Many practitioners of magic divide this discipline into two broad categories: white magic (sometimes called "the way of the right hand") and black magic ("the way of the left hand"). However, the exact definition of each of them is often debated. The most commonly accepted difference is that while white magic is associated with positivity and healing, black magic brings with it negativity and pain. Other beliefs say instead that white magic is practiced for the good of others, while black magic only for the personal benefit of those who use it. Still others say that black magic is any magic in which important taboos and social constraints are broken. However, the practice of white magic varies significantly between various beliefs, schools of thought and between practitioners.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Building Your Own Altar
Step 1. Choose the base for your altar
Your altar can be any elevated flat surface that is large enough to support your Book of Shadows and ritual items. It can therefore be a coffee table, a bedside table, a shelf or a large container. Some practitioners prefer to use a circular altar, which makes it easy to move around when inside a ritual circle. Others prefer square or rectangular altars instead for practical reasons, such as the ease with which they are stored.
Especially for the practice of white magic, the use of a wooden altar is recommended to be more in tune with nature. You could also choose a particular type of wood associated with a certain type of spell
Step 2. Choose the right place in the house
Make sure you choose a place that is usually quiet, where you can concentrate best. Some traditions suggest turning the altar to the north or east (depending on the school of thought).
To practice white magic, you could place your altar in a spot where lots of natural light comes in. You could also place it in a symbolically positive place associated with creation, such as the kitchen
Step 3. Arrange the symbols of your gods
These symbols should be placed next to each other in the center of your altar. Your iconic items can represent the Horned God and Mother Goddess, or a personal choice of deities who belong to a particular pantheon. Some practitioners choose candles of different colors to represent their deities; others buy statues that resemble you; still others choose particular objects significant to their gods, often resulting from myths and traditions.
Step 4. Represent the four elements
Many traditions include the symbols of the four elements in the altar, positioned at the four cardinal points. To practice white magic you can use white or less colored versions of the symbols (for example white wine instead of red).
- The Earth to the north: represented by a pentacle, stones, salt, food or plants. Place a yellow or green candle nearby.
- The Fire in the South: represented by oil, ritual daggers or an extinguisher. Put a red candle nearby.
- The Air in the East: represented by incense, feathers, a bell or your wand. Place a yellow or blue candle nearby.
- Water in the west: represented by a bowl of water, shells, a goblet or glass of wine or a cauldron. Place a blue or green candle nearby.
Part 2 of 2: Casting a Spell
Step 1. Establish your intent
You must always have a clear goal in mind when casting a spell. Remember that white magic is generally positive and meant for the benefit of others. White magic encourages healing, growth, happiness, peace, and so on.
Many believe that one of the main aspects of white magic is that it cannot subvert another person's will. If you follow this principle, you should not, for example, cast a love spell on a person to force them to fall in love with you. On the contrary, a white magic spell could attract you or whoever commissioned the spell to an unknown person, who may possess certain qualities
Step 2. Choose additional objects for the altar, suitable for the spell
The details of the objects you use are generally considered secondary to the meaning they have for those who perform the spell. Choose from the symbols and traditions of your culture or your magical coven (sometimes referred to as "coven"). Specific types of herbs or figurines are often used. You can add as many items as you want, as long as they don't crowd your altar too much.
Continuing with the example of the love spell created by white magic, place on the altar the representations of the qualities you would like in the person to be attracted. If you want someone who is passionate, add chili or a pinch of spice. Intelligence could be represented by the statuette of an owl. A jar of saffron might be good for a happy or stable person
Step 3. Start drawing a circle
Create a circle around your altar and move inside it before starting to cast the spell. The circle can be created with chalk, ropes, stones, twigs, salt or any other object that can serve the purpose. Turn to the altar. If you are casting the spell in conjunction with other people, take each other by the hand and turn towards each other in the center of the circle.
Step 4. Meditate on your altar
Use the objects on the altar to clear your mind and focus on your goal. You can use a wand or a ceremonial dagger to channel your concentration as you point to each of the iconic objects. Think about how each of them relates to the spell you are about to cast. Pray to your deities to guide and assist you.
Step 5. Perform any ritual or recite any formula that you think is appropriate for your spell
These are not always necessary practices for casting a spell, but many practitioners use them. You can learn some by doing research or directly from another believer. You can also create your own spell to write in your Book of Shadows. It's good practice to memorize everything before you start, but you can also read directly from the book.
For the practice of white magic, do not perform violent actions or actions that symbolize violence. Don't speak negatively and don't use hateful words
Advice
- If you follow Wicca, consider joining a local coven and ask other members to guide you. You can also ask to read or borrow a Book of Shadows that belongs to the coven or one of its members. From that source you can then copy your spells into a blank notebook, starting to create your own Book of Shadows.
- Many Wicca followers and other pagans and neo-pagans believe in the Law of Three or the Law of the Triple. According to this belief, all the good (and bad) you do through magic will come back to you three times.
- Many of those who practice magic agree that the most important aspects of the spell are the beliefs and will of those who perform it, rather than the technical parts of the ritual. Many even claim that specific objects, words and ingredients are completely irrelevant and are just a means to more easily channel concentration.
- Look for other believers online, on sites and forums. Many Wicca followers and other neo-pagans write their own personal spells online for others to read and eventually incorporate them into their own rituals.
- Some Wicca followers regard any collection of significant personal items as "natural altars", suitable for use in rituals. Typical examples could be a nightstand, desk or mantel.
