“Why aren’t my spells working?”, “Why do none of my spells work?” If you’re new to Witchcraft and Magic, you’ve probably found yourself asking these questions more than once. Use this complete guide to find out what you can do to improve the efficacy and potency of your rituals. Perhaps you haven’t been casting your spells correctly. If you have already read Lesson 2: How to Cast Spells When You’re New and Unsure, here are some extra tips and rules you should follow to cast powerful spells every time.
How to Cast a Powerful Spell
- Get rid of all doubts and uncertainty.
- Don’t tell anyone about the spell you’re working on.
- Choose ingredients, colors and symbols with a specific meaning.
- If you invoke any spirit or deity, make sure you understand why.
- Get good at Meditation.
- Practice your Visualizations.
- Be aware of the current Moon phase.
- Above all, the Power comes from within You. Have faith in yourself!
On this page, you’ll find:
- 1. Before Casting the Spell
- 2. During the Spell
- 3. After Casting the Spell
- In Summary
- Extra Tips to Make your Spells Work
1. Before Casting the Spell
Understand how Spells work
The first thing you should know is that a spell that works for a Witch won’t necessarily work for another Witch. We all have different patterns of desires, thoughts, and behaviors, so casting spells that work is really a process of self-discovery. You will only find out what works for you after countless rituals and spells. Don’t give up! ✊ If your spell didn’t work on the first attempt, that’s perfectly normal. Focus on learning more, reading more, keep casting the same spells and try out new ways of approaching the situation.
Follow the Rules of Spellcasting
If you haven’t already, read the 8 Rules Every Witch Should Know. Another good piece of advice is to follow the Witch’s Pyramid.
The four cornerstones of the Witch’s Pyramid are: A virulent imagination, a will of fire, rock-hard faith, and a flair for secrecy. Learn more about the Witch’s Pyramid 📄 or watch this video:
Listen to your Body
Avoid starting any ritual works on a full stomach. On the day you start a spell, avoid eating meat or drinking alcohol, and stay away from any drugs (except for medications). Have a healthy routine, and take good care of your body. Exercise is a great way of grounding and it can help you connect your physical and astral bodies. Try this “shaking” exercise before casting your next spell.
“Shaking”: A Bioenergetic Exercise by Deepika Sheleff
Walking, dancing or practicing yoga are all good options. Practice frequent hiking or go camping, talk to Nature and listen to it too.
Relax
Never cast a spell if you are physically exhausted. A long ritual or even a simple one can take a lot of energy. Take a relaxing bath before starting the ritual and then another bath to wash away the energies of your work.
Cast a Circle
While it’s not absolutely necessary, it’s a good idea to do your magical works within a circle of protection. This way you can concentrate all your energy in one place so it won’t be dispersed or suffer interference from external sources. Read more on How to Cast a Magic Circle.
Set your Altar
Decorate your altar in a way that reflects your identity and personality. There is no predefined way to do this. Choose symbols that are in harmony with your views of the world and your own spirituality. Arrange your herbs, crystals, images, candles and incense according to your personal preference or to any belief system that you follow. Read more on How to Set your Altar for Casting Spells.
❇ Understand Symbols, Colors and Meanings
Everything in your ritual should have a meaning. It is much better if these meanings are aligned to each other and to the intention of the spell. You need to have a reason for choosing the colors of your candles you will be using. This also applies to your incense, crystals, and herbs. Most of them have a set of correspondences that you should know. Ideally, they should all be in line with your desire so that your spell will suffer no distortion.
If you are in doubt as to which colors to wear during a ritual, remember that white is a neutral and protective color no matter what.
Have the Moon on your Side
Before casting a spell, check the current phase of the moon. Each lunar phase has unique energies that will empower or take strength away from your spell. Learn more about Magic in the Moon here.
2. During the Spell
Align your Feelings and Intentions
In most rituals, your eyes should be focused on the candle flame and your mind should be focused on your end goals and intentions. Most of the time, the success of a spell depends almost entirely on your power of concentration rather than the materials you use. Connecting with your emotions and thoughts is essential for you to achieve good results. Your desires and intentions should be aligned to your emotions at all times. If there’s any trace of doubt, uncertainty or indecision while you’re working on a spell, then it probably won’t work.
⛔ Don’t go on with your ritual if you are feeling pain, fear, or any strong negative emotions.
Practice Visualization
Always be working on improving your visualization skills. Fix your mind on a goal and express it through mental images, which are usually more powerful than simple words or abstract ideas. With enough practice, you’ll be able to visualize your goal in perfect detail.
Easy visualization exercise 👀
- Look at an object.
- Close your eyes and try to see it in your mind.
- Open your eyes and look at the object again. Notice what details you were missing.
- Close your eyes and visualize it again with the maximum amount of detail possible.
At first it may seem boring or difficult, but this is a central part to spells and manifestations, and it can make your spells really work. Try to practice at least for a few minutes every day.
Need Help Getting Started? Click here to Start a Guided Meditation & Visualization Course
If you are not a very visual person, but rather an auditory person, try using mantras, music, or sounds. Think of a song that makes you feel what you are trying to create. For example, if you’re working on a money spell, sing the chorus of “Money, Money, Money”, or any song that can put you into that mindset.
If you are a kinesthetic person, find textures that you can touch, such as garments, sand, rocks, feathers, or whatever stimulates your awareness and makes you become more present. In the previous example, if you’re trying to manifest money, hold a coin or a bill in your hand, try to feel its texture, connecting with its energy and vibration.
Read also: Aphantasia: Can’t see with mind’s eye
Work on your confidence
You must believe that the spell will work. This is called Faith. Often, it is the hardest part since there might be traces of doubt hiding in the back of your head. Beginners usually find that their spells don’t work and that’s because they don’t have any real expectations. Never try a spell just for fun or to see if it works.
At the moment of casting the spell, you should avoid any thoughts such as: “Will this work?” or “I hope it does, otherwise I don’t know what I’m going to do”. Stay confident and optimistic. Faith is the main ingredient for a successful spell.
3. After Casting the Spell
Ground Yourself
Feeling tired right after casting a spell (or even the next day) is completely normal. We discuss how to deal with this here: The Day After Spellwork.
Grounding and centering before and after ritual are both good ways to help with your energy. Practicing this before your ritual or spell allows you to remove any excess energy you may have from excitement, nerves, or emotions.
Be Quiet
What to do after casting a spell? The first rule is: Don’t talk about a spell that you are still working on. No one else needs to know, so keep it secret!
Be Patient
Patience and perseverance will help you learn from your own mistakes as you slowly gain experience. Everything in the Universe has its right time, and sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the precise moment before what’s best for everyone can finally happen.
Once you are done with the ritual, take it easy. A spell is like a tree. You plant the seedling 🌱 and then you wait. When the time is right for the tree, it gives its fruit and you benefit 🍊. Don’t fret too much about it or your anxiety will get in the way of results.
Do your Part
Create your own favorable conditions and opportunities for the spell to work. For example, if you’re casting a spell to get a new job, you should be sending your resume to potential employers, working on your skills, communicating and networking. If you are trying a spell to find a new love, you should be working on expanding your social circle.
Have Perspective
If a spell didn’t work for you, don’t just keep trying it over and over. Sometimes what we desire is not the best for us at this moment. Allow yourself some time to unplug, take a break from the issue for a week and then come back refreshed. Change the focus and try to find a new perspective.
In Summary
Extra Tips to Make your Spells Work
Don’t Be Evil
If you are a Beginner and want to become a Wiccan Witch or follow Wiccan principles in your practice, don’t cast spells with the intention of harming others. This is what we call “Black Magic”, and it’s triggered by jealousy, resentment, envy, and fear. The short explanation is: It’s not ethical, and it could easily turn against you or get out of your control.
Be Creative
Write your own spells following your personal wishes and desires. Make them unique to your personality and beliefs using elements such as symbols, images, objects, colors or ideas. Spellcasting is a constant learning activity and an exercise for your creativity.
Practice Fire Safety
Never leave candles burning unattended. Read this Candle Safety Guide to make sure you won’t start a fire at home when working on a ritual.
Next: What is Wicca? A Religion of Witches?
📓 In this lesson, you will learn the following, and more:
✦ Wiccan Beliefs
✦ Wiccan Celebrations
✦ History of Wicca
✦ Paganism and Witchcraft
✦ Wiccan Spells
Or Browse All Lessons in this free course.
Ready to Cast a Spell? Browse our Library of Spells