u/Psyphon-ArcaneAces

Intention is the foundation, Correspondences are the structure, Focus is the core.

TLDR: Make your own magick starting with the intention then build the ritual.

This large post is an attempt to explain a lot of the common questions I see: primarily how to make a spell, but also how to write it down and how to go about performing a ritual. This is based off of my thoughts, knowledge and experience and is open to discussion and questions by all.

There's nothing wrong with using general styles of magick like candle magick or personalizing some of the very common spells chord cutting, freezer spell, or road opener. The hard part can be when trying really narrow down your intention, figure out your ingredients and put it all together, then remember what you even did and if you feel it worked.

So here's my outline to address both of these. Start with your intention and narrow it down to sentence, maybe 2. Trouble refining the sentence? Good. Use that refinement process to really hone in on want you want. You can further refine it by taking the core elements of that sentence and turn it into a title for the "name of spell" portion and further refine that name into sigil. Use your intention to find ingredients work with what you want: colors, herbs, styles of magick, tools whatever! Mesh those ingredients into a large spell category like candle, jar magic, or even your own idea.

I like to use this outline to plan bigger spells in advance and as a checklist. Its not required to fill out each part if you feel it doesnt apply, especially under ingredients.

Date | Time | Moon Phase

• Name of spell:
• Intent:
• Divination:
• Ingredients:
  • Sight:
  • Sound:
  • Taste:
  • Touch:
  • Smell:
• Other Tools:
• Incantation:
• Visualization:
• Action:
• Location:
• Results

This guide assumes you've already designed your spell with a complete Intention, set of correspondences (usually 3-7), tools, and preferred methods to cleanse, ground and meditate.

Each of these things requires effort to learn and understand in their own right, and once you know how they work together.

1. Set the Altar: Make sure you got everything before you get started.
   • Gather everything you've planned for in your spell and arrange it on your altar/working space.
2. Ground/Center: Cleanse the Space, Cleanse the Tools, Cleanse the Mind.
   • I generally use smoke to cleanse the space around my altar, a bell to cleanse all the tools and such I have set up, then spend a minute or two clearing my mind through meditation with a sing bowl.
   • For those of you who are limited in what you can use, a bell is the easiest and most affordable way imo to satisfy all 3 of these if you cannot burn anything or only have room for one item.
3. Raise Energy: Narrow focus on intention, visualization, and repeat an incantation.
   • This is the meat of the ritual. How you raise energy is up to you. During whichever activity you choose, focus on your intention and visualize your life with your intent fulfilled. Look at each of your correspondences and remember why you chose each one and what they represent, go back to your visualization, and if your mind starts to wander, recognize that it has and come back to focusing on your spell. This portion of spell casting is why the emphasis on meditation is so prevalent; learning to focus on one thing, especially in the age of short attention spans, is crucial to effective spell work and is why I have suggested that focus is the core rather than "Intention is everything."
   • You can drive a car with the intent to not crash, but it's almost guaranteed you will without focus.
   • Examples of ways to raise energy.
     • Channel energy into an object such as a bay leaf or candle.
     • Chant an Incantation
     • Play an instrument
     • Dance
     • Breath Work
4. Release: Complete the symbolic action. If applicable speak an the Incantation once with vigorous conviction.
   • At this point we are committing the stored energy to flow into the aether and manifest our intention. This could be the lighting of a candle, the burning of a bay leaf, sealing a jar spell, or tying the knots in a knot spell.
   • While I dont always do it, I like to have 2 part incantations where I will repeat the first portion of it while raising energy, and then once Im ready to commit, I will state the 2nd final portion louder and authoritatively as I perform such this climatic action.
5. Close: Briefly ground again and return to ordinary awareness.
   • A good way to officially mark the end of a ritual is by a definitive a closing remark such as "So it shall be" or a closing action such a deep vagal breath or tapping a finger or wand.
   • Come back down as you allow yourself to feel the floor beneath your feet, notice the area around you, wiggle your fingers and toes.
   • Safely extinguish any remaining flames, discard wastes, and clean up any dirty tools.

I just spent 3.5hrs designing a road opener spell.

Spells dont need to take forever to put together; using other spells or keeping them super simple is 100% valid. And despite the time I put in, this entire road opener involves a salt road cross road, orange candle, a rune, olive oil and cinnamon, and a bay leaf with intention. Im also adding a Tarot card and incense to the altar Im performing it on.

The difference for me though is I took a bunch of info and made it my own. I havent actually looked into a road opener before because I never need to use one and through the entire process of inventing ideas, finding the exact correspondences that work with my practice and/or what I have on hand has helped understand the inner and outer workings of the spell to a T.

I looked into why the orange candle seems to be the default color, why I could use oil and cinnamon in place of abre camino, the history and reason behind burning bay leaves for intention. went from making the roads out of random crystals to contemplating black salt + white salt, to just white salt. Selected a tarot card and incense that aligns with my intention, and even came up with a rhyming incantation and sequence of events.

But I the biggest factor in all of this aside from gaining understanding and knowledge just by being hands on, is you learn to laser focus your intent. As you weed out every tiny detail, youre forced to ask yourself, what exactly am I trying to accomplish?

Disclaimer: My way is not the only way; it's just my way. I enjoy my methods and I like to share my experience in hopes that others will get some use out of it while further refining my own craft.

TLDR & Outline at the bottom

Ive update my template for crafting spells from scratch and though I would share.

I've seen lots of post for ppl looking for a particular spell to copy AND wondering if they should write things down. There's nothing wrong with using general styles of magick like candle magick or personalizing some of the very common spells chord cutting, freezer spell, or road opener. The hard part can be when trying really narrow down your intention, figure out your ingredients and put it all together, then remember what you even did and if you feel it worked.

So here's my outline to address both of these. Start with your intention and narrow it down to sentence, maybe 2. Trouble refining the sentence? Good. Use that refinement process to really hone in on want you want. You can further refine it by taking the core elements of that sentence and turn it into a title for the "name of spell" portion and further refine that name into sigil. Use your intention to find ingredients work with what you want: colors, herbs, styles of magick, tools whatever! Mesh those ingredients into a large spell category like candle, jar magic, or even your own idea.

I like to use this outline to plan bigger spells in advance and as a checklist. Recent changes include

• Moon Phase - to record the phase, whether you deliberately work with the noon or not
• Divination - results such as a tarot spread regarding the working
• Other Tools - so that you can plan in advance for what you need and you don't find yourself without a lighter for your candle spell you've waited a month to do.

I Its not required to fill out each part if you feel it doesnt apply, especially under ingredients.

TLDR: Make your own magick starting with the intention then build the ritual.

Date | Time | Moon Phase

• Name of spell:
• Intent:
• Divination:
• Ingredients:
  • Sight:
  • Sound:
  • Taste:
  • Touch:
  • Smell:
• Other Tools:
• Incantation:
• Visualization:
• Action:
• Location:
• Results:

TLDR & Outline at the bottom

Ive update my template for crafting spells from scratch and though I would share.

I've seen lots of post for ppl looking for a particular spell to copy AND wondering if they should write things down. There's nothing wrong with using general styles of magick like candle magick or personalizing some of the very common spells chord cutting, freezer spell, or road opener. The hard part can be when trying really narrow down your intention, figure out your ingredients and put it all together, then remember what you even did and if you feel it worked.

So here's my outline to address both of these. Start with your intention and narrow it down to sentence, maybe 2. Trouble refining the sentence? Good. Use that refinement process to really hone in on want you want. You can further refine it by taking the core elements of that sentence and turn it into a title for the "name of spell" portion and further refine that name into sigil. Use your intention to find ingredients work with what you want: colors, herbs, styles of magick, tools whatever! Mesh those ingredients into a large spell category like candle, jar magic, or even your own idea.

I like to use this outline to plan bigger spells in advance and as a checklist. Recent changes include

• Moon Phase - to record the phase, whether you deliberately work with the noon or not
• Divination - results such as a tarot spread regarding the working
• Other Tools - so that you can plan in advance for what you need and you don't find yourself without a lighter for your candle spell you've waited a month to do.

I Its not required to fill out each part if you feel it doesnt apply, especially under ingredients.

TLDR: Make your own magick starting with the intention then build the ritual.

Date | Time | Moon Phase

• Name of spell:
• Intent:
• Divination:
• Ingredients:
  • Sight:
  • Sound:
  • Taste:
  • Touch:
  • Smell:
• Other Tools:
• Incantation:
• Visualization:
• Action:
• Location:
• Results:

There are also sorts of correspondences whether its herbs, crystals, numerology, lunar phases, or colors. What are your top 3 go-to's for specific intentions?

Mine are:

1. Labradorite - For analytical insight, hidden meaning, and revelation
2. Palo Santo - for Renewal and Purification
3. Iron and Brass - Feels like power and conductivity to me. I just love tools made of these, and it's found all through my craft.

TLDR at the bottom

I've seen lots of post for ppl looking for a particular spell to copy AND wondering if they should write things down. There's nothing wrong with using general styles of magick like candle magick or personalizing some of the very common spells like chord cutting, freezer spells, Return to sender, or road openers. The hard part can be when trying really narrow down your intention, figure out your ingredients and put it all together, then remember what you even did and if you feel it worked.

So here's a simple outline to address both of these. Start with your intention and narrow it down to sentence, maybe 2. Trouble refining the sentence? Good. Use that refinement process to really hone in on want you want. You can further refine it by taking the core elements of that sentence and turn it into a title for the "name of spell" portion. Use your intention to find ingredients work with what you want: colors, herbs, styles of magick, tools whatever! If you've got the time you can make individual edits over a period of a few days or weeks if you have an intention in mind, and by the time you're ready, you'll be surprised at what you've come up with.

I used this same formula to craft this money bowl over a week or so. I may post the actual grimoire entry for this money bowl as an example is there's enough interest, but I'm still undecided as of now.

Its not required to fill out each part.

TLDR: Make your own magick starting with the intention then build the ritual.

NAME OF SPELL

-          Date | Time

o   Intent:

o   Divination:

o   Ingredients:

• Sight:
• Sound:
• Taste:
• Touch:
• Smell:

o   Incantation:

o   Visualization:

o   Action:

o   Location:

o   Results:

Looking for a new more complete reference crystal book than the Crystal Bible and Cunninghams’s Crystal book. I know these are staples but they feel like they’re missing some stuff. For instance Cunninghams’ has like 2 sentences on selenite and iirc labradorite isn’t mentioned at all….Judy hall doesn’t even have pyrite listed. I find cunninghams much easier to digest and get what I need, but just want a more complete source.

BLUF: A user in another sub asked me to explain each of these view points Id listed in a response and I spent a ton of time typing it up and this community loves think and analyze and such so I thought this would be a fun place to place what may have well been a DM for the amount of ppl that will see it.

TLDR: Magick can be symbolic, Psychological, or well... Magick

As a baseline I'll use my own system called the Arcane Aces, but I'll stick to basics here. In short, the primary ritual is composed of 7 crystals, 4 supporting Talismans, and 1 primary Talisman with he goal of providing 7 emotional anchors and 4 paradigms on worrying about what you can control and what you cant and channel all that into a single, separate talisman to carry with you. The focus is on improving the way you navigate daily life by consciously assessing your situation and choosing from a menu of emotions to build a custom cocktail on how to handle said situation. I also do a lot of candle magick, but the Arcane Ace system demonstrates the following concepts a bit better.

1. Symbolism/Reminder

From this view point, the entire system I listed above is a collection of toys and rocks as a reminder to take that methodical. You read the meanings and correspondences and organized all the pieces together per the Grimoire, to make your symbolic reminder token. Now when you look at the token you charged, it reminds you of what was in the book and to step back and access your emotions consciously similarly to how a kitchen timer reminds you to get food out of the oven.

In candle magick, youve picked your color candle, maybe decorated it with herbs and runes and now it is the symbol of your intent. When you burn it, it reminds you of what you are working towards or creates a memory for the same function. In this model there is only the metaphor.

2. Psychological/Placebo

This is a fairly common view point of magick. In this paradigm ritual pushes deeper, it trains your subconscious to align with what you wish to manifest which then guides you to take the actions necessary to manifest your intent all on your own without you even realizing apart from your spells.

This is why most intention setting often appears as simple affirmation rather than fancy wording. There's nothing wrong with rhyming, or poetry, but that takes time. You could use some fancy language you dont understand like latin, but I'd argue if youre just repeating a latin incantation you dont even understand, the intent is lost (if you came up with it, then its more similar to the previous point). A simple affirmation - I am confident. I am grounded, I have the power to see through illusion and find the truth. I have enough money to live comfortably and have all the fun I want - works well. Its a way of training your subconscious and framing your mind. Its has more conviction than saying I wish to one day have enough money, or I hope I can get away from stress. If similar to saying Im good rather I think I can make it if say, idk, you hurt your ankle hiking. Each of those statements, at least for me, embody 2 totally different characters/personas.

In the Arcane Aces I did use rhymes but they tie into the article of each piece. ie Tiger's Eye, which is named Fortitude and represents the root chakra for my purposes, represents emotional stability and grounding. After assessing your situations and realizing your getting spooled up, it is the symbol that reminds you to chill out, wiggle your toes and fingers and think about the process without being a spaz. The incantation associated is "My mind is set, my core is true,; a grounded self strong and new."

In candle magick, the intention is best set using one of those simpler incantations but thats just my opinion because I use candle magick for most everything else. The affirmation idea applies to visualization as well: picturing a scenario where you intent has already happened.

3. Spirtual/Energetic

This is what most people think of when it comes to magick and what I feel is the main rival to the Psych model. It is the heart of magickal belief. This paradigm explains magick as influencing the unseen forces of the universe; essentially you are aiming to nudge the currents of fate in your direction. Its not an absolute by any measure, but perhaps I can nudge a default 60% chance to a 75% chance. Even in this view point it does not mean you can levitate above the ground or suddenly see through walls. Theres a plethora of schools of thought in the field alone.

In the Arcane Aces, this would be seen as each crystal giving off a unique resonance/vibration that entrain your own frequency to align with the crystals property. The special 5th talisman is infused with the energy of the 7 crystals (which are also charged via sun or moon for more nuance alignment) to create a Radiant Talisman that is constantly imbuing you with these qualites

In candle magick, you are working with the candle or the element of fire depending on your style. You fill the candle with your intent and burning it unleashes your desire into the universe which is ideally influenced enough to manifest your desire.

4. Conclusion.

Finally as an aside, I like to point out that models 2 & 3 could even be linked. What if our own psyche, our very will does produce influential aetheric energy that is enough to altar the potential of the future? Thats a whole other topic and one I kinda like to play with on occasion but for now, that concludes my view of what I deem the 3 magickal paradigms.

I'll link this here since I keep dropping this everywhere. Its a post about I made for making your own spells.

TLDR at the bottom

I'll keep this brief because I always type way to much and hopefully this isn't buried under salty Saturday (especially that sick meme with the cat wearing a hat and holding crystals w/o 1.5k upvotes lol)

I've seen lots of post for ppl looking for a particular spell to copy AND wondering if they should write things down. There's nothing wrong with using general styles of magick like candle magick or personalizing some of the very common spells chord cutting. The hard part can be when trying really narrow down your intention, figure out your ingredients and put it all together, then remember what you even did and if you feel it worked.

So here's a simple outline to address both of these. Start with your intention and narrow it down to sentence, maybe 2. Trouble refining the sentence? Good. Use that refinement process to really hone in on want you want. You can further refine it by taking the core elements of that sentence and turn it into a title for the "name of spell" portion. Use your intention to find ingredients work with what you want: colors, herbs, styles of magick, tools whatever!
Its not required to fill out each part.

TLDR: Make your own magick starting with the intention then build the ritual.

NAME OF SPELL

-          Date | Time

o   Intent:

o   Ingredients:

• Sight:
• Sound:
• Taste:
• Touch:
• Smell:

o   Incantation:

o   Visualization:

o   Action:

o   Location:

o   Results:

What title of magic practitioner do you call yourself and why?

TLDR: If i own a TM I intended to be part of the game but also use else where, what happens if i sell just the rules to a publisher?

I self-published a book that is a standalone title but serves as the lore to my game. Ive got some blind testing left to do but otherwise the game is pretty much ready for a presentation to a publisher minus the sales pit products i still need. I own the trademark to what is intended to be the name of the game and I have a copy of the the rules in special editions of this book for a "build it yourself" version of the game Ive sold to friends only.

Are these details I need to workout in a contract with a publisher or do I share TM and copy right? Or should I just work on separating this now.

I wanted to self publish because the book actually tied in extremely well with the pieces of the game and I was really passionate about that, but self publishing just seems like an impossible task as I don't even have a social media following and trying to start a business for 1 simple game seems like way to much.