Another cautionary tale

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

samantha	11 May 2003
I just read cjtarot's piece about spells and having to be careful with them. This reminded me (This is the day for flashbacks!) about something I did this time last year . In order to fully "distance" myself from a guy I decided to burn all his letters / cards etc , not really out of malice , but rather as a focused exercise to say "Thats it , its over , let me move on ...." Anyway , it seemed like a good idea at the time .........So , I put *his* tarot card in my field of vision , lit the papers , concentrated REALLY hard and said what seemed appropriate . It didn't seem like a "spell" , infact I would have laughed if anyone had said as much . The next morning I went into the kitchen to find that someone had put a whole lot of broken glass into the bin. Yes , my other flat mate told me *he* dropped your present last night by accident , cut his finger ....and was pretty pissed off by the whole thing. So , its a coincidence until ........ Lunchtime . Met him by chance , and boy ! It was like meeting someone else.......Sullen face , snappy responses and real bitterness , where 24 hours earlier there had been good will and a "Que sera , sera" about our splitting up!!!!! This was how it continued until we went our separate ways. Even friends commented on it "Whats up with him?" (Tho' I'm sure that he was perfectly fine when I was NOT around.) I'm guessing that I was not as "neutral" as I would like to have thought I was , and that some repressed (?) anger got attached to the words I spoke ........for whatever reason it boomeranged back at me , and probably serves me right. I remember someone on the forum (Zorya?) saying that intent was one of the most potent "ingredients" in a spell . This has just got to be true. I mingled , confused , intent with a little , too little , knowledge.

zorya	11 May 2003
thanks for sharing that with us samantha. it reminds me of the story of someone doing a spell to get a new car. lo and hehold, the next day their favorite uncle has died and left them his old car. (or something like that, lol) i think that a great many of us have spoken about the important role intent plays. what you put out comes back to you (some say three fold). if you put out anger, than anger will come back. if you do your spells in the spirit of love and light, wishing for an outcome that is for everyone's best good, that is what will return. the words used are also crucial. we hear often about how to make up our own spells, and how 'easy' it is. once you know what you are doing, it is easy, but i would recommend learning first from a reputable source. learn about the directions and the elements and other correspondances etc. once you have a solid background, then you will have more success with creating your own spells.

skytwig	12 May 2003
Thanks for sharing, Samantha. Hope you're feeling better. One thing i have learned is to give any spellwork or any 'action' time. To act on passion or impulse can, especially when I am considering affecting something long lasting (!), is risking far too much. My policy is to wait. I read somewhere to give things 3 or 4 days before acting on it. That's not such a bad idea. That gives the emotions time to sort out, as well as any outside circumstances that might influence it. Maybe, too, that is why witches 'plan' their spells according to planet positions and hour times, etc. Self cleansing is also important, taking sacred bath, smudging, etc, are all steps to take before the spell, to prepare the self for the important work. Spellwork is not like wishing. It is truth; it is energy work. It is a gift, yes, but it is a responsible gift. We learn how to drive a car before taking off to the coast. Magick is, in many ways, bigger than a car...... Meditation, especially when I am emotionally distraught, really helps me get in touch with healing and getting grounded. I find that focusing on Spirit enlightens me and lifts me into a softer place with my feelings. Often, I get incredible insights; little aha moments, even joy. then the emotional whammy doesn't 'work' me so hard...... Hope this helps.... Blessings! :) skytwig

cjtarot	12 May 2003
Samantha, Everyone, With Samantha's tale in mind...We (my friends and I) had a girls night were they were discussing their ongoing divorce and how what the X is doing is really upsetting and hurtful. So, they were asking me (like I know what I'm doing) for suggestions on spells that would wake these men up. I told them that it's not the men, lets face it people will be people and you really can't or shouldn't change them (duhh you couldn't do it while married the the nuckle brain). What you have to do is cast to pull his emotional influance out of your life. In effect make yourself stronger and more secure so the deeds they are doing won't hurt, but just cause you to shake your head and go "it figures". Samantha, you pulled your X out totally, do you think pulling the emotional hold he had on you out would have worked better? That is what I would like to see my friends do. It is so painful to see them start hating and resenting a man they at one time loved. Any suggestions that will help keep the spell from backfireing..I will be suggesting the burning a phrase because it realeases. (let the flames carry away the hurt) and make sure we all understand the intent (give them the spell before hand to really think about it 1st). Your help is greatly appreciated. Cj

The Another cautionary tale thread was originally posted on 11 May 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.