How To Design a Spell

A basic framework for setting an intention, finding your own correspondences, and creating a ceremony around it

When I am facing a problem, or turning something over in mind without coming to any resolution, I often come to the conclusion that it's time to write a spell. There are many ways to approach magic, witchcraft, manifestation, or whatever word you use to describe the process of listening to the universe and setting an intention.

For me, it comes from a place of creative energy. The process of writing a new ceremony is very much like the process of writing a poem. I am mainly looking for physical metaphor. It is helpful to know what aspect of the universe or the divine you understand the best. How do you make sense of the world? For me, the extreme desire to create that I am gifted with (and sometimes plagued by) is enough explanation for me as to why humans exist. What explains it for you? Perhaps you are performer and so you best understand the desire for an audience. Whatever lens works best for you is the lens through which you should approach designing a ceremony.

1. Set an Intention.

What particular challenge are you looking to overcome in your life? Something I struggle with is indecision and so a lot of my ceremonies are designed around finding the right path. In this case, I'd ask for confidence, or maybe orientation. It depends on what's causing that indecision and this requires a great deal of introspection. Every part of designing a spell requires being totally present and fearlessly searching. It requires self-awareness and honesty. Maybe you don't feel like you have the self-awareness to recognize what's at the root of your obstacle. That's okay. In that case, ask for greater self-awareness.

2. Make a list of all of the traits you need to reach that intention.

Once I know what my intention is, I brainstorm a list of every trait that might help me reach that goal. A helpful resource for me has been Sandra Kynes Complete Book of Correspondences.

It is cross-referenced and divided into different sections like 'The Animal Kingdom' and 'Minerals'. For this stage of planning, however, the first section, 'Issues, Intentions and Powers' is helpful. It alphabetically lists thinks like acceptance, action, darkness, hope, purpose, and support. Then, I will narrow down that list as much as possible. Often, the list will have an obvious theme so that I can streamline these traits. I never have more than four for one ceremony though.

3. Make a web.

Each of the traits that I've chosen go at the center of a web, and I make a map of the magical correspondences each one has. This might look something like this:

There are a lot of correspondences for each trait, and so I will often choose them based on what I have on hand and what resonates with me. For example, I associate cedar with the Texas Hill Country which is a place that I associate with childhood. It was my wilderness, where I explored and felt free, safe and powerful. So, I would probably choose to use cedar because of my own associations with it. It's important that whatever way you are choosing to express protection feels real and true to you or the spell won't work. Maybe protection feels like metal to you, something strong, cold and implacable. Maybe it feels softer, more like a fuzzy blanket that you can wrap around yourself. What does protection mean to you specifically, and what do you want protection from? These are all important considerations when choosing what correspondences to use.

A book of correspondences is only a starting point. It is powerful to draw your own associations as well. This process should not be random.

Having lived in the high desert of Central Oregon for the last year, a great deal of that metaphor is coming from Ponderosa Pines, wildfires, winter and sage. In San Antonio, Texas, where I'm from, it comes from limestone, fossils, cedar and live oak. But wherever you are living, there is metaphor to be found in whatever nature surrounds you. For example, Ponderosa Pines thrive in wildfire country for several reasons. Their bark, which looks like jigsaw puzzle pieces, is fire resistant. They drop their lower branches to prevent fire from traveling up to the higher-up green pine needles. Their pine cones are glued shut with resin and the seeds will only be released when high heat melts this resin and allows them to open.

This is a beautiful metaphor for resilience. For example, if you feel a bit like something has been rampaging through your life and has caused great destruction, using Ponderosa Pine, or Pondies as I familiarly refer to them, is a great way to physically represent adapting to the wildfire and even thriving from it. The jigsaw puzzle piece also can provide metaphor if you are feeling a bit lost. If it feels like you are discombobulated and spread too thin, and you're looking for a way to incorporate what feel like disparate parts of yourself, the jigsaw bark is a great representation of this.

4. Design your ceremony.

This part is what I enjoy the most. This is the poem. There is so much opportunity for intention in this space, and none of it should be wasted. Put as much meaning into every step as you possibly can. Be creative and open-minded. There are two main considerations:

1. Where do you want this take place? I find that the bath is often a great space for a spell of cleansing, renewal, empowerment, and many others that have more introspective intentions. Other times, I prefer to be in nature. A forest can be a wonderful location, as can any place with a good vantage point as this will give new perspective. The most important thing is that you are in a place where you can be fully present, away from distractions.

2. How do you want to represent each intention and how will they all fit together? I often find that representing the four directions, the four elements or the four seasons is a good place to start. It's helpful to think of the elements in an Aristotelian way as well: air and fire rise whereas earth and water sink. Think, too, about what each season represents. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, while Winter is a time for introspection. Honoring the cycles of life metaphorically can be a healing ceremony.

Here is a good framework for setting up a spell:

These correspondences are deeply true. Keep them in mind as you're deciding where to place certain elements or even where to have your ceremony. The ultimate goal of any ceremony in harmony and balance between all of these elements, all of which are represented within ourselves.

5. Perform your ceremony.

My only advice for performing your spell is that your are trying to be completely present through out. Be totally non-judgemental and open to wherever the ceremony takes you, but exercise your will as well. It is a meditation.

After every ceremony, I tend to find myself more drawn to a particular element. I try to honor that in my life whichever way I can. I ascribe meaning to everything I observe during a ceremony and attempt to understand it in relation to the question I am posing to the universe.

It can also be helpful to bathe before your ceremony with the intention of cleansing yourself and entering a metaphysical space. Conversely, it can also be helpful to ground yourself after a ceremony with a nourishing meal.