include the phrase "may this spell harm none and the end be for the highest good of all concerned.

CAN YOU AFFORD TO PRACTICE MAGIC?
The following email excerpt expresses a common concern of those who are just starting out: “I am very low on cash and cannot afford the proper tools … "I feel that my financial status holds me back from fulfilling my destiny of becoming a true Wiccan.”

Below are comments from just a few of the many emails we received in response to this topic:

“Regarding the cost of tools, I purchase my candles at either the dollar store or the thrift store. My athame is an old knife. My goddess figure is made of sculpy (a clay you can shape and then bake in your oven at home). My goblet is an old wine glass. My wand is made from a piece of copper pipe, a crystal my boyfriend gave me, and some pieces of fake leather, all glued together with superglue. … I doubt I have $10 invested. It doesn't really matter what you use. The fact that it is blessed and the manner with which you use it is what's important.”

“I need no wand when my index finger serves the purpose just as well. … For me, intent is the main thing and costs me nothing”

“I would say to any of your readers struggling with not having the funds to buy manufactured magick tools that I have used make-shift supplies with better success than I ever got from something made by another person. I feel that when you literally put energy into making something, that energy stays with the object.”

“Being a 'poor' witch is not just a fun challenge, but opens the mind and creativity, and that is what being a witch is all about - intent - and there is not much you need that you cannot find around you, or that cannot be substituted by something equally effective”.

“Tools can add more excitement or allure to your ritual/spell. And this could make the experience more enchanting. But the most important thing to remember - YOU are the most important tool!”

You might want to think about your magical tools the same way you think about your clothing. Putting on new designer clothes can make you FEEL better about yourself and boost your confidence as you head out into the world. The clothing you choose to wear might even help you get a new job or catch the attention of someone special. What you wear CAN actually influence the outcome of the events in your life. But does that make your clothes magical? Are you powerless to create the life you want if you don’t have expensive clothes? Yes, the right clothes can help, but it’s what’s inside that REALLY makes things happen.

If you don’t have money to buy the tools you want, make the best of what you have. Be creative and find new ways to make old things work. If you can’t buy books, check them out from a library or log on to the Internet for endless hours of reading. I believe the richest, most powerful witches in this world are not the ones with the most money or the best tools … the richest ones are those who can allow the Divine magic to flow through their lives without any tools at all!

“The true definition of magic… does not center around spells or incantations, or the mysterious waving of arms… As it is recorded in the Blue Book of our forefathers, true Magic is ‘The art and science of changing states of mind at will.’ And as we have learned by experience, action follows thought.” From The 21 Lessons of Merlyn, A study in Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monroe:

 In a previous article we stressed the importance of keeping your thoughts and actions positive. While virtually all of our readers understood and agreed with this, many wrote expressing concern about how this can be accomplished when you are surrounded by negative energy throughout the day. Some readers even felt cursed, as they tried hard to be good, always saying and doing the right thing, but bad things continued to happen to them. Between financial challenges, relationship problems, health issues and family or friends constantly sharing their problems with us, no one is really immune to negative energy.

Whether a situation turns out to be a blessing or a curse may ultimately depend on how you choose to respond. While problems can cause pain, they can also provide a wonderful opportunity for growth. When you view your problem as a challenge to conquer, or an opportunity to discover a creative solution, that's what you will do ... and you'll be a stronger person for it. For those who can stay positive, struggle and crisis can turn into new growth and success.

Sometimes if we can't see any possible solution to our problems, we begin to feel hopeless and simply give up or stop trying to change our situation. NEVER GIVE UP! When you start to run out of energy and feel as if you can't move on, then just stand aside, and allow the Universal Power of the Divine to solve your problems and fight your battles for you. No challenge or accomplishment is too great for this Divine energy. Let it work through you by following your intuition. Think of the quiet little voice inside of you as the Divine directing your path. Allow it to point the way. Follow your hunches and the positive thoughts that pop into your head ... the good feelings you have. When something feels right to you, it IS right for you!

Finally, to increase the positive energy in your life, think of the blessings you would like and expect them to start happening NOW, in unexpected ways. Our last newsletter told how the Universe uses the Law of Attraction to fulfill these blessings, through people, circumstances and events. The key to your success, is to really believe. You can use spells and prayers to help you focus your thoughts, but ultimately, the strength of your faith in the power of the Divine, and your belief that something positive can and will happen by allowing this Universal energy to work through you, is the most important part!

We often get email from visitors who don’t feel like a true Wiccan or Witch because they haven’t done a dedication ritual, or they don’t take part in the traditional Pagan holidays that honor the changing seasons. In the past, if you wanted to enter Wicca, you had to know someone who had already been initiated (usually a coven member) to receive initiation. But times have changed, and today, anyone, anywhere in the world can practice Wicca.

It’s customary to dedicate yourself to the Goddess and God when you begin a new spiritual journey. A formal ritual is just an outward confirmation of your beliefs, and does not in itself make you a Witch or Wiccan. That will come with time and devotion. If you’ve been studying the Old Ways and already hold a reverence for nature and feel a connection to our Mother Earth, you are headed in the right direction!

For those who are worried about making a mistake or not doing an initiation or ritual right, you can take comfort in a statement from the best selling book “Wicca” by Scott Cunningham. He had heard numerous stories of women and men who were drawn to Wicca but lacked access to covens and books. They simply lit a candle, drank a little wine, and told the Gods (or Goddess) of their intentions. He felt this was perhaps the best sort of dedication ritual, as it was simple and from the heart.

If you want to join a Coven, you may be required to take part in a special initiation or dedication ritual, in the same way that a Church might require a baptism before accepting a new member. The ceremony will vary from Coven to Coven, and while some may feel their tradition is the only true one, there is no single “right” way to do an initiation. Again, the dedication or initiation ritual is simply an outward way to express your inward decision to walk a new spiritual path.

As for celebrating the Pagan holidays and cycles of the moon, the main focus should be on seasonal activities and having fun! If your rituals seem empty because you simply memorize words and perform activities that have no meaning to you, there is not much benefit in doing them. One reader shared with me that she did not need a special altar or a certain color candle for special occasions. All she needed was to be outside and concentrate on a flower, a star, the moon, the warmth of the sun, the cool earth, or listen to some rippling water to feel connected to all that grows and lives. This person is doing what feels right and is keeping things simple.  It’s up to you whether you celebrate the seasons or not, but if you do, choose activities, rituals and/or foods that make each occasion enjoyable.

Finally, in regard to spellwork, a spell could be described as a magical ritual. Magic is the practice of moving natural energies to effect a needed change in our lives and/or the world around us. The majority of Wiccans I know tell me they do not practice spellwork or magic, so it is certainly NOT a requirement.  

Learn as much as you can about Wicca and Witchcraft, but don't worry too much about the exact practices. It's ok to use your own words in spells and rituals.  Just stay focused on celebrating your life and the life of all that surrounds you, and your spiritual journey will be full of natural magic!