Rituals Vs. Spell Work: Understanding The Difference

Rituals vs. Spell work: Understanding the Difference

When delving into the mystical realms of magick, it’s essential to grasp the distinctions between rituals and spell work. Let me illuminate these concepts:

Magical Practices (Spell work):

Definition: These are simple workings—everyday magics that don’t necessarily involve elaborate rituals.

Duration: They can take seconds to a couple of hours.

Intent: They have an intention, an end goal, and a magical act.

Examples: Taking a magical bath, divination (like tarot), reciting a spell, meditating, or lighting a candle.

Ritualistic Level: Not very ritualistic; no casting of circles or complex spells.

Rituals:

Definition: More elaborate magical works with structure and specific components.

Duration: Longer than practices due to their complexity.

Purpose: Assist in walking between worlds, raising significant energy.

Components: Often involve casting a circle, calling quarters/elements, and invoking spirits or deities.

Examples: Full moon rituals, spell bottles, transformative magics, protection spells.

Spells:

Definition: Spells consist of words or phrases with a specific intention.

Components: Usually involve words (or emojis) and focus on a desired outcome.

Purpose: To signify, relate, or talk—directing energy toward a goal.

Digital Notion Grimiore/Book of Shadows Template

A digital grimoire/book of shadows is a must-have for modern witches - and Notion is the PERFECT platform to organize it. My Notion Grimoire/Book of Shadows Template features tons of pages, sub-pages, linked properties, and TONS more to keep you organized and help you in your witchcraft journey. <3

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Witches, listen to me.

It's more than ok to take a break.

It's necessary even.

I haven't done witchcraft since February, and you know what? I'm not worried. It'll be here, like it always is, when I'm all rested up and ready to jump in again.

Life happens to us all.

You don't have to practice constantly, and you're still a witch.

Cultural Appropriation

There is a large problem with cultural appropriation in the Witch community as a whole. The following is a guideline to what terms to not use, terms that have appropriate alternatives, and cultures that are closed to anyone outside of them, items used by those cultures, as well as paths and cultures that are completely open.

Please note that discussion of these cultures and religion is fine. For instance, if you feel called to a deity that is in a closed culture/practice, politely decline them or approach someone who works with them with respect and discuss it. You should be free to discuss these feelings without being attacked for them.

We must be cautious to not use wrong words to not harm cultures that may not be able to withstand the shock of the Western World massively distorting their philosophy/way of life/religion/belief. You can use smoke to cleanse your space, but call it “smoke cleansing” - you shouldn’t use the word “smudging” because it refers to a specific Native American ritual. You won’t be using a word that does not mean what you think it means, and you’re using a more precise word that will allow you to discuss the subject with other people in a respectful manner.

TL;DR: THE POINT IS AWARENESS AND RESPECT!!!

Terms you should NEVER use:

G*psy (slur)

Practices and terms not to appropriate; culturally open alternative practices:

Spirit/Power animal, Spirit guide; Spirit companion (Native American)

Smudging; Smoke Cleansing (Native American)

Golem; Guardian, Construct (Judaic)

Chakras; Energy Points (Hinduism, Buddhism)

Karma; Cosmic Forces (Hinduism, Buddhism)

Guru; Spiritual Leader (Sikhism, Hinduism)

Tulpa; Cogniform (Buddhism)

Mantra; Chant (Hinduism, Buddhism)

Closed Cultures and Religions:

Native American

Native African

Saami

Sikhism

Hoodoo

Voodoo (dependent on group)

Haitian Vodou

Polynesian religions, including Hawaiian

Rastafarianism

Armenian polytheism

Slavic polytheism

Indigenous religions, including Mayan, Aztec, and Incan

Diasporic systems, including African, Sámi, and Romani

Partially Open and Initiation-based Religions:

Wicca (Gardenian, Alexandrian, Corilean)

Santería

Hinduism

Judaism

Kemetic Orthodox

Buddhism

Shinto

Items and Symbols used by Closed Cultures and Religions:

Dream catchers; buy only from Natives

Religious or cultural head-coverings, head-wraps, tichel, etc; they should be worn with respect and called by the correct terms

Bindi

Natha

Om (ॐ) and other spiritual symbols used by the Dharmic Religions (Hinduism, Sikhism, etc)

Mudras

Dreadlocks are both secular and religious; unless you are from one of the groups they are a part of, don’t get them

Open Cultures/Paths:

Paganism, as an umbrella term:

Hellenic

Kemetic

Etruscan

Minoan

Roman

Mesopotamian (including Babylonian)

Celtic polytheism (including Gaulish, Irish, Scottish, German, Iberian, Lusitanian)

Finnish polytheism

Heathenism, as an umbrella term:

Asatruar

Vanatruar

Rokkatruar

Lokean

Reconstructionist

Northern Tradition

Norse Tradition

The Elder Troth

Folkish

Universalist

Neo-Druidism

Neo-Wicca

You can appreciate the aesthetic of other cultures, but you have to remember that there is more to each one than that. Appropriation is not diversity. 

Many thanks to those who have helped me in compiling this information over the past year. 

𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐩 🍂

When you have a troubling thought that won’t leave you in peace, take a dried leaf. As you crush the leaf, imagine that it represents your problem, and then release it into the wind, letting it go.🕯🍂

A masterpost digital grimoire a list of all the educational content on deities, witchcraft, and familiars I've posted!

As a key: if the post is about Loki, it is marked in green, if the post is about Aphrodite, it is marked in pink, if it is about Ares, it is marked in red, if it is about Apollo, it is marked in orange. If it is a post about familiars, it is purple. If it is general witchcraft, deities, spellwork, or religion, or advice, it is marked in blue. If it is marked with a ❗, it is a longer and more educational-based post.

This will be updates each time I post!

DEITY POSTS

Devotional day to Aphrodite

Aphrodite's beauty

Shattered and put back together - a devotional story from Aphrodite❗

Aphrodite's altar

Aphrodite's beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Loki as a god of storytellers

Loki UPG quote about storytelling

Loki and his glowsticks (UPG)

Loki's altar shot glass and a chaotic job change

Personal associations with Loki (ask)

Interpreting Loki as a nature deity❗

Loki and Sigyn: Lessons on Chaos, Laughter, and Loyalty from the Norse Gods (quotes)

Loki's a little bit like moldavite

Loki's altar

Ares moodboard and aesthetic

To find peace in a war deity ❗

Ares is a woman respector send post

Ares as a protector of women and god of strength

Ares and how his energy feels

Ares altar

Ares is a proud dad, I guess?

A prayer to Apollo❗

Apollo werewolf cult curiosity

Deity appreciation post

My god squad's energies and how I see them as a poet

Blending/combining different branches of polytheism

Devotee and Deity Trend

My participation in devotee and deity

Deity interactions in my practice

How my relationships with my deities feels ❗

Worship the gods you are drawn to!

My God Squad + Familiar Moodboards

SPIRIT WORK, RELIGION, GENERAL WITCHCRAFT

What is spiritual psychosis, and how do you recognize the signs in pagan spaces?❗

The danger of Divine Masculinity and Femininity in pagan spaces

What is a spirit worker?❗

A unique perspective on godspousing and the afterlife ❗

The Divine Aurora Borealis

Mundane enchantment ideas

Becoming open and loud about being a pagan & witch is scary. But what makes that any different than a Christian being open and loud about their faith? ❗

Custom tincture and balm making/herbalism

Colored flame candles

Healing from spiritual psychosis—a survivor's journey from delusion and depression, to happiness and purpose as a practicing pagan. ❗

Familiar Spirits in Eclectic Paganism and Witchcraft ❗

Life as a wolf spirit worker

Familiar appreciation post

How I work with my familiars❗

Familiar spirit readings (OPEN)

Reasons I think every witch/pagan should have a familiar spirit

Resources and readings for research on familiars & familiar spirits

Can we tell I never shut my mouth?