Spell Writing Guide: How to Create Your Own Spells

Introduction: Becoming a Spell Crafter

Creating your own spells is one of the most empowering aspects of witchcraft. While learning spells from books and teachers is valuable, crafting personalized magic tailored to your specific needs and energy is incredibly powerful. Your original spells carry your unique intention, resonate with your personal practice, and often work better than generic spells because they're designed specifically for you.

This comprehensive guide teaches you how to write effective, powerful spells from scratch. Whether you're a beginner creating your first spell or an experienced witch refining your craft, you'll learn the essential components of spell work, how to combine them effectively, and how to document your creations in your Book of Shadows.

Understanding How Spells Work

The Mechanics of Magic

Before writing spells, understand the principles:

Energy and Intention:

• Spells direct energy toward a specific goal
• Your intention is the most important component
• Clear focus creates clear results
• Belief and will power the magic

Correspondences:

• Materials (herbs, crystals, colors) carry specific energies
• Choosing aligned correspondences amplifies your spell
• Timing (moon phases, days, planetary hours) adds power
• Symbolism speaks to the subconscious

The Three-Fold Process:

1. Raising energy: Building power through focus, emotion, movement
2. Directing energy: Sending power toward your goal
3. Releasing energy: Letting go so magic can manifest

Types of Spells

By Method:

• Candle spells: Using candles as focus and energy source
• Jar spells: Combining ingredients in container for ongoing magic
• Sachet/charm bags: Portable spell in pouch
• Poppets: Sympathetic magic using dolls or figures
• Sigils: Symbolic magic using created symbols
• Knot magic: Binding intention into cord
• Potion/brew: Liquid magic for drinking or anointing
• Ritual spells: Elaborate ceremonial magic

By Purpose:

• Attraction: Drawing something to you (love, money, opportunities)
• Banishing: Removing or repelling (negativity, bad habits, unwanted energy)
• Protection: Shielding from harm
• Healing: Restoring health and wholeness
• Divination: Gaining insight or knowledge
• Transformation: Changing yourself or situations

Essential Components of a Spell

1. Clear Intention

Define your goal specifically:

• Vague: "I want love"
• Specific: "I attract a healthy, loving romantic relationship"
• Vague: "I need money"
• Specific: "I receive $500 for my emergency fund through ethical means"

Questions to clarify intention:

• What exactly do I want to happen?
• Why do I want this?
• How will I know the spell worked?
• Is this for my highest good?
• Does this harm anyone?

Write your intention as a statement:

• Present tense ("I am," "I have," not "I will")
• Positive (what you want, not what you don't want)
• Specific but not limiting
• Include "for the highest good" or "harm to none"

2. Appropriate Timing

Moon Phases:

• New Moon: New beginnings, setting intentions, fresh starts
• Waxing Moon: Growth, increase, attraction, building
• Full Moon: Peak power, manifestation, charging, celebration
• Waning Moon: Release, banishing, decrease, letting go
• Dark Moon: Shadow work, divination, deep magic, rest

Days of the Week:

• Monday (Moon): Emotions, intuition, dreams, psychic work
• Tuesday (Mars): Courage, strength, conflict resolution, passion
• Wednesday (Mercury): Communication, travel, learning, business
• Thursday (Jupiter): Prosperity, expansion, luck, legal matters
• Friday (Venus): Love, beauty, friendship, pleasure, art
• Saturday (Saturn): Banishing, binding, protection, karma, boundaries
• Sunday (Sun): Success, healing, vitality, leadership, confidence

Sabbats and Seasons:

• Align spells with seasonal energy
• Samhain: Divination, ancestor work
• Yule: Rebirth, new beginnings
• Imbolc: Purification, inspiration
• Ostara: Growth, fertility, balance
• Beltane: Passion, creativity, union
• Litha: Power, success, abundance
• Lammas: Harvest, gratitude, sacrifice
• Mabon: Balance, letting go, preparation

3. Corresponding Materials

Herbs and Plants:

• Choose herbs that align with your intention
• Use 1-5 herbs (more isn't always better)
• Consider magical properties and practical safety
• Fresh or dried both work

Crystals and Stones:

• Select crystals for their energetic properties
• Cleanse before use
• Charge with your intention
• Can be placed on altar, carried, or added to spell

Colors:

• Candle colors
• Cloth or paper colors
• Ribbon or thread colors
• Choose colors that match your goal

Other Materials:

• Oils and essences
• Incense
• Symbols and sigils
• Personal items (hair, nail clippings, photos)
• Natural items (feathers, shells, stones)
• Written petitions or names

4. Method or Technique

Choose how you'll perform the spell:

• What type of spell fits your goal?
• What materials do you have?
• How much time do you have?
• Where will you perform it?
• What feels right intuitively?

5. Words of Power (Optional)

Incantations, chants, or affirmations:

• Not required but can focus intention
• Can rhyme or be free-form
• Speak from the heart
• Repeat for power
• Can be spoken, sung, or whispered

Tips for writing incantations:

• Keep it simple and clear
• Use present tense
• Make it personal and meaningful
• Rhyming helps memory but isn't necessary
• Include your intention clearly

6. Visualization

Mental imagery of your goal:

• See your intention as already manifested
• Engage all senses (what do you see, hear, feel, smell?)
• Feel the emotions of success
• Make it vivid and real
• Hold the vision while performing spell

7. Energy Raising and Release

How to raise energy:

• Deep breathing and focus
• Chanting or singing
• Dancing or movement
• Drumming or music
• Emotional intensity
• Building anticipation

How to release:

• Blow out candle with intention
• Bury or burn spell components
• Cast into water
• Release to the wind
• Seal jar or bag
• Speak "So mote it be" or similar

Step-by-Step Spell Writing Process

Step 1: Define Your Need

Ask yourself:

• What do I need or want?
• Why do I need this?
• Is magic the right approach?
• Have I done mundane work too?
• Is this ethical?

Write it down:

• "I need [specific goal] because [reason]"
• "This will help me [benefit]"
• "I will know it worked when [measurable result]"

Step 2: Research Correspondences

Look up:

• Which herbs align with your goal?
• Which crystals support this intention?
• What color represents this energy?
• Which moon phase is best?
• Which day of the week?
• Any relevant deities or elements?

Make a list of options:

• You don't need everything—choose what you have or can get
• Select items that resonate with you personally
• Trust your intuition over rigid rules

Step 3: Choose Your Method

Decide on spell type:

• Quick need = candle spell or sigil
• Ongoing work = jar spell or charm bag
• Major goal = ritual spell
• Personal transformation = bath or potion

Consider:

• What materials do you have?
• How much time do you have?
• Where can you perform it?
• What feels right for this goal?

Step 4: Write the Spell Instructions

Create step-by-step directions:

1. Preparation:
   • Cleanse yourself and space
   • Gather all materials
   • Set up altar or workspace
   • Ground and center
2. Opening:
   • Cast circle (if you do this)
   • Call quarters or elements (if you do this)
   • Invoke deities (if you work with them)
   • State your intention
3. Main Working:
   • Light candles
   • Combine ingredients
   • Speak incantation
   • Visualize goal
   • Raise and direct energy
4. Closing:
   • Release energy
   • Thank deities/elements
   • Close circle
   • Ground excess energy
5. Follow-up:
   • What to do with spell components
   • How long to let candle burn
   • Where to keep charm/jar
   • Any ongoing actions needed

Step 5: Write an Incantation (Optional)

Simple formula:

• State what you're doing
• State your intention
• State the result
• Close with power phrase

Example (prosperity):

"By this candle's golden light,
I draw prosperity bright.
Money flows to me with ease,
Abundance comes as I please.
For the highest good of all,
I speak this spell and watch it fall.
As I will, so mote it be,
This spell is cast, prosperity to me."

Or keep it simple:

"I am prosperous. Money flows to me easily and abundantly. So mote it be."

Step 6: Test and Refine

Perform the spell:

• Follow your written instructions
• Note what feels right or awkward
• Pay attention to energy flow
• Trust your intuition

Document results:

• Date performed
• Moon phase and day
• How it felt
• Any signs or synchronicities
• Results (update later)
• What you'd change next time

Revise as needed:

• Adjust ingredients
• Modify incantation
• Change timing
• Simplify or elaborate
• Make it more personal

Example Spell Creation

Goal: Attract a New Job

Step 1: Define Need

• "I need a new job that pays at least $X, uses my skills, and has a positive work environment"
• "I will know it worked when I receive a job offer that meets these criteria"

Step 2: Research Correspondences

• Moon phase: Waxing or Full (attracting, growth)
• Day: Wednesday (communication, business) or Thursday (prosperity, success)
• Color: Green (prosperity), orange (success), yellow (communication)
• Herbs: Basil (prosperity), cinnamon (success), bay (wishes)
• Crystals: Citrine (success), pyrite (prosperity), tiger's eye (confidence)

Step 3: Choose Method

• Candle spell (for focus and energy)
• With petition paper (to specify details)

Step 4: Write Instructions

Materials:

• Green or orange candle
• Basil, cinnamon, bay leaf
• Citrine crystal
• Paper and pen
• Fireproof dish

Instructions:

1. Cleanse space and self
2. Write job requirements on paper in detail
3. Fold paper toward you (attracting)
4. Place paper under candle
5. Sprinkle herbs around candle base
6. Place citrine next to candle
7. Light candle
8. Speak incantation (see below)
9. Visualize yourself in perfect job, feeling happy and fulfilled
10. Let candle burn for at least 1 hour (or completely if safe)
11. Carry citrine to job interviews
12. Keep petition paper until job is secured, then burn with gratitude

Step 5: Write Incantation

"By this flame of green/orange bright,
I call my perfect job to light.
Work that pays and fulfills my soul,
A position that makes me whole.
Opportunities come my way,
The right job finds me today.
For the highest good of all,
I speak this spell and heed the call.
So mote it be."

Step 6: Perform and Document

• Perform on waxing moon Thursday
• Note how it felt
• Record any signs
• Update with results
• Refine for future use

Common Spell Writing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Vague Intentions

Problem: "I want to be happy" or "I need money"

Solution: Be specific. "I cultivate joy through [specific activities]" or "I receive $500 for [specific purpose]"

Mistake 2: Negative Phrasing

Problem: "I don't want to be poor" or "Stop my anxiety"

Solution: Focus on what you want. "I am prosperous" or "I am calm and centered"

Mistake 3: Future Tense

Problem: "I will find love" or "Money will come to me"

Solution: Use present tense. "I am loved" or "Money flows to me now"

Mistake 4: Too Many Ingredients

Problem: Using 15 herbs because they all relate somehow

Solution: Choose 3-5 most relevant ingredients. Quality over quantity.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Ethics

Problem: Spells that manipulate specific people or cause harm

Solution: Always include "for the highest good" and "harm to none." Focus on yourself, not controlling others.

Mistake 6: No Follow-Through

Problem: Casting spell then doing nothing in the physical world

Solution: Magic + action = results. Apply for jobs, go on dates, take practical steps.

Mistake 7: Attachment to Outcome

Problem: Obsessing over results, checking constantly

Solution: Release and trust. Let the magic work without interference.

Documenting Spells in Your Book of Shadows

Essential Information to Record

• Title: Descriptive name
• Purpose: What it's for
• Type: Candle, jar, sigil, etc.
• Timing: Best moon phase, day, season
• Materials: Complete list with amounts
• Instructions: Step-by-step process
• Incantation: Words to speak (if any)
• Visualization: What to imagine
• Date performed: When you cast it
• Results: What happened (update later)
• Effectiveness rating: 1-5 stars
• Notes: What worked, what didn't, modifications
• Source: Original creation or adapted from where

Template for Spell Documentation

Spell Name: _______________

Purpose: _______________

Type: _______________

Best Timing: Moon phase: _____ Day: _____ Season: _____

Materials:

• _______________
• _______________
• _______________

Instructions:

1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________

Incantation:

_______________

Visualization:

_______________

Performance Log:

• Date: _____
• Moon phase: _____
• How it felt: _____
• Results: _____
• Effectiveness: ☆☆☆☆☆
• Notes: _____

Common Questions

Do spells have to rhyme?

No! Rhyming can help with memorization and rhythm, but it's not required. Speak from the heart in whatever way feels powerful to you.

Can I modify spells from books?

Absolutely! Adapting spells to fit your needs and available materials is encouraged. Just note the original source and your modifications.

What if I don't have all the "right" ingredients?

Substitute! Use what you have. Intention matters more than perfect ingredients. Or simplify the spell to use only what's available.

How long should a spell be?

As long as it needs to be. Simple spells can be 5 minutes. Elaborate rituals might be an hour. Both can be equally effective.

Do I need to cast a circle for every spell?

Not necessarily. Circle casting is traditional in some practices but not required for all spells. Do what feels right for you and the working.

What if my spell doesn't work?

Analyze why: Was intention clear? Did you take physical action? Was timing right? Did you release attachment? Learn and try again with modifications.

Conclusion: Your Unique Magical Voice

Writing your own spells is a journey of discovering your unique magical voice. Your spells will become more powerful and personal as you practice. Don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and refine your craft. The most effective spells are those that resonate with your heart and align with your practice.

Start simple, trust your intuition, and remember that you are the magic. The ingredients and words are just tools—your intention, will, and energy are what make spells work. As you fill your Book of Shadows with original spells, you're creating a personalized grimoire of power that's uniquely yours.

May your spells be powerful, ethical, and effective. Happy spell crafting!

Ready to document your magical herbs? Check out our guide to Herb Grimoire Pages: Documenting Magical Plants to create a comprehensive herbal reference.