Magick and the Language of Symbolism: Spellcraft 101 Presented by Jules N.

Does this light act as a guide for something or to reveal something hidden? Could the answer be both?

Welcome to spellcraft 101! Everybody is capable of creating their own personalized spells and any spell that you create using your own intuition and personal symbology is going to work better and be more effective for you than anything you pull off of Instagram or even any book. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started in creating your own personal spell book.

1. Figure out what you resonate with. Are you drawn to crystals or herbs? Do you love music and dance? Do you thrive in nature? Are you drawn toward the night or the daylight hours? Are words and writing more comfortable for you? Magick can be found in almost everything if we attach symbolic meaning to it. Fashion and make-up can be just as powerful in ritual as blood and bone if you identify with it. Study your likes and dislikes.

2. What do these things mean to you? Every culture has universal symbology relating to colors, herbs, and mythology just to name a few common Magickal elements. Pick one or two to work with at first. Spells don't have to be complicated to be powerful. You just need to be focused in your intention as you work. In fact, the more elements you have, the more scattered your focus might become as you try to keep track of all the moving parts.

3. Use things that have strong personal meaning to you. The stronger your connection to the symbolism, the better it will work for you. This also helps you avoid appropriation. Doing spell work that sounds cool but doesn't connect with you on a personal level is doomed to mediocre results if not outright failure.

4. Take chances and make mistakes. The unknown can be scary. We've been told that witchcraft is evil by religious cultural norms for so long that many people still believe if you open up to your own divine Magick something terrible is going to happen to you. Take your pick of horror tropes here...possession, hauntings, contact with the devil, the boogeyman under your bed. If you call in love and light none of these can touch you. Ask your Angels and Ancestors for guidance. You are protected and loved by the Divine. So make mistakes. You are being held in love and it's very doubtful that you'll call on Cthulhu by mistake and destroy the world as you know it.

5. Do no harm. If what you intend to do will cause harm to yourself or others don't do it. It's as simple as that. Start small when you begin. Choose each element for its strong connection to YOU. Don't be afraid to try. Accept failure as a lesson learned. Do no harm. This is my recipe for spell craft.